Disclaimer: I don't own them...
Thank you SunflowerFran for making this pretty.
Isabelle:
As we make our way up the long driveway, I have to catch myself. My brain is in overdrive, and every scary movie I've ever seen is running through my mind. At this very moment, I am seeing Jack Nicholson's face in the upstairs windows.
I shake my head and startle when a loud laugh sounds next to me.
"Is it just me or do you feel like we are in a horror movie right now?" His voice gets very quiet. "Making our way up the dilapidated driveway, curtains shifting, and a man in the upstairs window."
I can't stop the giggle and I feel oddly relieved that I'm not the only one feeling this way.
"I was just thinking the same thing. The Shining."
Edward laughs again and squeezes my hand.
"So my grandfather is Jack Torrance?"
"No, the kid riding the tricycle through the house," I snap back.
Edward chuckles, looks at me and then laughs. "Man, I'm never going to get that image out of my head."
It feels so good to laugh and not focus on the fear that has been lingering for weeks.
Edward parks the car and then tugs on my hand, pulling me into a hug. "Everything will be okay. We'll be okay."
I give him a little smile, and tilt my head up for a kiss. It's soft and warm and makes everything else disappear. I have no idea how all of this will turn out, but I breathe in Edward's confidence and lock it away.
"Let's go see what the old man wants."
We make our way toward the house and movement to my left makes me turn. Nothing. I follow Edward up the stairs to the front door, but my senses are in overload and I'm shaky.
Edward knocks twice then opens the door.
When we walk fully into the house, I stop. My feet won't move. Every window is open, gauze curtains are flowing in the wind, and the house is cold.
Mr. Masen is sitting in an arm chair with a cigar in his mouth.
There are photographs all over the coffee table and floor, the wind pushing and lifting them.
Edward is standing a few feet in front of me looking around, a frown on his face.
"What's going on?" He turns to me. "It isn't windy outside."
The curtains stop moving.
"Oh shit," he curses under his breath.
Mr. Masen continues smoking his cigar, and I notice there is a photograph in his hand.
I haven't touched anything; I'm afraid to, if I'm being honest. Do I really want to know what's going on?
Mr. Masen's eyes meet mine. "She wants you to see."
My heart is racing. "See what?"
"She had the gift of foresight, did you know that?" His question aimed at Edward.
Edward shook his head, his eyes darting around the room as the curtains started swaying again.
"Isabelle..." he says quietly.
"I've been hearing the name Isabelle for over a year. A whisper when my grandson was in New York, a scream when he was at his lowest and an echo when the two of you finally met.
Now I know my Lizzie has been gone a long time, but she is still with me. This," he gestured toward the room. "Is her."
He held the photograph out to me. "She wants you to see."
My feet felt like lead; I couldn't move.
Mr. Masen and I were staring at one another.
A loud bang and a gust of wind made me jump. Edward was not moving; his eyes were still darting around the room trying to figure out what was going on.
I somehow found myself in front of Mr. Masen, his piercing blue eyes locked on mine.
I lifted a shaky hand and took the picture from him.
'Isabelle, save him.'
A black and white movie was playing in front of me.
A busy street.
Men in suits.
A city bus passes by with a loud whistle, the breaks squeaking as it stops.
People flood off of the bus. So many people as I watch from my spot on the sidewalk.
To the right is Edward's office building.
A police car pulls up next to me; lights flashing.
Yelling.
People are running out of the building.
People on the sidewalk stop moving.
Kate stands in front of the doors. Her hair is blond and dirty; she's wearing jeans that are much too loose on her with a tank top and flip flops. She is jumpy; taking steps toward the door and then moving away.
A man walks up behind her and wraps an arm around her waist, trying to get her out of the way.
She screams and starts flailing. A policeman grabs her, cuffs her and throws her into the back of the car. His face showing that he doesn't have time to deal with her crazy.
My eyes stay on her; she screaming and crying, her head shaking from side to side and she is throwing herself against the door and back seat.
A man stands near the front of the door of the door of the office building at staring at Kate in the back of the car; his face angry. He is dressed in all black, but he pulls a baseball cap over his head.
People start coming out of the offices in groups. A policeman directs them where to go, "Stay out of the way. Give the Fire Department the space they need."
Men in suits with briefcases begin walking out. I see Carlisle Cullen right away, his blond hair and tall stature make him stand out.
Where is Edward?
Men and women shuffle out and then Edward's auburn hair catches the light. He's carrying a woman's tote bag and walking slowly with her on his arm.
Before he even makes it out the door, the man in the baseball cap walks up to him, whispers in his ear and shoots him in the stomach.
The woman screams; her bag falls to the ground as Edward looks at the man and then down at his stomach.
He falls to his knees and looks up.
"Bella?"
I gasp, and Edward's arms are around me before I can fall. My face is wet, and the wind in the room is making the photographs on the table slide toward me.
"Bella! Grandfather what in the hell is going on?"
"Isabelle, breathe sweetheart."
Something foul moves under my nose and I turn away, sobbing in Edward's arms.
"Edward, go get her a shot of bourbon."
"Isabelle," Mr. Masen says in his soothing drawl. "It's all right, darlin'. You're all right."
I feel Edward in front of me. He's on his knees, one hand on my thigh and the other holding out a glass of brown liquid.
"Take a drink, baby," he whispers.
I open my legs and scoot to the edge of the couch, wrapping my arms around him.
He lifts the glass to my lips, urging me to drink.
I take a sip, and then shoot the rest quickly. I can feel the burn as it travels through me; the alcohol hitting me quickly and calming me slightly. I bury my face in Edward's chest.
He has a hand tangled in my hair, the other rubbing soothing circles on my back.
He's quiet as he lets me process what I saw. How did Elizabeth live with that? How could she watch things play out like that, and how did she handle it? Can I intervene?
Can we change it?
I feel Mr. Masen's hand on my back, 'Tell them.'
Her voice whispers, as if carried by the wind.
I pull away from Edward and take his face in my hands.
"I love you, Edward."
"I love you, too," he whispers, and kisses me softly.
I turn to look Mr. Masen in the eye and my eyes begin to water. "I don't know where to start."
"Tell us what happened when you took the picture from me."
Edward was pacing.
Mr. Masen was watching the sky change through the living room window.
And me...Well, I just felt exhausted. I'd basically just told the love of my life he's going to die.
Inside, I'm weeping; sobbing uncontrollably. It's July and I've known Edward for about five months and my life is his. I will be a shell of myself if he leaves me. I will be my Gramma Marie.
I close my eyes and swallow back the sob that is trying to escape.
What do I do? How can I change this?
"We have to tell everyone."
My head snaps over at Edward. He's stopped pacing, and he's staring at me.
My stomach is churning. "No."
"Bella," he sighs, and kneels in front of me. "We need to tell them. They can help us figure this out."
I'm shaking my head. I know what it feels like to be shunned, for people to look at me like I'm crazy. I can't handle that from Edward's family. I'm still reeling from Edward's reaction to me in the bar the night I told him about my gift.
As if he knew what I was thinking, he whispered, "Baby," and pulled me into his arms. "They are not going to think badly of you, or judge you." He pulled away just enough to look at me. "Let me make it up to you. Let me help you."
a/n: hello everyone! happy Saturday (or Sunday if you are not on the West Coast or in the US). This is the first time I've been able to use my computer in two weeks. I've been writing using Google Drive on my phone...not the easiest thing to do.
I hope you guys like this one. I'm anxious to hear what you think. I posted a picture teaser on Tumblr since I haven't had the computer access to send you guys chapter teasers. It makes me sad - but I love the photo teasers. I totally stole the idea from Discordia81 - I'm not ashamed to admit it.
btw...are you guys reading Discordia81 and Kherisma's story, Lose the One You Love? It's amazing and it just updated. I am also reading Karenec's story, One Summer Night. It just updated also. I'm in love with it. Rob Attack had some awesome recs this week, if you are looking for something to read. For non-fanfic, I am reading the Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux - why has no one mentioned this series to me? I'm addicted and can't read them fast enough. Okay...I'm done.
Thanks so much to all of you for reading, reviewing and being patient with my posting delays. Polaroid has over 700 reviews! I am totally stoked and grateful to all of you.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! See you soon,
Rock