A/N: You spoke, I listened, Jasper, it is xx Congratulations to Sassy Mami for being the 400th reviewer on 'Watching' xx Happy to see you guys re-reading the old ones too, you're all too kind xx This story passed 40,000 hits as well as 'I Know A Man That Can' xx 'Oh This Is The Real Me' cleared 60,000 hits to xx 'Well That Was Unexpected, Really Unexpected' reached 90,000 hits also xx Alexis
"How on earth did you do that?"Klaus enquires,
"You're sure Isabella is okay?" Elijah asks still worried,
"Food's ready where do you want to eat?" Rose shouts from downstairs,
"Do you want it up there or down here?" Rebekah quizzes,
I can feel all of her confusion, hopelessness and buildin' annoyance. I wasn't expectin' the impact meetin' those eyes would have on me and yeah it took me to my knees. She was a little afraid, consequently very vulnerable and had a dash of helpless added into the mix at that moment. I made an oath to myself I would be there for her every step of the way. In whatever capacity she needed! To suddenly find yourself in the world after nineteen years must be terrifyin', yet she was able to speak, answer the questions bein' thrown at her when they let her and I was gettin' pissed. So I did the only thing I could I flooded them all with shame at their constant questions and spoke gently and quietly to her.
"It's gonna be fine suga', don't worry. Your Bella's sister why would we reject you, you're family" I say,
I'm gently sendin' her some warm and fuzzies, as Bella likes to call it. I gently suggest she go through Bella's case and find some clothes she would feel comfortable in, rather than be exposed in just a thin robe. This she does but scrunches up her nose at the skirts and t-shirts. I blur away and find a denim shirt and a belt and return and hold them out to her. She smiles and puts them on over a tank top of Bella's and I smile. She's not ready for fitted clothes which is funny because Bella has just started wearin' them since meetin' Elijah. Ava does pull on a pair of Bella's jeans and nods to herself. The doorbell rang and I heard Rose say,
"Jazz, a parcel arrived from Peter! It's addressed to Ava"
"Would you like to go down and see what it is and eat?" I ask,
"Yes, please. Can you let me know when Bella wakes?" she timidly enquires of Elijah,
"Thanks, Rose, I guessin' he knew!" I say as I lead Ava downstairs after noddin' to the two brothers,
"My brother Peter just knows..., well in his own words he just knows shit!" I say slightly embarrassed,
"Well, that's handy!" she says openin' the box,
"It is for me, his knower has saved me many times in the past" I explain to her as we move into the kitchen,
"Oh look, boots! Wow, they are beautiful, they look just like yours. Are these Cowboy boots?" Ava asks her emotions ecstatic,
IOOH
I just stood there looking down at Isabella, I've seen some crazy things in my life but that was just mind-blowing.
"Elijah, are you okay?" Klaus said and I hadn't realised anyone had stayed,
"I don't actually know!" I reply and he half laughed,
"Damn that was the freakiest thing I've ever seen and I'm the Original freak!" he snorted,
"Not funny! Do you think she's okay? Half her body just got up and left!" I quizzed, sure he like me didn't know,
"Well, technically they would have worked independently. If I remember right a Chimera has two totally separate working systems in one body. So theoretically your blood will be repairing anything missing now" he replies and I just stare at him,
"What? I read!" he huffs and I sigh and sink down beside Isabella,
That's when I feel a little nudge in my head and Klaus startles too. Isabella's voice spoke inside my mind and his as well.
"Sorry, I didn't, well we didn't mean to scare you. Is Ava okay? I didn't know that would happen!"
"Never mind her love, are you alright? Elijah was scared to death! Good job he's already dead!" Klaus blurted out,
"Ava's fine, more than fine. It looks like the Major will be taking good care of her from now on" I say and she sighs,
"Wow! My brother becomes my brother-in-law! I think I'm almost done cooking, but it was a little crazy in here for a while. She's a full-blown witch and we met the whole Cormier coven on the other side of the veil! They set her free, with lots of chanting and transferring of power.
I had no idea what was happening but Ava seemed to. So I must be the traditional in the mix. My shield feels larger, stronger and slightly aware. I can tell there are three Cold Ones, three Originals and a witch in the house and soon there will be me.
So Klaus, go play host while I surface and ravage your brother!" Isabella said and Klaus burst out laughing,
"Your wish princess is my command" he replied giving her a courtly bow and leaving,
IOOH
Well, life will be anything but dull with those young ladies around and maybe that won't be such a bad thing. I've never connected to a stranger so quickly before and I was actually scared for my brother at one point. But this whole situation has a lot of dangers as well as potential.
"Okay everyone, ground rules. Nobody but us will ever know this happened. Ava turned up to meet Isabella's fiancé and his family. Nobody here in the Falls, know she was an only child so let's keep it that way. Ava, you need to craft a back story for yourself from your shared memories! Major, you need to get her some documents" I say as I enter the kitchen,
"Good idea, Klaus" the Major says and I nod, he's very tactical and I need to talk with him later,
"Isabella is about to awaken, so I suggest we all stay down here or lose a limb or two," I say laughing and Bekah laughs,
"Oh, the feeding and subsequent mating, yes best steer clear of that. It could last a couple of days! Tomorrow, we can take Ava to meet everyone and let Damon know she's changed. He really is taken by Bella, in a sisterly way I mean!" she says and we hear Elijah growl at the mention of Damon's name,
"Oh, can it! Tend to your mate brother" I yell up the stairs.
IOOH
Everyone was being so nice, but they were treating me like I was Bella and not me. Granted I didn't really know what I liked yet, but a choice would have been polite! Especially when they made me a drink to her taste, which really started to annoy me. The only one who was treating me as me was Jasper or the Major as the men called him. Every time I gets a little upset he used his gift to calm me slightly, but not fully I noticed, more just taking the edge off. I look up at him and he sends me some patience and I frown.
"Ava, would you like to walk around the garden? You can try out your new boots" he asks and I nod,
He grabbed a jacket off the hook and placed it around my shoulders and took my arm as he led me outside.
"They aren't tryin' to be cruel, but this is as much a shock to them as it was to you and Bella. Once she wakes they'll see you are two different people, who will undeniably like different things! Yes, they should have asked you how you'd like to try things, but Rose doesn't eat and Rebekah has never cooked a day in her life!
You have Bella's memories; you have to be more specific. Like can I have a cup of coffee, no milk or can I have boiled eggs and toast? Now you know why Bella always did it herself, only Esme gave her options!" he explains and I feel bad for being annoyed,
"Don't darlin', you did nothin' wrong, you just have to be patient. Bella will make sure you get to experience bein' you! You'll be able to discover who you both are now, together" he smiles and squeezes my arm,
IOOH
Waking up was just like normal, but not normal at all. Everything was more enhanced, my sense of smell was off the charts and all I could register was Elijah was beside me in the room. I was on him in a flash and he held on to me so tight I realised just how scared he'd been. He held my head against his chest and let me feed, but I could feel him shaking slightly. I was happy to take my time and gently stroke his back and head as I took my fill. This was the first time I'd fed that wasn't sexual; this was for comfort, mainly for Elijah. He had really believed he might lose me and I was reassuring him. I was here, I was safe. I hummed with satisfaction as I released his skin from my teeth and licked the bite closed.
We lay down together and nothing was said as we touched each other gently and without haste. I kissed his hands, his face, his chest and he started to reciprocate. It was many hours before we began to remove each other's clothing and I did not push him or rush us in any way. The trauma of the day slide from our shoulders as the time passed and we finally came together in a crescendo of emotion and heartfelt joy and love. This wasn't claiming, it was giving over ourselves to each other and meant all the more for it. I lay on his chest spread out along the length of him and sighed contentedly.
"I love you and I'm sorry I scared you today" I whispered,
"I know and it's not like you knew it would happen or could happen. But sweetheart that was so unexpected, I would have panicked if not for the Major. How do you feel about it now?" he asks me and I'm not sure,
"I always wanted a sibling, but that wasn't how I imagined it happening! Is she alright, coping with all the new stuff? I wonder how different from me she is?
Like, I drink my coffee with milk, but does she like it black? Or I love to try lots of different foods; maybe she'll only like to stick to the same ones! I can't wait to find out, to help her find out who she will be separate from me" I explain excitedly,
I heard a couple of gasps from downstairs that I didn't understand and Jasper saying,
"I told you she'd be there for you; Bella's heart is as big as the ocean!"
IOOH
We all hear what Bella says to Elijah about me and I can't help but feel my heart swell. She cares about me already. But then I care for her too, we are now two sides of the same coin. Jasper smirks when he basically tells me I told you so! I smile and I know Rose and Rebekah feel bad now they realise what they did. But tomorrow or the next day, Bella and I can work everything out together. Well, at least that's one thing that's bothering me out of the way. The other just as pressing thing is Jasper! He's being so kind, so attentive to me and I don't understand why. I feel calm around him, but that's his gift, isn't it? Why is he, more than the others more attentive to me and why would his brother send me a gift?
I also need to work out what all the power I feel under my skin is and what I'm supposed to do with it. I wonder did the Cormier's have a family grimoire and where is it now? Who would know? Can I call it to me or do I physically need to find it?
"Ava suga', you're throwin' off so deep vibes of concern. What's on your mind?" Jasper asks and I tell him and the others,
"Well, I'm gonna guess the answers are in New Orleans. I think maybe Madame LaRue might know, Bella and Elijah have dealt with her before so maybe you could start there!" he says,
"Bonnie Tyler just has her family's one on or near her at all times. I think that's a spell, so something you should learn as soon as possible. You will be in serious demand when the Regent finds out you are the last Cormier witch in existence. I'd learn some protection spells as soon as you can!" Klaus raises his head from the book he's reading to say,
"I'd wait until Bella was with you before tackling the covens of New Orleans. Her shield is strong and will benefit you during your talks" Emmett pipes up from the other room where he's playing a game,
"Baby steps Ava. You've just been thrown into a world you knew about but had nothing to do with, so take it slow and learn as much as you can first" Rose said bringing a tray with four mugs,
"What's this?" I ask her raising an eyebrow in confusion,
"An apology! Coffee four ways, black, black and sweet, white, white and sweet. Try them and see which you like the best" she says nodding to me,
"Thanks, Rose. Oh yes, black and sweet I think!" I say but put another spoonful of sugar in it and sigh,
"So far you like looser casual clothes and your coffee black with two! It'll take time but you'll work it out eventually" Rebekah says dropping into a seat beside us,
IOOH
I have never been more relieved than when Isabella woke up and started to feed from me. I couldn't speak, because I was too overcome with emotions, I didn't know how to process. But as she fed and held me just as tightly, I started to relax. I've never been good with things totally out of my control, it literally freaks me out. But feeling Isabella beside me and knowing she was with me forever now has helped me to calm down and be thankful for her. Making love to her this time was so different it was, calm and more about giving, sharing than sating our desires. It was the joining of our souls, cementing our eternity together. Feeling her body over mine, as if she were trying to protect me was humbling. This woman was my world now!
We lay together the whole night dosing on and off, neither of us willing to let the other go. But as the sun started to rise I knew she'd want to be with her sister and as long as I was near that would be enough for me too.
"Are you hungry sweetheart, for food I mean? Plus I expect you want to see Ava now as well" I murmur in her ear and she nods,
We dress slowly and yes they are right Isabella dresses in a smart but casual style now, unlike when we first met. It's not as if she's dressing to suit me, but she feels comfortable and it mirrors me. She really has come into her own in the few months we've known each other. Finding her own style, being more outspoken and dealing with things no nineteen-year-old should have to. I pull her into my embrace and kiss her with all the passion I can muster. Her sigh of contentment is all I need to hear. We are perfect together and for each other. As we leave the room. Jasper points to the room next to his and Isabella rushes to the door and knocks.
"Who is it?" Ava calls out,
"Bella!" Isabella replies and the door is yanked open,
The sisters fall into each other's arms and I nod to Jasper as we head down and leave them together.
IOOH
Elijah and I left the sisters to it and headed downstairs to join the others. We could hear them laughing and enjoying their time together. Soon though they joined us and Bella pulled out her laptop.
"We need to order Ava some clothes online and personal stuff like that!" she mumbled and I slid my credit card towards her,
She smiled and raised an eyebrow as Ave went to make them a drink.
"Bella?" I whisper lookin', I'm guessin' unsure for once,
"I know Jazz, but Ava's not me is she? We just look alike, I'm your sister, but she's much more to you. Don't let your loyalty to me get in the way of your love for her. Now I really will be your sister, well, sister-in-law!" she says quietly but happily and watches me break into a relieved smile,
"Thank you, now I can approach Ava about my feelin's, I didn't want to say anythin' until I got your permission," I tell her and she laughs,
"I feel all grown up and everything. Giving permission! Shit what are we going to do about Charlie, he can't ever know about this" she queries,
"You can both take time about visiting. Who's ever turn it is just acts and wears what the old Bella would have, he'll never notice" Rose said from the doorway,
"He'll call you Bells, are you okay with that, Ava? Or kiddo he does that too!" Bella explains and Ava nods,
"It'll be worth it to get any sort of relationship from him. I know you guys were rocky for a bit because of his insensitivity and the wolf boy's interference. But!" Ava murmurs.
"But he's our dad, yeah I know" Bella agrees huggin' Ava,
Ava! There is a box in the attic. It's been handed down through the family, but nobody can open it and anyone who tries to throw it away never actually does! Charlie has threatened many times and never does. It must be spelled; it's been waiting on you!
So you need to visit first and get it. Tell dad you came for some things, ask for it too and make him some meals for the freezer and that's that. We'll be close but not in Forks because of the wolves. You'll need a cell too!" Bella gushed out in a hurry,
"We, you and Elijah?" Ava said nervously,
"I'll be there to suga', don't worry!" I add and she relaxes, yes she feels it too,
An hour later with as much shoppin' as the sisters could stomach, Ava asked me to go for a walk with her.
"Thank you, Jasper, I would be scared by myself and I know you're not really manipulating my feelings but I feel better when you're near me! Why is that?" she asks as we reach the furthest point from the house.
IOOH
We are all, all but Rebekah watching Ava and Jasper walking to the far end of the garden. It was as plain as the nose on my face, that they were meant to be. At some point all of us, well, not Bella, of course. We had thought he and her in another life would have worked. Even Alice had seen it and how prophetic she was, it was the inner Bella and not Bella herself! Emmett slung his arm around me and squeezed me close.
"He deserves to be happy for once Rosie, Alice did a real number on him over the years. But this time it's not so much vampire mating as a meeting of two soul mates, like Bella and Elijah!" he says profoundly and everyone looks at him,
Emmett isn't stupid, but he acts the fool more often than not. So when he says something deep it's usually spot on and really important. Rebekah sighs and joins us at the window, standing between her brothers.
"They look good together; she'll make a great rancher's wife. I can see it in my head, lots of land, horses. Not my style at all" she says and we all nod, they would never have been good together,
Turning away we all makes plans to head into town and get them something to eat and show Ava around. I wonder what the resident witch will make of her, she gives of powerful vibes even if she isn't aware. I suppose it's being the last in the coven, they gave her all their power as recompense for what they did to Edgar a Eloise Swan all those years ago!
