Chapter 10

It's Time

Bella POV

A few weeks after graduation, we moved to Wellesley. Carmen was eager to begin renovations on their new house and Eleazar had interviews lined up with several firms just outside of the city.

In late June, Alice and I attended orientation at the college. When we received our room assignments, I was not surprised to discover we had been placed in what was considered the nicest dorms on campus.

The senior dorms.

Not wanting to receive special treatment, we spoke with Carmen who in turn made a few calls and requested new housing for us. Unfortunately, the only open spots were in

Dower Hall.

Dower, an old converted barn, was the smallest dorm on campus, accommodating only twenty-eight residents total. It was also the furthest from all the other buildings.

Even though the room Alice and I were assigned was smaller than the kitchen pantry of the Cullen's new house, I felt at home as soon as I entered.

In fact, even though I was initially disappointed about not getting to attend Dartmouth, I just couldn't help falling in love with Wellesley College. There was something about its quaint, sleepy atmosphere that suited me perfectly. For the first time in months, I was

once again excited about starting classes and pursuing my dreams.

August couldn't come soon enough.

Alice and I got passes for the commuter rail and spent the rest of our summer exploring Boston. I was taken aback when Carmen and Eleazar permitted us to venture into the city on our own. But then I noticed other small changes in their parenting style. We were given more freedom, they weren't as overprotective.

I pointed out the change to Mike one afternoon. When I noticed his sheepish expression, I could see he knew the reason why.

"Mike! Tell me what you know," I implored as we sat on a bench at Lake Waban, a small park on the college campus. It was our new meeting spot for our weekly conversations.

"I've debated telling you about it, but it didn't seem like that big of a deal," he began as he rubbed his palm across his face. "Eleazar asked to meet with me when we first arrived in Massachusetts."

"What?" I asked surprised, before continuing, "how did he even know you were here?"

"Bella, Eleazar keeps a close eye on you girls. When he first discovered I was at Miss Porters a few years ago, he felt as if he let you down; like he wasn't protecting you well enough," he explained. "The day he saw me in Clinton at the dock, he was so angry. I'm actually surprised he didn't put a bullet between my eyes."

The thought of Eleazar pulling a gun on Mike left me feeling nauseous. "But, why? Why would he ever do such a thing?" I exclaimed, "you work for his family. It doesn't make sense."

"As you already know, Edward sent me," he answered, before adding, "and Eleazar hadn't been told so he had no idea why I was following you around. In our line of business, you have to be suspicious of everyone."

"So, he wasn't angry with you after you explained?"

"Oh, he was still mad as hell," he stated. Turning red when he realized he had cursed in front of me, he quickly corrected himself, "I mean heck. He was mad as heck."

I rolled my eyes at him. My gentle mobster.

After taking out a cigarette, Mike continued his explanation. "Eleazar thought Edward was being overbearing by having me here. It also made him feel as if Edward didn't trust him to keep you safe on his own."

"Edward is overbearing," I snorted. Mike knew exactly how I felt about his boss.

"Well … yeah, I suppose we can all agree on that," he mumbled.

"So why did Edward send you in the first place," I asked. Now that the topic was out in the open, I thought we might as well hash it out. "Doesn't he trust Eleazar?"

After I asked the question, Mike stood from the bench and began pacing. Taking drag after drag of his cigarette, he looked at me anxiously.

"Jeez, is it that bad?" I said after noting his obvious discomfort. "I mean, at this point, there's pretty much nothing you can say about Edward Cullen that's going to make me think anything worse about him than I already do," I joked. "I mean, he's already rock bottom on my list."

"I know, but I'm ashamed about my part of it all," he said, looking at me with sincerity.

"He basically sent me here just to keep tabs on you, you know, take pictures and make sure you were staying away from boys and they were staying away from you. Stuff like that."

Even though I wasn't surprised, his words packed an unexpected punch. "Do you still send him pictures?"

Mike began rubbing the back of his neck. He always did that when he was nervous.

"Yeah," he said and then added, "but just like once a week," as if that would make it better.

"Let's send him one now," I said. "Get out your camera."

Confused by my request, he pulled out his phone. Once he had it aimed at me, I raised my middle finger straight into the air.

"Bella!" Mike began laughing, immediately dropping his phone down to his side. "I can't believe you! We can't send him a picture like that, he would go ballistic."

"Ugh! Fine! But from now on, whenever you do take a picture of me, in my heart, I'm giving him a mental f-you!" I relented. "Now back to your conversation with Eleazar last week, what did he say?"

He sat back next to me. "Basically, he wanted to know if I would rat him out to Edward if he started giving you more leeway," he paused before continuing, "I guess he and his Missus are still pissed at Edward about not letting you go to Dartmouth. They don't think it's fair how he's treating you and want to do away with some of the rules he's established concerning you."

"So I take it you agreed," I stated. "And that's why I'm getting to do things like go into the city with Alice, pick out my own clothes, and wear makeup."

"I don't know the specifics," he replied, "but I told Eleazar that whatever happens in Massachusetts stays in Massachusetts," he said, chuckling at his own lame joke. "That is unless you're in danger. I will have to intervene then," he warned before adding, "and why would you even want to start wearing any of that gloop on your face anyhow? You don't need any of that crap."

In all honesty, I didn't like wearing makeup, but I did like having the choice. I explained this to Mike.

"I guess that makes sense, kid," he said before looking at me intensely and asking, "you haven't had many choices in your life, have you?"

Releasing an exhale, I stood from the bench and walked toward the edge of the lake. Mike got up and followed.

Gazing out, I watched the water glitter in the evening sunlight making it appear like a sheet of molten gold. Even though the lake itself wasn't very large, from my standpoint, it seemed like an ocean.

Feeling a whirlwind of mixed emotions, I began explaining to Mike how my life had become a thin line between a blessing and a curse.

How over the past year I had come to realize that even though he was my biological father, Charlie had never been a true parent to me. He had seen to my basic needs, but he had never provided me with the love and nurturing I had so desperately craved.

So desperately needed.

Eleazar, Carmen, and Alice had filled that void tenfold, but that relationship had come at a steep price.

I admitted to Mike that I had thought of leaving - running away from it all so many times. But I always stopped because how could a teenage girl with no connections hide from such a notorious mob?

And could I truly leave my pseudo-family who I had grown to love so deeply?

"So to answer your question, no I haven't had many choices," I responded turning to him, "but, in all honesty, I didn't before I met the Cullens either. At least now, I have the support of a family. And I have to keep the faith that they will have my back when I finally come face to face with Edward Cullen one day."

"I hope you know you have my support as well," Mike said with a gentle, but determined tone. "He might be my boss, but you . . . you are a part of my heart."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I threw my arms around him and hugged him with all my might.

We ambled back to the bench and sat. I considered our earlier conversation and asked, "So, since Eleazar and Carmen are so mad at Edward, do you think they changed their minds about this soulmate nonsense?"

"Truthfully, I don't know the answer to that question, but my gut says no. I've been around the Cullen family long enough to know their minds are pretty set when it comes to that whole soulmate thingamajig."

"Do you believe it, Mike? I mean, you've been around enough Cullen couples to know if it is all a bunch of hooey or not."

"I've been around four couples during my time with the Cullens, and I will have to say there is something between them I haven't ever seen in any other couples before - I really can't explain what it is. I mean, you know how Carmen and Eleazar are. The way they move — she orients herself around him without even thinking about it. When she moves, even a little bit, he adjusts his position at the same time. Like magnets . . . or shit."

Picturing my pseudo-parents, he described their relationship perfectly. There was something almost mystical about their love for each other.

Mike continued, breaking into my thoughts. "However, I also know that just because these couples are supposedly soulmates or whatever; that doesn't necessarily guarantee a happy ever after. In fact, the first Cullen couple I ever met, Marcus and Didyme, were downright miserable."

"I haven't heard of them before," I mused.

"I can't imagine you have. They were Alec's parents. And Marcus was the meanest son of a bitch that I ever met in my entire life," he said reminiscing, before adding, "Oh, excuse my language."

Intrigued, I asked, "Why were they so miserable? What happened to them?"

"I can only guess they were unhappy because Old Marcus was so hateful," Mike scratched his chin, hesitating. Turning toward me, he regarded me seriously before saying, "Bella, you can't ever mention this to anyone. No one talks about it. It's like a dark family secret or something."

"I won't. I promise," I whispered, dying to know the story.

"You see, Didyme ended up killing Marcus."

I gasped, shocked by his admission.

Thinking that was the entire sordid tale, I was shocked when Mike leaned over before quietly adding, "and then she killed herself."

AN:

A few notes about this chapter:

We finally know what happened to Marcus and Didyme, but there will be more to come about their relationship.

I've had so many people ask why Bella didn't just go off on her own when she turned eighteen so I tried to address that as well.

I know it's been a slow burn, but she is getting there. Bella is becoming a stronger person and she has built a solid network of support. Hang in there, Edward is going to get his - I promise!

Other items:

As always, thanks so much to my team - SunFlower Fran, Gabby1017, and AllTheWayIntoTwilight.

To my readers, I am so sorry I didn't get to answer all your reviews this time around. I cherish each and every single one of them! I work in the education field and with school starting, things have been crazy.

Please check out the Age of Edward contest if you haven't already. This is the last week for submissions. There are so many great stories and I know there will be more posted soon. I have two stories entered myself. :)

FF id: 9351628 and on Facebook: Age of Edward 2017

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