I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.
Ch. 17
My mother had been right, at least about one thing, all along. Our daughter was growing inside of me. She would have ringlets of bronze hair and green eyes like her father. She would arrive on the Summer Solstice. We would also be blessed with a baby boy in another year or so.
I dried my tears before Edward could come home. For once I would have happy news to tell him. My curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but investigate the future to see his reaction, not being able to wait to see his smile.
Instead of a happy jubilant mate, he would be upset and would become even more controlling. It would have nothing to do with not wanting babies, but his fear would overtake him. He wouldn't let me meet his cousins let alone go to Voltura.
Edward entered the cabin cautiously. "I was half certain you'd bring me here while I was in the middle of running."
"I was preoccupied." I folded my mother's letter and tucked it away into my pocket. "My mother left a letter. She confirmed your and Uncle Charlie's theory. It was indeed a vampire. She had lied about the priest."
He came to the chair and knelt beside it. "I'm sorry, Mía Bella. I'm sure she never meant to hurt you but protect you. Occasionally, we need to lie or keep the truth from our loved ones to protect them."
I considered his words carefully. "So, you're saying it's okay to lie if the reasons are just?"
He nodded. "I am. Are you angry with me, love?"
"No. I never was with you. I do feel guilty I've blamed the wrong person," I admitted.
"I guess it is lucky for the priest you weren't a vengeful person." Edward smiled ruefully.
"Very true. I would feel even worse if I had done something. Though I feel no remorse I did destroy her killer," I stated.
"If you hadn't, I would've, since he attacked you as well," he admitted.
"There's something else I found." I showed him the page in the book.
"A handfasting ceremony?" He skimmed the page, sitting back on his heels to read it.
"It's similar to a wedding ceremony, only this is for mates. I was thinking maybe we could have one. My uncle agreed to perform it for us the next time the moon waxes. That is if you agree." I looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"If this is what you want, then of course we will have one. Would you mind if I look through your book?" he asked, filled with curiosity.
"You may. I want to study it myself. Mother apparently hid half its contents. Uncle Charlie showed me how to undo her spell," I said.
He looked at me in surprise. "I would like to say I am surprised, but I cannot. Do you want it back? I could always read while you sleep," he mentioned.
I stood. "Not at the moment. Right now, I'm going to make myself something to eat."
I started to prepare my meal. Part of me felt guilty keeping our child a secret for the time being. However, I wanted my news to be a happy event, where Edward was delighted to hear about it and not get worked up and upset. He did say lies were okay if it was for a good reason. And it wasn't really a lie, just holding on to information until it would be better received.
"I should ask Jasper to work with me, so I don't accidentally project my emotions on others again," I mentioned.
Edward nodded absently as he looked at the book. "I'm sure he will be happy to. He has a few other tricks to his powers that may be useful. Also, I can only imagine how excited Alice might be at having another event to plan."
"I would welcome her and Esme's help as long as she doesn't become overzealous. I wanted something simple here in our meadow under the stars. I also plan to wear my dress; I don't care if it's behind today's fashion." I started slicing some vegetables.
"You sound more than reasonable to me," Edward agreed. "You have a dress from Chicago?"
"I do. A seamstress was kind enough to make it for me as a thank you for mother helping her sick little ones," I explained.
Edward was thoughtful as he flipped through pages of the book. "I thought it was Charlie's mother who was the healer. Do you suppose it was you and not your mother who did the healing?"
"As far as I understand, the potions anyone could make with the right ingredient and doesn't require magic. For deeper healing, like repairing bones, it requires magic. Oh…" Something occurred to me.
Edward appeared at my side. "What's wrong?"
I shook my head gently. "I'm fine. I realized I might have been able to help Billy so he wouldn't have to be in a wheelchair."
"You think you can cure diabetes?" Edward looked impressed.
I had to search his mind to find out what diabetes was. "I don't know until I try. But if I could fix a bone, I imagine I could heal nerve damage. However, it may not be long term if I can't help diabetes. But it would be worth a try if he lets me."
"You are extraordinarily kind, Mía Bella." He pressed lips to my forehead.
CS
Alice was vibrating with excitement even before Edward and I could sit at the lunch table at school. Edward set my tray down and tried to give her a pointed look, but she was ignoring him. He was already grumpy since he hadn't been able to see my dreams last night. She was drawing furiously with her colored pencils, barely glancing down.
"I have a wonderful theme for your handfasting ceremony…Midsummer Night's Dream," she announced.
Emmett snorted a laugh before I could respond. "You want it to be a comedy of errors?"
"It won't be a comedy of errors." Alice crossed her arms.
Emmett was unfazed by her death glare. "I may not be the smartest person at this table, but I do know the play. And I for one refuse to be the one with the donkey's head."
"You're more of a Puck anyways," Jasper teased.
"Ain't no fairy either."
The table broke out into laughter with the exception of Alice, who looked exasperated. She slapped her pencil down.
"Weren't all the actors men in Shakespearean plays?" I pointed out.
"That's because he was a misogynistic twit," Rose said.
"Honestly can't anyone see vision?" Alice asked. "Obviously, not exactly like the play. I was thinking of flowers and fireflies since it's at night."
"Fireflies aren't usually around this time of year," Edward mentioned.
"But I could always conjure some. I like the idea, it sounds nice," I stated before Alice would get further upset.
"Thank you." Alice smiled. "And I was thinking of an arch with vines and wood. I'm sure Emmett could handle something like this." She slid her drawing pad to him.
He glanced at it and gave a small nod. "Easy as pie"
"See, my ideas aren't crazy. You could even move the arch into your garden afterwards or place a bench under it." She showed Edward and me the design.
"It's very pretty and would be perfect," I agreed.
And now for the handfasting cord." She flipped to another page and showed me a design of blue, green, and silver cords. "I can easily make one, if you like it."
"It looks beautiful. Thank you, Alice." I smiled at her.
"You're welcome." Alice was pleased we liked it.
"Question, can't Bella just wave her hand and have all of this appear?" Emmett asked.
"I could, but sometimes it's better to do things without magic," I stated.
"A reminder, everyone should be here by the time we get out of school," Alice announced, ignoring Emmett's comment.
"Everyone?" Edward frowned.
"Including everybody's favorite succubi," Emmett joked. "They go through more men than a toddler with a runny nose goes through tissues."
"You better not let Esme catch you saying that." Rosalie tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile.
"That reminds me, what is an incubus?" I asked.
Edward's eyes widened as he shifted uncomfortably. Emmett seemed to find it even more amusing and laughed so hard he slapped the table, cracking it. I waved my hand fixing it before it could be noticed by the humans.
"A legend about a vampire that can impregnate a human. But it's all myth." Jasper explained, his lip quirked into an amused smile.
I nodded, realizing Uncle Charlie knew last night I was pregnant and was trying to hint at it. Rose's mood took a turn and I realized it was more than Edward I needed to worry about when I announced I was with child.
"Bell is going to ring." Alice saved me from being questioned by Edward.
CS
I adjusted my skirt and wiggled my fingers, sending small sparks out. I grew more nervous as the other coven grew nearer. It wasn't that I didn't trust Edward's opinion of Eleazar; it was the fact that Edward knew him after his time with the Volturi. He could have been crafty enough to hide his time there.
"Bella?" Edward questioned.
I turned to answer him and realized I was a foot above him. He pulled me back down to the ground. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, then tucked me under his chin.
"Do I need to keep you tethered," he teased.
"I will be fine," I told him.
"There's nothing to worry about. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you," he promised.
I tilted my head and kissed his jaw. "I know."
A group of six vampires came into sight. My first instinct was to check Laurent's mind. From what I saw, the spell had worked and he still had no recollection of Edward or me. The Cullens stepped forward to greet them while Edward and I stayed in the background.
A tall, statuesque blonde vampire came toward us first. She only seemed to have eyes for Edward. I was instantly annoyed by Tanya. She knew Edward wasn't her mate, so her desire for him wasn't appropriate. Her attire was all too much lady of the night for running here from Alaska.
"Edward, it has been a long time, no?" She grinned flirtatiously. She held her arms open to hug him.
"Tanya. Meet my mate, Bella." Edward looked down at me lovingly.
Tanya stopped in her tracks, with arms still out to the side. She looked me up and down appraisingly. Her shock was evident, so apparently Eleazar hadn't mentioned me to her.
"Nice to meet you." I held out my hand.
She shook it lightly, still watching me curiously.
"Yes, she knows we are vampires," Edward answered her unasked question.
"But she is human," she protested.
"No, I am not." I allowed my eyes to glow.
She took a quick step back, and her sister, Kate, appeared at her side. "What are you?"
"That's rather rude," Alice admonished.
"She's a witch," Emmett announced.
"Emmett," Rosalie chastised. She wasn't sure I wanted them all to know.
"What? It isn't really a secret, is it?" Emmett shrugged. "I thought Eleazar met her before."
"You have?" Kate turned to him.
"A long time ago." He stepped forward, looking contrite. "Greetings, Isabella. I believe I owe you an apology. It was never my intent to put a target on your back with the Volturi."
"She is wanted by the Volturi?" Tanya's eyes narrowed and she took another step back.
I narrowed mine right back. "They wish to turn me into a vampire and force me to be enslaved in their guard. I have done nothing but try to live peacefully. They don't like that I keep refusing them."
"Enslaved? I thought the guard were a lucky few chosen, who wanted to serve," Laurent spoke up.
"Maybe a few. But most may have been under the influence of Chelsea. She can create bonds and loyalty to the Volturi. And with Corin making them feel happy to be there I doubt they feel like they are enslaved," Eleazar explained.
"They were all witches before they were sought out to be changed so they could serve Aro." I felt I needed to point out the truth.
Eleazar shifted uncomfortably but didn't refute me. He simply nodded curtly and was ashamed. "You're not wrong. I was under Chelsea's influence until I met Carmen. The bonds of a mate are stronger than what Chelsea can break. I left because I didn't want to be a part of it anymore."
"I know you are being truthful, and you have changed for the better. Especially, since you have not turned in the witch within your own coven or any of the Cullens." I was pleased to see his mind was as truthful as his words.
"I think we would know if one of us was a witch, wouldn't we?" Irina seemed surprised as she glanced at each member of her family one by one.
"You have two. Eleazar is only one of them." I looked at Kate and studied her for a moment. "Did you not know in your human life you were a witch?"
She blinked a few times and gave me a wary look. "No. What makes you think I was a witch?"
"All vampires with abilities were witches when they were human. Like your ability to have an electric current over your body to shock your opponent," I stated.
Her eyes widened and I saw the charge run along her hands. "How did you know that? Only members of my family know I can now push it beyond my hands. We never told the Cullens."
"Forgive me. I didn't know it was a secret," I apologized.
"We were actually hoping you could help us, dear friend. We have been trying to figure out what ability Bella actually has." Carlisle came to Eleazar's side.
He looked at me for a moment. "I can't read her. I assumed she was a shield, possibly stronger than Renata."
"Not possibly. Most definitely, hence her jealousy." My Uncle made his presence known. "Sorry I am late. Even in a quiet town, it seems like a police chief's job is never done. Let me introduce myself, I am Charles Swan. Isabella is my niece and Renata was my sister. However, Bella's powers go way beyond a shield."
"Fascinating, what else can you do?" Eleazar looked at me with interest.
"She seems to gain the abilities from any witch or vampire she comes in contact with, only the power can become amplified," Edward answered for me.
"You take them away?" Kate checked her hands to see if she still had her power.
"No. I don't. I am able to replicate them. For example, I knew what yours were since I got the power from Eleazar. We didn't even discover what I could do until I was able to calm a room. I lived on my own for a long time, until recently I thought all witch's powers were like mine," I explained.
"Fascinating." Eleazar was awed. "Though if you already know what she can do, why did you need me?" he asked, looking at Carlisle.
It was my uncle who answered. "The Volturi need to be eliminated, or at least Aro. They have become too power hungry. Isabella has been on the run from them since birth—they will never stop. Eleazar, you know what has happened to covens or families who refuse to join the guard."
"What happens?" Kate asked.
"Not long after, the Coven was destroyed, usually only leaving the one who Aro wanted," he admitted. "And you agree with him, Carlisle?"
"You know I am a peaceful man, and I don't make this decision lightly. However, Aro sent my family in search of what he called an anomaly. He told us a few of the guard had disappeared and asked for help to find out what happened to them. If Edward hadn't been Bella's mate, we all might have lost our lives that day. Then a couple nights ago, he sent two newborns and two guards to check up on us. Emmett nearly lost his life that night, but thankfully, Bella was able to save him. I can't sit back and allow my family to be in danger for all eternity."
"And now you have dragged us into your fight?" Tanya frowned.
"Pfft. Bella doesn't need back up, she can do it all with one hand behind her back. Hell, she could do it with no hands," Emmett exclaimed.
I blushed as the newcomers stared at me in shock and fear. Edward rubbed my arms sympathetically.
"Emmett, enough," Esme said, aware I was uncomfortable with the attention.
"He's not lying." Uncle shrugged. "Although Renata is mine. She betrayed her family, and it will be me who ends her."
Carlisle cleared his throat. "We aren't asking any of you to fight. We're asking you, Eleazar, for help telling us who we might be up against. We are tired of living in fear."
A/N: Enter the Denalis. Thoughts about them? Do you think they will help?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.