playing their rolls and a few surprises
Pulling her cobalt blue jacket on over her black t-shirt dress Bella smiled at the wolf head that was printed on it before slipping on her black heeled timberland boots she grinned as she received the text she was expecting from Damon. Walking up to Nik who had just pulled his shirt back on Bella pulled him down by his necklaces for a long kiss before talking.
"Have fun plotting with your brother on how to handle your mother when she's no longer of any use. Maddox will be back soon from handing out the invitations to tomorrow nights ball. I'm taking Bekah with me so she can get her date caught up and then Damon and Enzo are going with us to pick out dresses, stick with black for whatever gift your plotting in that head of yours to give me." She received a boyish grin in return for that last statement then another kiss before she headed down stairs to meet up with bekah.
As they got into the car Bella found herself thinking about the conversation with the girl that they had the other day when the siblings had asked to know if any other bonds were being stopped from forming due to the block. It turned out that out of all the siblings only Rebekah had a bond being interfered with though once again the interference wasn't one sided. Bella was hoping that Rebekah could help with one of the interferences today and if what Damon had been reporting about his behavior since the return of his memories was true then once the block was removed in the next couple of days then Rebekah would be the second sibling to have found their mate and she would be able to tell her brothers that she had been right about at least one of her past relationships. She grinned as she followed Bekah into the boarding house she kept an eye on her even as she greeted Damon and Enzo.
All three watched as Bekah pinned Stefan to the wall and as she managed to get him to flick his switch back on by compelling him to remember a few more memories that were erased and could only be brought back by her. Watching the doppelganger traveler curse was overwhelmed by his emotions as the mate bond took hold between him and Rebekah though it was still partially blocked on her part. All that meant was for the next couple of days they wouldn't be able to share each others memories or feel each others emotions until the block was removed. After a few kisses were shared between the two along with reassurances that neither were mad at each other for what happened the night they last saw each other all those years ago or for anything that has happened since understanding that he could not remember her. When this was done they joined the other three on the couch with Rebekah sitting in his lap as they filled him in on their plans so far for the original witch. Just as they finished their explanation Bella could feel her duckling coming up the drive with an irritated doppelganger and witch. Signaling the others about who had arrived Bella tried not to laugh as both brothers were pulled into heated make out sessions by their significant others as she stood up to act like she was pouring herself a drink and grabbed the book one of the others had been reading before they had arrived.
As the three new comers walked into the room the ducklings mood improved once she saw the scene in front of her and headed straight for Bella taking the extra glass out of her hand before downing it in one go. Bella raised her eyebrow in question and the ducklings eyes darted back towards the other two. The loud groan the doppelganger let out when she realized they weren't stopping even though they could tell she was there did the trick of pulling the two couples apart but only partially as Enzo allowed Damon to lean back into his chest while Enzo's hand rested across his heart but under the shirt since he had managed to unbutton a few buttons. Enzo also had his face buried in Damon's neck and looked like he was going to bite him while locking eyes on the two girls as if he was just waiting for them to dare taking another step towards his mate. Rebekah had just moved face to Stefan's neck and from what Bella could tell and Caroline could hear was filling Stefan on what her plans for the rest of the day were an that when he was done getting rid of the trash he could head to her brothers as Nik really did miss their friendship. As she gave Stefan one last kiss she stood up from his lap before handing him his own invitation before walking over and stopping in front of the doppelganger and witch.
"I'd be careful Witchy she's only your friend until she stabs you in the back?" Bella watched as their irritation levels grow significantly higher.
"What are you doing here you know your mothers rules no murdering the locals." Bekah smirked at the girl before turning to Caroline and Speaking.
"Get over yourself Elena it's not all about you, Bella and I are going shopping with Damon and Enzo for the ball tomorrow night and since I know you were n the list I was wondering if you wanted to come with."
The sunshine grin she received in return was answer enough she walked over and looped her arms with both girls before shouting for the boys to catch up. Bella heard the accusation behind her from the doppelganger.
" I won't date you until you are back to they way you were before so you decided barbie Klaus was the better alternative." Bella and the others thought boys reply as they waked out the door was perfect.
" oh, I'm sorry your tone implies I'm actually suppose to care," came from Stefan followed closely by the two comments from Damon and Enzo "personally I think she's an upgrade." and "Since she choose the younger brother and isn't flirting with the older brother in front of his partner I'd pick the alternative too."
Once Damon and Enzo joined them at the car they headed out of town to get to the much bigger and much more expensive dress stores. The original plan had been to go to New York to go shopping but with Bekah driving it quickly changed to only a few towns over in one of the bigger cities because of her newly established bond with Stefan and not wanting to test her distance limits after just getting him back. the biggest obstacle for the three other than finding the dress was deciding how much they wanted to upstage the doppelganger and her witch friend both as a group and individually. Rebekah decided that being the hostess since her mother was most likely going to be hiding away for most of the night no matter what she claimed and having Stefan on her arm would be enough for her that night later on when she didn't have to cater to anyone else's needs that would be a different story. Caroline decided she wanted to upstage Elena's gown and have fun the rest of the night watching everyone's reaction to meeting Bella's twins brother who would be her date. Bella was going to be making a statement first and upstaging the doppelganger second mostly because the town still had not caught on to the fact that she was with Nik and going to the ball with him and actually participating was going to get a reaction and she wanted her dress to increase that reaction.
Rebekah found hers within the first three hours and Bella two hours after Rebekah found hers. Caroline seemed to be the one struggling and just as the fifth hour came to a close Bella could see that Damon was reaching his dress shopping limit with the blonde perfectionist so with a head nod to Enzo Bella indicated for the two to go feed and to meet them back at the car in an hour. She had an idea feeling out for a ring nearby Bella could tell that at the small little park next to the building Puck and her queen were waiting for her knowing her Queen was present Bella grinned before telling the other to she knew someone that could help. Stepping into the circle Bella just grinned having figured her brother had introduced her duckling at some point as they exchanged greeting and Caroline was waved to the selection of gowns hanging in the back from when the Queen had wanted to play a certain role when messing with others that had found themselves wondering into the rings. While Caroline was deciding on which dress she liked best Rebekah and Bella showed the two fae their dresses. Hearing a squeal in excitement Bella could feel radiating off her duckling she laughed before helping her try it on and and then putting it in the extra garment bag they had grabbed before leaving the store. Caroline was bouncing for the rest of the chat about how they should accessories and what shoes and hair styles would go best with each dress.
When they meet with Damon and Enzo back at the car Damon was verry happy to see that the duckling had a dress as well. The drive back to the town was spent deciding when Caroline would be over so all three could help each other get ready. The grin on Rebekah's face at seeing Stefan with her brothers along with Caroline's teasing one towards Maddox who had been explaining how the illusion that Esther would be under would only effect her so Finn would not have to cater to her whims all night. The three girls laughed as they played keep away from their three mates and the three brothers so none of them could sneak a peak at the dresses before lounging around together to fortifying themselves for the following day.
Bella kept her hair down in a loose braid and borrowed a grey button up from Nik to wear with her leggings she heard Nik chuckling from behind her as she buttoned up the shirt. Giving him a kiss Bella headed down stairs has he disappeared from the room to act out his part in the confrontation for this morning the siblings had planned for their mother. Bella had just finished getting her nails done deciding to keep it simple with matte black stiletto at a medium length and with a nice sharp point she figured to was as close to actual claws as she could get. She smirked when just as Rebekah's nails were being finished Kol decided it was time to tease his sister " Rebekah tell me how handsome I am." who seemed to take it as a challenge with the reply "Oh, Kol you know I can't be compelled." caused her to laugh behind her hand. She picked up on Nik coming back just before the siblings did and watched as they slipped into their respective masks with ease cackling in her head when after a few short moments Kol and Nik managed to catch their mothers attention enough to distract her from her plotting for a while as she attempted to referee the two men and then talk to them separately after. Shortly after Rebekah decided to get in on the arguments in her boredom at least until four which was when Caroline was showing up and they would finish getting ready together.
Bella didn't know which part of the plan she found more funny sitting with the two oldest brothers watching the three younger sibling argue and run circles around their mother or the witches expression when it all came to a complete halt the moment Caroline walked into the room at four o'clock on the dot and with a force of nature all her own. Got the four men agreeing to go make sure all the final touches were done before getting their suites and caroled Bella and Rebekah upstairs to get ready at the same time . Bella was laughing once again only this time with Rebekah when once they were inside the room Caroline looked at Rebekah and told she did a wonderful job at training her brothers when it came to event prep.
They decided on hair makeup dresses and then shoes Rebekah getting ready first on hair because it was the easiest to do she decided on a simple sleek half up half down style and kept her hair straight. Caroline went next her hair being curled before being twisted and looped together at the base of her head in a rose like shape she had a few curls hanging loosely to frame her face as well. Bella went last her natural curls being refined before several small braids of different styles and sizes were woven together with the curls into a goddess braid that fell over her right shoulder. As they were finishing up with Bella a knock sounded at the door making sure the three were out of sight they allowed one of the compelled helpers answer it. He came back with three boxes and handed one to each woman their name and who it was from on the tags on top.
Caroline not one to be patient with gifts from her mate opened hers first it was a necklace one small blue topaz surrounded by diamonds with a medium sized topaz surrounded by diamonds hanging from the smaller one. Rebekah opened her next it was a bracelet that had a caged heart shaped lock with a keyhole and inside the cage was a lapis lazuli stone from Stefan with a note saying he was working on replacing her necklace but for now the bracelet would have to do. The helped each other put on their gifts before turning to Bella. whose box was bigger than both of theirs lifting the lid was a not from Nik stating he hoped it did her more justice than the previous owner before lifting it off of the cushion. it was a tiara made of bronze that was woven to look like vines and flowers the flowers being made of rubies and dragon opals. Placing it gentle on the dresser to be put on last Bella then clapped her hands volunteering to go first for the make up choosing a smokey eye with a burgundy lip. Caroline choose to go with a more natural look with a rose colored lip. Rebekah going with a mix of the two with a more natural look but with a crimson lip.
As the clock reached seven thirty Rebekah was getting into her dress having chosen a emerald green trumpet gown the bodice tied to show off her curves and having only a single off shoulder strap. Along with slit going to her mid thigh knowing good in well that the style of dress would keep Stefan's eyes on her the whole night just like she wanted. She also slipped on a pair of black heels before adding a simple chained necklace to complete her look. She slipped out quickly wanting to make sure she was down stairs before any of the guest arrived and wanting to make sure she had the perfect view of the two girls entering .
Caroline went next excited to be able to live out her Cinderella vision in the gown that she found. It of coarse was a ball gown and the straps rested off her shoulders the top jeweled layer was a light blue and was designed to show off the white of the skirt with a forward facing high low effect. She even managed to find a pair of lace heels at were incrusted with crystals to give her the glass slipper effect she wanted. She received the text from Bekah that the doppelganger had just arrived with the Bennett witch before slipping out to take away some of the spot light from the girl and get the guest talking by introducing her date just as Bella began to slip on her own gown.
Bella couldn't help but admire her reflection one last time before heading out the door knowing that Nik was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her and that Caroline had just introduced Maddox to the mayor. Her whole ball gown was crimson with black lace vines on the bottom with burgundy flowers woven into the wide tule skirt. the real eye catchers were at the top of the sweetheart neckline ball gown. the front half of the bodice being Tahitian pearls and black diamond jeweled vines that wove around the entire bodice and ended at her waist. The straps on her arms being off the shoulder and woven with more burgundy flowers in the chains connected to the back of her dress which was where the next eye catching feature was an opened back dress except for the three Tahitian pearls and black diamond vines connected to where the straps of her dress ended and hung down on her bare skin. Adding the tiara Nik had gifted her she looked like she had stepped out of a fairytale.
By the time she had made it to the top of the stairs Bella knew she had gathered everyone's attention even those who had been spreading around the fact that she had a brother had noticed her arrival. By the time she reached the bottom step the whole room had gone silent like they were to afraid to breath on the humans part. As she accepted Nik's hand on the last step down Bella's smile seemed to make the humans more nervous even more so when she allowed Nik to kiss her hand before tucking it in the crook of his arm and begin to escorts around to see his siblings and her friends. The whispering and the music started back up again only this time they were keeping an eye on each other not wanting to catch the attention of the new family that seemed to be in the good graces of the woman everyone in town feared.
Shortly after Esther appeared at the top of the stairs and signaled for wanting to get started the siblings moved towards the staircase Stefan joined Rebekah on the stairs just as Bella stood by Nik the other three brothers standing by themselves deciding on having no dates for this event to help with distracting the doppelganger and her witch friend while keeping an eye on their mother. As Elijah gave his opening speech about thanking everyone for joining them in celebrating the reunion of their family he called for the first dance to be started. As Bella accepted Nik's hand for the dance she took note of the jealousy that was flowing off the doppelganger in waves every time she, Rebekah, and Caroline managed to enter the doppelgangers frame of vision.
Bella relaxed as the dance started following Nik's lead and putting on a show for the crowd both basking in the attention and knowing that Esther is assuming the fear and the horror she hears in the whispering is about her children and not the girl she deemed a none threat. Nik whirled her around the dance floor for two songs before guiding her over to her twin so they could pretend that they weren't spying on the doppelganger and friend. Finn had been at their mothers beck and call all night and Elijah had played his part in guilt tripping the doppelganger before she was guided up the stairs by Finn. Twenty minutes later the doppelganger had joined them back down stairs and Finn had gotten the sibling and their dates back on the stairs for another toast. Bella could feel the magic of the spelled blood in the wine in all the siblings glasses as well as hers and realized this was how she would get her key to the spell.
Concentrating on allowing the magic in the glass to work on her Bella barley registered the toast or Nik guiding her around the room and out to the back garden for the stroll to her fountain ring. Just as they reached the ring Bella could feel the original witch beginning to connect to the magic in the spelled wine and was watching her manipulate it into connecting the siblings and then herself concentrating she weaved her magic in with the witches without her noticing and as she did this noticed how a new set of chains began to be woven then connected to the main blocks for the siblings Leaving the witches magic as it begun to leave Bella instead wove hers into the blocks already existing chains then starting with Elijah she followed the original chain back to the very first link in the linchpin of the lock keeping the block in place. Once it was found and starting with the pin in the lock Bella began to break each and every chain link all the way back to were the new chain joined her and the other siblings and watched the block dissolve right before her eyes. She repeated the process for the other three feeling Her twins magic at work keeping the witch from noticing the release of magic three witch hybrids gave off. She could also feel that he had put up an illusion that showed the original siblings to still be at the ball when the three brothers had in fact hidden in their rooms when they had noticed Nik had been heading to the garden Rebekah was at the boarding house with Stefan. taking the ends of the chain of the spell that was now only linking her to the siblings by blood and really would only have them mimicking the injuries on each other and nothing more she hooked the to ends together creating the loop that was suppose to be formed if the original witch had preformed the spell without the use of soul magic. She figured tipping the witch off that her lining spell had been interfered with could wait until she tried to go through with the rest of her plan the next night.
As she came out of her trance having no idea that her eyes had been glowing an electric shade of blue as she worked with her magic to free the siblings she heard clapping coming from the right. Realizing where Nik had hidden them away Bella looked to her right to see her queen stepping out of Nik's arms She curtsied to her queen both feeling mischievous at the feet of magic that was preformed.
"Well done, I just came to see the magnificent feet preformed for myself since Puck and my brother could see it in their visions in their own way. Have a nice night and make sure to remember to fill me in on tomorrows events." She spoke before vanishing and Bella could even feel the squirrel guards leaving.
Her attention was drawn to her mate who had given her a boyish grin before bowing at the waist and holding his hand out in invitation noticing that she could still hear the music from the ball she matched his grin with her own before giving a curtsy to him in return and placing her hand in his. Nik lead her in a waltz and as the music came to an end He spun her out and as he spun her back in he dipped her. As he brought her back up Bella could feel his side of the bond flood with love and courage fighting off the bit of nervousness he had underneath. Bella tilted her head as if to ask him a question before receiving a chuckle from the man he really should have known he couldn't hide anything from her. Reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket he pulled out a ring box before getting down on one knee. "Isabella Marie Swan, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
"Yes, Niklaus Mikaelson I will." as he slipped the ring on her finger and standing she didn't get a glimpse of the ring before he pulled her into a heated kiss. Once they separated she spoke again running a finger along his chin she spoke once more. "As if you would ever be rid of me even if you tried." He chucked at her comment before pulling her back into a kiss. Running them back to their room for a personal celebration for both his siblings freedom and the personal one. Neither would find out until months later what other surprise was created that night.
As she woke up Bella's gaze fell on her engagement ring the main stone was a ruby that was cut and shaped into petal to make a rose it was resting inlayed in a black gold band the was woven like vines and leaves and inlayed on the sides between the vines were smaller rubies. Slipping out of the bed Bella laughed as Nik realized where she was headed before joining her in the shower. A while later Bella got dresses in a a black spaghetti strapped body suit and a pair of high waisted leather leggings before pulling on her cropped red hoodie that had a elastic black band on the bottom that had the lettering love pink along the band. She let her hair stay down letting it have a break from the styling and making sure she had on her ring she walked down stairs once again bare foot. Grabbing her notepad from Nik's art room Bella also grabbed an apple from the kitchen before joining Nik and Kol in one of the sitting rooms by the front entrance knowing good and well they wanted to tease their sister when she came back.
Joining Nik on the couch Bella laid her head on his lap before focusing on one of her side projects that she would put into effect once the witch was taken care of. As she finished going over the spell pleased with what she had and only needing to get the materials before she performed it . Bella jumped as a squeal sounded from the doorway of the room having completely missed Rebekah showing up and the teasing the brothers had been doing. Rebekah had been the one to squeal having finally noticed who was in the room with her brothers and had been about to ask for her help in defense when she spotted the new ring on Bella's finger. Her squeal had brought Elijah and Finn into the room wanting to know why their sister was being so loud. They didn't have to worry about the attention of the witch who had left earlier that morning with the illusion Finn.
With a laugh Bella sat up giving her mate a kiss on the cheek as she sent amusement and love down their bond before standing up and linking arms with Rebekah guiding her towards the stairs while saying. "I'll fill you in on the details I know you'll care about and Nik can handle your brothers." This earned a laugh from Bekah and a smirk from Nik as he sent the same emotions down their bond back to her.
As they reached the top of the stairs Bekah decided Caroline, Damon, Tyler and Enzo needed to be there for the explanation so texted them while she quickly changed as well as sending a text to Nik to tell Stefan and Maddox. After filling telling them about the proposal and retelling it to their satisfaction they left to go play their parts in the plan for taking Down the original witch. Bella going with Bekah to wait for Elijah to deliver the doppelganger to them Bella hiding in the part of the cave that was off limits to vampires while all the others besides Finn went to the grill for a drink and to kill time taunting the hunter until the headed to the abandoned witch house.
To kill time Bella snapped some photos of her own of the cave drawing immediately noticing the one that read about another white oak tree knowing it would be fun hunting the information down with the others just to rub it in their faces that they found it first and to also see their reactions about not being able to kill the original siblings. A little while later she felt the stabbing pain in her chest leaning against the wall she focused on the running footsteps that echoed in the caves that were heading her way. As the pain receded she took her time walking up behind the oblivious doppelganger who thought it was a good idea to taunt Bekah. Shoving back through the barrier Bella watched as Bekah poured gasoline onto the girl who now thought it was a good idea to start insulting the rest of Bekah siblings and even Bella especially once she caught sight of the ring on her finger.
As the girl kept ranting at them both began to loose their patience Bekah going as far as to start flicking the lighter she was holding which seemed to agitate the doppelganger to rant more about how she was far to much like Klaus. Bella snapped first pushing the girl against the cave wall by her neck and when she went to try and remove Bella's hand Bella began talking as she dug her nails in purposely breaking skin.
" I would suggest that you follow the rule of silence being golden before you find yourself with out a tongue," The doppelganger tried to make her let go again while speaking.
"Klaus won't," Bella squeezed her neck a little harder while cutting her off, "My monstruous fiancé as you put it won't care if I kill you he's going to marry me after all. No, you see it's not Nik whose been telling everyone not to kill you it 's been me. Simply because killing you is to easy, you couldn't possible learn any of your lessons that way no I'd much prefer to maim you if you keep talking, but only a little." Bella watched as the girls eyes widened and she closed her mouth for the time being.
Letting the girls neck go Bella took a step back and Rebekah came over to her side as the discussed possible ways to maim someone making the girl more and more horrified as the time passed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~meanwhile at the old witch house~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finn had arrived first to make sure he was in reach of the witch for the remainder of the confrontation that was coming. A few hours and his brothers approached the circle he kept an eye on his illusion self as the speech his mother gave his brothers continued he waited for his que having spotted Damon and Enzo slip inside the witch house. Just as she yelled about the witches magic leaving her he acted plunging his hand into her back and grabbing her heart and as she began to chocked on her blood he whispered into her ear that he was getting revenge for Freya. Before pulling out her heart completely. Nodding to his brothers he moved quickly with the body already heading to place it in the coffin before heading up stairs to change knowing they all were going to go out and celebrate their brothers engagement the minute they all wrapped up their parts in the plans.
The rest of the family arrived soon after changing into clothes to go to the club Tyler showing up in a brown jean jacket with black t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Damon, Kol wore form fitting T-shirts Damon's of course being black and Kol's being dark green with their leather jackets and Jeans. Enzo and Nik wore form fitted Henley shirts, Nik's being a light grey while Enzo opted for a Navy blue with their leather jackets and jeans. Maddox choosing to go with a white t-shirt underneath a open suit jacket and a pair of jeans while Stefan choose to wear a white polo with a pair of navy blue dress pants and a light brown leather jacket while Elijah picked out a light grey turtle neck with a black over coat and dark grey dress pant. Finn choosing to go with a black button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans as the were joined by the girls Bekah choosing to wear a bodycon dresses with only one long poufy sleave and a pair of black stilettos . Caroline choose to wear a a white with floral black lace body con dress and black stilettoed boots. Bella choose to go with a body con dress in black but hers was sheer and had ruching in the middle from the top to the bottom there was a nude material underneath and a pair of red stilettos. deciding to be lavish Nik had organized a limo service to pick them up so they could start the celebrations early as they headed for the club Bella couldn't wait to face the next challenges ahead with her family by her side.