Merged Souls: Trying for Normal

by baynewen

Sequel to Merged Souls. So what could possibly go wrong trying for a normal life? Murder, mystery, and ghosts. And what's going on in Volterra these days? OCC Vamp B/E.

2. Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight, but not Merged Souls: Trying for Normal

Author's Note: Thanks P.

Chapter 2

CarPOV

"Mina left me standing on the walkway. I was worried about leaving you alone, Edward. I had intended to leave my lawyers card in the kitchen with a note for the staff. And to gather your parent's wills and your mother's jewellery that wasn't still in the wall safe.

As I approached the front door, I still felt like I was being watched. I inserted the key in the lock but before I could turn the doorknob the door swung open of its own accord. I stepped over the threshold, the lighting was muted but all the curtains were open so the moonlight filtered in. Across the hallway and the parlour everything was quiet and looked untouched. I walked quickly into the kitchen and left my note and the card for the staff.

Then I went upstairs and located your room, but the door was locked and felt it was wrong to try and force it. That's why I didn't retrieve any of you personal belongings, except for the teddy bear that Bella has, I found him sitting on the rocking chair in your mother's writing room.

The door to your parent's room was open, your mother's jewellery box was sitting atop her dressing table with a tiny key in the lock. I opened it and everything she had told me about seemed to be there, including some pieces I thought should have been in the safe.

I went back downstairs to your father's study, at the back of the house. Very little light was coming through the windows and the room was absolutely frigid. I detected the lingering scent of fine pipe tobacco, as if it had been lit just before I came into the room, but there wasn't a pipe in sight and it definitely wasn't the acrid smell from Mina's pipe. Yet the room appeared again to have been untouched, and there on top of the desk was a pile of papers tied together with a blue ribbon. The papers included your parent's wills, the deed to the house and a vacation place, which was further north on Lake Michigan. Plus an entire collection of bank books, investment accounts, bonds, and the combination to the safe. I quickly looked around the room once again, and there didn't seem to be anything else that I needed to worry about at this time.

I walked out into the hallway and turned to face the open front door, for a fraction of a second I thought I saw the movement of a ladies skirt disappear around the banister of the stairway. The air in the hallway was scented with rose water and lavender, which had not been there before. The front door stood open and on the porch was a suitcase with the initials EAM. I walked out and picked up the suitcase it was locked and the tiny keys were tied to the handle with another blue ribbon.

I decided I needed to get back to you and could investigate later who was playing games with a vampire. So I closed the front door and before I could reach for the key I heard the lock turn. I looked up at the windows as I turned to go and all the drapes had all been pulled closed. I felt like I had been dismissed.

As you know, Edward, I never went back and neither did you. Our lawyers handled everything after that, including the transfer of the deeds, and your inheritance. And once you had decided that you wanted to keep it and the leasing of the property." I looked up at Bella and Edward, "In the early years tenants never stayed longer than a year."

Edward looked perplexed. "But the last tenant was a university professor he was there for over eight years."

"Yes, as the decades progressed tenants seemed to last longer, the belief in the supernatural had waned and homes were noisier and people just didn't pay attention like they used to."

Bella inhaled deeply. "Carlisle, what are you trying to tell us that Edward's childhood home is haunted. Do you mean there really are such things as ghosts?"

"Yes on both counts. Edward, your last tenant was there so long because he had an interest in the paranormal. I found out while you were away that he had petitioned our lawyers for access to the attic. But since they couldn't reach you and you weren't answering any of us the request was denied."

Edward got up and started to pace. "But why leave now after so many years?"

"His health suddenly deteriorated, he contracted H1N1 Influenza or as you would have known it the Spanish Influenza." Edward looked horrified. "Oh don't worry Edward, he is recuperating and gone to live with his daughter in Connecticut."

"I believe that he might have upset someone when he broke into the attic."

Bella had moved to Edward's side. "How do you know that?"

"I can't be sure, but a broken door jam and lock for the attic was listed on the inspection report that came while you were in Europe. I'm afraid he will not be getting his cleaning deposit back."

Edward still looked like he was trying to understand what I had said. He sat down abruptly pulling Bella onto his lap. "Rose water and lavender you say?"

He never looked at me only at Bella. "My mother used rose water in her bath and lavender in her clothes press she always smelled of them. And my father smoked a blend of tobacco that he had imported from England, it was very distinct and aromatic." There was a significant pause and I didn't know if he was asking a question or trying to puzzle things out, "Do you think they're still there Carlisle, I mean why would they still be there?"

Bella was the one that answered, "Isn't it obvious, Edward, they're still there because they love you."

EPOV

I really didn't want to deal with this right now, but our days in Chicago were numbered and I wanted to see the house with Bella and the children. Would they be at risk, or should I just leave well enough alone and go home... I couldn't think straight!

Bella helped ground me when she grasped my face between her hands and said: "Edward, together, we'll deal with this together, just like everything else. But honestly I'm looking forward to meeting your human parents and the kids will love it."

"Bella my parents aren't alive! We don't know what's in the house and I'm not going to risk you or the children..." Oh damn she just stiffened on my lap and got that look in her eye that told me I might as well quit while I was ahead.

"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, are you afraid of ghosts or do you not want your family to meet your parents?"

Carlisle had started chuckling and she turned her venom on him, "And just what do you find so amusing, Carlisle?"

Carlisle sobered up immediately. "Actually, I was watching Edward when he realized that he had just put his foot in his mouth and it was rather funny. But otherwise I'm inclined to agree with you Bella. I honestly don't believe that anything malevolent resides in that house."

Carlisle stood up and approached us. "Edward, your mother and father were the gentlest people I had ever met until I met Bella. Their dying thoughts and wishes were only for you, you were the most precious thing in their life. They would never hurt you, or what you love. And maybe Edward, what they need is just to see you happy in order to find their final rest."

The sun had risen and I could hear the children starting to stir, Simon was still asleep in Beth's room. All I could do was look at Carlisle and my wife and nod. It looked like I was going to face my parents one last time. Bella called room service and ordered for the children and Simon. She added a pot of coffee to keep up appearances that the adults would at least be drinking coffee. Soon after breakfast had arrived and the kids had gathered around the table, Wales and Reagan returned. At the same time Simon came out of Beth's room, to her shrieks of delight, she flung herself into his open arms and he carried her back to the table.

Wales looked pointedly at the children, but before I could say anything, Masen spoke up looking at me then Wales. "We'd hear everything you have to say anyway, sir. And Anthony would just eavesdrop on your thoughts so you might as well tell us all now."

Reagan started to laugh.

ReagPOV

Wales had told me stories for decades about the remarkable Cullen coven, oops I meant family. He even called them a family and up until recently I thought what he had told me was a load of rubbish. But I was wrong, these people not only lived, but worked in the human world. That feat alone would make them unique, but it was the love they had for this world and the humans in it that made them stand out.

Even Rosalie who was as close to being a pure vampire as any in the family...by that I mean selfish and self centred...she still would not trade her life with the Cullens, and the experiences they have shared, for anything. She truly looked on them as her siblings and parents. And perhaps it was her testimony that convinced me more than anything that these people... yes I said people, were worth protecting. And protecting them was something to which I would willingly devote my life.

Wales had a slightly different view, he saw all that I did, but he saw their political value as well. I guess you couldn't blame him, he was a product of his upbringing during the War of the Roses. All faces had turned to me, because Wales had smiled and waved his hand as if for me to go ahead.

"Well, we found the woman still lingering in the Lobby Bar, though she had changed into more contemporary clothes, she still favours gray and considering she was turned in the Elizabethan era that's not surprising, the Sumptuary Laws dictated who could wear what colours then. That aside, she is a slippery little devil and I think she has a gift of displacement. But she has to be extremely focused and in close proximity for it to work."

Bella looked totally lost. "Sorry Bella, I forgot you're a newbie. Displacement means she could be right in front of you but make you think she is across the room. However she can only do it over short distances and for short periods of time. Once you get used to it, it's pretty easy to see through."

Edward looked at me. "So why would she stick around she must have seen all of you arrive?"

Wales jumped in at this point,he really loves a good tale. "Oh well she's quiet mad, Edward. See, she was a practising witch in the Elizabethan age. She was a prisoner in The Tower and had been tortured while waiting for her execution. But before they could burn her at the stake she was changed. At least that's the story, but no one really knows who she is or where she came from.

Edward looked at him disgusted. "The Tower seems to get and inordinate amount of attention from our kind wouldn't you say?"

Carlisle exhaled and asked: "So where is she now?"

"Sorry Carlisle, we lost her, but my team is combing the immediate area. I don't think she had anyone else with her."

"Then why is she here?"

"I believe that she holds one of you responsible for the death of Caius, even though I seem to remember it was the wolves that ended his miserable existence."

Bella sat up and looked pissed, "So Why us?"

"Good question, you and your family were the objective of both the Volturi assault and our protection, therefore the focal point. But it doesn't have to make sense does it, after all she is mad."

EPOV

If I wasn't hearing Reagan's thoughts, as well as her words, I might have thought she was mad as well. But she has an amazingly clear mind and says exactly what she thinks. Wales on the other hand was practiced at blocking me, which, I admit, irked me to no end. But I think he did it just for that reason, not to hide anything from me, he just had a twisted sense of humour.

The kids had finished breakfast, Bella went off to supervise them getting ready for the day. Simon had decided he would not come with us to the Lincoln Park house, he was exhausted and wanted to rest, Beth was sympathetic and agreed. Anthony went to open his mouth, I made eye contact with him and raised my eyebrows and he quickly shut it. In fact Simon felt it should be the immediate family only for the first time, and to be truthful he wasn't crazy about the thought of meeting a ghost.

We left the hotel, leaving Wales, Simon and Reagan watching TV and arguing about, of all things, which was better American Idol or Survivor. Dear god, I couldn't imagine what the attraction was to either! Carlisle and the kids got in the back of the GL Class Mercedes SUV I had rented. We made our way to my childhood home, a three story Victorian brown stone near Lincoln Park. I hadn't been back there since the day I had fallen ill and was taken to the hospital.

I stood on the sidewalk in front of the garden gate. The house was set back on the property but still visible from the street. The front door was open, along with the windows curtains I could even hear the wind chime on the back porch, but that was impossible it couldn't still be there.

Carlisle stepped up beside me. "Edward, we don't have to do this today, let me go up and close the door we'll come back another time when you're ready."

I looked at Bella she smiled and took my hand. "Together Edward, whenever you're ready."

Just then a small black kitten skipped between our feet and shot off into the garden with Beth right after it, of course followed by her brothers. I tightened my grip on Bella's hand. "It would seem, my dear, that the decision is no longer mine to make."

We followed the children into the garden and it was just as I remembered it, except for it being more mature. To the left were my mother's English Tea Roses. I remember how, every year, she had worried that the harsh winters here in Chicago would kill them, and every spring they came back healthy and vibrant.

The oak, which used to hold a swing, was still there and when I looked I could still see my initials that I carved in it when I was ten. I'd had to sit on a pillow for a week after my father found out. Yet he took me out a few weeks later to show me how to do it properly so that it would last. It was then that I saw his and mother's initials inside a heart about two feet higher and to the right of mine.

The grass was thick a blue tinged homage to my mother's family who had originally been from Kentucky. The remainder of the garden consisted of a series of walking paths that wound through, what my mother called, an English country garden, a little wild in its appearance but very deliberate in its planting.

Once inside the gate the noises from the street were muffled and the light was muted under the old oak. The house itself was exactly how I remembered it, with one exception, the shutters were missing, I assumed that they weren't currently in vogue. I followed one of the paths and found myself at the back of the house, looking at the gazebo where my mother used to sit and read in the summer. It was cast in shadow but it still felt warm and inviting.

I caught myself smiling at the memory of lying on one of the benches inside reading Moby Dick, and of my mother bringing me lemonade and pound cake to snack on. I turned to face the back of the house, saw my bedroom window and the curtains looked like they had moved. But it could just have been the breeze for the windows were open back here as well...they were all open...but had they been when we first arrived?

I mentally tapped Bella and asked her, she shook her head no and looked up at me, she didn't look the least bit concerned and her face shone with a look of intrigue. I should have known this is the woman that fell in love with a vampire so of course a ghost wasn't going to put her off.

The children had followed us around to the backyard. Beth had the kitten in her arms but as soon as it saw Bella, Carlisle and I it hissed and jumped out of her arms and took off, she shrugged and came over and took Bella's hand. Masen came up to me and Carlisle walked over with Anthony who spoke up: "Well Dad, as I'm sure you know their waiting for us."

"No Anthony I didn't know. Can you hear them?"

"Sure Dad, since we got here, but just the occasional whisper."

I smiled at Anthony nothing seemed to bother him. Everything was an adventure he was getting to be more like his mother every day.

"Grandma Elizabeth and Grandpa Edward even said to take our time and not to rush you."

He took step forward looked over his shoulder at us and said: "Coming?"

I looked at Bella and she nodded then at Carlisle and he smiled. Anthony turned back to me as he reached the stairs."Dad they're really, really, happy that you have a family. They didn't know that it was possible and they'd like to meet us and Mom. Oh and Grandpa Car they'd like you to come as well so they can thank you."

I swallowed hard glad that I wasn't human, I'm sure if I was I would have been drenched in sweat by now. We walked up the back steps, the backdoor was unlocked and slightly ajar. On the huge kitchen island was a pitcher of lemonade three glasses and a still warm pound cake.

Masen flashed a huge smile at me, "She remembered your favourite snack, Dad! Can we...I mean its cake and it shouldn't go to waste."

I nodded and Bella moved to cut the cake, plates and napkins were already arranged at the breakfast bar. The kitchen was nothing like it had been in when I was growing up, but the smell of the pound cake and lemonade were familiar and comforting, if not exactly appealing any more.

Underneath the smell of cake was just the hint of rose water and lavender. Suddenly, I sensed a human in the house and warned the others, she was moving to come down the back stairs so we all turned, not sure what to expect. A tiny young woman, perhaps in her early twenties, emerged with a stack of freshly launder towels. She smiled widely like she had been expecting us, and of course she was most likely the housekeeper they hired for whenever the house was empty.

She stepped forward offering her hand. "Hello Mr Masen...sorry I mean Cullen. I'm Mina Debrowski, I believe you knew my great, great, grandmother when you lived here as a boy."

She was related to old Mina the washer woman? Her mind was closed to me, much like Charlie Swans. Her mind was awash with pictures with only the occasional clear thought breaking through, but one thing for sure she knew about me.

I introduced her to the rest of the family, Mina chuckled. "I'm sorry if I've upset you, but my family has been taking care of this house since the day you became a Cullen, it was a deal that old Mina worked out with the lawyers and Dr. Carlisle Cullen agreed to it on your behalf."

She turned and smiled at Carlisle and shook his hand. "And our family can't thank you enough. Because of this job all of old Mina's descendants have been able to go on to College or start small businesses. Your generosity has ensured my families prosperity."

Bella came to her side and introduced herself again to Mina who leaned in hugged her. "Excuse me but how did you know my husband on sight?"

"Oh she keeps his picture dusted in the parlour. She never allows anyone to remove it, other tenants have tried but you can't budge it. I have to admit to you Mrs. Cullen that every female in my family has had a crush on your husband at one time or another."

Bella and the children laughed and if I could have blushed I would have been red, instead I asked "Mina, who do you mean by she?"

"Why your mother, Mr. Cullen, she never left here and your father's here too though he doesn't come out as much as Ms Elizabeth. He prefers to stink up the study with that pipe tobacco of his and for some reason he's always rearranging the books in the library, and the music on the piano...he likes to have Moonlight Sonata out on the music stand, why I'll never know, he doesn't play. And I've never heard her play that particular piece either."

She carried on this conversation like it was the most natural thing in the world the children had been listening while eating cake and drinking lemonade. Mina turned to the children. "And you three came as a huge surprise, they can't wait to meet you all. No one knew that your kind could have children. Both your parents cried when they found out." She walked over to a cupboard and put the towels away. "It was pouring down rain outside that day and they kept throwing open the windows shouting out that they were grandparents to triplets like anyone could hear them but me. Thank god, the gardeners weren't here that day they already think I'm a few cards short of a deck."

"Ah Mina, if you don't mind me asking where did the towels come from?"

"Oh that would be on account of your sister, Alice, she contacted the lawyers last week and told them you wanted everything out of storage and set up ready to go for your family, so all the original furniture has been cleaned and is in place. The linens and things were ordered by your sister and delivered the other day. It took me, my Mom and sister three days to get this place in order, thank god, your Mom and Dad took care of placing the furniture."

Vampires don't get lightheaded, but I needed to sit down. The fact that Alice had gotten involved, and not told me, didn't surprise me in the least. But Mina was talking about my parents like they were old family friends. I found that disturbing enough, but coupled with the fact she obviously knew who and what we were, I felt like I should be having a panic attack. Mina saw the look on my face and suggested that we all sit at the large kitchen table, we carried over the rest of the lemonade and cake and the children joined us.

"Perhaps Mr. Cullen ..."

"Please call me Edward." Then Bella and Carlisle asked that she use their first names as well.

"Okay Edward. Old Mina as we call her was of gypsy blood and clairvoyant, a little trick that seems to have been passed down through the female line ever since. She also passed down the story of the vampire doctor, that saved the only child of her own saviour by making him immortal. You see, because Old Mina was a gypsy no one would hire her, except your mother. But your mother was a very smart woman, and sang the praises of her laundry woman without giving away who she was." Bella was holding my hand tracing small circles on my palm to help calm me. "Your mothers friends begged for her services, but your mother lied and said she was lame and couldn't go around to everyone's home. So she had them bring their laundry to your house and Old Mina would do it."

I had never wondered why the laundress was at our home every day, and why the old carriage house seemed to have become the neighbourhood laundry, it just seemed normal. Old Mina was more a family friend than a servant. She was always there, whenever my mother wasn't feeling well or if I was sick. When father was taken to the hospital, it was old Mina that came with us. And when mother and I became ill, she stayed by our beds for as long as she could before returning to her family. I do remember the day before my mother died, a heated discussion between Mina and my mother, it was about Carlisle but I was too ill to pay attention. I thought back to those last days and hours and while I was lost in thought Mina finished her story about how old Mina had told my mother what Carlisle was, and what he could do. I don't remember ever seeing Old Mina again.

Bella exhaled and said: "But I thought gypsies loathed vampires."

Mina laughed and looked at Carlisle. "Let me guess Buffy and Angel?"

We all laughed out loud at that one and Bella nodded.

"Normally I would say yes, but Dr. Carlisle Cullen is Stregone Benefice, he saved the life of a beloved gypsy leader in Italy many centuries ago."

Carlisle smiled. "I remember that man, he had been badly beaten by a mob when he was accused of cheating at a shell game. I found him lying in a ditch, half dead and treated him. When he was well enough to travel, I made sure he got back to his people. It would seem that the gypsies have very long memories. I had wondered how old Mina knew me. I was always careful to keep my distance from her and I had never touched her."

Masen got down and headed toward the hallway."Masen, just a minute where do you think you're going son."

Masen turned around pursed his lips and sighed like he couldn't believe I could be so dense. "Come on Dad, I want to meet my other grandparents! I can feel them in the house, can't you?"

I shook my head no and looked at Anthony and he also shook his head no, so the two mind readers were drawing blanks, but mini me was positive that he could feel their presence.

I had one other question for Mina. "Do my parents talk to you?"

Mina tipped her head to the side trying to determine what she would say. "No, not really but we have a system. Like the pound cake and lemonade the recipe was left out yesterday on the breakfast bar, where I usually sit to eat my lunch, so I knew she wanted me to make it, and there were two lemons lying beside it." She got up and gathered up her purse and lunch bag. "Well, I'll be going. I hope you enjoy your stay, my number is by the phone in the hallway if you need anything, Bye!" And with that she walked out the backdoor.

Masen had disappeared down the hallway as she said goodbye. I was reluctant to follow him but my gorgeous wife was up in an instant and in pursuit of my clone.

Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder. "Come on, Edward."

Beth came to me and I picked her up just to have something to hold onto. Anthony took off after his mother and Carlisle preceded me. Beth leaned in and kissed my cheek. "It'll be okay Daddy Mom and Masen will protect you."

I couldn't help myself and laughed then I stepped into the hallway. I was immediately assaulted with the scents of rose water, lavender and English pipe tobacco, they were all around me but not at all cloying, as I had feared they would be. I was at peace here, usually that was a feeling that only Bella or my children engendered in me. Bella came to my side as I reached the parlour, she was holding the unmoveable picture of me taken in the spring of 1918, I had just turned seventeen. She was staring at the portrait of my human self with green eyes, she had a wistful smile on her face and reached out to touch my cheek with her other hand.

Beth slipped from my grasp to land lightly on her toes, she took the picture from Bella's hands and ran over to Masen. "Hey Mase, come look at this picture of Dad! He's dressed in really funny clothes."

Bella entwined her arms around my neck and kissed me deeply. "I'm so lucky to have you Edward! You were just as handsome as a human as you are now! I'm so glad the boys have your eyes."

I decided to get a little playful with my wife "Oh! So you only married me for my looks?"

She slapped my hand, but wound her arm around my waist pulling me further into the parlour.

Masen was seated at the piano in the alcove by the garden windows he was looking at the picture. "Wow Dad you haven't changed much." Then he chuckled, my parents scent was all around him and particularly strong by the window seats. Masen put the picture beside him on the bench and lifted the lid to the keyboard. "Dad, can I? Man, this is a Steinway concert grand right? It's really old but I bet it sounds amazing!"

I nodded and he started with the opening strains of Moonlight Sonata, it was at that moment that I actually felt my parent's presence by the window seat. I loosened Bella's arm and walked forward. When I was within two feet of the window seat I was engulfed in their scent it wrapped around me and caressed me. I could even feel a slight brush of air against my cheek and then over my hair as if they were touching me, I wish I could have cried at that moment. The pervasive feeling in the room was so strong that I didn't need Jasper's talent to know it was love.

Bella, and I sat on the sofa and Carlisle sat in an armchair as Masen played. When he was done he came over to Bella and me to sit on the floor beside his brother and sister. Not knowing how to proceed, Carlisle suggested we tell my parents our story.

BPOV

Edward and Carlisle spoke to the room as if addressing family members they hadn't seen in years and essentially that was correct. They told the story of the Cullen family from the time of their pending deaths forwards. Time slipped away so quickly that it was dark before we realized it. The triplets were hungry and sleepy, I took them into the kitchen while the guys continued our story.

I returned and informed Edward that I had tucked the kids in, upstairs in the master bedroom and that they were sound asleep. The scent of his parents drifted away towards the stairs and we followed. They led us to the master bedroom and contrary to my belief our children were still awake, they wanted kisses from all of us including their ghostly grandparents who apparently obliged even to extent of ruffling Masen and Anthony's hair in front of us. The sight of my son's hair moving of its own accord was disconcerting, but I ended up laughing. Edward had told me it had been his father's habit when he was a child to muss up his hair after his mother had tried to smooth it down at bedtime.

After a few minutes the scent drifted out of the room and back downstairs, and we followed. When Edward got to our love story, I felt a presence beside me and what felt like a hand lying on top of mine. But all of us gasped when we heard a double whisper that was more like a sigh. "She's perfect son."

Carlisle got up and walked toward the front door with a bemused look on his face. "I think I'll go back to the hotel. I'll be back tomorrow with Simon."

"Wait Carlisle, Wales didn't want any of us travelling alone."

Edward wrapped his arms around me from behind leaning down and kissed me on the top of my head. "Bella we haven't been alone since we left the hotel, we've had three of his team with us all day, two out front and one out back."

EPOV

Carlisle left and I saw one of Wales' men peel away from the darkness and get in step with him. The hotel was within easy walking distance. So we were left alone in my childhood home, with the ghosts of my parents and our sleeping children. It felt foolish but I told my parents out loud that I was going to take Bella on a tour of the house. I knew we would have company. We went back to the kitchen, it looked like Mina had bought a few groceries for us, the bill was on the counter by the refrigerator. I pulled out my wallet and left the money on top of the receipt, using an egg cup for a weight.

When I opened the butler's pantry and saw that all my mother's china and silver was on display, just as I remembered it and I had to sit down. I hadn't seen any of this since 1918, her Royal Crown Derby China with the blue and white pattern glowed eerily in the moonlight. The silver was in locked drawers and cupboards, but I remembered my mother's pride and joy was a Faberge Tea service which was sitting out on an antique sideboard. Bella would freak if she knew how much it was worth today. We'd look at the rest of the family silver and jewels later. I know that my mother's diamonds and emeralds must still be in the wall safe. Carlisle didn't access the safe when he came that night, feeling it was well hidden and secure. My Dad had never liked taking them out of the safe, even for Mom to wear on special occasions... yeah they were that expensive. He said he just about had a heart attack when he brought them back from New York after a business trip, he said he was sure everyone knew he had them with him.

Bella and I moved from room to room looking at the treasures as I shared what stories I could remember. I found the longer I was there, and the more I focused on an object, the more I could recall. Towards morning we finally came to my room. When I opened the door I was astonished, everything was just as I had left it! Nothing in this room had ever been removed. Even my copy of Moby Dick was lying on my desk open at chapter twelve, just where I had left off reading when they came to take my Dad to the hospital.

The room was clean, but everything was mine even the linens were mine, it was my pillow, my books, my school papers and drawings, my box of tin soldiers, even my clothes were still hanging in my closet and folded in my drawers. I don't know why, but I turned expecting to see my parents standing in the doorway smiling, their scent was there so I said out loud: "You never let anyone in here except to clean, do you?" The scent intensified around me so I assume that was a yes.

Bella was mesmerized but afraid to touch anything unless I did. "Edward this is unbelievable, after all these years it looks like you only just walked out of the room."

She looked at me, I was in shock and shaking uncontrollably. My Bella came to me and eased me down on the edge of my bed and sat with me her arms around my waist. She nuzzled my neck, knowing that I would bury my face in her hair to calm myself, and thank god, it worke, I felt like I was about to come apart. I guess I'd finally had the vampire equivalent of a panic attack. I could feel my mother's presence on the other side of me touching my hair and my Dad was in front of me.

"I'm sorry mother, father! I just never realized how much you loved me. But I understand now that I'm a father myself how much a child can mean to you."

Bella was right about how the room felt, I almost expected to see my human self walk through the door at any time. I stretched out on the bed and pulled Bella down with me and she rested her head against my shoulder, as the door swung shut and my parent's scent disappeared. I closed my eyes and let the events of today wash over me, with my epicentre lying beside me, I wished that I could have fallen asleep. Instead I laid there with Bella in my arms until I heard the grandfather clock in my father's study chime five.

And then my phone rang, I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the caller ID it was Alice.

Bella grinned when I showed her then flipped open the phone. "Hi Alice, what can I do for the vampire fashion pixie."

"Very cute Edward, Jazz and I are at O'Hare, we should be at your place in about an hour baring traffic problems. I can't wait to meet your mom and dad."

Bella giggled at my side as I rolled my eyes. "Wait a minute Alice, they are not corporeal there's just a distinctive scent and a sense of a presence that's all."

"I know that silly, but didn't you know that the longer they're around living beings the stronger they get at manifesting themselves."

"Um Alice were not alive."

"No not in the traditional sense of the word, but you still possess an energy signature and the triplets will be off the charts. I bet in a few days they'll be manifesting like crazy."

"Alice, my last tenant lived here full time for eight years and not one ghost complaint."

"No, but Edward your place is on every paranormal website from here to Timbuktu, you should surf and check it out."

"WHAT!" Bella jumped when I yelled and then started to laugh shaking her head.

"Don't worry, there isn't an address listed and most entries just refer to it as the Lincoln Park brownstone. Your last tenant had tried to get into the attic to get more history and family information to post, but then he got sick right?"

"Yeah he contracted H1N1 or as I knew it the Spanish Influenza."

"WOW, Mom and Dad Masen can play nasty! Thank god we're family."

"Okay, well Jazz has got a car now see you soon! Oh Emmett and Rose will be flying in tomorrow sometime, hope you have enough room, bye brother dear."

Bella smiled and said quietly trying to gage my mood. "Let me guess company's coming?"

"Yeah and there will be lots of them. I think I'll call the hotel and extend our reservation for a few more days because they're not all staying here. You and I haven't had any alone time in days."

Bella sat up and moved away from me. "Where do you think you're going?" I pulled her back to me she turned in my arms and laughed as she looked down at my groin.

"Well mister since I'm not going anywhere, I could take care of that problem for you. The kids won't be up for at least another two, three hours and Alice is overly optimistic if she thinks she's going to get here in under an hour and half from the airport. I don't care if she does drive like a bat out of hell."

She crashed her lips to mine and that was all I needed, we were undressed clothes folded and lying back on my childhood bed in seconds. We kissed passionately for a few minutes my hands were everywhere and I couldn't decided what I wanted to do first, so Bella decided for me.

She flipped us so I was under her, and she slowly rubbed her wet folds up and down my length till I thought I would cum, then she sat up and lowered herself onto my cock. Bella shook her long chestnut hair out of her face, so I could feel it streaming down her back as I moved one hand to her hip to reposition her slightly for a better angle. We took it slowly and I enjoyed every second of it. I massaged her glorious breasts, she leaned forward so I could take one of those luscious peaks into my mouth. Making love to Bella was a joy I would never get used to, it was magical watching her move above me. She was a tantalizing passionate vixen in bed and yet I could still see the shy human in her that had first ignited my venom and my passion.

I was like a man awakened, to find my every dream come true! I could lose myself in Bella faster and more thoroughly than anything else, she always gave me everything never holding back never doubting. "I love you so much Bella! The intensity of my love and desire for you grows stronger every day."

She smiled and dropped her eyes and established a slow and controlled pace driving me to the edge until she stopped. She smiled down at me, the minx, and bent forward to trail kisses down my neck leaving me hanging on the edge and wanting. I would fix her wagon, I was still deeply imbedded in her and I couldn't take it any longer. I flipped us over and began to move inside her, it was heaven she was so wet. I couldn't hold on any longer, I faltered but got my control back and then set a punishing pace going as deep and as fast as I could. I grabbed her left leg and laid it over my shoulder, increasing the depth and angle I could reach. The friction was insane, I was on my knees cupping her breasts, rolling her nipples. Bella was rubbing her hands up and down my thighs, causing my legs to shake with the sensation. And when I hit her just right she groaned twice which sent a vibration right to my cock. Then she screamed my name, I lost it and fell over the edge with her, spilling my seed deep within her.

And damn, I did it in my childhood bed in my parent's house! Well she was my wife, but should I be embarrassed to admit that this was a fantasy of mine when I was human, to have a woman in my bed in the carnal sense.

Bella was looking deep into my eyes, "Edward I see the Victorian rising to the surface. What's up?"

I told her and she giggled: "Well I'm glad I could oblige, but please don't tell Emmett, he will never leave it alone."

From the other side of the door came a voice. "Don't tell Emmett what? That you just had nasty sex in your boyhood bed and that it was a fantasy from your human days."

"ALICE!"

"Hi guys you want to put some clothes on and unlock the door? Jazz is parking the car at the hotel he'll be here shortly."

We dressed quickly and told her to come in.

"Cute guys I can't, the door is locked."

"Alice this door doesn't have a lock."

I got up and opened it, and there she was standing with her arms crossed. "Yeah right very funny you two."

She looked around at the door jam "okaaaay... so I guess Mom and Dad were protecting your privacy."

JPOV

The front door was open as I approached the porch. The garden was beautiful and bizarre, for the middle of city. I wonder if anyone had noticed the silence here. Oh the bird and insect sounds were present, but the street sounds and those of neighbours were absent, as if a world outside of this place didn't exist. I felt something brush against my sleeve, like someone wanted to get my attention and then the scent of rose water and lavender permeated the air.

Edward appeared at the front door. "Jasper what are you doing hanging around out there?"

"Just looking around bro I think I just met your mother. I feel like I should say something."

"Go ahead this ought to be interesting."

I did as I would have in my time, I made a slight bow from the waist and said, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mrs. Masen, you have a beautiful garden, it's very otherworldly." Then I heard her, it was the kind of small laugh that a lady would make if she was delighted with a compliment.

Edward's head snapped up and he smiled. "Freaky huh, that sort of thing as been happening a little more often this morning. I think my Dad walked in on me kissing Bella in the kitchen this morning. I swear it sounded like he cleared his throat."

Edward came down the steps to meet me, "Ah brother, have you noticed the lack of sound from the outside world in this yard."

"Yeah since we came yesterday, makes me think of that Gene Kelly movie Brigadoon."

At first I didn't understand the reference. "Oh yeah that's the one about the little town in Scotland that disappears and only reappears for one day ever hundred years. Maybe we better warn Billy."

We laughed and entered the house, it was like walking into the biggest warmest blanket in the world. I had never felt so much concentrated emotion in one place in my existence and it was all love. As much as I was in awe of it, I was equally afraid of it. Why? Because I'm not sure Ms. Elizabeth would willingly let us go. You could tell that she was the more powerful of the two Masen's and probably was the force that kept her husband here.

So would she be willing to let Edward go again?