Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls: Trying for Normal
Author's Note: Readers are precious and their insight never ceases to amaze me thanks Pien!
Chapter1
EPOV
Alice, Esme and I followed Aldrich to Volterra, the plan was to interview the remaining human servants for positions in the newly proposed living museum at the castle. Bella and the triplets had accompanied us as far as London. I just couldn't bear to have them half a world away, but I didn't want them in Volterra. So they were visiting with Charlie and Carol. Esme had given Bella a mission, she was to work on a friend of ours, to accept a proposal to be the curator of the Volterra Museum. I felt much better with them close at hand and in the same time zone.
Charlie and Carol were staying at Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair, where I had booked them in for their honeymoon, so I also reserved a suite of rooms for Bella and the children. Thank god I wasn't there to listen to her complain about the cost. Charlie could deal with it this time. My wife is the sweetest and most beautiful woman in the world, however she was raised having to watch every penny spent by her loveable but spendthrift mother. As a result she had brought into our life, as Emmett called it, her 'scrooge gene'. And while our personal wealth numbered in the billions, she still found it difficult to break the habits of a lifetime. I chuckled as I relaxed beside Alice and Esme thinking of the tirade Charlie would have to handle.
Alice smirked at me and touched my arm. "You do realize you're not out of the dog house. When she calls you tonight, you should still be prepared for a lecture."
I sighed deeply and resigned myself to the inevitable. "Will she ever accept that she doesn't ever have to worry about money? I can't even get her to look at our combined portfolio, let alone her personal accounts." Alice laughed. "Do you know that she had me set up College saving plans for each of the kids, before we left the States? She wants to see what she can save from the household money for them, until they can start saving for themselves!"
Alice and Esme both chuckled. Esme leaned towards me, "Edward, she'll learn eventually. I know it was quiet the shock for me, when I came into this life, to learn how wealthy Carlisle was. But perhaps she's also trying to teach the children the value of a dollar?"
I looked at Alice. "Anything to add to the discussion sister dear, perhaps you have an insight into how long I'll have to fight with her to spend our money."
She smiled and said, "Oh Edward, I can't be sure, she changes her mind all the time about accepting your generous gifts, and with the idea that your wealth is now hers. She finds it rather frightening so give her a few years...or maybe decades it'll get better."
"Well personally I'm expecting it to take me centuries to break her of the habit of grimacing every time she uses a credit card." Both ladies laughed.
Our trip to Volterra turned out to be unnecessary.
The guard that had remained behind had heard of the Volturi defeat and had feasted on the humans employed at the castle and then fled just hours before Aldrich arrived. Aldrich and his team showed no mercy to the vampires still residing there, and were hunting down those that had run.
Damage control for this magnitude of a massacre would be impossible. So a devastating accident had to be arranged in the servant quarters which fell to Alice, Esme and I. We set fire to the bodies and the portion of the castle that housed their quarters and common areas. We also disabled the sprinkler system in those areas along with the alarms making it look like faulty wiring for the Fire Marshall's investigation. Because of the investigation we couldn't use time delay devices and had to be extra careful to not set fire to ourselves. Thank god, that went well.
Autopsies were unable to determine cause of death, and identification was possible only through dental records. Generous compensation was made to the grieving families and plans moved forward for the renovations to the damaged areas and the rest of the castle. It was an extremely sad time in the city of Volterra, but hope rose out of the ashes when the people found that the castle would be improved and a museum created, the projected windfall to the local economy was heartening to the locals.
The changes planned for the castle included the removal of anything connected to the Volturi specifically and vampires in general. Marcus had turned over the assets and the properties of the Volturi to the NorthWest Trust. To be administered by a five member Board of Directors consisting of Carlisle, myself, Marcus and the Princes, for the support and benefit of the museum the local community and for the assistance and guidance of those in our world requiring help.
Aro's private wealth was held in trust by Marcus for Charlotte, she being his only living relative. We did the same with Caius's wealth, setting it up for Ruby, she was deserving and alone in the world. Caius had no living relations so his wealth might as well do some good.
The technology available in the castle was truly amazing and very advanced. Some of it was cutting edge, such as the security system which had been adapted for a vampire's preternatural abilities. It caused quite the stir with the new human Chief of Security. Aldrich had to convince him that it was a prototype being tested for the CIA. And yes, surprisingly enough he bought it.
The castle was fully automated, the system was advanced and involved. It handled everything from the simplest of lights, heating, WIFI, satellites, to accounting programs that invest and divest funds, programs that monitored world news, to track our kind, and they even had elaborate environmental controls for the protection of the many ancient manuscripts and artifacts scattered about the castle, along with pneumatically sealed vaults in the dungeons that contained numerous treasures thought lost to the world.
We eventually had to agree that only a vampire team could oversee and maintain these programs and systems, that was why we recruited from the ranks of the Princes' followers. No former Volturi would be allowed to work in the castle again in any capacity.
With a considerable bribe, to leave their current project, Esme hired a top flight contractor and architect from Florence that specialized in the preservation of historical buildings, with the requirement that they use as much local talent and materials as possible, in the restoration and renovation of the castle.
Esme had chosen a mid 19th century theme for the museum, which fit well with much of the current décor, even the older artifacts could be displayed easily and events would be planned to showcase different periods within the castle history throughout the year.
The buzz in the academic world about this new museum was such that the Florence University of Arts had petitioned the Trust, to establish an affiliation for the enrichment and study of the artifacts showcased at the Castle. Requests were already been submitted for permission to conduct research in the libraries and vaults. These would all have to be carefully scrutinized, before any decision was made.
In an attempt to stave off natural curiosity, it was decided that the history of the castle would be traced through Marcus' family line. Since there were no other living descendants than Simon, he would become the face of the Volturi family. He loathed using that surname so he chose instead to use the name of his human mother Cornelii.
A curator had to be hired, that was the mission of Bella and Charlie back in London, to get this person to agree. Esme had someone very specific in mind, he had previously worked at the British Museum he had experience with a living museum and could facilitate the affiliation with the FUA. Bella contacted me later that night and once she had finished reaming me out about the cost of the suite and while telling me how much she loved it at the same time, she said that Alastair was thrilled by the offer and couldn't wait to start.
Yes, Alastair had accepted the appointment to the post of curator in Volterra. Since he had lived during many of the times that would be showcased at the castle, he was the perfect choice. He was hoping to make this a long term endeavour, by aging himself through the use of special effects makeup. Knowledge he acquired during his time as a makeup artist with Pinewood Studios back in the 70's.
Alastair would also be responsible for the cataloguing and shipping of all documents, and artifacts that alluded to the existence of the Volturi Vampires to Seattle, and to debunk anything or anyone that alluded to what had really gone on at the castle. He was a stickler for detail, accuracy and he was also a consummate liar of the first degree, when the occasion required it.
Esme was staying for a few more weeks, to see the renovations get underway and to help Alastair settle in with his executive assistant... Aldrich. Not a match made in heaven, but the Princes wanted their own eyes and ears there, at least for a few decades.
Esme was impressed with the care that been taken with the infrastructure and general maintenance of the castle. In addition to many of the modern conveniences that were already in place, it was clear that bathrooms would be the only major issue, toilets and showers would need to be added to all the rooms that humans would be using.
Aldrich had found that the town itself would not be immediately able to handle the influx of tourists and visitors once the museum opened. So he proposed a restaurant and a B&B should be built and operated in the out buildings of the castle, employing staff from the town and showcasing local dishes and ingredients. It was hoped that, in the future, additional businesses will be opened to meet the demand generated by the increase in tourism.
The city council was enthused by our plans for the castle. They intended to make the feast Saint of Marcus and even bigger event. While none of us really wanted to carry on with this farce, it was the only event they had that had drawn a significant crowd to the hilltop town.
Once they were ready to hire staff for the museum and sundry, Alice and I would return to assist Alistair and Aldrich with their selection. Alice flew to Paris and met Jasper there for fashion week and they were joined by Rose and Emmett, who would later be taking off on a skiing vacation in the Alps. Emmett's plans to hunt big game in Africa had been stopped by Carlisle. The allegiance of the vampires on that continent were still suspect and Richard did not want any Cullens being captured while on Safari. Predictably Emmett was not pleased and Rose told us he pouted all the way to Paris.
I joined Bella in London, for a few days, with Charlie and the kids, we had a wonderful time. I was very impressed with Alistair, who made our visit very interesting. We got not only the history of the places we went to but the scandals as well. He was a walking, talking history text that could bring a time and place to life with his words. He had the added advantage of being a well informed gossip of both the past and present. Esme was right he would be brilliant as curator. Alastair left us after a few days, headed for Volterra, looking every inch the confident but serious academic, ready to tantalize and no doubt give the people from FUA a run for their money. I was sure the students would love him.
The transformation of our hitherto reclusive and mistrusting friend was due entirely to Charlie and Carol. Before Alistair left he made me promise to keep him informed about Charlie and Carol. "You see Edward, time has a funny habit of getting away from me. Decades can go by without me really having taken notice. Charlie has already told me he will live out a human life but I would hate myself if I missed out on any of his milestones. And I want to be able to say good-bye to my friend before he passes on. You'll let me know won't you?"
Bella was very affected by Alistair's request, we both promised him that he was a family friend and that we would always keep him informed. We in turn asked that he keep in touch as well. We flew out of Heathrow in the early evening. We had a layover in New York, Charlie and Carol were going to stay there for a few days, but we were catching a connecting flight to Chicago.
I was taking Bella and the kids to see my old haunts and places of interest from my human years. I still owned my childhood home, my last tenant had recently vacated, so I wanted to inspect the property. I had a thought of making it into a vacation home for us. I wanted Bella to help me decide what kind of improvements or renovations would be needed to accommodate all of us.
Our first stop in Chicago was The Palmer House. I had stayed here once, as a boy with my parents, when our house was being renovated. It was in the historic downtown near the lakeshore and all the shopping...Alice would love that, Bella not so much. Our accommodations were beyond luxurious, of course my wife's scrooge gene raised its ugly head once again. Thankfully we were alone in our room when she let loose.
"What were you thinking? We're only going to be here for 72 hours and you reserve a penthouse that isn't even advertised? We are a family, Edward, and these are not kid friendly rooms! Did you even consider the cost if anything gets broken?"
Bella continued on with her rant for the next 10 minutes and I just let her go, but there were times that I was hard pressed to keep a straight face. Finally she ran out of either air or words, I don't know which. I put on my best crooked smile and downcast eyes...yeah me playing her but I had plans that her inner scrooge was not going to derail.
"Love, this is the only hotel I ever stayed in with my human parents. It has memories for me that I wanted to share with you and our children. And depending on the weather it's within walking distance of everywhere. I want to go everywhere with you and the kids including my childhood home." I know it was wrong of me to pull my human card, but hell it worked and for that I was thankful.
My wife collapsed into my arms, "Oh Edward, I'm so sorry, I had no idea how special this place would be to you! Please forgive me my heartless rant darling."
I pulled my wife closer and kissed the top of her head smiling to myself. As I looked out the door, toward the living room, I saw Masen and Beth sitting on the couch facing us, they both gave me the thumbs up, the cheeky devils. I should probably have felt guilty and I did a little, but only because my children caught me. But like I said, 'Scrooge' was not going to derail my plans.
The architectural details of the Palmer House were stunning, I had reserved us a table for afternoon tea in the famed Lobby Bar. They were doing a retro event with staff dressed in period costumes from World War I, and the food served would be from the same time period as well. Actors would be interacting with patrons and staff as if it was circa 1915 to make the ambiance more authentic. Bella was beyond nervous, she had yet to fake eating in a crowd of humans but I wanted her and the kids to experience this with me. This would be my chance to share, with my family, what it had been like for me, when I was human, living at this hotel. I was probably more excited about having tea with my family this afternoon then I had been in 1915.
BPOV
It was entertaining to see Edward so excited, especially since he thought he got away with charming me about the cost of the penthouse. In fact, Charlie had sat me down and had a long talk with me back in London, after my rant about the cost of the suite of rooms at Claridge House. He brought things into perspective for me...well maybe he just told me I was being STUPID! At least that's how he put it to me. Charlie pointed out how every time I rejected or ranted about money to Edward, I was in effect rejecting who he was. Like my Dad said Edward's money didn't just fall out of the sky. He and his family had and still did invest considerable time and effort into ensuring that their money works for them, and they were not the only ones that benefitted from it. He also pointed out that money was a necessity in my new life. After all we never knew when we might have to pick up and leave at a moment's notice, moving expenses, substantiating documentation, creating new identities and continuing to finance all their good works took buckets of money.
Even our anonymity in London required the expensive suite, and at other times private planes, large private residences with huge acreage and fast cars. He started to make sense and I started to see things from Edward's perspective. He finally had someone to share his wealth with, for the first time in his existence, why shouldn't he enjoy himself. Esme had once told me that the Cullen men by nature were extremely generous and it did not come from a desire to flaunt their wealth, but from a desire to share their good fortune with those they care about.
So I smiled at my gorgeous husband, as he made sure the kids knew their table manners and explained what would be going on, why it was special to him that he shared this experience with us. I changed into a sapphire blue afternoon dress and flats, to compliment Beth in powder blue. Edward loved his two ladies in blue. The boys had on dress pants and dark green shirts, to compliment their eyes. They looked just like their father, all three of them were so handsome.
We took the elevator down to the Lobby Bar, when the doors opened it was like being thrown back in time. Thank god, I'd seen the movie Titanic so my jaw didn't drop open as far as it might have. Edward actually looked more at ease than I had seen him in a while. Once our reservation was confirmed we were seated at our table with a prime view of everything going on. Edward placed our order and we waited watching the waiters and actors move around us.
One gentleman came towards us and engaged Edward in a conversation about the conflict in Europe, that would be World War I to me. Edward smiled and got a faraway look in his eyes, while he talked to the man, who seemed at first taken aback about Edward's ability to converse in the style of the time and with such detail.
I looked at the children and they were mesmerized watching their father in his element. The gentleman acknowledged us all, thanked Edward for his views and passed on to another table.
Tea came and Edward gave me a lesson in sleight of hand, we both put my Gucci handbag, that would never be the same again, to good use. In the future, I would make it a rule of thumb to put a baggie or two in all my purses. Amazingly, enough of the food was just to the triplets liking, cucumber sandwiches were now a favourite with all three and even the devilled eggs were a hit. But it was the petite fours and cakes that made them ask why we didn't have tea time at home. I raised my eyebrows at Edward and mouthed 'thanks' he had just created a monster, between London, and now Chicago, I could see them asking for high tea every day once we were home. I must say it was nice and the foods served are easier to hide than a regular meal so perhaps we could do it on weekends at home.
Edward suddenly stiffened and looked livid. I was used to him overreacting to the thoughts of others, but this seemed different. I gathered myself and did the mental tap 'Edward what's wrong?'
"There's one of us here right now, but I can't locate them. I can hear them and their watching us."
EPOV
I could hear her thoughts she was rambling on about 'get them, take them out, for him' over and over but I couldn't find her anywhere in the room. Bella was now aware and she too was trying to look around without tipping her off. Anthony then touched Beth and she latched onto my hand.
"Dad it's the woman in the grey period costume over by the staircase, the one with the short brown hair, she's wearing brown contacts making her eyes almost black and she's hungry, Dad, really hungry. But she's even more angry then hungry."
I nodded to Anthony and Beth, Masen and Bella were also on alert, I called for our bill and signed it. When we got up, I sent Bella towards the elevator and I made my way towards the staircase. My intent was to warn her away but as I approached she turned and bolted.
The last coherent thought I caught was one word 'Caius'. I tapped for Bella's attention, 'We've got trouble love, she's Volturi.'
Bella's face fell, she immediately had the kids on the elevator and we made our way to the penthouse. I was on my phone as soon as the door closed. Carlisle was the nearest so I contacted him first. He and Simon would be on the next plane out of Sea Tac and he wanted us to stay put. The other Edward called shortly after, he and Reagan would be coming with Carlisle and Simon and they would be bringing a few friends with them.
The other Edward warned me that it sounded like the woman was Roma, Caius's lover and personal assassin she was dangerous and we had better stay put. "Oh and Edward for the sake of a name just call me Wales when I get there, it'll save confusion, it is after all part of one of my titles."
Did I ever mention that 'Wales' could be a bit of a pompous ass?
The triplets came into our room after they had changed for bed, they crawled up to sit with Bella and I on the king sized bed. Instead of asking about the woman downstairs they asked about my mother and father. I promised them that we would go through the trunks, the day after tomorrow, in the attic of my home. Carlisle and I had, over the years, done everything we could do to preserve my home and its contents, even though neither of us had physically been inside since the night I was changed.
Carlisle had gone, soon after my change, to secure and close up the house and to find my father's papers, like his will, remove my mother's jewellery and release the staff. We had kept all my parents and my personal items, down through time, paying preservationists to go into the house and repackage the contents of the trunks as methods to insure their survival improved. There were now eight pneumatically sealed trunks in the attic of my home and all the original furnishings were in an antiques storage facility. I had to meet with my lawyers the next morning to pick up the extra keys, even though I had my own set, just to keep up appearances of being the latest to inherit the property.
The triplets begged for a movie, so we rented the latest Harry Potter film and they all fell asleep half way through it. Bella and I spent the rest of the night cuddling with our children and talking quietly about the woman downstairs. I didn't understand why she didn't approach us if she was the notorious Roma and just how dangerous was she?
Well the West Coast crew arrived at 5:00 am. Bell and I left the triplets sleeping in our bed and joined the others in the living room. I started to explain to them what we had seen in the Lobby Bar, when our bedroom door opened and a very sleepy Beth stumbled over to me. "Daddy, it will be easier if I just show them." So with her eyes half closed, she stumbled from one person to the next, putting her hand on their cheek and going through her mental video, then she would give them a kiss and move on to the next one.
She came back to me and put her arms up, I reached down and picked her up. Bella gave her a kiss on her cheek and then Beth put her head on my shoulder and promptly fell asleep. I took her back to our room and tucked her in with her brothers giving them all another kiss.
Edward excuse me Wales was watching me as I came out and closed the door. "You are a very rich man, Edward Cullen, and that little girl is one of your greatest treasures, she is so pure of heart."
I smiled and looked at Simon. "I know Wales, but you're not the only one to realize that, she is treasured by many."
He chuckled at me "Oh I know I heard all about her from that one on the flight here. I had to actually fake sleep to shut him up."
Simon blushed and Bella just smiled at him and patted his knee. My wife is an amazing woman normally you would think she would be possessive of her only daughter. Particularly since Bella is still considered a newborn and can be emotionally volatile, but instead she reassures Simon that she understands.
Wales and Reagan decided they would check out the hotel and see if there could ferret out Roma. Their six friends which had come with them had checked into rooms on various floors and would accompany them on the hunt. They left and Carlisle settled in to talk. Simon yawned and retired to what was Beth's room and that bothered me just a little for some reason. But he loved her so much that I couldn't begrudge him, at least while she slept in my room with her brothers.
CarPOV
I sat and looked at my son and daughter-in-law, their love was so obvious and I was so happy for them, but I had something I needed to share with Edward and decided I might as well get it out in the open.
"Edward, I take it you haven't gone by the Lincoln Park house yet?"
Edward smiled at me and said: "No, I'm going to pick up the keys tomorrow. I wanted to take a look around," Then he put his arm around Bella's shoulder. "And I want to hear what Bella thinks about making it into a vacation home. Plus the kids want to go through the trunks. I'd like to acquaint them with my past, I think it would be good for me. I've seen the inventory lists but to actually see my things and hold them may be cathartic."
"Yes well that's what I wanted to talk to you about." He looked perplexed and nodded for me to continue. So I leaned forward with my arms on my knees. "Edward, that night, the night I went to your home to do the things I told you about, well I lied about a few of them."
"What do you mean?"
"When I got there the place was locked up tighter than a drum. And the old washer woman, Mina, was sitting on the front step smoking her pipe."
I remembered that night like it was yesterday the old woman looked at me and said "I thought it would be one of your kind would to come here, but I didn't think it would actually be you. Have you taken the boy then?"
She didn't wait for my answer. "It was her that got you to do it, wasn't it? The mistress, I mean. I told her what you were and she got it into her head that it was the only way to save the young master. She asked you to turn him didn't she? And you did it, you changed him into one of you."
She didn't seem to expect me to answer any of her questions, so I stood still like only our kind can and listened. She shook her head and shuddered a little, "Well you don't act like most of your kind. To take care of humans like you was one of them, and working so hard trying to save them, I don't understand." She bit the stem of her pipe and dug in her pocket, "So I guess you must still be God's child. You couldn't give up your soul, and do what you do. You should know all the servants have left. They are either sick or scared, but I figured you'd see to it that we'd be okay, so I came to wait and get my wages."
I paid her, and told her that I would leave the other servants wages with my lawyers and told her where they should go, she agreed to pass it along. Then she handed me a key. "The mistress gave me this when I started working here, so I could get in and out early in order to be with my own family." She looked back at the house then stood up and knocked out her pipe and said: "She has the place locked up tighter than a drum, can't get in even with a key, but imagine she'll let you in."
I looked at her for the first time since I had given her the wage packet. Up until then I had been staring at the front window, I felt like I was being watched. I looked down at the tiny woman as she started to walk past me. "I'm sorry did you say she locked the house up before she came to the hospital?"
"Oh no, she did that after she came back, she's in there now and not about to leave if I know her."