33.
Unknown location with Edward
Edward had left his family behind almost 6 months ago with anger and self-righteousness filling his undead heart. At the time he couldn't understand why nobody in the Family would follow his instructions and leave the human to her human life. Yes, he knew that everyone in his Family still felt the pain from losing Jack all those years ago and it did sadden Edward a bit, but he didn't see why that should bother him. Now having met the group that he was currently traveling with he was starting to realize that he fucked up hard with Jackie and Bella, and that is what the Leader of the group was talking to Edward about today. Every day for a couple of hours he would have these sessions with "A" to help him understand why his Family reacted the way they did and hopefully allow him to understand himself. It was a slow and hard process, but they were making some headway.
"Did you really love Jackie as a Mate?" "A" asked while sitting in the comfortable looking glider that was in the RV/Bus that the group owned. "Love as in the world shifted in your mind and eyes? Loved her so much that it hurt to be away from her for a long time?"
Edward wanted to get angry and huffy and say of course he loved Jackie, but he knew that lying to himself and "A" wouldn't help. "I thought I did at the time, but now? No, I don't think that I was in love with her. Yes, I loved her, but more of a brotherly way. I think that is why I insisted that we leave her behind. I was afraid that my family would think that I was weak because I couldn't find a Mate or even my True Mate. I felt like a failure and didn't know how to tell Jackie that my feelings had changed, more like I finally realized how I actually felt. I guess at the beginning I was hoping that I could make myself fall in love with her, but I couldn't."
"What about Bella? Was it the same thing or something different that motivated you to want to abandon her too?" "A" cut right to the heart of the matter.
"I think that my feelings for Bella may have actually been lust induced. Her blood sings to me like no other ever has, but there is this protective feeling that I have for her too. So put those two together and I believed that I was meant to fall in love with her and protect her like you do with those that you love."
"Edward, you do know that there are many different types of love that we or any human can feel?"
Edward scoffed, "Of course I do!" He jumped up and started pacing and running his hand through his hair. "I know that there are differently types and levels of love. I just…" He stopped his pacing and lowered his head in shame, "I just don't know how to tell what they are. I can't remember much of my human life, so I don't know if I ever loved anyone before. I get this hazy memory every now and then about a faceless woman that I think I loved when I was human, but my family moved to Chicago before anything could ever happen. I'm sure that she lived her life to the fullest and had so many babies." He stared off into space trying to remember the face of the woman he loved before, but the face refused to surface itself in his mind.
"You shouldn't dwell on hazy memories that you don't even know are real. This, right here and now, is what you should be focusing on. Love is an extremely complicated emotion and an extraordinarily strong one as well. Different types of love have different feelings and reactions. I will say that in some way you did love Jackie and Bella. The love that you felt for both women are more of the Familial love. When you find a Mate or if you are lucky enough your True Mate you will know without a doubt, trust me in this. I know that I'm still waiting for my True Mate, but he is out there. "T" and "L" can explain more about how True Mates feel and the difficulties that come with a True Mate pairing. I would suggest that you ask them after they get back with dinner. They should be home soon so I would like it if you took your journal and write about our session and write your thoughts on love. If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask. We will never put you down for asking a question. If you don't know something in life, the best thing to do is ask someone who does. That doesn't make you dumb or simple. Everybody can learn something new every day."
Edward nodded and went to grab his journaling kit. "Edward? One day it will happen for you. You will find your True Mate and sooner than you think. I know I'm being cryptic but please Trust me. Oh, and you did say that you like Italian food, right?"
Back in Forks, WA
Carlisle was worried about Bella, Ben and Angela and had an appointment with a colleague to discuss them.
"Carlisle so nice to see you! How can I help you? You've never needed the services of the Mental Health Unit before, did something happen at home?" Dr. Smith probed trying to see why Forks' star doctor was in his office.
"I'm not here about me specifically. As you well know, the Webbers and the Mrs. Chaney were killed in the explosion at the church a few weeks ago. I'm worried about both Ben and Angela. I think that it might be good if they talked to someone that wasn't a parental figure. Also, Bella Swan is still on edge since the attack by those two bi… um "ladies", and I had hoped that she might also benefit from counseling."
"I can certainly set something up for the two that are under your guardianship, however Bella Swan isn't your daughter so Chief Swan would have to make an appointment for her." Dr. Smith said.
"I have permission to set an appointment for Bella from her father. He knew that I was going to be seeing you today concerning Angela and Ben and asked if I would set one up for Bella. I have a written statement to that effect, and Chief Swan will be here on the day of her appointment to fill out all the paperwork that will be needed." Carlisle said, handing over the paper that Charlie had written his request on over to Dr. Smith.
"Everything seems to be in order, but I do have a couple of questions for you before I make these appointments."
"Why do you need to ask me questions?" Carlisle was genuinely curious as to what kind of questions Dr. Smith might have.
"I just wanted to know if you, Charlie and Esme are going to be prepared for the fact that you will have three emotionally spent teenagers after each of these sessions. They maybe angry, not at you, and they may lash out with those they are most comfortable with. They may scream, rage, throw things and emotional responses like that. Are you three ready to handle something like this from three different people at the same time? It is going to be hard on everyone. Is the rest of your group going to be a good support group for the three? Will there be jealousy from your children that were already apart of your family before you moved to Forks?" Dr. Smith was hoping that everybody in the family understood what could happen after sessions. He wasn't one of those Doctors that gently probed and pushed, he preferred a harder approach. Many of his contemporaries thought it to be too harsh, but his record proved that it worked in most cases. The ones that he knew wouldn't benefit from a rougher therapy he had his wife take. She was the nurturer of the two and would make great progress with those patients.
"Yes, we are all aware as to what might be a response from a session and are ready to handle anything that comes our way together. My other children have always been amazing at accepting new members in the family. It may be their pasts that help them understand that sometime people need to be helped from time to time and we should do our best to help. They have always Chosen the path that is right rather than what is easy."
"Good, I will make appointments for those three, but I would suggest you find a family counselor to help the whole family. Situations like these can make even the best of people show fear and jealousy."
"I will take that into account. I hope that we don't have any issues, but I will find someone who could talk to our whole family. I think I know somebody that might be able to help.
Unknown Location, Unknown Person
There was a rumor going around about an old legend and what that might mean for the world. I was told to go around and see if I could ascertain when and where these rumors started. If I was able to locate the source, I was to then glean any information I could. I wasn't sure why this rumor was so important, but my boss seemed really agitated and I knew that if I didn't have answers soon, I would be looking at a long century ahead of me in the archive department. I hate that place with a burning passion, it was just so boring. My boss knows how much I hate that place, which is why he threatens me with it over and over. I once tried to call his bluff, but the century that I spent there last time taught me an unbelievably valuable lesson. The monotony of the place would make anybody want to rip their brains out of their own noses.
From what I was able to gather is that a conversation was overheard in a small bar in Romania about this legend and the men having the conversation seemed to be overly excited. My source, the stupid stinky bear, didn't know who the two were but he said that they smelled old and were rather odd looking, almost fragile. The were-bear did know they said that they were going to try and get a flight as soon as they could to the States. Wherever the source of the rumor is it must be in North America but that is a vast amount of land to cover. I tried to find what airport my to suspects could have flown out of but without names or even faces, it was impossible. I knew that I needed to call my boss, but I didn't want him to think that I had no leads. Oh well nothing for that, he maybe able to point me in the right direction.
"Boss, I have some information, but it is sketchy." I say hoping no to sound to pathetic.
"Well man spit it out. What is it that you have found?"
"I interviewed many people, until two nights ago I came across a shape-shifter. He explained to me that the village always knew about the existence of Vampires and that his people could shift to protect their village from rouge Vampires. A few months ago, two Vampires came into the local bar and took a private room for some drinks. Naturally, the shifter assumed that they were there to feed and he stayed to protect the humans in the bar. With his ability to hear like us he heard one side of a phone call that the two received. They told of a legend of The ONE and were then asking the person on the other end what it was about. They then became excited and said that they would be leaving and coming to the other people in two days time. The shifter heard the Vampires talking about flying to the States. I haven't been able to ascertain the names of the two or even what they look like, so I haven't been able to track them. What would you like me to do at this point sir?"
"Go to the States and start a search there. Stay in the continental US and do a search pattern state by state if you have too. Be aware that we aren't the only ones looking to see if the rumors are true or not. Be careful out there and make sure that you aren't seen or tracked yourself. I cannot impress upon you how important that nobody knows what we are doing. Leave no paper trail and no evidence behind. Be careful and go!"
Unknown Location, Unknown Person
So there are stories going around about The ONE? This is great, if I can locate who the subject of the Legend is then maybe She'll help me. I've been tried of my lot in life for a few centuries now. The Volturi Brothers must go and soon. The faux control that they "maintain" on the Vampire community is wrong. They don't rule with respect and love, but fear and hate. What they fear, they hate, and what they hate, they destroy. Imagine all the loss of life that could have been prevented if someone, anyone, had been able to rid us of those evil men.
The Vampires that they have under their control never had a Choice in the matter if service. With Chelsea's ability Choices are negated. It's not right in my mind. If you want to have a true loyal guard, you treat them with respect and honor, not forcing them into your service. I really hope that She will be able to release these good men and women and allow them to have a Choice. I know realistically that some of the Vampires working in Volterra aren't good people and weren't good when they were humans, but they still should have a Choice about what they do with their life. I know that She wouldn't allow anybody to hurt or kill without just cause and feeding probably won't be a just cause. I would love to be able to feed from animals, but I know that a change in my diet would surely out in my self imposed role. I am a spy for Her and she doesn't even know it yet. I will make sure that my man finds Her and I can regain my freedom. Revenge against the Brothers will be sweet!