Disclaimer:
I own no part of the 'Twilight Universe' … only the idea to this story. This is strictly for fun.
Author's note:
Yes, long wait again, I know! Sorry! Working sucks. I thought I had learned oh so much and would know things now. Reality and theory are miles apart sometimes … Thank you, "SierraBear," my darling beta, for your wonderful work!
Also: I posted an outtake some time ago, it is rated M, for those of you who didn't know already and would like to read it.
Previously:
"Welcome to the family, little sister," he whispered to her.After this unexpected display of affection, he stood up and left the room without another word. Dora hurried after him. Aro recovered next. He shrugged his shoulders in a very human way and left to write his letter. Cia stayed with us, staring at me with surprise painted all over her face, probably mirroring mine.
Chapter 41 (Marcus' pov):
After they left our quarters and their steps had faded Cia, looking at me with Bella snuggled up next to me, smiled fondly.
"Oh brother, I cannot find words expressive enough to tell you how happy I am for you and Isabella!" she enthused, her eyes sparkling. Were she any happier she might have burst.
I was about to thank her, but before I could, she continued in a more serious tone of voice: "Marcus, I know I can only imagine how confusing this situation must be for you … how you must feel off kilter … but don't be so insecure. You see bonds between people and you have never been wrong. You need to keep this in mind. Be sure of yourself and of your connection to Isabella. She has nothing to guide her, no certainty, only the bad experiences of her past that will rather cause hindrance. She will be insecure … very much so. It is clear she trusts you, Marcus, more than anyone else here – and rightly so as you are her mate. So if she will look for guidance here, it will be from you. You need to be secure, strong and confident. I cannot tell you this often enough," she implored in one breath.
I knew she was right but at times I was simply overwhelmed by all the changes occurring inside of and around me. Nonetheless, I was a king, a leader, and for too long I had retreated so deeply within my own pain that I had not behaved as such. If I wanted to help Bella heal and become the strong woman I knew her to be then I needed to also return to my own strength. I felt empowered by this realization.
I nodded to show I understood her.
"Good. Never forget you can talk to any of us, even if it is simply to get something off your chest." She moved moved closer to the bed and now sat down next to us, carefully studying Bella's features that were relaxed in her deep slumber.
"She never got to open your present, did she?" Cia sighed softly, looking at the small yellow parcel. It was then an idea struck.
"I will give it to her when she wakes next time, but Cia, please will you re-wrap it? Bella was obviously afraid of the paper … but you could use a piece of cloth instead, no? Perhaps a silk scarf?" I was overjoyed with that idea; I would always wrap her gifts in silk from now on. She would never have to fear a
paper cut again, when unwrapping a present! I would gift her with many things!
"Yes. Yes! Marcus that is a magnificent idea! I will do so immediately and return it to you. Only there is one other thing I wanted to advise you do … " she trailed off unsure. The spark of delight that had flared over her features upon hearing my stroke of genius had diminished slightly and she regarded me with Bella speculatively. Now she had my undivided attention, at least most of it, as the rest of my mind still had its focus on Bella. "Marcus, imagine you were in Isabella's stead. You are alone in a foreign country; plagued by your past mentally and physically; are made to live with people you only ever heard bad things about … " I interrupted her rudely, as I was impatient:
"I know and am well aware of the circumstances that rule her life at the moment, sister." The next part I added in a gentler tone: "Get to the point, please."
"Very well, let's be blunt." She squared her shoulders and sat up straighter. Clearly I had aggrieved her.
"Sulpicia, please forgive me, I never meant to offend you. I merely have no patience these days it would seem," I apologized.
Her eyes softened.
"I understand, brother." She accepted both my apology and the hand I had offered to her in a reconciliatory manner. Surprisingly she held on to it.
"Marcus, now that we know all about her, the good and the ugly, she will feel even more vulnerable. We still keep secrets from her. I am not implying you tell her about the bond you share but I think it is time you opened up to her about yourself … your past … " she left the sentence hanging.
I knew what she hinted at. I should tell Bella the tragedy of my life.
Could I do that, talk about Didyme with her? … With Bella of all people?...
I didn't know.
"I don't know if I can," I whispered. Never had I felt so barren, so vulnerable before, and I imagined talking about Didyme would be incredibly worse.
The next moment I was utterly mortified. I wouldn't show weakness in front of my sister like that. Automatically I tensed and closed up again.
"Marcus," my sister squeezed my hand affectionately. I looked at her uninterestedly and she sighed.
"The way you shut down just now … is exactly why you need to tell her Marcus, dear brother. She cannot see beneath the surface of your façade. If you wish to deepen your bond she will need you to confide in her just as she has confided in you. How else will she know how truly you understand what she has been through … how you too have suffered a similar depth of pain. She is your mate.
She will never judge you, never betray your trust. She is your other half, Marcus. You can finally move onward, finally free yourself of the demons of your past. And you will be able to help Bella free herself of her demons," Cia ended her heartfelt lecture.
Deep down I knew she was right, that I could tell Bella anything and still have her support and … dared I think it … her love? I recalled many times my Didyme confided in me. She would tell me things she deemed silly, embarrassing. It would bring us closer to each other; build our trust in each other; make us stronger as a couple. Sure, Aro knew all our secrets, but there was something about the action of admitting your own self perceived weakness to the one you loved that was freeing, absolving.
I realized the wisdom in Cia's counsel. Cia was right. Isabella Swan was my mate. She had confided in me and I would confide in her even if it was only to make her feel better, to make her my equal in our budding relationship. I would trust her as she obviously trusted in me. She trusted me with her life. Here she lay, her head on my chest, even though I was the ultimate predator to her - certain death. Our relationship defied nature … and I was proud of her for it.
We sat in silence and I steeled my resolve. I would tell her as soon as an occasion presented itself. I wanted her to know me.
"I will talk to her. Thank you, Cia," I informed my sister and pressed a soft kiss on top of Bella's had. It came easier now … at least while she was sleeping.
"Good," was her short retort.
"I'll change the wrapping on the present and bring it back to you."
My sister then left, a fond smile yet again tugging at her lips.
End note:
Sorry it is so short! I had quite some trouble finding a way to show the shift in things.
Thank you, my dear loyal readers! ;) You are awesome!