Hello friends! I'm posting early today due to the fact that I will be celebrating the New Year with my family tonight and I may forget to post tomorrow night. I'm also doing it so that I can wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year. Enjoy your celebrations, but do it safely.
Thank you to Pienuniek for being my rock, and talking about everything thoroughly with me so that I can get this out to you, legible.
Disclaimer: SM owns it all, we just like to play.
We hear part of the why, today. Enjoy.
Chapter 18 – Didy, Phone Home
It didn't take long for Marcus and I to put our things in the guest room. Although he gave me a strange look when I grabbed a bag to take with us back to their great room. By the time we got there Bella was filling Didy in on how we'd met and how my family had taken the news.
"Oh, that's terrible that they didn't accept you straight away. I'm going to have to have words with them after they know. Although I'm glad that the others covered that too." Didy lamented.
"Learning that Edward is the fourth brother and that you are the same as Bella might be enough of a shock my dear. I think the scolding you plan to give them might push them over the edge." Marcus chuckled at her as we sat in the chairs opposite the love seat they were sitting in.
"Oh pish." She waved her hand at Marcus making Bella and I laugh.
She turned to Bella. "Please tell me of my family Bella."
"Of course, Granma." Bella agreed. "But I can only tell you of what I know. I don't know what happened to you."
Didy sighed. "That I will tell you, but please, good news first."
Bella nodded happily. "Edward, do you have the album?" She asked.
I nodded handing it over.
Bella sighed, opening the album and getting ready to start her tale. "Okay. Hmmm. Where to start? Oh I know.
"After you just disappeared from Eden, from what I can tell, all hell broke loose. So to speak. Your father Samail and husband," Bella said causing Marcus to hiss, "Sorry Grampy. But that is what he essentially was, you however are her mate and that is much, much stronger."
Marcus was mollified.
"Anyway Samail and Balail were summoned to appear in front of the Gods. Samail was reprimanded, and there was a small mark against our family name until such a time that we are able to redeem ourselves. Although what we have to do for that I don't know."
Didy gasped covering her mouth with her hand.
"Don't worry Granma. It was a small mark, and my Edward and your Amos have already made a good start to making that up to the Gods." Bella beamed at me, happy even though I didn't want the praise.
Marcus raised his eyebrow at me, silently asking about that.
"We'll explain soon Marcus, don't worry."
Bella continued. "Once they returned, Samail had to enforce the punishment on Balail and he was banished from Eden, becoming one of the fallen. Your parents Samail and Mikail took in your son though and raised him to be a wonderful Angel."
"Oh thank the gods." Didy sighed. "I was so worried about him. But Balail was banished? I could have contacted them or gone home?" She wailed.
"Why didn't you do that Granma? Why couldn't you?" Bella asked getting teary.
Marcus had gotten up to get some tissues for Didy and Bella before dragging his seat over next to them. I copied him so that I could comfort Bella.
"Balail had been able to track me when I'd leave him and I wasn't sure how, it's why I left everything behind when I'd found Marcus. I'd still been able to check the Looking Pool." She sighed. "I was afraid that if he wasn't found out that he'd still be able to find me, so I was too scared to come back or to contact anyone again."
"And because you didn't know he'd become a fallen and essentially lost all his powers, you couldn't have known that you could contact everyone again." Bella finished.
Didy nodded, then started crying all over again.
"Please Bella continue." She begged when she'd calmed down.
"Amos found Alison not long after she became of age, although there is a rather significant age difference, they love each other fiercely. Amos made a significant stride in helping our type communicate before he met Alison by making the Soul Projector. It's a modified version of the Soul Balls that help the 'others'. The Soul Projector, is able to communicate through the different planes as well as great distances. Edward actually has one with which he can talk to his parents, who are in Limbo."
"Oh my, that is a fantastic gadget. Do you have that one with you Edward?" Didy asked.
I nodded. "I do, Didy, and I'll show you and introduce you to my parents later."
She nodded. Indicating Bella should go on.
"Amos is in charge of the production of those while also maintaining his status as a Justice Angel. Alison is one of two Guardians we have in our family so far. She only takes one charge at a time so that she has time for her family. In fact it's who my mother shaped herself after.
"Amos and Alison, had two children. My father Charlie and his younger sister Alida, Gods help her."
"Why do you say that Bella?" Marcus asked.
Bella, Didy and I shared a look. "I'll explain in a minute, I promise. Anyway my father Charlie became an Angel of Death."
Didy beamed at that, proud of her grandson. "Yes, that is something to be proud of. I'm glad that we have one."
"My Aunt Alida has unfortunately become an other." At Marcus's confused look Bella continued to explain. "Have you heard of a crazy cat lady, Grampy?"
Marcus thought about her question for a minute. "Are you talking about those ladies on the television that seem to have a huge number of cats? And they just keep collecting them?"
"Yes." Bella answered.
"You watch television?" I asked at the same time.
Marcus and Didy laughed. Really laughed.
"Yes, Edward." They said together. "We don't rule the world every day. We do have some down time." Marcus continued.
We all laughed at that.
"Continuing on." Bella giggled. "Yes, Marcus like those ladies on television. Well that is what an other is, only they are guardian angels that haven't mated and seem to lose themselves. Instead of collecting cats though, they tend to collect charges. When this happens, we carefully replace those charges with what Samail made and called Soul Balls. We then show them to the Illusion Chamber, telling them that it's the new way to and from earth. This way they think they are still helping charges, when really they've sort of lost their minds."
"Oh. I see."
"My father then met my mother, well actually," Bella giggles again. "My mother kind of plowed into my father one day in the gardens, completely knocking him into one of the lakes. They were inseparable after that and not long after they mated they had me. The first Earth Angel to be born since you Granma. You also have a great grandson named Seth."
"I really have missed so much." Didy sniffled.
"You had no idea that he was banished Granma, and we had no way to tell you because after you disappeared so did your dove. We don't know what happened to him." Bella explained. "It is not your fault. But through the cleverness of my mate we have a way for you to see them once again and to meet all of your grandchildren and great grandchildren."
"We also have some other gifts for you." I continued, pulling the bag over to me. I took everything out and put them in order on the coffee table.
"First things first, Didy I have your Angel Blade as requested." I explained, rolling up my sleeve and showing her my Phantom Blade Brace. "Thank you for it, I'll treasure it always. But here is your replacement blade."
Handing it over, she was already shedding a few tears.
"Marcus, Samail and Mikail sent with us a blade and brace for you as well." Bella picked it up and handed it over so he could look at it. "They also wanted us to tell you that they love you, miss you and want you to at least call them. They want you to come home for a visit. Nobody is mad at you, they just want to understand."
By the time Bella had finished her speech, Didy was all out sobbing again. I hadn't read their thoughts since before we got here and I wasn't going to do it now. I'm not sure she'd have any coherent thoughts anyway.
"Marcus, where's your kitchen? Bella and I will go and make some tea." I suggested.
He looked up at me in relief. "It's just through those doors over there." He replied putting the blade brace down to give Didy his full attention.
Bella and I stood and went to the kitchen to give them some privacy for Didy to compose herself.
"I'm not so sure she's taking this news well Edward. There seems to be a lot of anguish coming from her." Bella worried.
"She's taking it fine Bella. You're giving her everything she wanted when she left. She's overwhelmed, just like I was when you gave me family and my parents. She just needs a few minutes to compose herself."
"Are you sure, Edward?" Bella sniffled.
Wrapping her up in a hug I replied, "I'm sure baby. By the time we get the tea together and go back in there I'm sure she'll be much better."
Bella hugged me tighter for a minute, then let go. We started looking around for things to make tea, finding the cups, tea bags and sugar. Bella even found some jam cookies in the pantry. After boiling the kettle and making a pot, we placed everything on a tray to carry out to the great room.
Didy did look much better when we entered having composed herself and washed her face. Placing the tea on the table, I set out to pour everyone a cup.
"Oh Bella, I am so sorry for my outburst. This is very overwhelming for me." She apologized.
Bella gave me a small apologetic look. "That's fine Granma, I can imagine it would be. I want to apologize because I thought that you weren't happy about all of this."
"Sweet girl, no. I am extremely happy, but to hear what I have missed it makes me realize that I have been gone a very long time." Didy gathered her up into her arms, hugging her again.
We let them sit there for a moment, letting them settle their emotions.
"What else have you got there Edward?" Marcus asked, looking at the loot that was left on the table.
Rolling up the other sleeve on my shirt I revealed that I had two of the same items. Picking up one first I explained. "This here is a cuff made from the same material as the Angel Blades. Before I was given this one as a Mating Gift," I pointed at the one on my arm. "I had two leather cuffs that do what this one does. See this cuff with the red heart and blue wings is a sleeping/cloaking cuff. It allows me to sleep and completely cloak myself to other beings. This one Marcus is for you."
Both he and Didy were flabbergasted. Their mouths were hanging open and it took me shaking it in front of his face for Marcus to grab it.
"But…but I don't understand. Why? And how does it work?" He asked looking it all over.
"Ooooh, I want to answer that one!" Bella exclaimed. "It works with thought technology!"
I laughed at their expressions they weren't any clearer about it than before.
"Bella I don't think that was a full explanation, sweetheart." I chuckled.
"Oh!" She said surprised. "I'm sorry." Picking up the communication bracelet she started to explain. "To fully explain, I'll have to tell you about this one.
"When I first came to earth a few years ago, the only way I could communicate back home was with my dove Merril. It was time consuming and took a while for things to get done. After I took Edward home and gave him the Soul Projector, he had an idea, because carrying more than one of those could be a pain as they only connect to one person or Projector.
"When we came to earth to introduce the family to the Cullens, he stopped at an electronics store and picked up a bunch of earth cell phones. After we got back from the afternoon, he went to work combining the technology of the Soul Projector and the cell phone and came up with this. It works like a Soul Projector, by projecting an image out of here…" Bella pointed out where the projector was. "But is able to connect to many bracelets like a cell phone, either individually or as a conference call. To make the call you hold down this green button until it beeps and 'think' about the person you want to call. If you want to call multiple people you hold it down until it beeps twice then think about the people you want to call."
"That was the thought technology." I explained. "Boy, was that fun to test. We were accidentally calling people all over the place, because at first you didn't have to push the button. At first all you had to do was think of the person and as long as you were wearing it, it would call that person. I had to make adjustments after that."
They laughed at that. "That could have gotten awkward." Marcus commented when he had calmed down.
"Now everyone in the family has one. You can call whoever you want. But first I might suggest that you give Mikail and Samail a call." I suggested. "But back to your original question Marcus. The reason you are given one of these cuffs is because you are family and are entitled to everything that I have because you are Didy's mate. It really is that simple.
"Didy we have a Communication bracelet for you as well. Marcus, yours, like mine slot together to hide the projection part. It doesn't on the lady's version but I might make something like a cover up for that later, to make it a little more feminine. In regards to the sleeping/cloaking cuff all you have to do is think about sleeping or cloaking while wearing it and you can sleep. Or totally disappear."
Bella and I watched as Marcus excitedly put on his cuff and bracelet immediately locking them together and unlocking them. He practiced that over and over before fitting his blade brace and adjusting it to the correct size.
Didy however was a little slower. She looked over the bracelet seemingly to be a little afraid of what would happen on the other end.
"Granma?" Bella quietly asked, when it seemed that she was stalling.
"They are going to be so mad, Bella. I was basically sold to Balail, because he found out something about Daddy that he had to keep quiet about. Balail wanted me and he used that knowledge to get me." She explained quietly.
"No, Granma. They aren't mad, I promise. They want you happy, and they just want to hear from you. I'll bet the whole family is waiting to hear from you. How about Edward calls his parents on the Soul Projector that Poppa made so that you can see how it works and then we'll call them?" Bella suggested.
Didy nodded, excited to see what the Soul Projector was about. I also knew that my parents would make her feel better. They'd give her a parent's perspective.
Instead of making a big deal explaining how it worked, I pulled it out of my bag. Lifting the top and spinning it one-hundred and eighty degrees, it projected an image into the air.
My father answered the call. "Edward, son. How is Bella?"
"Jeez Dad, no hello for me…again?"
"Nope. Now where is my girl?" He laughed.
"I'm right here Dad." Bella giggled. "How are you and Mom doing there in Limbo?"
"We're good. We were busy until a couple days ago. An unfortunate school bus accident had an influx of children, unfortunately, but we got them all moved on and reincarnated." He replied solemnly.
"Oh, that is terrible news." Bella said quietly. "We have some good news though."
"We could use some. Let me just go and get Elizabeth." I looked up at Marcus and Didy to see them completely enthralled as we watched my father walk through their house and into the kitchen, finding her there making dinner.
"Elizabeth, your son and my daughter are on the line!" He exclaimed making us all laugh.
"I see how it is dad."
"Yes, that's exactly right." He laughed again. It really was nice seeing my parents that happy.
"Hello, Edward, Bella. It's lovely to see you again, and only three days after your Mating Ceremony. I thought we'd have to wait months!" She teased causing Bella to blush.
"Very funny Mother. We have some good news to share with you all."
"There's a grandbaby on the way already?" She guessed.
Slapping my hand to my forehead, I groaned. "No, mother, not yet."
"Oh." She sounded genuinely disappointed. "Well, what is it then?"
"Do you remember being told about my great Grandmother, Didyme?" Bella asked watching as my parents nodded. "Well look who we found before going off on our trip."
Bella pointed behind them, so my parents turned around and looked.
Bella stood up and went to stand behind but between them. "This is my Granma, Didy and this is my Grampy, Marcus. Her mate."
"Ooooooh." Both my parents drew out. "That makes a lot of sense actually." My mother continued.
"Granma, Grampy these are Edward's human parents. Elizabeth and Edward Masen Snr."
Marcus bowed his head very regally while Didy waved a little speechlessly. The Soul Projector was a big shock to me too. "It's an honor to meet you both. You raised a wonderful son."
"Thank you, Marcus. Hello, Didyme. It is wonderful to meet you. I'm sure Mikail and Samail are pleased to have heard from you." My father answered.
"Hello." Didy intoned shyly. "I well… I haven't called them yet."
"Hello, Didy dear. But can I ask why in heavens not?" My mother asked.
"Honestly?" We nodded. "I'm afraid that they'll be mad at me."
"No, no, my dear. You're a mother right?" Didy nodded. "Would you be mad at your child if you hadn't heard from them in ages, but then they called you out of the blue? Even if they had a similar history as yours? Would you be unhappy to hear from them?"
She shook her head vehemently. "I would be so happy to hear that they were okay…"
"Exactly, Didy. Please stop wasting time, get off the call with us and call them. They are just going to be happy to talk to you. As you will be when you hear them." My mother promised.
"I will. Please, Bella, Edward show me how to use this properly." Didy said urgently.
"Okay Mother, Father. Bella and I love you and we'll talk to you later."
"We love you two, too. Take care of each other." Father replied while mother waved.
Turning the Projector back to its off position I hung up with my parents only to see that Bella had placed the bracelet on Didy's arm and was explaining to her again how it worked.
"So, I just hold this down till the beep and think of my mother and it'll connect to hers?" Didy clarified.
"Yes. That is exactly how it works. Go on, give it a try. I'll go sit back over here by Edward." Bella replied.
We watched as she pulled Marcus closer, steeled herself then pushed the button. I could hear the dialing through the bracelet.
Suddenly there was a pause while the projected image shot up out of the bracelet.
"Hello?" Mikail answered.
"Oh momma, it is so good to see and hear you." Didy cried out happily.
"Didy? Oh my Didy. It really is you!" Mikail exclaimed before promptly bursting into tears. Although I'm sure they were happy ones.
"Momma, please don't cry, I'm right here. I'm sorry I've been out of contact for so very, very long." Didy pleaded.
"Four and a half thousand years is not a very, very long time Didyme." Samail suddenly scolded. "It's an eternity to a parent. One you should know all too well."
We could hear the anguish in his voice, he was trying not to cry as well. All of a sudden there were all sorts of voices coming through the projection and you could see a group of people all crowding around Samail and Mikail but the one that stood out was a very masculine wail of "Momma."
I could see as Amos forced his way to the front with his grandparents. There were a wide range of emotions on his face. Happiness, sadness, excitement and even some anger and unfortunately that was the emotion that won out in the end.
"Momma." He started belligerently. "Why did you leave me?"
"Oh Amos." She sighed, tracing his face in the projection. "You really have turned into a stunning young man. I missed you so very, very much and I am terribly sorry that I missed it all, you have no idea. I am going to answer your question but first though let me tell you all that Bella and Edward have made it safely as you can tell by the fact that I'm calling you on this fabulous gadget."
They all cheered on the other end of the line. Although I could see the guilty look on Samail's face and it made me wonder if even Mikail knew the whole truth as to what happened.
"Secondly, everyone this is Marcus, my mate." Another round of cheers. "Marcus, this is everyone. We'll properly introduce you all later because even I don't know everyone."
There was a round of laughs. But the hard questions were about to start. After a short pause they began.
"Momma, please. I'm happy that they are there and happy to see you but please. I want to understand why I wasn't enough to take me with you." Amos stated. To see the big guy this upset was heart breaking.
"Amos, that wasn't it at all." Didy started. "Your father, Balail, had a way of tracking me but I don't know how. It could have been anything, including you. When I saw Marcus in the Looking Pool I knew it was my only escape. Balail looked after you with great care – he did love you – but he never really loved me. I was a pawn, a means to an end and a hold over your grandfather that even I don't understand.
"He was emotionally, sexually and physically abusive and I had to get out of there before I totally lost myself. Even after I found Marcus it took a long time to trust him fully with my whole self. Balail threatened to hurt you more than once when I'd say I was leaving and taking you with me. I'm really, really sorry that I left you behind, Amos. I love you so very much, more than you'll ever understand."
Although I was listening to Didy, I was really watching Mikail and Samail. I had a feeling that shit was about to hit the fan in Eden.
"Samail what is she talking about? What hold and what did you do to our daughter?" Mikail questioned.
Samail stayed quiet long enough that Didy answered for him. "Balail had something over Daddy, Momma, and he wanted me in payment for his silence. What that is I don't know, I kept quiet because I didn't want to hurt you and neither did Daddy."
I watched as everyone's eyebrows rose at her response, and looked towards Samail.
His mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally found the courage to speak of the past.
"Back just after Didy was born." He started. "I saved someone who was on my list to pass away. He'd hadn't been a particularly nice man in his early life but he'd turned his life around and there was a great potential in him, potential to help mankind.
"I let him live and then Balail found out…"
So, thoughts? I can't wait to read your reactions to this post, and I can promise you that there will be more to this next chapter.
My first recommendation this week is:
Sharp Left Turn by Fyrebirch. FFN ID: 11258538In an instant your life can take a sharp left turn. Can you find the strength to lose it all and gain the unknown? Lives will be shattered, including your own.
It is a WIP but updates regularly, and it's an E&B. I love it. My second one is:
Heaven by Drotuno. FFN ID: 11681717 (I love, love, love her stories. So check her out as well.)
Something is different about Edward, something that started in Italy, and he can't seem to get it under control. Canon, New Moon, AU, Edward POV, Rated M. For JenRar for her birthday
I'll see you all in the New Year, be safe!