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

Author's Note:

Chapter 6

EPOV

Roma was sitting relaxed beside my wife with the kids sprawled out around them on the grass. I mentally tapped my wife, she smiled up at me and walked over to put her arm around my waist and kiss my cheek. "Edward I'd like you to meet Ester and Gideon.

From behind the tree emerged a young man to stand beside Roma and take her hand. He about my age physically and obviously one of us, he too was dressed in grey from head to toe and seem to shimmer at the edges like he was about to vanish. On first glance they seemed rather ordinary even for humans, but the more you looked at them the more you saw a very attractive couple with fine bone structure, high cheek bones and long straight noses, both were taller than Bella and slightly shorter than me. Their brown hair was a deep walnut mixed with strands of burnished gold and the deepest red, and their eyes were amber, they must be in the midst of changing their diet. And their minds were racing with their thoughts. Both were in the fight or flight mode.

I smiled at them and gestured for him to sit.

Bella yanked on my hand as I stood gawking at our guests "Now that your back I have to go and apologize to your mother before she'll let us back in the house."

"What?"

"Yeah well remember the food issue? I kind of got into it with her when I found the gallon of whole milk in the fridge. First of the kids don't drink milk, but she'd dumped out the elks blood I'd left here the other day! So I had to call Rose and ask her to bring some back with them this afternoon. Besides what was she thinking? I wouldn't let them drink whole milk even if they did drink milk...which they don't...and I know I'm rambling. Just tell me to shut up and go apologize.

I smiled down at her squeezed her hand and said "Shut up Bella and go work this out with my Mom." She was looking at her toes and shaking her head, so I kissed on the top of her head and gave her a little push forward, she moved to stomp up the porch steps accompanied by Beth.

I turned to Ester and Gideon and smiled he had finally sat down "Sorry but this could take a bit, both my mother and wife are very stubborn."

Ester smiled and it was a lovely gentle kind of smile there was no sign of any hostility both had calmed considerably. Gideon was watching Anthony and Masen chasing butterfly's through the garden. His look was both heartbroken and wistful. He kept repeating one name over and over in his mind Alger. And I could see a small boy with sapphire blue eyes standing beside Ester in his mind. Bella came stomping back. "Okay I apologized we have agreed that the kids can try different things and if they like them then they stay as part of their diet but I can limit the quantities. I swear to god she is the most stubborn person on earth...or not on earth...oh never mind, at least now I know where you get it from."

I laughed and nudged her shoulder with mine and pointed at her. "Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" She slapped my arm and said: "Come on let's go inside." Beth had joined her brothers chasing butterflies.

I smiled at them then and at Bella when she called to them: "Kids stay in the yard and if Emma comes over again remember what we told you at the hotel." They all nodded at her and I smirked.

"Ah love, that cat is already out of the bag. Emma knows we're their parents and she promised them not to tell her mother, but she did tell me."

Bella fumed and then said under her breath "Demon spawn just like their father." We both laughed and turned back to Ester and Gideon motioning for them to precede us into the house.

We entered the parlour and the air was permeated by the scent of my parents it would seem they were going to join us. I had toyed with the idea of calling Wales and Reagan but figured the goon squad would have already contacted them so I had no idea how long it would be before they arrived.

Gideon and Ester sat beside each other on the loveseat holding hands, and Bella sat beside me on the couch. Mom and Dad were on the window seat as usual so I imagined they were watching us and the kids. I made to introduce my parents when Ester spoke, "We've already met your parents. We stayed here last night, they were kind enough to let us in even after I tried to break in and look around. We even lied and told them you were our friends but your father is very astute he caught us in our lie. I've never conversed with a ghost but your parents are very good at getting their point across with few words."

"Exactly how did they get their point across?" Gideon spoke for the first time he pointed to a sword standing tip up leaning against the corner of the mantel. "That Civil War sabre threatening us was very convincing as to you fathers belief we were lying. Your father does know that he can't really hurt us with that thing right?"

"Oh my father is very aware of how he can and can't hurt us, but I'm surprised he chose the sabre over the Winchester in his den."

"Well once we had convinced them that we had been invited they let us stay the night, it was very decent of them. By the way were you aware that your ghosts like to shop? Your mother was on a site for a place called FAO Schwarz most of the night, Ester convinced her to change her order she told her that little girls rarely play with more than two or three dolls at one time. And that twenty six was excessive and would only overwhelm your daughter. Your boys will however have enough toy soldieries to stage the whole battle of Waterloo I'm afraid."

Then Ester looked up from her hands and she was biting on her inner cheek. "And if you don't mind might I suggest that you block the shopping channel. Your father ordered sixteen 'Slap and Chops" and something called a 'George Foreman Grill' so I changed the channel on him and refused to give him back the remote."

BPOV

"Well that does it Edward. We can never introduce them to Charlie. He's a closet Shopping Channel addict whenever there isn't a game on or he can't sleep he watches that channel. Not that he buys much but when he does it's always the cheesiest crap."

Edward just laughed and said: "Well they've already met Alice so I don't see how Charlie could be any worse for shopping. But I'll talk to them." He looked over at the window seat, "Later you two." And I heard the tinkle of the wind chimes in the garden mixed with a whisper of laughter. Yep ground rules would have to be established with Edward's parents. I don't know if he had offended them because their scent suddenly faded away.

With that the kids came tumbling into the room with Masen was yelling, "Wales, Reagan and a bunch of guys are here in the garden but Grandpa is bashing them with this really old sword Dad." I looked over by the mantel and sure enough the sabre was gone. I was going to have to ask how they did that, I'm a vampire and I should have seen that sucker move.

Edward got up and went out into the garden the scent of his parents got stronger they had returned to the window seat. Edward came back in with a fuming Wales and a laughing Reagan the goon squad was left outside.

Wales was furious. "If you can't control your parents Cullen I will take matters into my own hands."

Edward stepped into him and said: "And do what precisely, hold a séance, this is their home and they have a right to defend it from intrusion just as I do! So if you can't behave yourself get the hell before I throw you out? Now sit down and quit acting like a self entitled ass!"

Reagan was laughing so hard I thought she would choke Wales just glowered at Edward and let out a deep and resigned sigh when he looked at his wife. In between gawfs she squeaked out at her husband, "Oh sit down and shut up my prince, it's not like you haven't had that coming. Besides I want to hear what these two have to say for themselves." She pointed at Ester and Gideon "I have a feeling we're in for a surprise or two."

We all sat there and looked expectantly at Gideon and Ester, Gideon ventured, "I don't know where we should start?"

I smiled reassuringly at them and suggested. "Well why not start at the beginning and maybe we can clear up a few misconceptions."

But before they got started Rose and Emmett came rushing in a little wet, it had started to rain outside. Rose waved an oversized thermos at me and went to put it in the kitchen I had already laid out a buffet for the kids so they could munch as they got hungry and I wouldn't have to leave the room and potentially miss something.

Emmett crashed onto the floor scooping up Anthony to sit on his lap "Oooh looks like story time should I start the camp fire Eddie." Rose had come back into the room and smacked in on the head then turned to our guests and introduced themselves then she settled down with Emmett, Beth crawled onto her lap and Masen sat between Edward and I.

GidPOV

I have to admit that at first I was intimidated by the idea of meeting the Cullen family they are somewhat legendary among our kind, and I still don't know what they will think of me for all the horrible things I've done to keep Ester and Alger safe.

Ester took my hand, gave it squeeze and smile encouragingly at me. I took a deep breath knowing that Edward the one their calling Wales was this close to ripping Ester and I to pieces. But he seemed to have been shamed into behaving by Edward Cullen.

"I was human in 1066 at the time of the Norman invasion I was a minor noble in the army of William of Normandy. After being mortally wounded at the Battle of Hastings I was found and changed by Caius. Caius at the time was building his personal guard and he liked to recruit military men apparently despite the killing blow I had received I had impressed him. I returned with him to Italy and was trained as part of the guard and had special covert training since he found my gift shall we say useful."

Wales was squirming he was just dying to stop me. It was obvious that he loathed me yet we didn't even know each other. I decided therefore to concentrate on the Cullens they all seemed very keen to hear my story. I took another deep breath even though I didn't need it. The Cullen children were now sitting all in a row at my feet and it brought a lump to my throat. I couldn't even look at Ester but she put her hand to my opposite cheek and pulled my face around to look at her. She smiled and said, "Go on my love your doing fine."

"Caius never trusted Marcus or Aro so he kept me at his side and he never let them meet me. You see my talent allows me to blend into my surrounding to the point that you can't even see. It's not much help to others but great if you wanted to sneak up on someone and kill them or steal something of value. Hence I became Caius's assassin it was never my wife." Reagan's breath caught at this revelation and she glanced between me and Ester.

"In 1608 Caius was on the road recruiting again and looking for things of value to enhance his power, he had it in mind to visit England the year before there had been a massive flood in the Bristol Channel and then the Midland Revolt and the plague had visited London again. Caius was insane even then and had always felt drawn to catastrophe, bloodshed and death. He somehow got himself attached to an Italian mission going to meet the Queen and I went with him. It was while I was wandering the castle that I came across Ester she was alone and lonely just like me. At first I thought to make a meal of her, but she could see me, she could actually see me and it was like I had been released from a prison. No matter what I did she could always pick me out of my surroundings.

EsterPOV

My husband had paused at the point where we had met and I knew it would be too hard for him to continue so I jumped in for him. "I believe because I was treated like I wasn't there myself, and was a keen observer that I had an affinity for seeing what others couldn't or wouldn't. Such as your parents Edward, you have your mothers colouring and fine facial structure but you have your father's strong jaw, height and large hands. I can see them as clearly as I see you. And if it wasn't for the fact that the ghosts of the castle were to self absorbed to be bothered with me I would have had dozens of friends."

Beth giggled, I looked down at her and I continued. "Gideon became my friend and in just the few months he was there we fell in love and he finally became my lover. We had no idea as I'm sure the Cullens would understand that Gideon...well that we could have children. That's why I didn't go on tour with the Queen. My condition came on so rapidly, that it was assumed that I had the plague and was left to my own devices in an isolated portion of the castle. Gideon stayed with me and cared for me. But when Alger was born he knew that he had to change me or lose me."

Edward leaned forward. "Gideon I realize how hard that must have been for you."

Bella gave an exasperated snort. "Not everyone thinks the same way you do Edward."

"On the contrary Bella ...that is if I may call you Bella." She nodded "Both of us were strong in our faith, and truly believed that to be as we are now, would lead to our soul's eternal damnation. Rose and Bella both groaned and said: "Not again!" I had no idea to what they were referring but Edward Cullen looked smug and his brother was chuckling.

I hope you can understand my choice though. "I loved Gideon more than my own life and now with a child I could not abandon either my son or my lover. Caius had become suspicious of Gideon's absence while the Queen toured. He had a tracker named Demitri with him and they found us in my rooms. He was furious and threatened to destroy our son after Gideon told him he was staying in England. He flew into rage and had his guard cease Alger and myself. Gideon didn't have a chance against the guard and as a newborn I was more a hindrance than a help. From that time forward Caius kept me at his side he was the one who decided to call Roma it was a construct to keep people from discovering my true identity. It also made him feel powerful and demonstrated to everyone what he considered as his enslavement of me. He was the one that spread the disgusting rumours that I was his lover and assassin. He took Alger away from us and had him raised by humans that served the Volturi. We have only been allowed to see him twice a year and Caius always threatened Gideon that he would kill Alger and me if he ever tried to leave again."

The ladies in the room looked like they all wanted to cry, Beth was now sitting on my lap giving me a hug and the boys were patting Gideon's knees. Then Wales stood up and yelled. "Enough of this fairytale we all know who you are as for your husband I've never heard of him or his gift. Besides you seem to be fairly visible right now sir." Gideon, Edward and Emmett Cullen rose to their feet and started to growl. Reagan was sitting with her mouth open looking at me; and Bella had her head buried in her hands.

It was Rose Cullen that stood up and walked between the men and bellowed, "The bunch of you..." and she pointed at the standing men. "Sit down and shut the hell up." They all sat and she turned and looked at everyone in the room. "Fairytale, are you nuts! My brother has been there, done that, and has the bumper sticker. You are one arrogant prick Wales. I can't say that I have ever particularly liked you. But I never would've had you pegged for being a moron, just an egotistical, self promoting and pompous ass. Could you please put your multifaceted brain to better use than just hurling insults? Now if you gentleman will excuse us the testosterone is stinking up this room, so the ladies and children are going out to garden to get some fresh air and we will be back with a solution to this problem."

We adjourned to the garden and Rose had her phone out before we were off the porch. She dialled someone and the entire ensuing conversation was in a Celtic dialect that I was not familiar with and after about fifteen minutes she ended the call an said "Okay girls we're going to Italy and preferences as to airline or should we just have Jazz and Alice fly out with the jet."

I had no idea what had gone on during that call but I had a sense that I these were the people that would help us get Alger back.