PURE PERFECTION
CHAPTER 29
A/N:
Not a whole lot to say right now. Last couple of chapters were kind of weak IMO, just taking care of business, making sure that all the characters were up to speed.
Please read and review, thank you.
See you at the bottom...
Another tremor rocked the Cullen home as Friday morning dawned. Alice and Jasper had yet to return home. Charlie sat in Carlisle's office, exhausted from his vigil at Bella's bedside. Little by little it seemed as if Bella was coming out of her deep sleep. Edward wished that it only took a kiss from her true love to wake her, as it were, he remained at the foot of the stairs, helpless to do anything.
Carlisle had been called back to the hospital, so there was no real conduit between Edward and what was happening in the room. Carlisle parted telling Edward to send Rosalie if there was any change and for him to attempt to remain calm, for Bella's sake. Raking his hands violently through his hair, he stood and began pacing. Unable to sit still any longer.
"Ed, take it easy. You're wearing her out," Emmett whispered from upstairs.
"Fat chance of that happening," Rosalie teased, "he's so damned dramatic, always finding a way to twist things around so the attention is on him."
"Emmett, please. Control your wife, I am in no mood for her harassing today. My only concern is Bella."
"Children please," Esme said, attempting to cool the bickering. "Emmett, perhaps you should take Edward out for a hunt. Rosalie, Charlie, and I can look after Bella."
Emmett looked around and nodded, he needed to feed. It had been a few days and watching over Bella had worn him out, if that was possible. He knew that Edward had not heeded Carlisle's advice and hunted last night. Emmett would have to drag him away, he was the only one who could.
Emmett met Edward at the foot of the stairs, "Come on bro, let's go hunt. Take out our aggressions on a bear or some mountain lions and some shit. I know I could use it." Edward looked on his brother incredulously. He had no intention of being away from Bella for more than a few minutes. He'd eat a possum or something similar before he willingly left for any length of time, not while she was still unconscious.
"No way Em. Go without me. I'm not leaving her."
"It wasn't a suggestion Ed. I will drag you outta here if I have to. You need to get away, clear your head. Get something in you, you'll feel better. I know I will." Emmett clapped his brother on the shoulder, pushing him gently towards the door. "Whatever's going on with Bella, none of us can do anything to help her if we're not at our best. Like Carlisle said, we gotta take care of ourselves too. Besides, I don't know about you, but I'm hungry and Charlie is starting to smell real good," Emmett said with a chuckle.
Edward rolled his eyes, his resolve slipping. He continued to let Emmett push him through the door. He hated when Emmett was right. "Just for a little bit Em, we won't go too far, okay?"
Pumping his fists in the air, Emmett let out a triumphant whoop, "That's what I'm talking about! I'll race you." The two vampires darted off towards the forest. Esme smiled softly at the sight, their laughter drifting off into the woods.
They had spent a couple of hours deep within the forest, near the Canadian border sating their thirst on a large herd of deer. Edward refused to go into more remote areas in search of carnivores, fearing that he would miss Bella's awakening. His cell phone rang, surprising him.
"Hello, Edward? This is Logan. I've been trying to reach you for almost two days. What's going on out there?"
"Are you nearby then? I wasn't expecting to hear from you for another couple of days," Edward hedged.
"Yeah, well. I left right after you did. I couldn't wait. The road has been good, helped me to clear my head. Anyway, I'm just north of you."
"Great, well. I think it would be best if you met Carlisle at the hospital, that way he can mediate your meeting with Chief Swan and give you a lay of the land."
"Look kid, I see that you're trying to stall me. I know something is going on here. Let your old man know I'll meet him at the hospital in half an hour. And Edward, don't every try and bullshit me again. You got it, Rusty?" Edward swallowed hard and disconnected the call.
"Well, he sounds pissed," Emmett said.
"Yeah. It was one thing to have Chief Swan in my face thinking I harmed Bella, but this guy," Edward sighed heavily. "He's unstable and truly capable of separating my head from my body," Edward said, rubbing his throat remembering the sensation of Wolverine's adamantium claws at his neck.
Edward tapped out a quick text to Carlisle, informing him of Logan's impending visit.
Damn, Bella has two overprotective dads. That's messed up. Glad I'm not Eddie, Emmett thought. "Tell me about it... for once I wish we could switch places with you," Edward responded, not grasping that he heard Emmett's thoughts.
"Hey! You answered what I was thinking. Maybe Bella's waking up. Your cell's working now and we aren't but a few miles from home."
Edward's honeyed eyes glistened at the prospect of Bella awakening. He looked at his brother, "Let's get back. Last one home has to detail the cars," Edward teased as he took off like a shot through the forest. Emmett calling after him grousing about unfair advantages and head starts.
~PP~
The last bit of night had burned away to an overcast morning. Charlie sat on the porch with a cup of coffee as Edward and Emmett made their way towards the house, laughing and roughhousing their way across the massive lawn. "Mornin' Chief, how's our girl?" Emmett called our cheerfully.
"No real change son, but hey. The electronics work, your Ma makes a mean cup o' joe," Charlie said, his mustache twitching covering his smile. "That's gotta count for something, right?"
"Absolutely!" Edward cheered, as he darted inside, heading for the stairs. Much to his surprise his movements were not stilled. He managed to make it to Carlisle's office door unimpeded. Edward's dead heart was soaring at the prospect of seeing his love's bright eyes again. The past twenty or so hours had been hellish. "Bella! Bella?" Edward called as he reached for the knob.
"Edward, NO!" Esme shouted from inside just as a pulse of energy burst through the door, knocking him back, briefly pinning him to the opposite wall. Emmett came bounding up the stairs with Charlie following close behind.
"What was that? Sounded like a sonic boom," Charlie asked as he slipped into the office to tend to Bella.
Emmett peeled Edward off of the plaster, an indentation of his body remained. "What did you do bro?"
Edward was stunned, never had he felt anything so powerful. It was as if an invisible train just crashed into his chest, running at full speed. "Ah," he moaned, stretching out his limbs, assessing the damage. "What in the world was that?" Edward asked, peeking in through the partially opened door to see Charlie and Esme attempting to calm a writhing Bella, while Rosalie used all her strength to restrain her.
"Edward, maybe you should go back downstairs. She's incredibly agitated," Esme whispered. Edward hobbled down the stairs deliriously, Emmett helping him keep his footing.
Depositing Edward on one of the sofas in the family room, Emmett heard a motorcycle approach. "Hey Ed, I think Bella's bio-dad is here." Edward forced himself up, to stand in the window beside his brother.
"Shit... I don't need this right now," Edward said, rubbing his chest. His frustration at all-time, he rarely used foul language. Emmett smirked at his brother's loss of decorum.
"That dude looks totally bad ass. He's tiny though, must be where Bella gets it from," Emmett said with a chuckle. "Boy do you know how to pick 'em! That dude is gonna totally kick your ass if you piss him off."
Carlisle pulled up behind Logan's motorcycle. The two men stood outside for a moment, Logan's composure weakening and nervousness increasing with each step closer to Bella. They climbed the stairs and Carlisle let Logan inside. "Please, make yourself comfortable. I'll get you some refreshments," Carlisle said, pointing Logan towards the family room. "You remember Edward. This is my other son, Emmett."
Logan sized Emmett up, "Hey Tiny. How's it going?" Logan said, sticking his hand out to shake Emmett's.
Emmett grinned widely, turning to Edward, "Oh I like him, Edward!" Taking Logan's hand in his, "Emmett McCarthy Cullen, nice to meet you, Logan."
"Raggedy Anne..." Logan grumbled. Edward rolled his eyes but nodded in greeting. Emmett guffawed at the exchange as Carlisle reappeared with a cup of coffee and pastries. "So Doc, where's the Chief?"
"He's upstairs, I'll send him down," Emmett offered. Moments later Charlie descended the stairs with Esme following close behind. Charlie's steps felt leaden. He believed that each one was taking his daughter away.
Charlie rounded the corner to the family room, holding his breath. "Here goes nothin'," he said quietly to himself, setting his jaw and entering the room. Carlisle greeted him with understanding eyes and a small smile. Esme gave Charlie's hand a small squeeze, encouraging him to move forward.
"Logan, let me introduce you to my wife, Esme. And here is Chief Swan."
The two men shook hands and silently sized each other up. Logan spoke first. "Chief Swan," he said, his voice surprisingly thick with emotion. "I, I can't tell you how grateful I am for all you've done for Bella. Had I known she existed... I mean..." Logan choked on a thick lump in his throat, his eyes welling up.
"It's alright. Just doing the right thing by a scared little girl who was left all alone," Charlie said confidently, clapping Logan on his shoulder in a gesture meant to comfort.
Blinking back tears, Logan asked, "Is she here, can I see her?"
"Um, she's here, but something's happened that we aren't quite clear on. She's unconscious, has been for nearly a day. The Cullens have been keeping an eye out, thank goodness," Charlie informed.
"Well, let me have it. I've been around the block a few times, I can handle it."
Carlisle began, recounting the events of the last day. From the moment Bella fell unconscious, the interruption of electronics, the loss of abilities, and suspended states. Logan sat back and absorbed it all. Edward was wary at Logan's calm demeanor, surely the man would explode at any moment.
"We just don't have enough knowledge of mutants to understand what may be happening to her. My best guess is that she's reaching some sort of event horizon in her development; gaining new abilities and so on," Carlisle attempted to explain.
Logan let out a belly laugh. "Pretty good Doc," he said with a genuine smile on his face. "Not that this is normal or happens to every mutant, but what Bella is going through is similar to what happened to her mother, at least that's what the Professor was able to uncover that night she came home." Logan's thoughts drifted back again to that heated night with Jean. The product of their joining lay unconscious just above him.
"My powers manifested after a trauma. I was a sickly kid, must have been my body fighting the mutation all along. When I was about twelve, these made an appearance," Logan said as he unleashed his adamantium claws.
"Cool," Emmett whispered, his eyes wide with wonder. Charlie and Esme jumped back, startled at the sight. Edward winced and rubbed his shoulder, remembering the damage Wolverine's claws could inflict. "Remind me never get on your bad side!" Logan couldn't help but smile at Emmett's playful nature.
"Were you born with this metal in your body?" Esme quietly asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Nah, I was experimented on – I don't remember any of it. The claws were always there, just bone though. There was this Weapon X program that I apparently signed up for. Because of my ability to heal, I was chosen for the adamantium injections. All the others who tried died," he shrugged.
"I can imagine that was an immensely painful experience. It is understandable to block it out," Carlisle added.
"They really did a massive mind-fuck on me – excuse my language Esme... but until I met up with the Professor, I had no idea who I was, except for this," he said, pulling out his dog tags that said WOLVERINE. "I was angry and confused, drinking, lashing out, picking fights. Violence was all I knew, it made be know I was alive, that this was real. The Professor helped me a lot by rattling things loose in my head. I started remembering some things from my past but other parts of my mind are locked tight, that's why Copper Top here can't get in. The Doc did it. Only him and Jean could get through and talk to me or hear me." It ached for Logan to talk about Jean and the Professor, they had become his family, the ones who literally saw the real him. Now they both were gone. There was no one, except... Bella.
"The School is filled with other mutants, adults and kids. Storm and Kitty could really help Bella. Help her to understand her powers. She'll feel safe and be amongst her own kind. I'd really love to get back to New York and bring Bella with me," Logan declared.
Charlie stood abruptly, "Now hold on there buddy. You can't just waltz in here and talk about taking my daughter across the country to live with a bunch of strangers. This is her home, this is the life she knows. I've done the best I could with what I had. I've never done wrong by Bella. I love her dammit, I'm not giving her up without a fight!"
Esme reached out for Charlie but he quickly snatched his hand back. "No! You have no idea what I would do for that girl up there. None of you know. This is like some twisted circus side show. Vampires, werewolves, mutants. God! What else could there possibly be? I can't lose her – I won't lose her! You all come out of nowhere and are taking my girl from me. You've known her what, a week? A whole week and now you know what's best? I say bullshit! I'm her father – I'm taking her home."
Charlie marched up the stairs, leaving the group stunned silent. He threw the door open to Carlisle's office, "Beat it blondie," Charlie seethed as Rosalie stood defensively over Bella. "I mean it, get out of my way." He took a determined few steps towards Bella as the others entered the room, their eyes sad but resolute. Carlisle nodded once and Rosalie stepped aside.
Bella lay unresponsive as Charlie scooped her into his arms, grunting as he picked her up. "Here Chief, let me," Emmett offered. Charlie shot him a deadly glare, Emmett raised his hands in surrender. "I promise, no games. Let me get her to your car, alright. Let me help you." Charlie nodded. "Come on lil sister, your dad's gonna take you home."
Logan stood at the bottom of the stairs as Emmett walked past with Bella cradled in his arms. His breath hitches as he gazed upon her. Her dark brown hair rippling with every movement. Emmett paused, letting the man look upon his daughter for the first time. With her eyes closed, Bella's long lashes grazed her cheeks. Bella's plump lips were pursed tightly, her brow knitted in frustration. "Don't fret baby girl. Everything will be alright," Logan whispered softly as he reached out to massage the wrinkle with his thumb.
When the pad of his thumb made contact with Bella's skin a flash blinded Logan's senses. When the bright white subsided Bella stood before him in a now empty room. "Hi," she said quietly.
"Hey baby girl," Logan responded, looking around puzzled, "how are you?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Bella answered, "Okay, I guess. I've been with Mother. She's shown me some things I needed to know."
"If I know your mom, they are of the utmost importance," Logan said, trying to be serious. "Don't take what she says lightly kiddo."
Bella smiled softly at her father, stepping closer to him, "So... you're my father, huh?" Logan nodded. Bella looked him up and down, circling him. "You're short." He snorted in response. "And you need a haircut."
Logan smiled broadly at his daughter's assessment, she was so much like her mother. "I see you have your mother's lack of filter," Logan teased.
"I guess, but she said I have your lack of patience. Que sera, sera. I gotta work with what I've been given," Bella answered, shrugging her shoulders again. "Look, don't be mad at Charlie, okay. He's just looking out for me. He's great, I couldn't have asked for better. Maybe we can all try and be friends?"
Nodding, Logan asked, "Bella... are you doing this?"
"I don't think so. Mother's... around."
"Did she tell you anything, about us, about how it ended?" Bella shook her head no. Logan deflated a little, he did not want to broach the subject, but knew it was best to get it all out in the open right away. As he opened his mouth to speak again a figure appeared before him. "Jean?"
"Hello Logan, I've missed you," Jean said as she reached out for her daughter's hand, Bella quickly clasped it in her own. "How are things at the School; Storm, Kitty, Hank, Peter, the others?"
Stunned at the sight before him, his love and his daughter together, Logan was speechless. So similar yet different. Little bits of himself were evident in Bella, the muddying of her hair and eyes were because of him. The paleness of her complexion was from all Jean.
"She's quite lovely isn't she, Logan, our daughter?" Jean's words broke his heart. She stood there, so full of pride, having a relationship with their daughter while he was left alone all these years.
"Yes she is...," Logan's voice cracked. "Jean, honey. Why? Why'd you shut me out like that? I missed out on so much. It hurts Jean, you cut me deep."
Bella looked between her parents, her mother looked stoic and uncaring while Logan was crumbling before her eyes.
"The great Wolverine," Jean tisked. "What am I going to do with you Logan? Always so emotional."
"Don't Jean. Don't play with me," Logan growled. "Where the hell have you been for the past sixteen years?"
"Well, obviously you weren't expecting me to be alive," Jean snapped back. Logan heaved a bit at Jean's words, his eyes downcast. Bella was fighting to understand what was happening, she couldn't read into either of her parents' minds.
Bella released Jean's hand, not liking the tenor of her voice during her exchange with Logan. He noticed her step away. "Bella, sweet pea, don't be afraid," Logan said, watching his daughter shrink away from him. "I would have told you myself, if given the chance. I did what had to be done – Jean you begged me to do it! I never wanted to do it, I love you!"
"What is going on, what is she talking about? Mother?" Bella was frantic. Logan reached for her but Bella snapped an invisible wall between them. "I don't want you to touch me – don't come near me. Somebody please tell me what's going on?" Bella shouted, gripping her hair and tugging on it forcefully.
Logan fell to his knees before his daughter. "Please understand Bella, there was no other way. What your mother had become...it had to be stopped." the Phoenix Bella's mind called out. Jean nodded in agreement.
"You stopped it? Stopped her, how?"
"I did what I do best..." Logan whispered as he unfurled his claws. Bella's mouth fell open, understanding rocking her to her core. She clenched her fists, feeling her nails bite into her skin as her emotions rose to a dizzying crescendo.
Letting out a feral shriek, Bella lunged at Logan. Her nails now having grown at least three inches, she swiped furiously at her father. "You took her away from me! I had no one, no one because of you!" She continued to flail around like a whirling dervish, Logan deftly sidestepping her every move.
Bella stepped back, panting, leveling a deadly, black-eyed glare upon her father. A pulse of blue light arced out Bella's hands as she swiped them in front of her. Left hand and then the right. Each blade of light slamming into Logan-pushing him back, shredding his flesh. Bella increased the speed of her blows, smirking at the damage she was delivering.
"Bella, baby that's enough. Let him go – you've done well," Jean's voice echoed in Bella's head.
"Wha...what?" The fury in Bella's mind began to clear. She looked upon her father, his clothes tattered, his chest raw and in some parts rubbed down to the tendons and shiny metal bone. Bella clapped her hand over her mouth, shocked at what she'd done.
Coughing and pulling himself onto his feet Logan growled, "Is this you now Jean? Playing games. Did you enjoy that? Huh?" With each passing breath the cuts on his chest healed, Bella watched wide-eyed.
"She needs to learn Logan," Jean shouted back, "and you're the best teacher, an indestructible punching bag." Snapping her head to Bella, she continued, "You see darling, the Volturi will use all that they can to break you. You must not let them. They will try and turn your compassion against you."
"What are you doing to her Jean? She's just a kid!"
"You know better than most what cruelties the world is capable of Wolverine. She may be a child but she was born for a greater purpose that she must now fulfill."
"You used me Jean... I won't let my daughter end up a martyr. I've mourned you for years, put everything else on hold for you. I won't allow Bella or her friends to suffer the same fate."
"Then teach her Logan. She must learn how to take the offensive. No more hiding – not any more." Jean stepped to Bella, putting an arm around her shoulders. "It is time to fight, Bella. Fight for those you love." Jean walked Bella over to Logan, pushing them together in an embrace. Silent tears fell from his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his child, his broken heart mending little by little.
Bella looked up at him, their eyes met – chocolate brown to chocolate brown. Logan kissed his daughter's forehead.
"Logan, for what it's worth... I am sorry that I hurt you. Thank you for my child – take good care of her." Jean whispered in Logan's ear, planting a soft kiss on his cheek as she dissolved into the darkness.
"Bella my darling... it's time to wake up," Jean's voices quietly echoed through emptiness. A bright light engulfed the father and daughter as they clung to each other.
A/N:
Bella flexed a little muscle in this chapter. I wanted her to be able to just wail on someone, learning what she can do without killing anyone. Wolverine is always the best choice. He's a glutton for punishment.
I apologize if my Logan seems like a wuss, but I always perceived him as highly sensitive, passionate, plus having a bit of a napoleon complex. :) He's my favorite X-Man, so I hope that my admiration of him is evident in my writing.
Until next time...
