A/N: Congratulations to Pegasus5406 for being the 200th reviewer for this story xx 'Is It Black Or Is It Noir' passed 70,000 hits and 'The Silent Treatment, Really Edward' passed 10,000 hits. Thank you all so much xx Alexis
I thought I might have been more self-conscious but I wasn't in the least, although Elijah made re-entering Elizabeth's easier for me. One minute we were in the car park the next on the roof of the building, outside my window. He opened it for me and then turned to go back down and come in through the main door. I shook my head and told him to come through my room. He unlike Edward hadn't wanted to invade my privacy and it made me love him more. He just kissed the top of my head and disappears out the door without looking around or touching anything. Maybe living so long made you more respectful of other people's boundaries or maybe it was just him.
I'm guessing that since Edward is dead I can let my mum and dad know where I am now, but I'm not going back. I like it here; I like the freedom to be me, it lets me have! Me Isabella Swan eighteen-year-old student, not Renee's caretaker, not Charlie's housekeeper. I believe I can have a far better relationship with them now, as long as I don't have to live with either of them. Plus when I am a traditional, which I know I will be one day. I can visit, I can blend in and I doubt the shapeshifters will even be aware. They believe only one type of vampire exists; I think we should leave it that way. I go in search of Elijah to tell him my plan, I find him sitting pensively in the suite and I think I know what's wrong.
"Hey, I thought I'd phone my dad soon. Let him know where I am and that I'm not going back to Forks!" I say and his head comes up,
"I like it here, I quite like my school, I enjoy the buzz that New Orleans has and finally the man I love lives here!" I finish off by saying,
He's up and out of his seat, suddenly in front of me as the last word leaves my mouth. He cups my jaw gently and rubs his thumb back and forth over my cheek and jawline. I can see happiness in the depth of his eyes, along with some relief. I think he truly thought I would leave, is he used to people just leaving him? I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him as tightly as I can. We sway a little from side to side and no words pass between us, none are needed. He sighs deeply before lifting my chin up and kissing me profoundly; to me, it's as binding as a legal contract. He's mine and I am his, what's that he always says? Oh yes, Always and Forever! After about an hour my stomach rumbles and he laughs lightly.
"I've still got some wine and cheese here if you'd like to join me?" he muses and I nod blushing a little,
Elijah puts on some music and pours out the wine. I fix us small plates of cheese, fruit and crackers. We sit side by side but touching from shoulder to hip as we eat. Once the food is gone and my glass topped up he repositions us so we're side by side on the wide sofa and I'm leaning into him and his arm is wrapped around me. It feels so natural and we talk for hours before I start to fall asleep on his chest and he just pulls a throw over me and runs his fingers through my hair. It's so nice to hear his heart beating under my ear and to feel the warmth of his skin under my fingers. But waking up to find him asleep beside me is so much better, so much more natural and definitely more comforting.
IOOH
I can't take much more of this torture! Okay, it's not actually torture but it's mentally painful! Having your whole way of life ripped away and proven to you beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was cruel and manipulative, it was selfish, it was wrong is hard! But by far the worst part is to have the man you are mated to, the man you are married to, look down on you like you are dog shit on his cowboy boots. It is humiliating and horrifying at the same time! Right at this moment, I am worthless in his eyes! I am less than useless in his eyes! I am a liability and a handicap in his eyes! I have had very few visions since we left the Cullens; two Jasper sent me as punishment and one which hit me out of the blue.
Edward is dead and nobody actually cares! Most are relieved, some are happy about it, others are slightly sad. But deep down they don't really care, they stopped caring. The thing that's hitting home to me is, that would be exactly how they'd feel if it were me! They no longer care, only one person cares about me and he doesn't even like me at the moment. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but it's worse knowing you brought it on yourself! I thought I was better than everyone because I could see the future. But the reason they detest that is because I manipulated it to suit only me! I put my wants above all others and now I'm paying the price, luckily not with death like Edward. Why? Because one person cares about me, just one thank god!
IOOH
I stare down at the missive in my hand and sigh once again. I want to be enraged, I want to be indignant, but what I am as apathetic! Edward is dead and it barely hurts at all, maybe if this happened before Forks, I would be livid. But it didn't, I'm still dealing with the aftermath of his greed, his avarice, his cruelty! What's left of my coven barely talk to me, except Esme, of course. My mate's heart is so big and so forgiving and I can count myself lucky that it is. We need to move forward and it has to be with someone else at the helm. Because it has been proven without a shadow of a doubt I am not capable. I never was and sadly Edward enabled me as much as I did him!
If I had bothered to talk to my mate in the beginning most of our problems would never have come about, hell she would have been a better leader back then.
"Emmett, the coven is yours! I'll only make one suggestion! That is, we should never return to Washington! Edward burned all our bridges there and the wolves have long memories" I say with relief,
I can almost feel the weight leaving my shoulders. I should have done this years ago, I know I should have stepped aside for Jasper, but I was too arrogant and vain. I was also hounded by Edward to do things the way we had always done it, once Alice backed him up I never tried to stop them or change anything. I'm surprised we have any money left at all, between them they wasted so much, but luckily Alice kept us in the black.
IOOH
While Isabella goes to change this morning I decide it might be time to talk to Marcel. I don't want anything from him; well nothing that isn't already mine. I don't plan on staying here forever with Isabella; it's far too dangerous for both of us. But I will not be bowing down to him if that's what he wants. Klaus on the other hand may rip his head off and do God alone knows what to him. So I will talk, but I might just have to have Isabella with me, let's see how his tame witches like that! Ah, that reminds me I need one of the Bennett witches to make a daylight ring or pendant for Isabella. I'll call Damon Salvatore to arrange that, I can be as petty as the next vampire and I know how much it irks him to do our bidding!
I wander down to get breakfast for the two of us and catch Marcel's man also eating. I suppose it beats hanging around outside.
"Tell Marcel I'll be having lunch at 'Monty's on the Square', if he wishes to speak with me rather than have you follow me everywhere! By the way, sorry we lost you yesterday, but you have to be faster if you want to keep up with me" I say as I pass him,
I go over to help Teresa load up a tray for Isabella and me, telling her our plans for today and she smiles. I don't need to but I want to. Isabella's family is important to her and therefore, now me as well. It's unusual to care about anyone else except my siblings and even with them it's more keeping an eye on them. This very special and unusual woman has changed me in small ways already and without asking at all. It has been many years since I met someone who doesn't want anything from me but my time and my thoughts. She is by far the most genuine person I've had a relationship with; it's usually someone who wants something from my family!
Once back upstairs I see Isabella approaching and she opens the door, I had given her a key I found inside Kol's desk. I really ought to have my own place but Klaus always expected me to live with him and I unlike the others wasn't bothered about clandestine meetings or secret torrid affairs. So I had my own rooms at the compound and that was enough back then. Now I will most definitely want my own space, home whatever away from their incessant drama. Because I don't just have myself to worry about and I really would be happier keeping our life's separate. I know they won't like it, but I really don't give a damn this time, because Isabella is just as important to me.
"I have made reservations for lunch, I think you will enjoy their menu and the view of Jackson square is especially pleasant" I explain and she laughs,
"Are you trying to fatten be up Elijah? You bring breakfast and mention lunch!" I know she is joking because she can't keep the smile off her face,
"Not at all, I love that you enjoy food and that you give it the respect it deserves," I tell her and she nods while serving herself from the tray,
We eat in relative silence, that's something else I like about Isabella; she doesn't feel it necessary to fill a lull with inane chatter. She is exactly the opposite of my sister Rebekah, everything she lives for, Isabella finds irrelevant.
"I expect Marcel to turn up during lunch, he may or may not have a witch nearby, just be aware of those around us please," I say, beyond nervous about this meeting and I know she senses it,
"No worries, I'll have my shield up just in case. So you want me to act dumb, I mean as if I don't know what you all are?" She asks smirking and I think why the hell not,
"That might just throw them through a loop or two! Yes, why not" I agree and now I must broach the blood thing again, "You might need to top up on my blood, once is not enough Isabella"
I bite into the pad at the base of my thumb and before I can squeeze it into a glass her lips are wrapped around the wound and I react to the erotic sensation. I pull her to sit in my lap facing forward and smell how turned on she is. I thrust up as she once more grinds down and I know this is going to get messy once again.
"Do you trust me?" I whisper in her ear and she nods and moans at the same time,
I with quick movements divest us of the lower portion of our clothing. She gasps but ground down firmly on my naked flesh and I growl in her ear making her shudder. Her lips are still wrapped over the bite mark and I feel her tongue licking and probing it. I slid her back and forwards on me and using my other hand rub little circles over her clitoris. I sense her heightening emotions and see her blood rushing to all her erogenous zones. Quicker than I thought a human could move she releases my hand spins around to face me and latches back on. Only now she is holding me firmly with her other hand and stroking me, directly in front of her own body.
We are touching as intimately as possible without penetration and I feel my eyes roll back in my head at the sensation. I quickly remove her top which is in the line of fire so to speak, as well as ripping open my own shirt. She lets go of my hand and slams her mouth to mine and it's strange tasting my own blood for a second, as she breaks for air I lean forward and latch on to one of her nipples and gently bite down and that pushes us both over the edge. Isabella has her head thrown back and her hair is tickling my thighs, my essence is all over her stomach and her other nipple, I snort and her head shoots forward in enquiry, not sure what I'm laughing at.
"Sorry, I just realised I almost got myself in the eye! You distract me so completely I lose myself in you" I say kissing her deeply, she relaxes and gives a little giggle,
Meanwhile, I'm wiping her clean with my shirt before throwing it aside. Before she can get embarrassed I scoop her up and head for the bathroom. I turn on the shower and step inside holding her tightly against me, she feels perfect in my arms and I can't remember ever feeling this happy or relaxed.
"Remind me never to drink from you in public or we'll get arrested!" she snorts and I feel her relax in my hold,
IOOH
All is quiet now in Volterra and I'm so relieved. I may no longer be living in the present, but I didn't really want everyone else to die at the hands or teeth of Niklaus Mikaelson. My brother Aro sails so close to the sun nowadays. I don't think he realises it or if he does, I doubt he cares. We have ruled for so long, maybe too long! I know I'm apathetic most of the time and Caius is just so damned angry, it's boredom plan and simple. We have no enemies anymore they are all long since dead and we have just stagnated here. We have become everything we hated about the Romanians all those years ago. We are cruel, greedy and despotic just as they were.
The only difference is the humans don't grovel at our feet as they did for them. We didn't want that, well I didn't I'm sure Caius would have enjoyed it. I am tired and if I could free myself from Chelsea's thrall, I would step into a pyre to be with my love. My gift was important once to the Volturi. But not anymore, compared to other's is nothing. If I had any say in anything I'd suggest letting the younger generation take over, but Aro will never relinquish his hold nor will his greed for more power be quenched! Maybe we should have let Edward go and let him reign Armageddon down on us. Aro likes to pretend we are the superior race, but we are nothing compared to the Originals!
I doubt they will be so lenient next time and I know there will be a next time because Aro can't contain himself. Well, let's hope it's sooner rather than later and I don't have to hang around here forever!
IOOH
The damned nerve of the man, sending me notice to meet him! He should have come to me, me Marcel, I am the King of New Orleans now. His family is nothing here, they have no power here unless I say so! It was they who left as the city burned, not me! No, they left me for dead and never looked back. I crawled out of that burning hell their father Mikael, left me in and I rebuilt this city the way I wanted it to be, not them, not the Mikaelson's! Well, lucky for him I have business in the quarter and need to be there anyway. So I will be the bigger man and stop by, but I will not be going alone. I think I'll see if the witches can make things uncomfortable for Elijah bloody Mikaelson!
IOOH
Wow, maybe I should have let him put his blood in a glass for me after all! No, I wouldn't have missed that for the world. The shower too was amazing he was so gentle and kind as he washed my hair and body. It felt almost like being worshipped, something I'm not used to, but I could learn! I wasn't ready before but with every taste of his blood I want his body too, I need his body too! This is moving fast, but he's not exactly human so what else was I expecting. I worry about our future, where will we live, who will we live with. I forget just how old he is, but I'm sure his family will remind me! I'm not being nasty, but from what he's said and how he's said it. Well, they sound as bad as the Cullens, never minding their own business!
I don't want to live like that, always in someone else's face. It's not healthy and it's not normal. No wonder they fall out all the time, but I will do it for him! Anyway, that's getting far too far ahead of myself, first I need to sort out my own life. Time to phone my dad, I wonder if he's back at work yet? I heard his cell ring a couple of times before he answered,
"Hello! Chief Swan speaking" he said gruffly,
"Hi Dad, how are you?" I asked,
"Bells! Thank God Kiddo, I've been so worried. Some guy called Peter Whitlock has been keeping me from going insane. That boy's a sneaky one, but I'm glad you had help" he said a little teary,
"It's over dad, Edward's gone. he had an accident!" I say trying to be casual about it,
"Accident? You mean he got himself killed? I won't lie and say I'm sorry, the boy had a screw loose!" he huffed and I knew he meant it,
"So when you coming home? I've missed you and your cooking," he said laughing, but I didn't find it funny,
"I'm not dad, I like it here. I like the school, I like my job and I really like my freedom!" I say firmly,
"But..! You're being ridiculous, of course, you have to come home! You are too young to be gallivanting around the country!" he spluttered out,
"No dad, I'm old enough to decide what I want and I want to stay here! For once I have nobody to be responsible for except myself and it's a nice change. I'm not trying to be cruel, but for once I'm getting to do what I want with my time" I say standing my ground,
"So where exactly is here? Which of Renee's relatives did you go to?" he asks and I know he's not happy,
"Teresa and Gareth in New Orleans. They gave me a job in their restaurant after school every day and at weekends if I want extra money. I'm off this weekend to do some sightseeing, I went to a farmer's market yesterday and a craft fair. Strange I've never been to any before, mustn't have had the time!" I replied,
I know it was a low blow, but I need to drive the point home. I never had any free time in Phoenix at all and it was just as bad in Forks until I met the Cullens.
"Oh! I'm sorry bells, you're right. You're an adult now and it would be wrong of me to try and steal that from you as well as your childhood!" he said sadly,
I didn't think he was aware of how little of a childhood I actually had.
"I just need some time to be myself, dad, I didn't realise how much till I got here. But I'll come and see you for Christmas. I'm staying here for thanksgiving, mainly so I don't have to cook it, to be honest! Just this once I'd like someone to do that for me!
Please don't think badly of me, but I need to find out who I am. What I want out of life, you know?" I say and I can't stop the tears rolling down my face,
"You're right kiddo, you should have been able to do that before! God, we were the worst parents ever!" he said with a sob,
"No dad, you are great, but you knew what you wanted early on, so did Renee. But I've never found my niche and I would like to try" I say sniffing and feel two arms hugging me tightly,
I knew my niche was right here, but I also needed an outlet. Something for me and me alone! Painting, writing, sculpting! Hell food critic I don't know, but one day I will and that's all I want. I want to know I gave it my best shot.
"Okay Kiddo, can you call me once a week, so I know you're safe and happy. That's what's important, that you're happy!" he asks and I promise before I hang up,
I turn into Elijah's arms and hug him tight breathing in his scent and calming myself down.
"So lunch, what should I wear?" I ask calmly,
I refuse to dwell, I've made my choice and that's that! Time to move forward and see what the world has in store for me beside's an immortal lover. As well as a shield to protect us with and the possibility of being overrun by his family at any time! I had been joking about the food critic thing, but I could maybe vlog my experiences here in New Orleans. The prospective a student new to the city and how she finds the sights, sounds and tastes of the place. I'll have to buy myself a video camera if I decide to do this. But I like that idea, I'll discuss it with Elijah over lunch while we wait for Marcel and I play dumb, pretending to not know he was not human.
"Nope, you wear what you want to wear sweetheart, New Orleans is a laid back kind of city it won't judge you! I love you no matter what you're wearing" he replies,
So I take my inspiration from what he's wearing, dressy casual, slightly more than yesterday because he's wearing a dark grey blazer this time. I have a light grey pants suit I found a couple of days after I moved here and thought I'd never get to wear it. Well, that will do and I'll put my hair up in a messy bun and a little light make-up. I seemed to have learned something from Alice Cullen after all, I even know what accessories to wear as well! What's happening to the world, Bella Swan dressed up and with make-up on. Unheard of, I could break the universe with such strange behaviour. I laugh to myself as I dress and hell, not bad I think, not bad at all.
