Chapter 14 — Back Home
BPOV
The moment Edward appeared in the Great Hall, I wanted to run down the stairs and into his arms. But I couldn't. We were getting married today, and though he didn't know it. If he did know, he would insist on being traditional and that meant he couldn't see me until I was walking down the aisle toward him.
A silent sigh left me as I leaned against the upper railing. He hadn't changed a bit in the time I was gone, and I had been gone a lot longer than he realized.
The four wizards and three sisters were already there. They moved toward Edward.
"Iain needs to be here," Edward said.
I was glad he understood and heard me.
"He's on his way down," Grandfather said, walking into the room. "He arrived late last night with quite a story."
Grandfather laughed and his gaze moving up to where I stood out of sight. He and Iain helped me with all the preparations, instructing the wizards and sisters.
"So, Edward, Charlie tells me you were told by Bella to come here. How exactly did she tell you?"
All eyes turned to Edward. It seemed he didn't know how to explain.
"She did," he answered in a low voice. It reached me with no problem.
"I think he was hearing Bella's voice," Jasper said.
I wanted to laugh. It was more than my voice he was hearing. He witnessed my powers. They were pretty impressive, allowing me to make things happen from far away.
"What did she tell you?" Grandfather asked, guiding Edward away from the group. He continued speaking in Gaelic. "You can tell me. I'll believe you."
"She said…" Edward turned, addressing everyone. "Bella's trapped in time and Maribella is beyond saving, but Bella can return. That she should have listened to me three months ago. And that she needs to go back to where it began and needs everyone to be there, especially Iain. She knows what she needs to do now and needs my help."
Iain touched my shoulder before heading down the stairs. "Then, this is for you, Edward," he said, handing him a large box and stepped back.
"Ladies," he said addressing Esme, Rosalie, and Alice, "if you would come with me. You will soon understand what Edward is about to learn."
Esme, Rosalie, and Alice followed Iain and disappeared out the door.
"I guess that's our cue," Maisie said and disappeared behind the dais with her sisters and the wizards.
"What is going on?" Edward asked. He stared after his mom and sisters.
"Wish I knew," Emmett said, rubbing his chin.
"Who's the gift from?" Charlie asked.
Edward hadn't even looked at the box. I knew he was confused at what everyone else was doing and going.
He looked at the tag and read, "From: Maribella McCullough."
He turned for an explanation. He was alone. Well, not completely alone but he couldn't know I was near. I watched as he tore open the box found a tuxedo only Alice could have put together. There inside was a note from me.
A heartbeat or three passed before he removed the tuxedo from the box. An envelope floated to the ground. He stooped and picked it up. Removing the stiff sheet, I watched as he examined the contents.
Carlisle entered the hall again. Looking up at the loft area, he winked.
How in the world did he know I was watching?
"Edward, son," Carlisle said, putting his hand on Edward's shoulder. "You should be getting ready."
"Ready for what?" he asked. There was confusion in his voice.
"Go and change," Carlisle said, taking the envelope and card from him. "Emmett and Jasper will help you. Go, follow the servant."
"Bella, I hope you are right about this," Carlisle's thoughts betrayed.
I smiled. I had wondered if I would be able to read thoughts.
Edward turned, following the servant, not asking what Carlisle meant. Although, I had a curious feeling that Edward didn't catch the stray thought.
I didn't stick around. In an instant, I was in the room Iain was leading Esme, Rosalie, and Alice. My maid walked in a second later.
"My lady," she said with a curtsy. "It's time to get ready."
Nodding, I sat in front of the vanity and cast a spell to prevent anyone from accidentally broadcasting my presence to Edward and noticing the color of my eyes.
It wasn't long after that a knock came at the door. I remained silent, a hard feat when all I wanted to do was rush and open it.
I watched through the mirror as Esme, Rosalie, and Alice followed by Iain entered my bedchamber. Alice scrutinized the room and when her gazed landed on me, her eyes widened. "Bella?" she questioned.
Another spell was silently recited to mask my voice, making it sound like it had the last time I spoke with the Cullens. "Yes, Alice. It's me."
She pulled out her phone, and a moment later it was in my outstretched hand. "You will not call Edward," I said. "He'll know soon enough that I'm back. There are a few events that need to happen first."
"Like?" Rosalie asked. She had her hands crossed over her chest and her phone was clutched in her hand.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "The completion of the ultimate betrayal," I answered, intentionally being cryptic.
Taking that as his cue, Iain unzipped a garment bag and revealed an elegant blue and white dress.
Like lightning, understanding lit Rosalie's eyes and passed through her mind. You and Edward are getting married. And soon, you'll die.
"Ultimate betrayal?" Esme said a grin on her face. "What do you mean? If you mean, you becoming one of us–"
I cut her off. "I can't completely become a vampire," I said. "Today is the day I wed. And there is not much time for us to get ready."
###
Charlie led me through the magical barrier concealing the library. The transformation was remarkable, but I didn't take time to examine the room and what it had become over time. I was not in sight yet but I could see everyone in the room.
"Edward," Grandmother said. She was standing in front of Edward. "Relax and remember."
"Remember what?" Edward asked. The effects of the music keeping him calm.
"Turn and look," Grandmother said.
Edward did so, noticing Carlisle and his brothers siding next to him.
When had they joined me? And what was I supposed to remember?
"Let nothing happen to my baby girl," Mother said. "Go, Edward, meet her and Charlie halfway."
Edward started moving toward Charlie and me. Emmett moved in an attempt to stop Edward. With a quick thought, I prevented Emmett from doing so.
About halfway down the aisle, Charlie and I stopped as did Edward. Edward looked down and white roses tipped with red appeared in his hands.
"I believe these are for you, Bella," he whispered.
The cloak fell from my shoulders, I stood before Edward. He held out his hand to me, the rose dropping to the floor all but forgotten. Electricity course through me as we touched and we were transported to an altogether different celebration.
"Maribella, do you…"
"Stop," Edward shouted, the moment he realized where he and I were. "Maribella, don't marry him."
He tried to free my hand from mine, but I shook my head.
"I do," I whispered as Maribella spoke.
The ceremony had to continue and it did as if Edward hadn't spoken. Music floated in the air around us.
"Edward, do you take Isabella as your wife?" Grandmother asked. She was a high priest of the clan and though she was deceased could still marry us.
"I do," Edward answered.
A ring appeared in his hand and he looked into my eyes not speaking. He slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of my left hand as tears fell from his eyes. It was all very surreal and strange, yet magical. It was perfect.
"With the exchanged of words of love and tokens of your eternal love…" I didn't hear the rest. Edward had leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine.
"I missed you, Bella," he whispered against my lips.
"And I, you, Edward. Thank you," I replied. "You helped me free Maribella's soul. She can now rest in peace and no longer travel through time, waiting."
Something was pulling us away from each other, and Edward gripped my hands.
Smiling, I said, "You will never lose me again. Trust me, let go, and open your eyes."
Clapping and whistling could be heard when Edward released his crushing hold on my hands.
Grandfather had a smile on his face and tears in his eyes.
"Malcolm," Edward said right as he collapsed.
Edward released me and moved to Grandfather, feeling for a pulse. He would find none.
"Carlisle, help him."
"Edward, it is too late," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He's free to be with Maribella, and he's happy."
"Why haven't I moved on?" Iain asked.
"Your curse is to remain," I said, turning to him, "but only for a bit longer. You will have to face the McGregor council, Edward and I will do what we can to help you."
Edward stood and wrapped his arm around my waist and took my other hand in his as I continued.
"I'm now the McCullough and whether the McGregor's will accept the truth, I'm also the McGregor—the last living descendant of the great and just ruler. They are ignorant and lost in their ways. I have lived among them in secret several times in my journey and know more than the mages. The truth will hurt them and you will help in making them see me for who I am."
"It's time to heal the wounds and start again," I finished, looking to where my grandfather laid content, no longer suffering.
A smiled was neatly planted on his face.
"Alice," I said, addressing my new sister. I felt her sadness. "Now is not time for sorrow. The time to mourn will come. A celebration of life has begun with Edward and my marriage."
"I know," Alice replied. "I understand what happened and why I couldn't see. Iain, you were right, I was not meant to see. I would have tried to stop Edward."
She smiled.
"This is only the beginning," I threw over my shoulder as Edward led me from the room away from the others.
