Chapter 17 – Things to Remember and Come
EPOV
I laced Bella's and my fingers together as we followed the two castle staff members. I still couldn't believe she was back and she was now my wife. My wife, I love the sound of that. Bella was my wife and I would always love her. Always protect her. Always be there for her.
"Edward," she said, drawing my attention away from my thoughts. When I looked over at her she continued in Portuguese. Wait, when did she learn Portuguese? "I will explain to everyone as fast as possible and answer all the questions. Then we can carry on with our wedding night."
The wedding night. That was the farthest thing from my mind. But now that she had mentioned it, I didn't know what we were going to do. I talked briefly with Carlisle a few days before I had proposed to Bella and he told me that I was worrying over nothing. I didn't know what he meant. He assured me time and time again that I wouldn't hurt Bella but still, I had wanted to talk to her. I was afraid, no terrified, I would hurt her tonight.
"Stop worrying, Edward," she said as if she knew what was running through my mind. "Your questions will be answered and you won't hurt me."
I just looked down at her.
"Here we are," the lady's maid said as she opened the door and allowed us to pass before her and the butler. "Do you need help changing, my lady?"
"That won't be necessary. You two go and enjoy the rest of the festivities," Bella replied.
I waited until I was sure we were alone and then drew Bella into my arms. I hugged her gently to me, taking in her scent. Something was off about it and I couldn't place what changed about it.
"Bella," I started and she placed a finger to my lips.
"Later," she whispered before kissing me and started removing my jacket. "Just relax and help me out of this dress." She turned and waited.
"Edward," she said over her shoulder.
I snapped out of my statue-like posture. Holding my breath, I reached up and unzipped the dress.
"Thank you. I'll just go and slip into something more comfortable."
I watched as she walked toward the bathroom. She turned, snapped her fingers, and gray silk pajamas appeared on the bed. "You should change, too."
I quickly changed and sat down to wait for Bella. So many questions were running through my head.
BPOV
"Will you get that," I yelled from the bathroom, just before I knew a knock would come at the door. I know Edward and the others had questions. I prayed I could answer all of them.
I splashed some more cold water on my face and took a deep breath before patting my face dry. It was now or never, I told myself. After taking another deep breath and letting it out slowly, I walked out of the bathroom with a smile on my face, wearing the matching set of the pajamas Edward hopefully donned.
Jasper looked at me with a confused look on his face and I knew the spell I had cast was still working. I sat down next to Edward and motioned for the others to take a seat.
"The first question I think I should answer is why Jasper and Alice are having trouble sensing anything about me."
I paused briefly looking at everyone gathered my gaze falling on Edward last.
"Before I sent a magical message to Edward, I cast a spell. The spell blocked both Alice's and Jasper's abilities. I did this to prevent Edward from seeing what was to happen and form feeling what I am feeling."
I again glanced at Edward. His expression was unreadable. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Over the three months I was gone, I was in contact with Carlisle."
It seemed like I was gone longer… years had gone by considering all the jumping through time I experienced.
"What!" Edward exclaimed, looking from me to Carlisle and back.
It wasn't exactly a question, but I repeated myself. "I was in contact with Carlisle," I said before raising my hand when Edward made to interrupt again. "Let me explain."
Edward closed his eyes, and though he didn't need it, he took a calming breath. Once he opened his eyes again, I continued.
"I first met Carlisle while he was still in the employment of Maribella McCullough, or should I say… McGregor."
There was a collective gasp from the three sisters.
I went on, not allowing them the opportunity to speak.
"He didn't know who I was at the time and, knowing the history of the clan, I introduced myself. I needed someone to know, to confide in, and Carlisle was the likely choice."
I paused a moment, giving myself time to gather my thoughts. The interval was not long enough for anyone to ask a question.
"I explained to him that I was to marry you, Edward, in the future. I asked him to keep this one secret from you."
Edward nodded. I wasn't sure if he understood completely, but I was taking it.
"As years went by, I let Carlisle know I was okay and whether he could speak of me. The answer was always to wait a bit longer."
I angled myself to face Edward, knowing the others would understand. Taking his hands, I looked him in the eyes.
"The day before you asked me to marry you, I went to see Carlisle, telling him what was going to happen. Only after I disappeared could he tell you I would be just fine. That day was the last time I checked in with him face-to-face. I did call him with a date, today's date, the day you found me injured in the woods. Alice answered the phone."
I fell silent, looking at Edward for a long moment before turning back to face the others. I was dreading the questions.
"Where were you all this time?" Charlie asked.
I'm glad he was the one to ask this question. "I was traveling throughout the history of the McGregor and McCullough, well the major events anyway. I learned from each event. It wasn't long before I knew who the key players were and which of them I could trust."
"Did they know who you were?" Alice asked curiously.
"Yes," I said with an honest smile. "Even the mages knew. They tried to kill me a few times but were never able."
Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, Edward held his head. His fingers digging into his scalp.
"Why were you able to come back when Maribella was unable?" Maisie asked.
"That was one of the many things I learned. But I didn't find that out until I returned to this time temporary last month."
Edward turned his head and glared at me.
Don't, Jasper's thoughts entered Edward's mind.
Wisely, Edward followed the advice and returned his gaze to the floor.
"With the help of Carlisle, I found out everyone was out hunting. I found Maribella's journal at Cullen Manor, in Edward's room."
I hated admitting I violated his privacy.
Edward again turned to glare at me but said nothing.
Don't lose it, bro, Emmett's thoughts entered Edward's mind. There has to be a reason.
Edward nodded and motioned for me to continue.
"Reading through it, it contained the answer. The spell Maribella and Ewan cast suspended her in limbo. I learned it was designed to last three years and if it was not reversed she would be stuck until someone came and retrieved her. She never told anyone. It was a variation of the spell I used but I included an anchor. I held up my right hand where my engagement ring was."
"You said danger was coming. What?" Edward asked.
I sighed. I knew this question was going to be asked again. "As I told you earlier, Edward, I don't know but I will recognize it. All I knew is that death will ensue."
"Whose?" he demanded, standing and walking over to the window.
"Not mine."
"I can't take it anymore, Bella," Emmet said, shifting the subject. "And since Edward is not going to ask I will. What is with your smell? It's different."
"Blood, life, and magic," was my clever response.
The spell I had placed on everyone the moment they entered the room was working perfectly. It was directing them to ask the questions at the right moment.
"What exactly happened while you were out of my life?" Edward asked, curiosity coloring his question.
Edward hit the nail on the head. It was what happened in the past, during my travels that changed the way I smelled. "I learned that blood, life, and magic meant more than just a way to protect all those I love. I learn what I needed to do." I didn't go any further with my explanation.
"You mean someone changed you," Lorena stated.
"No," I said and shook my head, getting up before adding, "not exactly."
Edward was in front of me in a flash.
"What do you mean not exactly," he asked with a growl.
I wasn't fazed. "I'm not a full vampire, that's what I mean," I answered with the same fierceness in my voice as he had when he asked me.
Edward staggered back as if I had slapped him. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked a bit wounded.
"She knew this would be your reaction," Carlisle said, "and I advised against it."
With those last few words spoken, the spell lifted and a new spell was cast. "Edward, listen," I told him. "What do you hear?"
I could clearly hear my own heartbeat.
Edward's eyes widened and I took that as a good sign.
I am still me, Edward. I am still human, I just can't die. Venom and blood run through my veins. My heart still pumps.
I showed Edward my memories of the very first time when I had met him, of when he found me in the woods crying, of being tricked into trying out for the cantata, and of everything since. Most importantly, I showed him the year we had spent together in the past.
Edward's expression was one of pure joy when I was done.
"For the next obvious questions, I eat food. I don't drink blood. I don't have to sleep nightly anymore. I can stay up for about a month before my energy is spent and I need to sleep. Although, it is dependent on the amount of magic I use. The bigger the spells I cast, I sooner I have to sleep. When I do sleep, I'm out of commission for two days."
I would wait for the question and not provide an answer to the last and still unspoken question. I stood there, not exactly statue-like but close, watching Edward run fingers through his hair, his back to me. Nobody said a word. Everyone was holding their breath, wanting to ask but afraid to ask.
You have to tell him. He won't ask.
He will, Grandmother. He just needs to process what I have told him.
He slowly turned back to face me, "W-who changed you?"
See, he did ask.
Tell him, let him remember.
You will remember once I speak your name.
"You did, Edward."
A huge smile crossed his face. He remembered.
"When?" Rose asked at the same time Alice and Esme did.
I didn't turn or say a word. I would let Edward handle this question.
EPOV
"207 years ago… today. In this very room," I said, remembering the day so long ago. "I left Bella lying on the bed and did as the voice bade me. The same voice told me to send Carlisle here."
I hung my head again thinking, What have I done? I sat down on the bed.
Bella sat down next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You did as I asked. I knew if you would have stayed, you would have tormented yourself had I cried out."
"You didn't," Carlisle remarked. "The transformation was surprisingly fast. It took three hours."
"More than enough venom had entered my bloodstream, more than my magic could ward off," I said in response to the question in Edward's eyes.
Edward looked away toward Charlie who had yet to say a word. "You're very quiet, Charlie," he said.
"What is there for me to say? I knew the day would come when Bella would be ready. I just thought I would be born when it happened. I do have questions. Why that day? That year?"
"I had the same question and learned later the answer. How the planets were aligned on that day hid from the magical world my doings. The Mages knew I was traveling in time and what my mission was. They thwarted my attempts to approach Edward on several occasions. I spent a year with Carlisle and Edward without any sight of the mages. The day I was going to ask Edward to change me, the mages appeared. I had to leave but not before Edward asked me to wipe his memory."
Bella walked over to the dresser, pulling some things out of a drawer.
"The mages chased me until 1998 rang in. I was once again able to get near Edward without them interfering. It remained so until 2010 when I knew the time had come and I had the last piece of the puzzle."
She turned to Alice. "I think you should tell Edward now."
I faced my sister. She wouldn't meet my eyes.
"I saw Bella's return last month. I even helped her go through your journals. She was looking for something."
I growled, taking a step forward.
Bella stepped in front of me, holding out a letter to me. "Read it before you kill Alice."
I took the letter. Confusion entered my mind as I read it. I didn't remember writing it, but it was my script. "I still don't see why you had to read my journals."
Bella handed me a leather book. It was open to the image the letter described. On the opposite page was both her and my handwriting. I read what we both wrote.
"Still not understanding."
Another book was held out to me. It too was open.
My eyes widened as I read what Maribella wrote.
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
Bella smiled. "We wouldn't have been able to marry if I hadn't," she answered, producing the tiara. "It was in the room when you changed me."
"So when the mages find out, the trouble will come," Zachary commented. He was the first of the wizards to speak.
"Yes, we have a lot of time before they find out. This year is special in and of itself. All my doings, starting with all I did this morning, are masked. They will not find out until next year, after our first anniversary."
A wide smile spread across my face as Alice spoke, "That's who will die, the mages. Their time is coming to an end."
"What are you talking about?" Bella asked, facing Alice.
"I just had a vision," Alice and Maidie said at the same time.
Alice continued, "The mages will oppose this union and will try to dissolve it in so much as they will use magic against you, Bella."
Maidie picked up, "You will have no choice but to fight magic with magic. You're much stronger and they will not last long against you."
Alice and Maidie wouldn't meet my or Bella's eye. "There's something you're hiding, the both of you," I said.
"Some things are best not shared," Maidie said, finally meeting my eyes. "Trust me, Edward, you don't want to know. You'll find out in due time, but I, and I think Alice will agree, won't be the one to tell you."
I looked to Alice, who nodded her agreement. "You won't hear it from me."
Bella stood and thanked everyone for listening. After everyone left, she sat next to me.
"I didn't want to know what else Alice and Maidie saw," she said after a while.
"Are you afraid of what is coming?"
"No," she said. "The future can change, and right now we have control of it." She paused for a long moment. "Take me to bed."
