Chapter 3

Carlisle continued to stare at the portrait, it couldn't be her and yet it was. He studied the painting more closely and could find bits and pieces of her in the men surrounding her, this knowledge flooded his mind with more questions. The men appeared to be between the ages of 25-30 while Bella still looked the same as when they left. How is this possible he wondered? The Keeper and Overseer were mentioned throughout vampire history, they were ancient. And still, Carlisle knew Bella couldn't be more than 23 years old. He needed answers. Answers to questions concerning Bella and answers about what was happening with his family. The first problem to solve was who to ask, Laird Hamilton would be the obvious choice but it appeared as if Bella had not told him about her prior relationship with his family. That would present an entirely new problem but he knew no one in the clan would answer questions about the Lady of the clan without the Laird's permission, so if he wanted answers he would have to speak to Gabriel first. He asked one the maids to please tell the Laird he would like to speak to him and waited for that time to arrive.

Gabriel was confused as to why Carlisle would want a meeting. He had made it clear he would not discuss the charges with him until his wife was present, so what did Carlisle want. Gabriel went to Carlisle and asked him to take a walk through the village, hoping to keep this conversation as civil as possible. Carlisle commented he couldn't because the sun was out. Gabriel chuckled and said, "Carlisle you will find that it takes a lot to surprise my people. They know what you are and will probably enjoy the sight of you in the sun." The children especially enjoyed the "rainbow" effect Carlisle's skin seemed to have, so it took a while for Gabriel and him to be alone on their walk.

Gabriel knew Carlisle had questions and told him to ask them but respect the fact that some things were not his story to tell and he would have to wait for Isabelle to arrive to get his answers. Agreeing to his conditions Carlisle started his inquisition:

What are you? A mix of Lycan and Berserker bloodlines

Berserker? One of Odin's warriors

I thought they were a myth? Humans think Vampires are myths.

How old are you? Almost 3,500 years

How old is Isabelle? Almost 3,000 years

How long have you been mated? Mated? 2,975 years

Married? Married for 2,005 – it took me close to a millennia to convince her.

How old are your sons? Between 500 and 1,500 years old

They look to be 25 or 30? Yes, and they always will.

What are they? Hybrids like their mother & I.

What type of hybrid? You will need to ask Isabelle, she is

extremely protective of that information.

What is she? Ask her.

"This is very hard for me to believe" Carlisle said. "You must understand, I met Isabelle

when she was human, that was just five years ago, and her name was Bella." Gabriel

looked at Carlisle and asked "You are a coven of seven correct? Three mated pairs and

one unmated male?" Carlisle nodded yes. Gabriel started talking to himself, so he is the vampire. The one who rejected her and then regretted it. It would explain the curiosity and affection that we have never understood for the Cullen coven. He turned to Carlisle and asked, "The unmated male, he was in love with Bella but left her, correct?" Again Carlisle nodded and said, "Yes. There was an accident on her 18th birthday. She was put at risk by one of my sons, so to protect her Edward begged us to leave so she could have a normal human life." Now it was Gabriel's turn to nod his head. "But she was never going to have a normal human life" Gabriel said, "and that is not what he told her when he left. Because of his insecurities he was cruel to her, however it did show her he was unworthy and ultimately made her stronger. It is possible she may thank him, if she remembers."

"What do you mean if she remembers, they are mates" stated Carlisle. "No, they are not" Gabriel growled. "You need to understand; he may consider her his mate however she knows she is my mate. When you see us together you will understand what I am trying to say. I have answered all of your questions I can. For the rest of the answers we will have to wait for Isabelle, she should be here by sunrise. I will warn you Carlisle, I will not allow you or your coven to upset or attempt to pressure her into anything. When you return to your coven I think it would be best if you prepare them, especially Edward, about who she is, that she does not fully remember her time with them and that she is my mate and wife. I will not keep this information about Edward from her but even having this information will not change anything between her and me. I know and trust in her love for me, she will not leave me and it is in Edward's best interest to know that from the start. I will have someone come for you when she arrives. Good night." With that Gabriel turned and left Carlisle under the stars with his thoughts.

Carlisle spent the hours until sunrise thinking about everything Gabriel had said. How could she not remember? And why was she never going to have a normal human life? Sometimes it seemed as if Gabriel spoke about things he should have known, almost as if they were common knowledge. How would he explain this to his family and how would they take it? How would Edward respond to her not remembering? Gabriel seemed so sure that even with that knowledge of Edward's love it would not matter to her, she would not return Edward's feelings. Was that possible, they were very in love? Did Edward leave her the way Gabriel said and if so, how did he know that when Carlisle didn't?

While Carlisle was lost in his thoughts Isabelle did return to the castle. Gabriel knew the second she passed onto Hamilton land as his body became less tense. He knew the second she passed the wards around the castle because his breathing came easier, his chest less tight. When she finally entered their bedchamber and touched him is when the missing part of him returned and he was truly at peace with the world. They had been apart for days and the berserker in him demanded that he claim her as his, but he knew first he had to tell about his conversation with Carlisle – about Edward. He replayed their entire conversation to her about Edward, what they were to each other and his conclusion that it probably happened during what she called "the missing time". As he thought would be the case, it did not change a thing for her or for them. Isabelle looked at her highland warlord and said, "I am yours, my laird. Come and claim me – now." Claim her he did, several times until sunrise.

At sunrise Carlisle was escorted to Gabriel's office to meet with him and Isabelle. When they entered he was unable to mask the shock on his face. It was definitely Bella but she was glowing in the way a woman who is deeply loved does. He understood now what Gabriel meant when he said he was confident she wouldn't leave him. Love was written all over them, in the way they looked and especially touched each other. She was confident in the Laird's love for her in a way she never had been with Edward and that allowed her to love him in a way never possible with Edward. Their connection appeared to be deeper and purer than any mated pair he had ever seen, even he and Esme. Carlisle was very happy for her but at the same time realized the problems this would create within his family.

Isabelle crossed to Carlisle and hugged him saying, "It is nice to finally meet you Carlisle. I wish it was under better circumstances." Carlisle raised an eyebrow to Gabriel silently asking if he had told her yet. Isabelle laughed and said, "Yes, Gabriel has told me all about your talk yesterday and I am sure you have questions about me being the Keeper. I would like to put those questions on hold and first deal with the charges against your coven. I will gladly answer any and all of your questions about me personally after you return to Hamilton Castle with your entire coven, OK?" After Carlisle agreed to her terms, Isabelle sat behind the desk and said "now let's talk about the charges and the missing mark."

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight or the characters.