Hi from down unda! I thought I might treat you all and post a teenie weenie little bit eary! I know an hour or so isn't very much but I couldn't wait to post.
I wanted to let you know that there is no name to the person being saved, because at the time there wasn't a need. He was someone that should have died, but was saved, the end. It'll be hard to find a name for someone who lived over 4500 years ago!
Pien, thank you. I don't know what I would do without you, we're a great team. Thank you for being my friend from 16,000 kms away!
The usual disclaimers apply. Enjoy!
Chapter 19 – The why and the how
There were gasps all around. Pausing, Samail gave them time to gather themselves before starting again.
"Balail had been doing some record keeping in the file room just before Didyme came of age. It was a punishment for trying to forcefully guide a charge and he came across one of my lists with the name, date of birth and the date he was supposed to die written on it. It also had a note written on it to speak to me about this person.
"He did some digging and found out that the person had passed away nearly two decades later on another list of mine. He brought the evidence to me and told me if I didn't give him Didyme he would go to the Gods and have me stripped of my Angel of Death status and leadership and we would all be banished from Eden. Reluctantly I agreed and I did so knowing that this was probably the biggest mistake ever. But I didn't know what else to do at the time.
"I'm sorry Didyme for what that man did to you. I'm sorry Mikail for taking away your daughter and I'm sorry to you Amos for taking away your mother."
With that the strongest person I'd ever met broke down into great big guilt ridden sobs.
It took some time for Samail to calm down. He had held onto this guilt for such a long time, that he needed a long time to purge himself of it all.
It was good to see that although Mikail and Amos could be mad or even furious with him they helped to comfort him, helped him ease his guilt. In fact they all did.
Once he was calm the conversation picked up again.
"What happened, Didyme? What did that thing do to you?" Mikail asked.
Didy paused, it seemed she was unsure. "I'm not going to go into great detail but it was hard. He treated me like a slave when he was home and taunted me all the time. Things like 'It's nice to know your worth, isn't it, little girl?' and 'It must grate that you are worth so much, yet so little at the same time.'
"After Amos was conceived, and then born, he left me alone for that side of things, he had an heir and that's all that mattered and a male one at that. As far as he was concerned he'd stopped the Earth Angel line, not realizing that it continued on in Amos because he was part of me too. Not only did he leave me alone from that side of our relationship, he was leaving me more and more alone with Amos as he went to earth to do what he was doing. Although he always seemed to know what I had been doing during the day.
"I tried to leave once, one time. He followed and ambushed me in the Rainbow Room. He hit me a few times where no one would see, that was the first time he threatened Amos. I had given up on finding my mate, but with that beating, I renewed my search and when he was away, I'd go to the Looking Pool. It seemed to be the only place that he couldn't track me.
"The last few days before I left, I saw Marcus in the Looking Pool and I knew, knew that he was my mate. I made plans, got rid of everything I owned including my clothes, buried my blade with a note and prayed to the Gods that Amos would be looked after then ran as fast as I could to the rainbow room." She stuttered out. I could hear sniffles both here and over the Communication Bracelet.
"I knew I was safe the minute I got outside Volterra because not only did Marcus find me but Aro, Scully, Caius and Dora as well. After Marcus claimed me as his mate, and the others accepted me whole-heartedly, I explained to them what had happened. The only regret I have is that I didn't contact you, at that stage I was just too afraid of Balail to do so, but as time went by I was ashamed and scared too. I'd ruined everything by running or so I'd thought so I didn't and now I've missed so much."
"Oh my poor Didyme." Mikail sniffled. "You should have come to me Samail, before all this went down, we might have been able to work this all out."
He nodded. "I know, but I was too ashamed because I was caught and that I was being blackmailed. I'm not ashamed that I saved that man because he really did wonders. I also thought it was the only way to save my family."
Amos was silent through most of this exchange of information, be I could see he wanted clarification. "So you didn't leave me because of me momma?"
"No, no, no, no baby. Not because of you at all. I should have left you a letter explaining it all. I'm sorry that I left you to think that. It was all because of Balail, I just couldn't take it anymore. I wish I could have taken you with me, but I was afraid of what he might do to you if I had. I knew that my Momma and Daddy would take care of you when I couldn't." She confessed.
We watched as Amos took a huge breath and slowly let it out. You could see that the stress left him as he let out that breath. "Thank you, Momma. I never understood and it was a burden on my mind. I forgive you for doing what you had to do to survive, and I forgive you too, Grandpa, for putting her in that position."
That brought on Didy's water works again, but not to the scale they were before. "Thank you, son. I'm very sorry to have left you behind."
Mikail however wasn't as easily pacified. At least not with Samail. "I forgive you too, my daughter, but why didn't you come to me, Didyme? I would have helped all I could."
Didy thought about it for a minute. "I know that you would have, Momma, but I too was ashamed that I was in that position. I didn't know how much Daddy had told you and I also wasn't sure what Balail would do to you, he wasn't shy in his threats to my family."
Mikail nodded at that. This case was clear cut that free will was sometimes not a good thing but without it we wouldn't learn.
Mikail then turned back to Samail. "Did you suspect this would happen at the time you sold our daughter to a mad man?" She demanded.
He shook his head. "No, my love. I did not suspect this at all. He came from a good family. But when she started coming home less and less I started looking into ways to help her. I wanted to right my wrong.
"I was researching Balail and his history with his charges. I'd almost had enough evidence when Didyme disappeared, so I stalled while we searched. But when I saw that smug bastards face one day when the search was going on I decided to finish my research. Once I had all the details I went to the Council Chamber to talk to Gabriel who got me an audience with the Gods.
"I confessed to my sin, hoping that it would grant me leniency and then showed all my evidence of what Balail had been up to. The Gods gave me a warning, to follow the letter of the law in regards to deaths from now on or my title would be stripped and given to another. We were to have a mark against our name until such a time that two of us would redeem the family name, and only then. Although all the good deeds we have done as a family has helped. The mark was kept silent. Well almost silent, because gossip runs rampant anyway.
"The only reason that I was granted this, was because the person I saved did great things for humanity. That and I agreed to the punishments that were dictated to me. The first was to banish Balail. Although I didn't consider it a punishment, not really. The second punishment was that the Gods would not help locate Didyme – I asked – they said that she would come home when she was ready and not before, that was a hard pill to swallow and why I never told you, Mikail." He took a breather and let that sink in for all of us. It was some story that was being told.
"After that," he continued. "Balail was called to an audience with the Gods, I was still in the room at the time, and as soon as he saw me he knew what I had done. He stood in front of them trying to plead his case. When they were done listening to his side they called me front and center. 'Balail,' they said, 'for charges of crimes against humanity and using your position for the betterment of yourself, you have been issued a punishment. Samail is to deliver it; the person you wronged almost the most.'
"I stood there watching him, he had an inkling of what was happening. After a short while I delivered the decree. 'Balail, for your crimes you will be stripped of your Angel Powers and wings, you will be made into a Fallen and then sent to earth. You will reincarnate again and again until such a time that my family clears our name. After we have cleared our name and the current life you are living has come to an end, your soul will be sent to hell for eternity.' He was furious with me, but I didn't know what he expected really.
"The Gods directed him to the chamber that would strip him of his powers, pluck his wings and remove his hand print from the Rainbow Room system. After that I escorted him back to his house then down to earth.
"'You have been banished from Eden from now until forevermore. Do not attempt to come here again.' I told him.
"He gave me a look. 'Don't think I won't get back at you for this.' He said. 'She will be mine, if I have to burn the world down to get her.' He warned then he left never to return." Samail finished.
"And that right there is the reason that I never contacted home… He'll never settle for not having me. It terrified me then, and it still terrifies me now." Didy shivered.
We all sat there thinking about the story that Samail had revealed. I hadn't noticed it at the time but he didn't actually say what Balail's crimes had been. They must have been extremely bad if even he didn't want to say them.
"Alright," Bella sighed. "Enough of the heavy as my momma would say. We need to introduce everyone, so that Granma and Grampy know who everyone is. Everyone on that end of the line stand in order please, starting with Poppa."
I chuckled watching everyone do Bella's bidding. They – there was no other word for it – scrambled to get themselves into position.
"As I call your name," Bella giggled, "wave your hand so that we can introduce you. First everyone this is Granma Didyme and her mate Grampy Marcus.
"Starting left to right is of course your son Amos and then his lovely mate Alison better known to me as Poppa and Gamma. Then you have his son Charlie and his mate Renee who are my Daddy and Momma and lastly the youngest, my brother, Seth. The two closest to the Communication Bracelet are of course Mikail and Samail. Though I'm sure you could have figured that."
"Ah, where's Alida?" I asked.
Amos shook his head. "She said she couldn't be here because she had to deal with one of her 'charges'. Hopefully you'll get to meet her soon."
I nodded. I figured as much. "Okay everyone. Bella and I are going to leave so that Marcus, Didy, Amos, Mikail and Samail can catch up. I suggest you all vamoose too."
Everyone laughed saying their goodbyes and we left the recently reacquainted family to catch up and talk about everything else. Though I did see that Alison was nearby, that was probably a good thing.
I led Bella from the room and up to our bedroom, I wanted to get her into a tiny little bikini and test out Marcus' swimming pool.
I was happy when she indulged me…
~*~HS~*~
Bella and I had been exploring the countryside around the villa the next afternoon. She was amazed that the flora was so different to that in America and wanted to document it. I hadn't seen the little diary she'd been writing and drawing in until she'd pulled it out this morning.
When I asked what she was doing, she explained that it was mostly for her own benefit so she knew what grew where. But also Mikail would find it interesting too.
I was lying in a meadow, on a picnic blanket, watching her not only fill in her diary but dance around in the wild flowers too. Because we were secluded she was able to stretch out her wings. I admired the gorgeous woman who was my mate, I felt and all-encompassing love course through my veins as I watched her wings reveal themselves. Now that we were mated, I could look at the spectacle without descending into a lust filled haze, I could sit back and enjoy my mate in all of her glory; the most beautiful woman in the world to me.
I'd just thought about taking a nap when the Communication Bracelet on my wrist started ringing.
I slipped my cloaking bracelet up my arm, pressed the green button, answering the call and watched the projection shoot up. "Hello Emmett."
"Uh, hello Edward. Um why can't I see you?"
I chuckled, "Try turning around."
"Oh there you are. This is a nifty invention, where did you get it from?"
"Uh well actually I made it. It's a device that we'll be able to talk to each other on while Bella and I are at her parents place."
"It's very star trekky. I like it. Where is my baby sis?" He asked.
"Right here Emmett. It's so good to see you. How is everything going on your end?" She answered plopping down on my lap. I'd noticed that she had put her wings away, which made me pout at her.
She giggled silently while pushing up on my pouting lip. Our light-hearted moment turned a little somber when we heard Emmett.
He sighed. "Things are as good as to be expected. Your visit and the subsequent talks with some of the family members helped a little. Esme has interjected herself back into the family which is good. Alice has actually calmed down a lot, she's shopping less and letting everyone shop for themselves although she does give advice.
"Bella she took your advice to heart and is designing her own line of clothing. Jasper and I have been helping her set up a website for her designs. She's still going to school to keep up appearances but has this to occupy her time outside of it. She's so much happier because of it."
"Oh I'm so happy for her." Bella gushed. "I understand your need to keep up appearances, don't get me wrong, but Carlisle has been doing all that he loves leaving you guys to flounder. You've had nothing of yourselves to do for a very long time."
"Yes I agree. Rosalie is also looking into something for us to do with cars. Carlisle is not happy about this turn of events though. He thinks we'll be exposing ourselves too much. Esme thinks it's wise. In fact she is still not talking to him because he hasn't changed his mind.
"He argues with her at every turn that you and your family are just opening us up to danger. Jasper, Alice and I have even tried to talk some sense into him, he's just not listening. Rosalie is less hostile about it, but still doesn't trust you, Bella. If she knew that I was in contact with you she'd have words for all of us." He sighed.
"I'm sorry that this has fallen on you Emmett. I didn't want this to happen." Bella sniffled.
I pulled her closer to me while keeping the bracelet in front of us. "It's not your fault Bella. I don't blame you and neither does Emmett."
Emmett shook his head adamantly. "No, Bella. It is not you. I think Carlisle and even Rose are so afraid of change that they push and bury the fact that life is all about change to the very back of their minds. Just because our bodies are unchanging, does not mean that our minds have to be."
I often forgot how insightful he could be. Just because he was strong, and a little goofy, didn't mean he wasn't smart.
"Just look at you, Bella. I know you are immortal, I know that you are unchanging yet your race learns and grows. Esme and I have learned the most. Jasper is beginning to understand and even Alice. You gave her that strength. We've stagnated long enough, now it's time for us to grow, look around us and learn about more than what is just in our immediate vicinity."
I hugged her tight, comforting her as best I could.
"He's right, Bella. It's why I've felt so free to be myself since I met you. You've not only allowed me to be myself, you and your family have let me finally grow wings and be free. I've learnt, I've grown and I'm becoming myself again. The others deserve that chance too, even if it takes them longer." I agreed.
She hugged me back just as tightly. "I'm glad that you have been able to see that, Emmett. I have a feeling that you'll be one of the very first to know what I am. I trust you completely."
"I already have enough to hide from Rosalie with this bracelet, so don't go telling me just yet. I'll have to deal with this first. Although if we keep it as something from comic books or Star Trek we should be right. They won't know then. I'll have to be the one to contact you though, I think."
We nodded showing that we understood his concern. "Just let Esme know that you've been in contact with us and that we're alright. We're going to be taking a trip soon anyway."
"I will. Although I'd call her too if you can. She's accepted that she needs to let you spread your wings and be free, but she still misses you guys. Both of you."
"We will, Emmett. Thanks for catching up with us. Talk to you soon." Bella waved to him before we ended the call.
I wanted to do something fun before we called Esme. Picking up my phone I went through my romantic music playlist. I found the one I was looking for and then plugged it into the portable speakers we'd brought with us.
Bella had gotten up and started to walk through the flowers, making them bloom brighter. I stood up, walked to Bella and asked her, "Bella, love. May I please have this dance?"
The opening strains of Bon Jovi's Thank You for Loving Me, started as she placed her hand in mine. We slowly waltzed around the small meadow as I serenaded my sweet girl.
It's hard for me to say the things
I want to say sometimes
There's no one here but you and me
And that broken old street light
Lock the doors
We'll leave the world outside
All I've got to give to you
Are these five words tonight
Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn't see
For parting my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me
Thank you for loving me
"Oh Edward," she whispered. "You are so, so welcome my love. You deserve every bit of it."
She leaned up to give me a small kiss as the next verse began.
I never knew I had a dream
Until that dream was you
When I look into your eyes
The sky's a different blue
Cross my heart
I wear no disguise
If I tried, you'd make believe
That you believed my lies
Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn't see
For parting my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me
By the time the second chorus was finished, she had tears running down her cheeks.
'This is so romantic, Edward.' She thought to me. 'I don't know how I ever got so lucky to be given you. But I'll cherish you forever.'
Bella placed her head on my shoulder and snuggled in closer as I wrapped her up in my arms as she brought her wings back out and wrapped us up in them.
You pick me up when I fall down
You ring the bell before they count me out
If I was drowning you would part the sea
And risk your own life to rescue me
Lock the doors
We'll leave the world outside
All I've got to give to you
Are these five words tonight
Thank you for loving me
For being my eyes
When I couldn't see
You parted my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me
When I couldn't fly
Oh, you gave me wings
You parted my lips
When I couldn't breathe
Thank you for loving me
Just as the song ended I dipped Bella back placing a kiss on her collar bone.
"Thank you Bella. For loving me just as the song says." I murmured into her ear as I brought her back up again.
"Thank you, Edward, for loving me as you do. I never felt the complete love that you have given me before. I know you need to call Esme but before you do, please make love to me? Here in the wildflowers?" She asked as she spread her wings out behind her.
I would be able to worship her properly this time because the love was still more overwhelming than the lust.
"You never have to ask, love. I would be happy too."
Slowly I undressed her, caressing and kissing every part of her that was revealed to me. From the top of her head all the way down to her toes as I laid her down onto the flowers. Seeing her laying there in the sun showed me just how much of an angel she was to me, even without the wings I'd see her the same way.
"I love you, Bella, and you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen." I whispered into her ear as I lay myself over her. Touching her reverently while I kissed her thoroughly.
"Mmmm, I love you too, Edward. I'm happier today than I have ever been in my entire life." She told me, while removing my clothes just as carefully.
I was just about to reach down to make sure she was ready when she grabbed hold of my wrist. "Not today, Edward. I'm ready for you, please just love me."
I nodded, placed myself at her entrance, before I pushed slowly inside. We both moaned at how wonderful it was to be connected again.
We both sighed together in our thoughts and thought to each other 'I love you.'
~*~HS~*~
Later that afternoon, after I had thoroughly loved on my girl, she'd fallen asleep with her head in my lap and the picnic blanket wrapped around her. I'd put my boxers and jeans back on while she was deliciously naked under the blanket.
I thought this would be the best time to call Esme, even though I was just as distracted as I would be at any other time of the day with Bella around.
I unplugged my phone from the speakers. When I had unlocked it, I noticed that my inbox was full. I realized as I was going through the messages that they were all from before the visit with the Cullens. Before Esme was made to see what she was doing. There were a few from afterward but the one that made me smile was sent just before our Mating Ceremony.
Edward. I again want to apologize for the way I was acting. I didn't realize that as a mother I was holding you all back. Being a mother is not only keeping your loved ones close but knowing when it is time to let them fly too. I want you to fly. I want you to be free to be who you should be. I love you son, please call me when you can. ~ Love Esme.
I pulled up the contacts and hit Esme's number.
"Hello? Edward?" She answered after the first couple of rings.
"Hello, Esme. How are you?" I asked.
She sighed. "I've been better honestly. I know that things have to change. I've come to see that."
"They do. I'm sorry that it took such a big shake up for it to be seen. I was suffering playing the same roles all the time, yet you and Carlisle were able to change it up or do what you love."
"Yes, when I look back I can see that. I didn't realize at the time how much we were holding you all back, or even just how much you had to hide of yourselves. I want to apologize for that too." She lamented.
It was my turn to sigh. "I accept your apology but I'd like to apologize too, Esme. I should have said something sooner."
"No. No, Edward. As a mother I should have seen it as you became more and more lost as each year passed. I noticed the change in you when you found Bella." Esme commented. "I should have been more willing to let you fly instead of pulling you closer. But even as a parent you can make mistakes. I hope you can forgive me my sins Edward."
"You've had my forgiveness, Esme. Even before you apologized. I know what the loss of your son did to you, how it made you hold on tighter. Know that I love you like a mother Esme, you did a fabulous job with all of us. Excluding recent revelations." I chuckled.
"Yes," she laughed. "Bar the fact that I didn't want to let you go farther than my pinky. Thank you Edward. I'll keep working on Carlisle because he has yet to see the error of his ways."
"I know. I spoke to Emmett before. I'm sure you'll get through his thick head eventually. He has to grow too before that can happen though I think." I paused letting that sink in. "Give our love to the rest of the family, Esme."
"I will. Send ours to Bella." She said before saying goodbye.
After the call ended, I sat there looking off into the distance and playing with Bella's soft hair. I hadn't realized she'd awoken until she interrupted my thoughts.
'Esme lost a child?' She questioned.
I looked down to see her eyes open but tears in the corner.
'Yes.' I sighed in my thoughts. 'Her first husband, from when she was human, caused the baby she was carrying to be stillborn.'
I could sense that Bella was thinking about it but had closed off her mind to me.
"It's why she kept you all so close. Fear of losing one of you?" Bella realized.
"Yes, love. She's learnt now though that it was never the way."
"I know, my love. When I can advise her of what I am, I think I may have a little bit of extra information for her. A gift for accepting me straight away, maybe Emmett might have some also." She said slyly, but didn't explain any further.
Thank you for reading. I can't wait to hear what you think!
Now I know you guys know my love for Drotuno's stories, one of the other people I love to read and re-read is Edward's Eternal. I'm going to do something a little different this week for my rec's.
Edward's Eternal fics are awesome, so instead of just rec'ing one I'm going to suggest you check out her profile and read them all!
Profile FFN ID: 1986894 Check them out and let me know what you think.
Next, Edward's Eternal also writes OF novels, under the name Melanie Moreland, of which I own three. But the one I love, the one I can't put down whenever I start it, was an adaptation of her FFN story Snowbound. It is called Into The Storm and I LOVE it. You can find it and her on Amazon, you won't be disappointed.
See you next week!