Chapter 19 – Mourning in the Late of the Night
EPOV
When Bella asked me about riding out to the coast, I was concerned. During our Christmas visit, she had ridden out unaccompanied to the coast. Thanks to Alice, she hadn't been alone long that night. I learned later, much later, she only went out to the coast when something was troubling her. Back then, it had been the arranged marriage to Garrett Gillpatrick. Or, had it been how she felt about me?
"A midnight ride? I think that is unwise. I would rather stay here in bed with you in my arms," I remarked.
"As much as I would love that, there is a place I need to go and want you to go with me. It is a very special place to me."
"Are you sure you wish to share it with me?"
I could tell she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "Were you sure when you shared your meadow with me?"
"Isabella," I said, taking her face within the hands, "it was a great pleasure sharing the meadow with you. If I would have known how happy it made me when you first saw it, I would have shared it with you much, much sooner."
I moved to kiss her and she turned her head, looking over at the clock. "It's midnight, Edward. The day of mourning has begun and where I want to take you is a perfect place to remember my grandfather." I watched as she slowly got out of bed putting on a gray silk robe over her pajamas, and move to what I thought was a closet but ended up being a hidden staircase. "Come, Edward," she beckoned me.
I was quickly by her side, slipping on my robe in the process, taking her hand as I followed her up the stairs. A sad silence filled the space between us but I dare not say anything at the moment.
We soon were out in an upper hallway. I watched as she made sure no guards were about. "Bella," I said questioningly.
"You are right about this being unwise. For us to be lurking about in the middle of the night is dangerous. There were some enemies in attendance during our wedding celebration. They could still be here."
"I thought you said we had time."
I looked over my shoulder at him before responding, "I did but that's not the danger I'm talking about. There are some who would like to see the last true McCullough descendant die and take over the clan. They wouldn't betray me to the mages, though."
I grabbed her hand, making her stop. "Someone's coming this way," I whispered, drawing her behind me, even though the likelihood of her being killed was nil unless the attacker knew how to kill a vampire. Her grip on my hand tightened.
"Whose there?" Emmett called out right before seeing me.
"It's just Emmett," I said to calm her.
"How did you get by me? I was on guard duty."
Edward turned and looked at me. Oops, how did I forget to mention that little detail?
"Carlisle knew of the possibility of my grandfather dying. He and I had a plan to keep us safe."
"And you failed to tell me," he said, caressing my face. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "We should go back, Bella. I know you don't want to but if it keeps us safe..."
She looked away from me before nodding.
"Go back the way you came," Emmett said. "I'll keep watch."
We walked quietly back down the hall to the hidden stairs.
Once we were back in the safety of the room, she went over to the window and looked out. I knew she was crying by the way wiped at her face. Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her.
BPOV
Distancing myself from Edward, I let the tears I had been holding back fall. I cried for Grandfather, but I also cried for the time I lost with everyone I loved.
I barely felt it when Edward wrapped his arms around me. Numbness enveloped me, as I analyzed the feeling that came over me when Emmett appeared. Danger was coming soon and I couldn't place my finger on what or who.
Tell Edward. Grandmother's voice startled me a little.
I sighed, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand as I thought about how to convey what I had felt. "Edward," I said my voice thick with emotion.
"Yes, Love," he responded, concern laced his voice as he tightened his hold on me.
"Some sort of danger is coming. What I'm feeling right now tells me it is not what is to come in the future but something else."
He was quiet for a couple of breaths. "Should we check with Alice and Maidie to see if they can tell us more?"
I could hear how troubled he was with this new piece of information.
I thought about that for a moment. "It would be wise. Let's check with them later. It wouldn't be fair to Maidie to wake her now."
"Maidie would want to be woken, Bella. If you truly feel there is some sort of danger coming, wouldn't it be best to determine what it is instead of waiting for a more convenient time to ask for help?" he whispered.
"Of course, but it could be nothing," I said turning and wrapping my arms around his waist.
"It's best not to wait." He leaned in and placed a tender kiss on my lips before pulling out his phone and immediately dialing Alice. He put the call on speaker.
"Edward, is something wrong?"
"Not sure. Could you and Maidie–" he started, only to be cut off.
"You don't have to say anymore. I'll get her and be there in ten minutes," Alice said before hanging up.
APOV
When my phone id said Edward I was immediately alarmed. I wondered what had happened since we left them.
"Edward, is something wrong?"
I listened briefly before interrupting him. I hoped ten minutes would be enough time for them to make themselves presentable and went to wake Maidie. Hopefully, she wasn't a crank when woken too early but she might be able to go back to bed later. "Maidie," I said loudly, knocking on the door to the room she was shown to once the Great Hall was transformed back.
"Alice," she greeted me bright-eyed.
"I thought you would be asleep."
"I couldn't get to sleep."
"That might be a good thing. Edward called me and asked me to get you then come see him and Bella."
"Do you know why he asked us to come?" Maidie asked as we made our way to the honeymoon room.
"No, and I didn't ask. If he's calling, it has to be important."
It wasn't long before we reached the bedroom we had left almost five hours ago. The door to the room was still closed and Jasper was lounging in a chair reading a book on the history and traditions of the McCullough Clan.
"Hey, Jazz," I said. He looked up at me with a slightly puzzled face.
"Shouldn't be patrol with Rosalie?"
"Edward called and wanted to talk to the both of us," I said, motioning to Maidie. "I don't think he knows you're outside the door, Jazz. You might want to disappear for a moment."
He stood and was out of sight before I raised my hand to knock.
Once we were admitted inside Edward told us what Bella had told him.
I looked into the future, "I don't see anything dangerous coming," I said after a few minutes. Maidie agreed with my assessment.
"I told you, Edward, that it might be nothing," Bella said, getting up and going over to the window looking out.
She seemed distant to me and I shared a look and a thought with Edward.
Is Bella okay? She seems withdrawn. Is it fear of what she thinks is coming?
Edward returned my look not saying anything.
BPOV
Alice was right with her thoughts. I was isolating myself from everyone but it wasn't only fear, it was grief. It was just like when Grandmother passed away. She had no way of knowing though. Being prepared for when Grandfather would die was one thing but the emotions were another beast.
Who knew what the light of day would bring for me and the rest of the clan. I had to be strong for them. Silent tears were once again sliding down my face and I couldn't bring myself to wipe them away.
I heard Edward's sigh and knew he didn't understand. He definitely didn't know what to do.
"I need time to come to terms with Grandfather not being around anymore," I informed Edward, Alice, and Maidie, not turning from the window.
EPOV
I couldn't help the sigh that escaped through my lips. In some ways, I understood why Bella was withdrawing into herself. What I didn't understand was why she couldn't talk to me. Perhaps Jasper, ever so in tune with the feelings of others, could shed some light on what Bella was feeling. I wanted a warning if she was going to break down. Although I knew with Bella nothing could be predicted.
"Is Jasper outside the door still?" I asked Maidie and Alice.
"Uh," Alice started, "you know?"
I nodded. I would explain how I found out later. "I'll be right back," I whispered in Bella's ear before kissing her tear-stained cheek. I walked out the door to find Jasper sitting there with a book in his hands.
"Edward, should you be out here?" he asked not looking up from the book.
"Probably not," I replied, "I wanted to ask you something."
"I can't tell you what Bella is feeling if that is what you are after."
I swiped my hand down my face. "Monitor her all the same. If she's about to break down, let me know."
"I'll try," he said, looking up at me as Alice and Maidie walked out.
"She wants you, Edward," Maidie said.
"Thanks. Let me know of anything," I said before reentering the room.
