"Hey, Belly." I look up from the computer at the front desk to see my cousin-in-law, Emmitt. He was tall, 6'2' a very muscular guy. Dark hair, and dark eyes, with a charming grin. He could have been one of those actors to play the small town guy with the boyish good looks, after all, that was who he was. When he and Rosalie got together, I couldn't have been happier, none of us could. They were so different, yet so perfect for each other. For a while I envied them, wondering if I could ever have that. How crazy is it to think that…I just might.

I roll my eyes " What is with you people and this name?" I huff to him annoyed but enjoying our normal banter. I always viewed him as an older brother, ever since our high school days, when he was the only one that agreed with me that the character development was greater in the DC world than in the Marvel world, and we bonded since then.

"Oh, come on now. Don't be like that. Be happy. Especially, since your meeting Romeo tonight and all." He grins wide . I don't even bother to ask, I know it was Evelyn who told him. Avery,all human, hold not an ounce of magical power in him.

" Don't you have work to do?" I tease and gesture to his tool box.

"Yea, yea...where's, Gran. She was complaining about a draft coming through one of the windows."

" She's in her office, taking her lunch." Happy he dropped the inquisition about Mr. Dreams, he leaves and heads towards Gran's office.

Looking at the clock I see it's 1:30. I go ahead and turn the sign in the window to "CLOSED". By the time everyone leaves the store it'll be enough time to get ready for the gala that starts at sunset. Walking back to the register I saw a bouquet of white peonies. I lift them to my nose and inhale deeply, their scent was magical. I reach down and take the card out there in elegant script

Not as beautiful as you. The look like the gown you will be wearing tonight.

Until nightfall, my love, think of me.

- E

My head shoots up and I look around, just for a glance or a glimmer of him around. I see a man in a dark coat leaving the shop, with a bold tuft of . I drop the flowers to the counter and run out the door. The cold air hits me but I move against it, he's a little farther down than I expected. I grew annoyed, he's not getting away, this time, it is not going to fall on his time to contact me when he wants. I continue to run, the cold air burning my lungs as I run. I apologize to the few people I bump into. They honestly didn't have to swear like the did. There he is. I reached him and tug on his arm, and look into his blue eye...wait...blue?

"Hey, can I help you?" The stranger asks, his tone harsh, I don't blame him.

"Uh...sorry...I thought you were someone else." I stammer and look around. I let go of his arm and hear him mumble something about "crazy broads". Looking around I run my fingers through my hair, huffing in annoyance. He managed to get away again. " Asshole," I grumble, and somewhere in the distance, I hear a soft chuckle. Heading back into the bookstore I read the note again.

"E?"

He signed it, "E". Now, he was just taunting me to give me as little information as possible.

It took a little longer to leave the bookstore. I look down at the passenger seat to see the flowers there. I scowl. Who does he think he is. I mean really. Obviously, you are around and can come to me, why does he have to play this game. Things don't have to constantly be a mystery. I pull up to the manor and park my jeep. Turning the car off I look at the sky through the window. The sky is this a mix of light and dark gray heavy clouds, that are just bound to burst with delicate snowflakes.

BANG BANG BANG

"ISABELLE!" I jump and look over and there's Alice, grinning wide and banging on the window to my car door. Grabbing the flowers I get out of the car.

"What is wrong with you?" You scared me half to death!"She takes my hand and pulls me into the warmth of our home ignoring my question.

" Why are you so late, we need to get ready. You won't believe what he left for you." She giggles and pulls me along and up the stairs. I then realize her hair is in curlers and her makeup is half done.

"He? Alice, will you slow down What are you..." She pushed me into my room and there was a black box on my bed.

"It was on the doorstep when I got home from work."Alice bounces and hands me a card. " this was with it too. Hurry up and open it, so I can do you hair and makeup." She is nearly vibrating with excitement. Absent mindedly I take the card from her.

Asshole? I expected more from you, my love.

The minutes are melting away until you are mine.

-E

I scoff and bite my lip. Highly annoyed but yet amused. Who did he think he was to toy with me like this? I drop the car on the bed and begin to undo the black bow on the box It's expensive I can tell. Taking the lid off , I remove the tissue paper . I hear two gasps behind me. Inside lie a delicate silk and lace royal blue gown. It glistens from an iridescent stitching on it and the scattered jewels on the lace. The gown is a soft mint green color. Gingerly she pulls it out and holds it out in front of her. It's gorgeous and ethereal.

Alice and Rose rush to my side.

"Look, there's a cloak in the box too." Rose points out. Underneath, the dress was a darker green cloak. Finely made with rabbit fur lining the inside. IT was beautiful, all of it was. I bite my lip and lay the gown down, staring at it, before moving to sit on my bed. Alice yelps a little as I almost sit on the gone then places her hand over her mouth. I ignore it.

"Em..." Rosalie kneels down, reaching up and gently wipes a tear from my face. I hadn't realized I had been crying. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

Alice then came and sat on the end of the bed and rested her head on my shoulder .

" It's just so much...he...he comes and goes when he chooses, I'm a fucking puppet to his games." I sniffle, my aggravation from the day coming out. " He has been in my head, literally, for years. And then for him to come, now, and sweep me off my feet. No! I won't have it. I haven't had a stable relationship since I was in high school. Because nights after dates I had to face HIM, with his wounded look of betrayal like I broke his heart. He would lecture me and say how "We are one". I pause and look around . "Well FUCK you!" I yell out into the air, secretly hoping I would get some sort of response from him.

"ISABELLE MARIE SWAN" I whirl around and see my grandmother there with a look of anger and disappointment. As the Matriarch of our family, I recalled I had just broken one of her major rules in her house . I gulp.

" Just because you are stressed and confused does not mean you can go and disrespect my house like this. You were raised better than to use that sort of langue, and a classless animal." Grans tone was harsh and strong, I instantly went back to the 10-year-old girl being reprimanded for swearing. I look down and nod.

"Yes, Ma'am," I whisper out , playing with my fingers nervously. She walks over to be and lifts my head up to look at her eyes, her eyes searching mine. Sighing she takes my hand and sits n the window-seat, letting me sit with her. "I'm sorry, Gran…it's just so much and I don't know how to deal with it."

"He's courting you." She say's matter of factly.

"What?" Now, I'm confused. Grans huffs annoyed and glances to Rosalie and Alice. She pinches her nose. "You three look a mess, come now, I'll tell you all as you get ready.

I'm sitting on the bench at the vanity applying my make-up and Alice is pulling at my hair.

"Alice, I would love to have at least a few stands in my head before we leave." I can't help but groan out. My scalp is on fire. I hear Gran and Rose, chuckle on the other side. As Gran is twisting Evelyn's hair into a beautiful updo.

Alice rolls her eyes.

" Stop, complaining. It'll all be worth it." I wince as she tugs again. I apply my eyeshadow and look at Rose through the mirrors reflection. She catches my eye and nods. We can speak telepathically if we wanted, however, we just know each other so well, and a brief eye contact can go a long way. Rose clears her throat .

" So , Gran what you were saying in Bella's room?" Her tone even as she powders her chuckles and nods. " You three waited long enough I see." She pauses and continues to brush Rose's strawberry blonde hair.

' Belly, I understand that you are being courted, because the same thing happened to me. It's the way warlocks are trained in the old ways of mystical males to act toward the woman they wish to wed." Alice pauses at pulling my hair, then asks.

" Well, how do you know? Who courted you, Gran?" The air suddenly became very heavy and Gran's eyes grow sad. She grabs hold on the amulet around her neck. It was odd, it was clear the stone could open like a locket but she never did.

" Your grandfather." We still. Grandfather? I look around and see the same shocked look on my cousins.

" He was a warlock?How? Evelyn was the first to respond and recover. " I thought with the elder community it was frowned upon. "

" It was and it is. But your grandfather and I were so in love. He was the best thing that ever happened to me." She turns and looks to me, I swallow. " You will never have to worry about anything with a warlock. He is yours just as much as you are his. The world will crash around you all but there is nothing that can stop your love."

"Gran..." I wiser out. She shakes her head. " He might be the perfect power to accompany The Chosen Three. And I now you all will be safe." She turns around and heads back towards Evelyn to finish her hair. " Now, hurry up. We have a gala to get to."

**** A/N****

HEY! Thank you so much for reading my story! Please let me know what you think of it so far. I really appreciate that you take the time to read my story. This is also my first story!**