After returning from my recon I baked muffins and a cake. All the time thinking about what I would say.
When the time for everyone to arrive drew closer I set the table. Methos looked at me and got up from the couch to hug me. I melted into his hug. Not saying anything. This would be difficult. I would tell them the truth but at the same time I would lie. I had to make it believable.
I heard an impatient knock on our door. I smiled. "I think the pack is here." It sounded slightly muffled.
Methos gave me one last squeeze and accompanied me to the door. There stood my little brother. With a huge grin on his face and he at once hugged me tightly. So tightly I had to gasp. "need , air."
He loosened his grip.
"Hi I'm her brother." He said to Methos, messing my hair up at the same time.
"Oy!" I protested I didn't like my hair being messed with, and we began to playfully wrestle each other.
The rest of the pack came in and introduced themselves to Methos. They were all watching with no little amusement, when I threw Taylor over my hip and onto the floor. I moved on top of him and tickled him mercilessly.
In between roaring laughter and tears he shouted. "Uncle Uncle."
I let him go. I was in a much better mood now. That was exactly what I had needed.
"Awesome Bella, Muffins." Jake exclaimed.
"Help yourselves." I answered. "We all know the other guests we're expecting won't eat anything."
And they took me by my word.
They descended on the offerings like … well like a pack of wolves. And when I realized that is exactly what they were, I had a slightly hysterical fit of giggles.
Duncan who had entered the room asked me what was so funny.
I gestured towards the table and replied. "They're *giggle* decending on the food *giggle* like a *more giggles."
And Methos finished for me grinning. "like a pack of wolves."
I nodded and continued giggling, but stopped abruptly when I heard 2 cars in the driveway.
My heart raced, I closed my eyes. Trying to swallow.
Duncan hugged me. And for a moment I burrowed myself into him like a little girl asking for daddys comfort.
"All will be well, mo nighean donn."
I smiled and looked up at him. "Mo gràdh ort, athair." I answered. (I love you father.)
I breathed deeply, calmed myself. My heart beat regularly now. I checked my shields. I checked if I shielded everyone. I was ready.
The Cullens knocked we exchanged the customary greetings, offered everybody a seat and as soon as everybody was situated I began.
"You are wondering why I asked you here. But before I explain I will show you something. Seeing is believeing." I quickly grabbed a dagger from the wall and plunged it through my hand.
The wolves had seen this before. But the Cullens were shocked. Carlisle and Edward were at my side in an instant. The rest of the Cullens were little behind.
All shouting or asking me concerned questions.
"Shut up" I screamed using the voice. They had no other choice but to obey. "I am fine. " I continued more quietly. "Look" I held up my pierced hand so they could see. I then quickly pulled the dagger out. I watched their faces as they watched my wound heal with little lighting across. Their faces changed from horror, to shock, to wonder and then to hope.
"Now how about you all sit down and I explain and for the love of Gaia don't interrupt me!" I announced sharply.
They complied.
"My Name is Ellanore McCLeod. But before that I was a girl called Isabella Marie Swan." The Cullens eyes went wide and I continued. I told them a slightly shortened version of the story I told Jake. Duncan and Methos fleshed out the story as well. They explained about immortals. Lasko corroborated the facts about immortals. When it came to my abilities and explaining about my defeat of Victoria Emmet it seemed could hold back no longer.
"lil'sis that's like so awesome." He said jovially.
I laughed. "Yeah, yeah anyway so that is how I took care of Victoria, after that I went and lived in germany for while …" and then it came to a close. "So because of my dream I knew it was time to return, and I knew you guys would be here. So uh yeah that's the short version of the story." I finished lamely.
Alice looked at me lividly. As did Rosalie. Edward just walked towards me touching my face. I just knew he wanted to kiss me. I leaned back and away from him and asked. "What're you doin'? "
"Bella we can be together now, forever. I love you Bella. I have and always shall love you." He said softly.
It was balm for my soul but I had to teach him first. He had know first. My conviction of this was unwavering and my control over every aspect of myself was, in that moment, absolute.
"Uh, that's nice." I said as if not understanding.
"Why didn't you tell us, tell me who you are." Edward asked softly.
"Yeah why didn't you." Alice asked, looking pissed. Rose nodded her agreement.
I made my face show an incredulous expression.
"Wait a minute, you're really giving me the fault? I gave you hint after obvious hint after even more obvious hint and you didn't work it out with your so called massively superior intellect and you're giving me the fault? It's not my fault you are all so thick you can't comprehend anything outside your experience and knowledge. Alice, Rose, Edward and the rest of you think about the hints I gave you very carefully, and then tell me again I didn't tell you." I huffed and rolled my eyes.
I felt Edwards hands on my and frowned at him. "Will you desist please?" I half snarled. When he did and looked at me shocked. I softend but remained firm. " Edward guess what I worked it all out the whole you leaving me for my own good thing and you were right. I am at peace with it and you." I concluded calmly.
I waited for him to comprehend. But it wasn't coming. He just smiled his crooked smile. He did not seem to understand.
Esme threw in "Oh Bella that is wonderful. Now you can be together and everything can be as it should be. It is wonderful of you to forgive him so"
I did not like hurting Esme with my plan but it was a necessity.
"Uh thanks Esme and spending a few years in a Tibetan Monastery tends to let you work through any baggage. And Esme, I am sorry. And Edward I am sorry , too. " I paused. "How can I say this that you understand. Edward when I said you were right I meant that you were right in what you said, and when I said I am at peace with you I meant completely. I forgave you a long time ago. And I see not only that you were right but also… I am so different Edward. I no longer feel what I felt then, when my feelings caused me to commit suicide. " the cullens winced at that " My emotional state is so very different. I feel, think and believe things differently than Bella did. That day Bella did die. And I was born." I finished.
I waited for them all to comprehend.
"Bella, no. You can't mean that, you can't hate us. Can't hate Edward." Alice said. She sounded close to tears. Even though Vampires could not cry.
I acted surprised and then amused.
"Alice, when pray Gaia did I say I hated you?" I smiled. "I am still quite fond of you all." I smiled at each Cullen.
It was hard not to make the smile towards Edward not extra special.
Alice cautiously stepped towards me. I opened my arms and she jumped into them. "Oh I am so glad you don't hate me." She said. I laughed.
"Is that even possible?" I asked her amused.
"No, I am the most lovable creature on earth." She said with perfect conviction.
At this everybody but Edward laughed. I noticed and looked at him.
"Edward I honestly don't hate you. But neither do I feel what you wish me to feel." Which was true. I did not feel completely like I did over 50 year ago. But the main emotion he wanted m
I looked around and the Cullens looked devastated. I walked to each of them and gave them each a hug and gently stroked their faces. Saying nothing. When I approached Edward he looked at me as if his world had collapsed, like he was in pain. "Oh Edward. I really am sorry if I am hurting you but…" I trailed of reaching for his face and stroked it gently. I gave him my best apologetic look.
He sighed. He still looked crushed. But resigned. "Is there any hope?" he asked me in a whisper.
I smiled politely. "We'll were are immortal so it is conceivable that perhaps in the far-off future we might mesh again." My tone made it quite clear that I did not believe so and was basically lieing. Of course I wasn't but they did not need to know I was now such a superb liar I could lie by pretending to lie.
He sighed. He seemed accepting but still looked hurt and crushed. He took my hand. He looked me deep in the eyes. And when I met him unwaveringly. He nodded. "Friends?" he asked tentatively.
I laughed as if relived that he accepted my lie. "Yes, sure. But please do me a favor and at least try tone you're your chauvinistic and overprotective tendencies. I find those characteristics of yours particularly vexing."
"Yeah, sure Bella. I'll do that." He answered and let go of my hand.
I felt his absence keenly. " You have changed a lot. And you also speak with a british accent mostly." He commented.
I looked at him amused. "Edward you know how old I am, I grew up, I have as they say come into my own." I smiled. " And the accent well that is part of who I am now."
"Also please do me favor" I raised my voice and spoke to everybody including the wolf pack who had watched the scene passively. "Call me Ella please."
They all agreed and the tension slowly eased as there was a question and answer round.
Lasko got to tell his story again, Duncan told his. And Methos, ah well the lovable bastard just had to trump us all.
"Well I actually don't know how old I am." He began.
"how could you not know your own age." Jasper asked suspiciously.
"Because Mr Whitlock not only did we not do records 5000 years ago. But it ceases to matter after a while."
"Dude your're over 5000?" Emmet exclaimed.
"Give or take a couple centuries." Methos shrugged.
"That's awesome." Emmet replied in such an infectiously good mood that we all laughed.
"You're older than the Volturi." Carlisle stated also in awe.
"Yeah but its not all its cracked up to be. Until Duncan " he picked up Duncan's Hand and caressed it lovingly. "It was rather empty and boring. Not to mention terribly lonely." He looked up at Duncan and the both of them shared such a tender look that I watched every bodies reactions.
The women all smiled. The pack seemed ok if just slightly uncomfortable.
Carlisle smiled as well. Emmet looked away. And I just knew if he had been human he would have blushed. Jasper looked distinctly uncomfortable but also looked as if he was ashamed of being uncomfortable.
Edward on the other hand, while saying nothing looked at them slightly annoyed and disapproving.
I frowned. Okay that attitude definitely had to go.
We all talked some more. Everybody was fascinated by immortals. When it was getting late people left as it was Sunday and some of us actually needed to sleep in order to be fit for school. All in all it was a bit anticlimactic. I had been expecting a big explosion.
Also I was more than a bit annoyed that Edward believed me so easily.
Had not fought me.
Had not fought for me.