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

Author's Note: As always thanks Pien for being such a supportive reader!

And I'd like to thank everyone who is reading the story and giving it a chance even if you're not reviewing.

Chapter 3

JPOV

Edward and I were going to have to have a talk, but man I wished we could do that silent conversation thingy or had some kind of secret code. Because I don't think Momma will want me to stay once we talk.

"Hey Edward, how about we take a run over to the zoo and maybe grab a snack, I'm a little peckish."

Edward laughed and nodded, but I could see from his eyes that he got my message... hmm maybe we did have a secret code after all. Ah shit, he's just reading my mind, I've been freaking out since I got here and he's been reading me. He chuckled, shook his head turned to face the kitchen. "Bella, I'm just going for short run with Jazz be back in a bit love."

"Okay. But no snacking at the zoo I promised we'd take the kids there later." I got the distinct impression that Bella and Edward were doing the old mind tap and they were on the same track as I was.

As we walked out the front gate it felt like ear plugs were being pulled out and that I pushing my way through swamp muck. Wales' two goons walked over to us, we told them we were going to the zoo. Carlisle called out to us he was just coming down the street with Simon so they joined our little circle. One of the goons called Wales and we received permission to go without an escort, gee thanks warden.

The Lincoln Zoo is one of the oldest in the country but as we walked around we paid little attention to the exhibits and the exhibits did their best to ignore us. They were exercising the prey /predator rule, don't make eye contact with the predator and maybe they won't see you. We were the predators in that scenario. It was still early, only a few visitors were out yet. We found a deserted picnic area and sat down. Carlisle looked perplexed, Simon looked confused, and Edward looked withdrawn. And nobody was saying a thing. So I started: "Hi Carlisle, Simon, ah what brings you two to Chicago?"

Carlisle now looked suspicious, "Not what brought you evidently. We have a rogue Volturi problem and she seems to have attached herself to Edward. So I assume Alice is here as well? But you're not here because of Roma, so what exactly going on? It would have to be a life or death situation for Alice to leave Paris during fashion week."

Damn, Roma was in Chicago, no wonder Edward was going all emo again, but that's how he usually handles stress until we get down to kicking ass. I cleared my throat and looked to Edward who nodded for me to go ahead. "Well, Alice got a vision of Edward's parents. Mommy dearest came in clear as a bell from head to foot. Dad not so much, she said it's like he had one foot in this world and one foot in the next, but he's being held here by his wife, he either can't or won't leave her. But what scared Alice enough to leave Paris was seeing Edward, Bella and the Triplets standing on that front porch fading into nothing. She lost total contact with your futures and it scared the shit out of her."

Carlisle got very stern and indignant. "Are you saying that Elizabeth is going to entrap them in that house?"

"That, or she might try taking them with her into the next world. I'm not sure but it feels like she's pulling to keep Edward's Dad here, while he's trying to pull her into the next world with him. Somebody is going to lose that tug of war and I don't want part of my family on the losing side."

Simon had been sitting quietly then he spoke up: "Beth doesn't get a sense that her grandmother is malevolent, she thinks she's just lonely. Look at it from her perspective, she's waited a hundred years for her son to come back to see her. The triplets think that she's confused about what she wants now that she's seen Edward."

Simon was really uncomfortable speaking out and he started to fidget pulling at his shirt buttons I tried to lessen his anxiety. I don't know if it was the topic making him nervous or the fact he was going to have to explain to Edward about how he was talking to his daughter without Edward's knowledge but he continued.

"The kids are pretty sure that at first she just wanted to see that you had survived Edward. But as the years went on and you didn't come she became more determined to stay, while your Dad wanted to move on. Your Dad got tired of all the strangers moving in and out of his house and changing things. He's ready to leave but your Mom's not. Elizabeth's been using the power in Mina's family to remain earth bound just to see you. But now that she sees you're married and with children, her grandchildren she doesn't want to leave ever and she doesn't want you to leave."

Edward was glaring at Simon and holding the bridge of his nose oh boy he was really pissed. "Exactly how and when were you talking to my daughter Simon?"

Simon looked totally abashed wringing his hands together. "She called me last night at the hotel, she woke up and knocked on your door she couldn't open it and she couldn't hear you on the other side. But she said she could feel that you were in there. So she went downstairs and found a phone in your Dad's study that was working she was worried and needed to talk to someone. I just happened to be the one that answered the phone at the hotel."

Edward calmed down when he realized it was Beth who had called Simon, he got up and walked over to him putting his hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad you were there for her Simon. Just a minute did you say she used the phone in the study? But none of the phones in the house work."

I sat there wondering if Edward was having Charlie flash backs? I mentally shook myself and stood to look at Edward. "Well Edward, I would guess that your Daddy was trying to help our little Beth get the message out. We have to help them get your Mama's priorities straight, sounds like she's confused. Even with all the love in that house I get the sense that she doesn't want to leave but she knows she should."

CarPOV

Edward do you have Mina's number? He nodded and gave it to me. I called Mina and asked if she and her mother could meet us at the zoo. "They'll be here in thirty minutes."

"Edward, in the days before you mother's death Old Mina had been there every day, except the day she passed away. And yet she was at the house with a key when I went there the next day. She had to have had a hand in this her family should know things like that they are usually passed down from generation to generation."

"What are you saying, Carlisle?"

"She was a gypsy, Edward, from a very powerful clan." I paused to gather my thoughts. "I think there was more to your mother's plan than just getting me to change you. Your father died first and I believe that Mina may have done something to keep him here for your mother. Then I think she did something to bind them both to our world. We have to figure out what that was and reverse it, but I don't know if the power of the spell is within Elizabeth or in the house."

Edward went quiet and looked kind of panicked. "Edward, have you and Bella ever tried your mental tap at a distance? You're not more than a mile away give it a try son, check in with her you'll feel better." Edward's face went blank then he looked strained but within a few seconds he was relaxed and smiling he got up and wandered short distance away you could tell he was in touch with Bella nothing calmed my son faster than a dose of Bella.

He came back smiling. "My wife is sensational she has just finished fixing breakfast for the kids. Apparently my mother doesn't approve of her choices, so Bella had a one sided conversation about hybrids and their diet requirements. Bella isn't really surprised about what we discussed she said it's the only child factor."

"What is the only child factor?"

He smirked. "You know how Charlie didn't want to see Bella as an adult who was able to make her own decisions, that she could take care of herself and he was a tad over protective. Well she said multiply that by 100 years and my mother should be ready to tie me to her wrist and lock me in my room...well she's already locked me in my room once. So I guess binding me to her is next on the list."

Mina and her mother approached us from the south entrance to the zoo they were carbon copies of each other. Both were dark haired tiny women, with exotic dark eyes. Mina introduced her mother Tsura. Her mother was very wary watching us and her hand never left Mina's arm.

"My mama doesn't trust you, and she only speaks Romani. She knows what you are, and she's had some bad experiences with your kind. When she was a young girl a vampire almost raped her but another one stopped him and told her to run." When she saw Edward she walked very cautiously over to him and touched his face smiling and said, "Odjus." Mina smiled, "She recognizes you from the picture and thinks you're beautiful."

"Mina, we asked you here because something is wrong at the house. Elizabeth doesn't want to let go of Edward and move on, she has to let him get on with his life. Can you help us? I know Old Mina must have helped Elizabeth somehow do you know what she did?"

Tsura moved to sit in the picnic table by Simon looking at him like she was trying to decide something she touched his hand and smiled and then she spoke in perfect English. "You're not like them you're like the children Mina told me about. I'm sorry for the deception but it really was necessary. Even today our people have nothing but trouble from Anglo's. When I was a young girl I was attacked by a vampire once so being in their presence makes me nervous and wary. Tsura turned to me. "So what can we tell you Dr. Cullen? I know that Old Mina loved Mrs. Masen like a daughter she was the only lady that ever treated her with kindness. And because of her our family has prospered."

"Tsura, my son and his family cannot stay in that house forever, no matter how much Elizabeth may want to keep her son with her. It's not natural to want that, even if they were both still human, and it makes even less sense under the present circumstances. She doesn't belong here any longer, and my son doesn't belong in captivity. He and his family would starve and go mad."

"Your kind does not die Dr. Cullen."

"No, but we still need sustenance, we need stimulation and challenges in our lives like any other living being. You know that my family doesn't feed on humans, but if you let this happen your family will never be able to go back to the house your lives would be in danger." I tried not to look threatening but I was beginning to get upset, She just sat there giving nothing away and Edward shook his head when I looked at him he wasn't getting anything either. "Your means of prosperity, Tsura, would be lost, and I will not help you if you let this happen. I will not lose my son, daughter and grandchildren!"

Mina looked worried. "You really feel that way Dr. Cullen, that Edward and Bella are your son and daughter and their children your grandchildren?"

"Mina, do you think that just because I'm a vampire that I can't love as you do, that I can't feel the bonds of family as you do? In your world people adopt children every day and are no less a family for it. We are a family born out of a desire to belong and which has grown into a love for each other that would rival any human family's love."

Jasper stepped forward. "In fact Mina it's stronger, because we chose to join this family and have stayed because of our love for each other."

Tsura sat looking at each of us. Simon was on the verge of tears when she said to him. "You are the future mate of the young girl, am I right?" Simon didn't look at her and only nodded. "What would happen to you if you could not go with her?"

Simon lifted his head and looked at her. "I would die, I cannot live without Beth, it is the way of our kind, both vampires and hybrids mate for life. You would take away my reason for living."

Tsura took a deep breath and looked at each of us one at a time. I felt like she was looking into my soul. "I will help you. But be warned this is old magic and you Edward must return to the house and I can't make Elizabeth cross over that will be you and your father's job."

Edward looked like he was ready to cry. "Tsura, thank you, I never thought I'd have the chance to see my human parents again, but they don't belong here they need to find peace and holding my family captive will not give that to them."

EPOV

Tsura looked down at her hands she was twisting her wedding band around her finger. "Edward, I think the power to keep you there resides in your room."

"Fine, I'll destroy it! I'll burn the house down if I must!"

"You don't have to do that, just pack up your things and move them and take trunks in the attic out of the house as well. She will not be able to hold you there then. But that will not make her move on, ultimately she must decide that herself she must want it. Your father is ready, but I don't believe he will go without her. You will have to convince her to cross over or leave them trapped in that house."

"That's all?"

"Yes, Edward Cullen because in reality the only magic being used here is that of love. You are her only child and she did not get the years with you she thought she deserved, she wants time, Edward, to be with you to know you're happy."

I knew that this meant I would have to once again give up my parents. But this time I would at least get to say goodbye. They can see that my life is good, that I'm happy and loved. I walked over to Simon and put my hand on his shoulder then looked at Jasper and Carlisle. "Let's go get our family".

As we left the park I heard the most gods awful yell: "Hey Eddie!" It was like the braying of a donkey, Jazz started to laugh at the expression on my face. "Sorry bro, I called them while we were still in Paris. I thought we might need the help."

Tsura and Mina watched Emmett and Rosalie approach with wide eyes, but when Rosalie got closer Tsura started to cry. Rose looked at her and recognition dawned on her face. I got a flash of the attack on Tsura and Rose intervening. So Rose had been the vampire that had saved Tsura. Rose smiled at Mina and then looked at Tsura. "Glad to see you're still okay."

Emmett took this time to lighten the mood. "Always knew you were a momma's boy Eddie! Well let's go meet your rents, and cut those apron strings. You know I can't say that I've ever met a ghost this should be interesting. He smiled a Mina and her Mom. "Hey maybe we should have a séance to help them move out of the house, can you do that pretty gypsy lady?" Rose smacked him on the back of the head.

But he didn't miss a beat. "So bro, where are you keeping the demon spawn?"

I frowned at him. "My children are at the house Emmett with Bella and Alice."

Emmett got very serious and frowned. "Well not for long, let's go get my sisters and the kids."

Emmett is like a force of nature nothing can stop him once he gets going. Rose was talking quietly to Tsura when Mina walked up and shot a thumb at Emmett. "Is he for real?"

Jasper started to bust a gut laughing, I was just pinching the bridge of my nose and Carlisle was shaking his head, it was Simon who answered. "Yeah with Emmett it's pretty much what you see is what you get."

Emmett turned around and glowered at him. "Hey I have a deep and sensitive side too...somewhere, I think." Rose smiled, walked over to him and gave him a hug. "You sure do sweetie."

Rose looked at me and said: "Edward, I can't imagine how hard this is going to be for you, you just got your parents back and now you have to send them away."

"Whatever is in that house Rose is only an echo of the people that use to live there. My mother would never try to trap me, she would want me to grow and move on like any man. I think my father understands that. We just have to convince my mother. Her greatest fear, before I got sick, was of me running off to war. I think she's held onto that fear of losing me, but forgot the reason for it in the first place."

I gave Bella a mental tap to let her know that we were on our way back, and that we had company. She giggled and said that Alice had been telling her about her visions of Emmett's shenanigans at the zoo...yes my 21st century wife used the word shenanigans. She also conveyed that according to Alice our plan would work... 'Bella, I don't know what plan she's talking about, because we've got nothing.'

She sighed. 'Together Edward, like before...Then she sounded a little exasperated when she whispered 'our circuit!'

Bella and I were going to have to work out a code. I wasn't being intentionally thick I just hadn't given the word 'before' any thought as my brain was stuck on the word together and my thoughts became somewhat X rated.

Bella mentally whispered. 'Get your mind out of the gutter Cullen.'

'Bella, why are you whispering and speaking in cryptic phrases, no one can hear us love.'

She coughed and lowered her mental voice even more "Did you know that Anthony can and apparently does eavesdrop on us frequently? Damn of course you wouldn't because he can shut you out. Edward we need to figure out a code!"

When we got to the house and walked into the garden it was just like Jasper had said pushing your way through swamp mud. Wales' goons nodded to us from the shadows.

Rose and Emmett stood in awe of the garden. Emmett said: "I bet Esme would love some cuttings for the house in Canada." I rolled my eyes. "Okay guys but can you take care of that later, right now we have some ghosts to help."

Bella, Alice and the kids were in the parlour and my mother was sitting semi transparent at the piano trying to depress the keys with her translucent fingers. Masen came to me and whispered: "duet." We both moved to the piano. My mother rose and floated to the window seat she was smiling at me, like she did every time she had sat through a practice or recital. She sat waiting with her hands folded in her lap like she was about to hear the greatest music ever played. All I wanted at that moment was to give her a hug but she wasn't really here. Like I said this was just an echo of who she had been.

We sat down Masen would play the right hand and I would play the left. He placed the music for Moonlight Sonata on the stand and went to position his hand. I closed the music book and looked at Masen pointing to his Mom. And we started to play Bella's lullaby instead. Bella gasped and put her hand to her throat it had been a while since I had played her song and then it morphed in Esme's song and on into the triplet's song. Then Masen took over and played one that he had composed for the whole family. The Cullens along with Simon gathered around the piano, my mother was no longer visible, and her scent was fading.

Suddenly I felt a brush against my cheek as if she had kissed me and what felt like a hand patting my shoulder just like my Dad would do to show me he was proud of me. We heard the sounds of the outside world slowly filtering in through the windows.

I looked at Tsura and Mina. "Do you mind explaining what just happened here?" They both shrugged their shoulders. "Other than that is the most beautiful music I have ever heard in my life I have no idea, but the magic seems to be gone."

I looked up at my gorgeous wife who was sporting a bit of a smug smile after exchanging a look with Alice. I cocked my eyebrow at her. "Okay out with it, you two did something."

Alice held up her hands. "Not me! This time it was Bella."

BPOV

My husband's face was unreadable he only ever got that way when he was totally stressed or totally lost. I was sure he was lost because he didn't get to save me this time and he just couldn't believe it.

"Edward, relax I just talked to Elizabeth as one mother to another. I got to thinking about how you told me her greatest fear was you running off to war. So I thought that maybe she couldn't let go of that fear when it consumed her before she died."

I took my husband's hand in mine, traced small circles on his palm, this had always comforted him in the past. "Edward, you have to remember she never saw you again after she died. All she knew was that Carlisle had changed you but she had no idea what that meant. And you didn't come back here after the change so she had no idea what had happened to you."

Then I put my arm around him. "So I told her all the stuff you guys glossed over." Edward looked at me like he didn't know what I was talking about. "You know the gory vampire stuff, your years as a traditional and all your years of loneliness and being condemned to repeat High School over and over...hey don't look at me like that, you guys all said that was like hell before we met. Then I talked about us again and this time I told her all the bad stuff the misunderstandings, my lies to you, you're leaving, Jacob, Tanya...everything. But I talked about all the good stuff again too and I finished with our babies about how you cared for me, how you had connected with them before they were born and how you delivered them."

"And Edward, I told her something I didn't even tell you. I told her about the all the intense pain that I went through during the transformation. She needed to know what you suffered when you were changed. So I did the only thing I could, I shared with her what my experience was like."

Edward looked like he had been slapped. "But Bella, you were so still, you only shed one tear the whole time!"

I smiled at him and leaned against his shoulder inhaling his scent. "And that my love was a tear of joy, you were talking to Beth and I so wanted to be a part of it. So Edward when I was done talking I heard your Dad and Mom they both said 'thank you'. That was what they needed to know, that you could take of yourself and those you loved."

Alice was bouncing on her toes like a five year old waiting to see Santa. I looked at my husband who was stunned. "Okay Alice, go for it."

"Edward your Mom and Dad have moved on I had a vision and it was so beautiful but I can't really describe it, but I can share it with your help!"

EPOV

Alice opened her mind to me, Anthony pushed everyone into a circle, he had us join hands. He was going share Alice's vision with everybody, through our connection in a circuit, using his and Beth's gifts. And we saw them just as they had looked when they were alive, they were standing hand in hand in a meadow, just like the one in Forks, it was full of wildflowers and dappled with light filtered by the towering trees surrounding it, there was a bright light shining from behind them.

They were smiling and waving. My mother and father looked straight ahead, like they could see me. And for the first time I heard their voices as more than just a whisper. "Call if you need us, Edward, they've agreed to let us come to you. We'll be watching, and every now and then we'll be dropping in, they're going to let us do that because your whole family are the Stregone Benefice."

Then three people walked out of the bright light from behind them and stood to their right smiling, they were...Leah...Jane...and Demitri.

Author's Note:

Don't worry the Masen's aren't gone. They'll be around for more of the action.