Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Thirty Six: The Healer

CPOV

Maybe it was because my happiness knew no bounds, but time with my Bella seemed to evaporate no matter how tightly I tried to cling to it. The 'Party' as I'd come to refer to it, was tonight. I had more than a few reservations about it, although to be quite honest, I was looking forward to showing off my exquisite soul mate to all my old friends. I was so proud of the amazing female who had agreed to be my wife.

Meanwhile, Bella had somehow morphed into this calm, confident, creature that seemed to ooze grace and serenity. I was constantly surprised and awed by her control despite the fact that she was technically still a newborn. Her eyes were now golden and her temperament was uncommonly even. Though her hunting technique could still stand some improvement, she didn't seem to crave the blood as one would have expected. She was more interested in discussing medicine, history or philosophy than where her next meal was coming from.

I enjoyed laying with her by the lake and talking about our future plans together. She wanted to eventually attend university classes and work toward a medical degree, which ambition thrilled me no end. But, tonight was all about bringing her into my world in her official capacity as my soul mate and wife. Naturally, Aro and the brothers would be anxious to meet her. Still, it made me nervous. They always had an agenda, always.

I was grateful Eleazar had agreed to stand up for me. His straight forward demeanor and calm attitude were just what I needed to maintain myself until I could once again have my Bella beside me. Not to mention that we'd served the Volturi together and were almost equally equipped to handle the brothers.

"Emmett tells me we have quite a turn out already," I said nervously.

"Expect anything less?" Eleazar scoffed, "I mean short of a summons to Volterra, there's nothing more imperative than an invitation from Carlisle Cullen. It's your wedding, man. The entire Vampire world is excited for you."

I smiled, "Esme would be happy for us."

Eleazar sighed, "Yes, she would.. as would Edward."

My dead heart seemed to quiver at their mention, "I miss them."

"A great loss to us all, Carlisle. You know that. But today all thoughts should be focused on your future with Bella."

"Have the brothers arrived yet?"

"No."

"I want to be informed the minute they get here. I don't want them to feel slighted."

Eleazar laughed, "You had special quarters built especially for them. Limousines and escorts sent to meet them and their entourage, plus a warm meal waiting for them, despite their past rudeness. I'd say if anyone was to feel slighted my friend, it would be you."

I shook my head, fearing how that sort of thinking could prove very dangerous to my loved ones, "Eleazar.. a few mobile homes doesn't exactly equate to the Taj Mahal."

"A few mobile homes," he scoffed, "The boys have customized them so well that one might never realize they weren't the real Taj Mahal." I opened my mouth to refute, but he threw his palms up to stop me, "I know, I know... better than most how picky they are. Jasper is all over it, everything will be fine, you'll see."

"How does this ascot look?"

He frowned at me, casting his head to one side and then the other, "Old fashioned, I say go with the black bow tie."

I snorted, "How does a bow tie look more hip than an ascot?"

He grinned, "Don't look at me, ask your oracle.. "

I sighed, resigned as I reached for the bow tie. I glanced in the mirror and sighed, "As good as it's going to get I suppose, got the ring?" I watched him pull the prize from his pocket and wave it at me while he smirked," OK, ok.. let's go see who's arrived."

The sun was still on the horizon, but sinking fast when we boarded the gondola. As soon as it set, the guests would be making their way to the cliff side venue. Even though they had been assured we were completely alone, most of us still found it difficult to step out into the sun. Eleazar was the perfect groom's man, he stayed right by my side as we made our way to the Volturi's makeshift quarters on the cliff just below the amphitheater making for a spectacular view for our royal guests. Jasper had done some nice landscaping and Emmett's wood work on the decks was superb. The interiors were just Ikea, but they were only staying the night. We found Felix stationed on the front deck, "Hello Felix!" Eleazar said smiling and waving.

If I hadn't known him so well, I wouldn't have noticed the little upturned lip that passed for a grin on Felix's face, "Sirs. Good evening." He stepped aside to usher us into the trailer. We walked into the plush living room and saw they were all enjoying the view from the back balcony. Eleazar went through the sliding glass doors first so Aro's eyes landed on him, then on me. He stood immediately while the brothers remained seated.

"El! Carlisle! How good of you both to give us a private audience tonight of all nights!" Aro rushed to grab my hand. I'd been preparing for this so I readily reached out with my naked palm to grasp him firmly, "Aro. Thank you so much for coming."

Aro took my offer anxiously and swiftly sifted through my life, "You know we wouldn't miss it," He paused slightly, finding something that interested him, no doubt, "To find your soul mate at last. How wonderful! My my my, Carlisle.. what a prize you've landed, eh?"

"Yes, I'm happier than I've ever been."

My dear Aunt Sulpicia, ever the thorn added lightly, "It's good to know we needn't mourn old partners forever.."

Aro hissed at her lightly, but I understood she was voicing a shared opinion. "We all miss Esme and Edward more than words can say, Aunt Sulpicia. But our faith teaches that they are with God now, and only wish us all the happiness this world can offer."

Marcus spoke up, "If only we could all move on as you have, young Carlisle."

As politely as I could manage, I broke my grasp on Aro and moved to grab Marcus' hand, "I wish that for you every day, my friend. In my happiness, I wish the entire world could feel my joy."

He smiled sadly at me.

"Enough of this!" Caius stood and grabbed my hand, "Congrats, nephew. We're all anxious to greet your new bride into our world and see how she came out!"

Aro saw how displeased I was with his transparency, and spoke up readily, "What he means is our fascination with Bella isn't limited to her union with you and her joining our family as your new spouse. We all know she's bound to be quite talented. Although, from what you've just shown me, I wasn't expecting her legacy!"

"Legacy?" Uncle Caius gasped.

I didn't want to dwell, "Yes, she's exceptional in every way. You have quite an eye, Aro. Now she'll be your niece, I hope you're pleased."

He grinned ear to ear, "I am, nephew! I am."

The ceremony wasn't scheduled until eight, but the sun was setting fast. Eleazar knew we wanted to be up there ahead of the crowd to greet folks, so he spoke, "Time to get going." He winked at Athenodora and nudged me with his shoulder, "Come on buddy.. time to face the music!" They all laughed and I did a deep bow for their pleasure, "See you all very soon, adieu." With that we headed for the amphitheater and the light of my life.

BPOV

I had thought the climb to the little Mountain Chapel was break neck, but this was going to be impossible. "Alice, you have to let me dress once I get up there. This thing is going to be in tatters before I ever get to the platform!"

She sat immobile for a few minutes, eyes glazed, searching the future for possibilities. When she returned, her smile was indulgent, "OK, I'll carry the shoes and the veil, but you'll be fine in the dress."

Emboldened by the success I tried again, "I don't really need to wear it for the climb..."

"NO. You will wear the dress, yes temporarily to the tennis shoes and veil ONLY.. end of discussion," she grinned tweaking my nose, "I will not have my new mother bare her ass in front of the entire vampiric world, forget it. Now, snap snap," she held the gown over my head and slid it over my torso. Even at vampire speed, it took the better part of an hour to properly lace the corset and do my hair. The sun had set and I knew Carlisle was already waiting for me up there. I wasn't the shy, timid little girl I'd once been, but I still wasn't looking forward to being the center of attention. I knew from my discussions with Carlisle that it was necessary. It was like I was marrying a prince of the vampire world and this show was required of us.

Once we managed to ascend the path to the apex of the staircase I would be descending, we could see that the carved granite half circle was teeming with immortals. The torches surrounding the stage below wouldn't have impressed a human eye, but with vampire sight, they lit the beautiful carnation and gardenia garland decorations of the ceremonial stage with a comforting honey glow.

I saw Carlisle standing there, next to Eleazar as handsome as ever in his black tuxedo. He hadn't seen us slowly approaching yet, the glow of the torches hid our entrance at the top of the central staircase. But as Rose began to play, Jasper and I took the 28th step and I saw his attention snap to focus on me and my smile grew wider to match his.

Throughout the traditional ceremony, I focused my attention on Carlisle, whose cheerful calm kept me grounded throughout, despite the tension of feeling 350 pairs of bloody eyes on me. Once our 'I dos' were out of the way, the Emperor's Waltz rang out. My groom took my hand, bowed to me gallantly and we danced. Carlisle and I had practiced, well he'd taught me, basically how to waltz and how to put some fancy lifts and moves into the gentle sway of the music. He made it so easy to do. I fairly floated until it was time for him to relinquish me to the crowd.

Naturally, the first one on my dance card was Aro, who gently took Carlisle's place, chuckling, "Well, your change hasn't made any difference in your touch Bella dear. Still just as much of a mystery!"

"I hope you find your accommodations suitable.. Uncle?" I smirked.

"Ah, so Carlisle fessed up, did he?"

"Yes, he finally told me that he is actually a direct descendant of your beautiful Sulpicia. I'd always wondered why the three of you were so tolerant of him."

He laughed, "Nothing like the blood that binds, eh? But as I'm sure you know by now, our Carlisle isn't just my nephew many times removed, he's very special. Did he tell you how we met?"

"No, not exactly."

"Allow me," with that Aro fended off Jasper who was waiting for the opportunity to get me away from the Volturi. I gave him a signal that I was fine and gave my attention back to Aro who led me to a quiet alcove on the second level with a view. "Carlisle was very young, maybe ten years since his burning, when he traveled from England to Italy in search of the rumored coven of vampires who were 'enlightened'.

"He was hunting his peculiar variety of food in the forest outside of Volterra one night and heard a ruckus deep in the woods. A pack of werewolves were having their way with a couple of hapless vampires. Young and foolish as he was, he attacked the wolves with torches of fire and shooed them away. It looked like it was too late for the two unfortunate immortals, they'd been pulled apart to tiny mangled pieces quivering all over the woods.

"But Carlisle wouldn't listen to their lamenting. Instead, he went about collecting their pieces and though it took him nearly three days, he put them both back together with his venom and patience. The three of them walked out of those woods whole as the day they stopped burning.

"But guess who it was he'd saved?"

I looked back at him puzzled, and shook my head.

"My own sweet Sulpicia and brother Caius," Aro snorted, "Of course, we didn't know that he was a blood relative of theirs at the time.. Needless to say, I was beside myself with worry as Sulpicia was so late returning to Volterra. So, when they finally arrived and told us all the story of their rescue and salvation, I was ready to exalt Carlisle to the very top of creation!

"It was Eleazar who recognized Carlisle's talent for healing. His venom is a magical cure all for humans, vampires and animals alike. It was me who convinced him to study medicine. It was some time later that Sulpicia discovered their common family origins and it's her brother Caius, who has been jealous of him ever since," Aro chuckled.

"I didn't know about Carlisle's venom.."

Aro snorted then tweaked his nose, "Perhaps I shouldn't have told you, but I think as his wife, you should know. The only thing Carlisle can't cure is a dead heart or a pile of ashes."

I couldn't help it, my mind went back to 1918 and a ward filled with Flu victims. Carlisle could have cured them, all of them! The implications were staggering and I was horrified by the guilt of inaction I'd laid upon him with my ramblings of the future. What he might have done, been able to do if I hadn't prevented him, must still haunt him. I was a curse, his own personal plague..

"Bella?"

When would I ever pass an opportunity to hurt, cripple or maim the ones I loved most in this existence? I was gifted alright, the most gifted jinx in all of eternity! I felt an almost uncontrollable urge to hurt myself, I knocked my forehead against the stonewall next to me.

"Bella?" I felt cool hands grab my shoulders. "Bella?"

I finally looked up at Carlisle who was holding me, with a worried look on his face while Aro looked on with interest. I threw my arms around his neck and fell into his welcomed embrace, "Oh darling I'm so sorry for all I've done to you."

He laughed gently into my ear, "Sweetheart, whatever are you talking about? Everything is fine, we're fine now. Shhh.. don't be upset." He looked over at Aro, "What were you..."

He shrugged and said, "I may have mentioned your gift to her. Sorry, didn't have a clue that you hadn't already shared that with her."

Carlisle nodded, "It's alright."

I pulled back from Carlisle's embrace, "You could have cured Edward? Edward's father? Betsy? All of them?"

He shook his head, "No, Bella. I couldn't have done that.. at least not without calling attention to myself and our world. Besides, we both know that wasn't how it was meant to be."

"He could have lived a human life! He could have been happy! You only did it for me, Carlisle. It was all my fault. You only did it for me," I was panting unnecessarily until the pants turned into sobs. Suddenly I was lifted into his arms and the overwhelming scents of torches and vampires faded mercifully into the night as the blackness overtook me.

AN: Please take just a moment to use the "Review This Chapter" button below!
Thank you for reading!