"Stripped"
Chapter 27: Last Goodbye
Bella sat in front of her vanity as she finished her make-up. She continued to take deep breaths as she tried to keep it together. Last night after reading Grandmama's letter, she had lost it and had not slept at all. She needed to be on her A-game and have her head on straight. Today was the funeral for Reverend Young. And she needed to focus and keep it together not only for the plan that had been decided with the Hunter, but also for April.
Bella parted her hair on the side and then put it up into an elegant bun with a few bangs coming down on one side. She wore a black short sleeve bodycon dress with a criss-cross back. She chose black pumps and wore the necklace Damon had given her. Her make-up was light except around her eyes; they were darker, hiding the dark circles from the lack of sleep. She put on a shade of lipstick, a shade darker then her natural color lips, and sighed when she was finished. On the outside she looked poised and confident, but on the inside she was a mess.
The letter had brought up all the emotions of losing her grandparents again and it made her feel alone in the world again. It didn't help that today marked the anniversary of Grandmama's death. A single tear escaped her eye.
"Bella," Damon interrupted softly.
Bella looked up at the mirror and saw Damon in the doorway. She quickly wiped the rebel tear away and stood up.
"I'm almost ready," she said as she headed to her closet.
Damon caught her wrist. "Bella," he repeated and cupped her cheek.
"Not now Damon," Bella's voice was on the verge of cracking, "I can't right now okay. Just please, I have to get through this then we can talk."
Damon nodded and let her go.
Bella grabbed her long black peacoat and put it on before she grabbed her purse.
"You ready?" Damon asked.
"I don't have a choice," Bella said, "I have to be."
Bella and Damon headed out of the house. They were almost to Damon's car when Edward appeared.
"Bella you can't go." Edward said.
"Back off," Damon growled.
"She's not going," Edward growled back.
Bella shot her hand out and Edward fell to the ground in pain.
"Today is not the day to fuck with me Edward. I am going to a funeral for a friend who lost her father. If I see your face there I don't care if I expose myself to the entire town. I will burn you to a crisp. Do you understand me?" Bella said with her voice wracked with pain and anger.
"Yes," Edward choked out.
Bella released him.
"What have you become," Edward questioned while still kneeling in the grass, "You aren't any Bella I know."
"Then there's no reason for you or the others to stay here." Bella countered with her tears threatening to spill over.
Damon opened the door for Bella. She quickly got in and he blurred to his side and got in. They drove off and arrived shortly at the church where the others were waiting. Elena came over and squeezed Bella's hand as she got out.
"Bells," Elena said, "We just realized."
"Don't," Bella removed her hand, "I can't. Not now." Bella said before she rushed inside to the bathroom.
"What's wrong?" Rebekah asked.
"Today is Miss Swan's anniversary," Matt said sadly.
"Oh dear," Rebekah said.
"She'll get it together," Bonnie said confidently. "Come on, let's go inside and make sure things are set up right."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella leaned over the sink as she tried to get herself under control. A tap on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Bella," April called out nervously.
Bella took a deep breath, assessed herself, and opened the door with a soft smile.
"Hi April," Bella greeted before she pulled April into a hug.
"Bella I didn't realize that today is…" April stuttered.
"It's fine," Bella lied, "Today isn't about me…it's about you. Come on, let's go see how everything looks and if you want to change stuff we have time."
Bella linked her arm with April's and they walked into the sanctuary.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Flowers, plants, sprays, etc. covered the entire front of the church.
April was at a loss for words.
"What's wrong?" Bella asked.
"I didn't expect this," April said as tears started to fall, "The flowers and everything."
"Do you want us to move anything?" Caroline asked after she joined them.
"It's perfect," April said. "Could I have some time alone?"
Bella and the others nodded and left the sanctuary to hang up their coats.
"Miss Swan," Elijah greeted as he appeared.
"Is he here?" Bella asked as she took off her coat.
"A few blocks away." Elijah replied.
"He'll be up in the top seats," Bella said as she pointed towards the stairs. She turned to face Tyler, "When Mr. Williams asks for anyone to speak that's your cue."
Tyler nodded.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Stefan asked.
"I don't have a choice," Bella said and turned to look outside.
People started to arrive and she smiled.
Matt laughed softly as he watched the arrivals, "Your speeches prevail again."
"I'm gonna go get April," Bella said and walked back into the sanctuary.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"April," Bella called out as she approached her and the casket.
"It's locked," April cried, "I just wanted to give him a kiss."
"April," Bella wrapped her arm around April, "I know, but you don't want that image in your mind forever."
April nodded and leaned down to kiss the casket.
"People are arriving," Bella said softly.
"Really?" April asked shocked.
Bella nodded, "I told you funerals are for the ones we leave behind. No matter what, your dad is your dad and don't let anyone take that away from you."
"Thank you Bella. I don't know what I would do without you." April said.
"Come on. Let's get you something to drink and get ready." Bella said and lead her out of the sanctuary.
.*.*.*.*.*.
The judge and his wife were the first to come up.
"April I am so sorry for your loss," the judge said as he took her hand, "Your father was a good man." The judge looked at Bella, who nodded, "There's been recent evidence that he had a break down. None of this was his fault, his mind just broke."
"It did?" April said with newfound hopeful. "He wasn't evil?"
"No," Liz joined in, "We talked to his doctor and there was some stress going on and he just broke honey."
"So if he had been in his right mind," April trailed.
"None of this would have happened," Liz said and hugged her, "He was afraid to ask for help and he thought he could handle it. He loved you. Hold onto that honey."
April nodded and her tears flowed freely as more people came up to her. They gave their condolences as they embraced her and reassured her.
Bella stood dutifully by her side and shook hands and giving curt nods. She felt Damon come behind her and place a hand on her hip, giving her a little squeeze to let her know that he was there.
"Bella," Mr. Williams interrupted, "It's about time to start."
Bella nodded and tapped April on the shoulder, "Hey it's almost time. Do you want to take a few minutes?"
April nodded and Bella took her to a little sitting room.
"You were right," April said, "They don't hate me or him and he wasn't evil."
"I told you," Bella said as she started to clean up April's make-up.
"Thank you," April pulled Bella in for a hug, "You're the best."
Bella didn't respond. She just smoothed out her dress and fixed April's hair.
"I'm ready," April said yet her voice quivered just a bit.
"No you're not," Bella said and smiled, "But that's okay. You aren't supposed to be. Just know every step we are here for you April."
"You're gonna sit with me right?" April asked.
"If you want me to." Bella said.
April nodded and Bella looped their arms.
"Mr. Williams," Bella called, "Whenever you are ready."
The music played and Bella led April to the door.
"Take your time and do what you need to." Bella whispered before the doors opened.
Bella and April walked to the front pew and sat down with Damon, Stefan, Elena, Caroline, and the others behind them.
Throughout the first part of the ceremony Bella held April's hand, giving her reassuring squeezes throughout. Finally Mr. Williams came to the part she had been waiting for.
"Elijah, I want him out before he gets a shot," Bella whispered while knowing the Original was nearby.
Tyler stood up and headed for the podium and started speaking. Bella focused and used her powers, developing a temporary shield between the top pews and Tyler. Suddenly something crashed and Bella stood up, letting go of the magic.
"I'll check it out," Bella said and signaled for Caroline to take her place.
Bella got outside just in time to see Elijah and the Hunter struggling. Elijah was pushed away and he showed her the amulet.
Bella focused her power and the Hunter crumbled to his knees. She continued to use her powers until he fell unconscious.
"I'll take him to where we agreed," Elijah said and he quickly picked the Hunter up and rushed off.
Bella nodded and walked back inside where Damon was waiting for her. He looked her over and then took her arm.
"I'm fine," Bella said.
"No you're not," Damon said, "And that's okay."
Damon led Bella back to the front pew and Caroline moved as Tyler finished his speech.
Slowly six members of the council moved to lift the casket and carry it out as Bella stood with April and they started to follow them.
Bella felt a wave of nausea hit her and she excused herself to the bathroom. Bella locked the door as another wave of nausea hit her and then the dizziness followed. Bella moved over to the sink and grabbed it for dear life. Suddenly she smelled rust and salt. She looked up and saw blood coming out of her nose.
"Bella," Matt called out as he knocked on the door. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Bella said quickly as she grabbed some paper towels, "I'm just not feeling well."
"Bella," Meredith said, "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," Bella said as she tried to stop the blood and not pass out.
"Matt go keep Damon busy," Meredith said and then sighed, "Open up Bella."
Bella used and unlocked the door. Meredith came in and locked it back up.
"Oh my God," Meredith said as she saw the bloody paper towels. "What the hell?"
"Nose bleed." Bella said dismissively and swayed a bit.
"Sit down," Meredith said and she helped Bella over to a bench. "Tilt your head back."
Bella did as she was instructed.
"What happened before the nose bleed?" Meredith asked while timing Bella's pulse.
"I got nauseous and dizzy," Bella said while trying not to gag.
"Has this happened before?" Meredith continued as she continued to time the pulse.
"No," Bella said, "I think I'm going to be sick."
Bella ran to the toilet and began to puke. In the background she heard Meredith wetting paper towels and then she felt the cold towel on the back of her neck.
"Bella?" Bonnie called out.
"Not now," Meredith said, "We'll be out in a minute."
Bella finally quit puking and leaned back.
"Bella I want you to go to the hospital and get a scan," Meredith said worriedly.
Bella shook her head.
"Bella this is serious." Meredith said, "You don't just get nose bleeds and start puking out of the blue."
"I think I know what's causing this." Bella said as Meredith switched to the colder side of the towel.
"What?" Meredith asked.
"Today's Grandmama's anniversary," Bella lied, "I'm just a wreck."
"Still," Meredith said, "I want to do a scan."
"Hey everyone is about to leave," Bonnie called back to them.
"Go on without us," Meredith said, "Bella is gonna ride with me."
"Damon won't like that," Bonnie said.
"Bonnie tell him to stay with April…I don't think we are out of the woods yet. Please I want her looked after." Bella said.
"Okay," Bonnie said.
"You need to go home," Meredith said firmly.
"But April," Bella started.
"Will understand," Meredith interrupted. "Come on."
Meredith helped Bella out to the car and drove her home.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Will you be alright?" Meredith asked once they arrived at Bella's place.
Bella nodded and unlocked the door, "Thank you Meredith."
"Monday Bella, I want you at the hospital." Meredith said seriously.
"Got it," Bella said and walked inside.
She sat down her clutch and keys and kicked off her pumps. She really wanted a drink, but opted to lay down on the couch instead since she still felt nauseous and dizzy. Bella closed her eyes and tried to stop the feeling of everything spinning, but it was to no avail.
Slowly she realized her hearing appeared to be slowly fade. She didn't hear the front door open and close, she didn't hear the creaking of feet approach, but she heard when someone shouted her name.
"Bella," Elena said softly.
"Why aren't you at the cemetery?" Bella said in barely a whisper.
"I heard you and Meredith." Elena said, "Can I get you something?"
"Water," Bella said.
Elena went into the kitchen and quickly came back. She helped Bella sit up.
"What's wrong…I smell your blood." Elena said.
"I had a nose bleed, nothing serious." Bella said.
"Going in for scans seems like it's serious." Elena replied.
"They won't tell me anything I don't already know." Bella said and she took a little sip of water. "I've been using a lot of magic. My body is worn down, especially my mind, and it's telling me it's time to slow down."
"Bella," Elena said, "How long?"
"The nausea and dizziness a few weeks, the nose bleed started today." Bella said.
"I don't get it." Elena said.
"When witches over use their magic, our bodies start to suffer the effects of it. We can wield lots of power," Bella said and then swept her hand down her body, "But we are still just human. Our bodies can get overloaded and suffer side effects."
"Like…" Elena trailed.
"Blackouts, nose bleeds, dizziness," Bella said, "But it can get worse."
"How much worse?" Elena asked.
"Heart attacks like Shelia had, aneurysm, hemorrhaging in mainly the brain." Bella said. "My guess is I'm hemorrhaging."
"You need to go to the hospital now." Elena said and her eyes were filled with worry as her body tensed.
"I'm fine," Bella dismissed again.
"Bella the night I died I collapsed earlier on and it turns out that I had a cerebral hemorrhage. Meredith gave me vampire blood to heal me and that's why I turned. This isn't something to just wave off. When Shelia died we left her for a few seconds. You're going to the hospital." Elena said and helped her up.
"Elena," Bella started to say, but she didn't get the chance as she was consumed by darkness.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Meredith arrived just as they started to pull the casket out.
"Where's Bella?" Damon asked.
"At home resting," Meredith said, "She wasn't feeling well."
The burial went as planned and as they walked to the car, Matt looked around.
"Where's Elena?" He asked.
"She went home," Stefan said.
Meredith's phone started beeping.
"Shit," she said.
"What?" Stefan asked.
"Bella was just brought to the E.R." Meredith announced before she started to run for her car.
Damon froze and then took off after her. He opened the passenger door and climbed in.
They both drove in silence and once they arrived Damon saw Elena in the waiting room as Meredith went through the double doors.
"What happened?" Damon asked.
"She's overusing," Elena said quietly. "The magic, it's starting to take a toll on her. She's been feeling like shit for weeks. I got her up to take her to the hospital and she passed out and then her nose started to bleed."
"What the hell was she thinking?" Damon growled.
"So wait you know what can happen?" Elena asked.
"Of course I do!" Damon ran his hands through his hair. "I'm gonna wring her neck."
"Damon," Meredith called out after coming through the doors, "I need you back here."
Damon quickly followed Meredith to the room Bella was in. She was lying in a bed, still unconscious.
"Roll up your sleeve," Meredith instructed.
Damon did and sat down on the bed. Meredith found a vein and put in an IV. She did the same to Bella and connected the two tubes then started to allow Damon's blood to flow into Bella.
"They scanned her," Meredith said, "Elena compelled them…she's got a brain bleed."
"Stupid witch," Damon growled.
"What happened?" Meredith asked.
"She overused," Damon said, "Trust me it won't happen again."
"We both know that's a crock of shit." Meredith said, "If she's going to insist on doing this then she needs to add vampire blood to her daily diet."
"I'll personally make sure of it." Damon said while glaring at Bella's unconscious form, "It's not safe for her to be here."
"Ten minutes and you can take her." Meredith said, "You know how to undo all this?"
"Yeah," Damon said.
"Okay. I'm gonna get ready for my shift." Meredith said before she left the room.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Ten minutes passed and Damon took out both their IV's and Bella's healed immediately. As he put his jacket back on, Bella started to stir.
"Damon," she said weakly.
"Not a word," Damon said harshly. "Not one word until we get to the house."
Bella didn't reply, she merely tried to stand.
"Not that either." Damon said and he swiftly picked her up.
Damon walked out with Bella in his arms to Elena who was waiting outside with the car. They all drove in silence and after Damon got Bella inside, Elena left.
"Damon," Bella started.
"Are you trying to die?" Damon snapped, "I mean because you keep putting yourself in situations that will end in your death."
"Damon." Bella repeated.
"You need rest. This has to stop." Damon growled, interrupting her. "And you're gonna start drinking my blood…daily." Damon sat down across from her. "You're going to give me a heart attack."
Bella was about to sass back, but she stopped once she really looked at Damon. His body was rigid and his eyes that were normally bright and lively were filled with pain and darkness and fear. He was in pain…because of her. Because of her stubbornness in admitting when she needed help.
"I'm sorry," Bella whispered.
"I'm sorry will you repeat that?" Damon asked, shocked.
"I said I'm sorry," Bella said louder.
"Admitting you're wrong are we now Swan?" Damon asked as he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Yes," Bella said, "You're right. I have been overusing and I knew it and instead of talking or asking for help, I keep going and I'm burning out."
Damon moved over to lean near Bella.
"I don't like asking for help Damon," Bella said as she cupped his cheek, "I despise it and it makes me feel weak, but I need to ask for it. I mean I've asked you to trust me and you're trying. I need to do the same."
"What's changed?" Damon asked.
"Honestly," Bella said, "The way you looked at me just now. I was about to smart off to you, but when I saw the expression in your eyes and your body was all rigid and I just couldn't do it."
"What did you see?" Damon asked.
"Fear and pain," Bella said, "The pain part I get, but why would you be afraid?"
"Really?" Damon asked.
Bella nodded.
"You had a brain bleed earlier Bella. Do you know how many times I've come close to losing you since you've been back? Today I was close to it again. You're just damn lucky that Elena was here." Damon said.
"I would have turned," Bella said quietly.
"And I know what you would have chosen," Damon said seriously, "We both know that."
Bella didn't respond, she just sat there as she let his words sink in. Finally she stood up.
"Where are you going?" Damon asked.
"To change," Bella said and she headed up the stairs.
Bella took off her dress, let down her hair, and changed into yoga pants and a tank. She could sense that Damon had left, no doubt to go change too. She turned on her stereo and laid back on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Damon's words had a crushing effect on her. If she had changed he was right…she would have chosen to die. Magic was too much a part of her for her to live without it. Besides she didn't want forever. Damon had offered to turn her so many times, but she never took the offer. Finally one night Damon had asked her why while they sat out on the front porch together.
"Why not?" Damon asked taking a drink from his flask.
"That reason is three-fold," Bella said, "First off I would lose my magic."
"So?"
"So it's a part of me…I couldn't live without it." Bella replied. "Secondly I don't want to be the only one left once everyone I love is gone."
Damon nodded, "You said it was three-fold."
"I don't want to be alone for all eternity." Bella said.
Bella sighed as she came back to the present. Damon was right; she wouldn't turn and that fact brought something to the surface about her and Damon's relationship. Where was it headed? Bella didn't want to turn and Damon didn't want to be human. She would age and change, but he wouldn't so where was this going?
"Nowhere," Bella muttered as she closed her eyes.
"What?" Elena asked.
Bella shot up. "What are you doing back?" Bella asked.
"Damon came to the house and Stefan wanted to talk to him so I came over." Elena explained as she sat down. "What's going on?"
"Just some internal ramblings of a very messed up witch." Bella said as she laid back down.
"You scared me Bella," Elena said as she laid down next to her.
"I'm sorry," Bella replied sincerely. "I'm gonna be more careful I promise."
"Elijah was here. I told him to let you rest." Elena continued.
Bella nodded.
"What's on your mind?" Elena asked.
Bella sighed, "Just something Damon said."
"What?" Elena asked.
"If you hadn't of come here I would be dead and in transition." Bella said, "I still have Damon's blood in me."
"Okay," Elena said. "What's the problem?"
"He knew what I would choose." Bella said quietly.
Elena was silent, trying to figure out what was going on and then she sighed.
"You wouldn't have completed the transition." She said.
"Yep," Bella said.
"So it's got you thinking about your relationship." Elena guessed.
"How did you guess?" Bella asked.
"Hello I was human once when I was dating Stefan and that thought came up quite a bit." Elena replied with a laughing.
Bella let out a chuckle.
"Talk," Elena said.
Bella sighed, "I just don't see this going anywhere. I mean it can't. I'm going to age and change and keep going, but he won't. He will always be as he is. I can't expect him to stay with me as I age. That's not fair to either of us."
"Have you thought about him taking the cure?" Elena asked.
"No," Bella said, "He won't do it. He is who he is which is why I…" Bella stopped.
"Love him," Elena finished.
Bella didn't reply.
"So that's what you're thinking? That this is going nowhere." Elena said.
"It can't." Bella said, "We both want different things. It's better to just stop before it goes too far."
"Newsflash, it's already too far gone." Elena sat up. "You two are hooked into each other and you've been that way for a long time. It just took you both years to realize it."
Bella sat up, "Elena it's better to stop now before we really get hurt."
"There is no escaping this unscathed." Elena argued, "You're both going to get hurt no matter what. You could have decided this when you two were just friends and it still would have hurt. You two get each other on a level that none of us understand or will ever understand." Elena put her arm around Bella, "There's something that ties you two together and no matter what you won't be able to walk away from it and if you do then you'll feel like a piece of you is missing. You call Damon out on all his crap, but at the same time you don't try to change him. Damon can get you to see and admit things the rest of us can't. When I look at you two, I see what you have. It's indescribable and powerful, and it's what all of us want."
Bella looked at Elena.
"I remember a very wise lady telling us that all the good things were worth fighting for." Elena said with a smile. "She was right. Look at us Bella. We all have been through hell and back, but we do it because it's all worth it. Without each other we have nothing. We will always fight for each other because that's what a family does."
"When did you get so good at speeches?" Bella asked after wiping away some tears.
"Hey we all deserve our chance to shine in the spotlight. You can't have it all the time," Elena teased and hugged Bella. "It's not going to be easy."
"Nothing ever worth anything is." Bella said, quoting her grandma.
"But we will get through it…together." Elena continued to smile. "You're afraid I get it, but I've never known you to run from a fight. Do you know why?"
Bella shook her head, "Why?"
"Because you are a badass witch." Elena said.
Bella laughed and hugged her friend, "Thank you."
"You can always lean on me Bella, just like I've always been able to lean on you." Elena replied.
The two girls stood up and headed down the stairs.
A/N: Hey guys I am so sorry for the long wait. School and life in general took center stage and this chapter took a long time to write. I poured a lot of my own experience into this chapter and the last one and it was just draining. This chapter was extremely difficult to finish because all those emotions I felt came flooding back and I felt like I was drowning, but in a way it was a very good type of therapy.
Thank you my wonderful beta Dark~Supernatural~Angel for all her support and help.
Thank you to you the readers for the continued support as well as sticking with the story. I know it took a while, but when you write something personal you want to get everything write and have it come across in a certain way which I feel like this final version did.
Review!