Chapter 28
Esme wants to call Aro. Aro is the scariest man I have ever laid eyes on. The father of the she-bitch herself. What information could he possibly have? This has all been way to emotional to then have to deal with that man. I excuse myself to check on the kids. It's getting late and I don't want them to worry.
"Hello" My mom's voice chimes on the house phone
"Mom" I sigh
"Bella, darling are you alright. Do we need to come get you?" She rushes
"No, No Mom, I'm ok, It's just been...emotional. I was actually calling to check on the kids it seems that Edward and I may need to stay here tonight. I'm not sure yet though"
"Bella, honey I will take off work tomorrow. I will stay with them. They are watching a movie right now did you want to talk with them"
"Thank you Mom, Yes I really would" It's only a second before I hear Jake and Leah get on the line. They must have put the phone on speaker because they are both talking at the same time.
"Hi guys, how was your day?"
"Good, we played all day. Uncle Em and pups were so tired they are sleeping together on the couch" Leah tells me
"Yeah, don't wake them up; they really don't like each other. Pups peed on Uncle Ems pants at the park" Jake laughs
"Oh" I chuckle
"Yeah and Aunt Rose said well his leg look big enough to be a tree" I laughed at that
"Uncle Em did not laugh" Jake says seriously
"Mom, Are you and Edward coming home soon. We wanted to wait for you but I'm getting tired" Leah asks
"I think Edward and I are going to have to stay here tonight, if not I know we will be really late getting home. Grandma said she was going to stay home with you tomorrow"
"Ok, just make sure Edward brings his suit" She giggles
"Oh I will, Grandma Esme will remind him. She read your letter. Want to tell me what it was about?"
"Ahhh, man Mom I'm tired, I think me and Leah are going to bed" I laugh at his obvious attempt to change the subject
"Alright you two, I love you and I will see you tomorrow. I will eventually find out what you're planning you know"
"Right, love you too" Leah states
"Tell Edward we love him too, here's Grandma" Jakes passes the phone to my Mom.
"Bella, since they are ok with it, why don't you just stay there tonight I would rather you guys not be on the road too late"
"Ok, Mom, if you are sure. I am sure Esme wouldn't mind. Plus I'm sure Edward would like a bed instead of a couch" I giggle
"I'm sure, Goodnight sweetie, Call me anytime"
"Thank Mom, I love you"
"I love you too my sweet girl"
It's amazing how my Mom and my kids have the ability to calm me in a simple phone conversation. I'm still smiling when I walk back into the kitchen. I walk over to Edward and kiss his cheek.
"The kids tell me, to tell you, they love you and goodnight"
"Oh, I wish I would have come out there. I would have liked to say goodnight, and I love them too" I hug him tightly
"I know, they are planning something"
"I know" he groans
"Esme do you mind if we stay here, My Mom is going to stay home with the kids tomorrow and I would rather not be driving too late tonight" I ask
"Oh, that is great it seems Aro won't be able to join us until breakfast" At the mention of his name I shudder
"I'm not very fond of him, He kind of weirds me out" I tell them truthfully
"Well at least I am not the only one" Esme proclaims
"He's unusual I will give you that. I wasn't aware you had met" Carlisle lifts his brow in question.
"He was there with Victoria; He had to almost force her to release Edward. She doesn't take loosing lightly" I remember her screaming and throwing a tantrum like a two year old
"It would seem Esme is correct. If anyone knew about you it would be him and well he seems to have high hopes for you. He does not practice much anymore but his family is one of the unusual ones they consist of both light and dark. Aro is light while Victoria is dark. She is not biologically his they are a blended family of sorts. All creatures and breeds in one large family. They live peacefully among themselves and never venture far from home. That is with the exception of Victoria. She is not allowed to hunt in the family. Aro has made arrangements with other families that allow Victoria to hunt in a peaceful way"
"There is nothing peaceful with what she does" I argue
"No, I do agree with that. However, if left to her own accords she could do some serious damage. The game is supposed to be a fair way for her to feed. I was never involved in her games nor would I ever want to be"
"I can attest to the fact it is not pleasant" Edward states "She will not be coming with Aro, Will she?"
"No, Son. I specifically asked him to come alone"
"Good"
We went to bed shortly after that. Thankfully Carlisle and Esme are not prudes like my Dad and allowed Edward and I to share his childhood bedroom. With the emotions from the day, I was exhausted. I curled into Edward and was asleep in seconds.
"Bella"
"Who is there?" I ask the dark
"My name is not important now, what is, Is the fact that you need to listen. We don't have much time"
"For what?"
"He will come for you, He knows you exist. Victoria has outed you. Do not blame her. She is jealous that you are stronger then she"
"Don't blame her? Who is looking for me?"
"He's not looking darling, He knows. He never thought you would win. Now that you have he is not pleased. You are stronger than him. You must master your own skill before you face him"
"Him, Who?" I shout
"Your Father" I gasp "Strength comes in many forms, Find your strength Bella. I know you can"
I sit up panting. I run my hand through my sweaty hair and sigh two nights in a row. That can't be normal.
"Another dream" A groggy Edward asks. His voice is thick with sleep. I immediately forget the horrors of the last day and attach my lips to his. He kisses me back passionately. I break away breathless
"Yes, But I just want you to hold me. I could use a little more sleep" He nods
"Ok, but if you want more sleep in the future I do not suggest kissing me like that. It seems to cause a not so little problem" I giggle as he thrust his not so little problem into me leg. He wraps his arms tighter around me and we fall back to sleep.
We sleep for minutes or hours but I am awakened by a clicking sound. I peek one eye open to see Esme smiling behind a camera.
"Uhh" I groan and turn into Edward chest
"Awe" she coos and the clicking resumes
"Mom, seriously, we could be naked" Edward mumbles without opening his eyes
"Well I peeked in before I brought the camera, you seemed descent and this is just too cute" I chuckle when he throws a pillow at her
"Get up sleepy heads breakfast in half hour. I expect you showered and dressed. Remember we will have company" She sings as she turns and leaves
"She needs a snooze button" I sigh into Edwards's chest
"Or muzzle" He groans
"I heard that" She yells
We both laugh and start to get up. I attempt to unwrap myself from Edward only to have him pull me back down. I look into his piercing green eyes.
"I have not forgotten about your dream, Will you please tell me later. Together remember"
"Yes, Edward I will tell you later. I think it may be more then I originally thought anyways" I shrug. I'm not sure if they mean anything but something just feels different about these dreams.
We make it downstairs less than thirty minutes later. We saved time by showering together. I only had to remind Edward three times that I was not having sex in his parents' house. He pouted but I laughed because I had yet to tell him I had decided to move in with him. If I had any doubt, the kids making sure I told him they loved him erased it all.
Before we even made it to the kitchen I could hear Aro's unsettling voice. He was talking with Carlisle and while it seemed like innocent chatter the serious looks they carried told me it was anything but.
"Good Morning sleepy heads, we wondered when you would join us" Esme asked as she came over and hugged us both.
"Ah, Isabella it's wonderful to see you again my dear" Aro smiled
"I wish I could say the same. Our last interaction wasn't one I would like to relive" he nodded
"I do understand, I hope you will not judge me for Victoria's actions although, they were in the realm of the agreement. I simply tag along from time to time and make sure it is fair. I was happy I was there to see someone outsmart her. She has played her game for a while now and my dear you are the first to have walked away with your mate and your life"
"I heard. Any chance you want to tell me how to make sure she no longer comes after me or my family?"
"That, I cannot do. She is after all, family. If she was your daughter, would you not try to help as best you could?" That had me stop. He was right if by some horrible chance that was Leah, I probably would do as much to help her as I can.
"You may be right, I just hope that decision never has to be mine" I shrug
"Carlisle, here has told me a little of your past. I hope you don't mind but I may not have fully asked permission?" He shrugs. I look at Edward confused
"Aro, He can see everything with just a touch. He can see your mind, Memories, Dreams, Thoughts anything really" I nod not knowing what to say.
"Isabella, if you don't mind I would love to see if maybe there is anything, a little piece of information that could help." It seemed harmless enough and really what did I have to lose. It wasn't as if I had any real information. As Aro took my hand in his, I remembered. The dreams please let him miss those.
"Interesting" He comments looking at my hand "I see, well I see nothing" he grumbles
"I'm not able to read her either" Edward tell him. He nods
"Intriguing, that certainly didn't give us any information. So why don't we sit and chat?" he pulls out a chair and waits for me to sit. He is a strange man, yet he is strangely nice. Of course, compared to the rest of his family, the ones I have met. He's an angel.
"Aro, we have learned that Elezear is Bella's father. I think you may have already known that" He smirks and nods to Edwards's question.
"It's my job to know, I learned from Sam" I choke on the coffee Esme has just placed in front of me
"You knew Sam?" I ask
"Yes, dear, I know Sam. We have been acquaintances for a long time now. Many secrets we have shared" He remembers fondly. It doesn't escape my notice that he refers to their friendship in the present tense. "I had no desire to share your secret. I was out of options and she needed to feed. It did work out in your favor though. I think" He smiles gesturing to Edward. Instinctively he wraps his arm around my chair and pulls me closer. His macho move earns a chuckle from Aro and Carlisle.
"Relax, Son. She is not Aros type. Although, Bella may want to pull you a little closer" he laughs
"I am in a happy relationship. There is no need to worry on either part" He laughs with Carlisle as Edwards pale face.
Esme who has been sitting quietly stands abruptly. Just as the door bells rings.
"We have company, not the kind we want" She mumbles. I can hear Aro growl as he head to the door.
Victoria pushes past him and into the room. She smiles at Edward, walking up to me with a smirk.
"You may have won against me but you are no match for what is about to come your way. You may have the blood but you will never be family" She turns away looking to Aro. "I should appreciate all you have done for me but well, I don't. I am moving on, away from the family and on my own. I received a nice bonus when I gave information on the newbie here. James and I are leaving." She smiled brightly tapping him on the head "See you around, Bella"
As quickly as she came in she was gone. I was happy to see her leave but her parting comment gave me no comfort. I knew I would see her again but when?
Aro was upset. She was his daughter, not blood but he did try to raise her. She walked out on him as if he was nothing to her. He was visibly shaken and unable to give us any information. I asked if he would call me to continue our discussion and he invited us to dinner at his house. Edward agreed since Victoria wouldn't be there, he didn't mind.
Aro left and all I wanted to do was get home to my kids. I told Edward we should leave as soon as possible and he readily agreed. After the emotions of the last two days we just wanted to cuddle with Leah and Jake. Watch a movie and relax.
