Chapter 23: Time… it's all anyone wants. Right?!
A/N to all that read last chapter I'm sorry for i jumped the gun and posted the wrong chapter. Plus I'm still working on it. So just forget that chapter and read this one. I will try very hard to finish that chapter and get it out soon. But just give me time.
Disclaimer: The characters and basically the story are Stephenie Meyer's just tweaked for my crazy mind. Plus my loving mind that is screaming for reviews but not to stop writing! ;p ;) ;p
~"~ ~"~ ~"~ Bella's point of view
Calming down and relaxing onto Edward I watched them. They didn't miss a beat or stop even when I was laughing like an idiot. They danced for a few songs… I just couldn't stop watching. They moved as one and were so into each other. I truly think they forgot we were here, that they were in their own little world. That was ok for it gave me the time to really see what I hope would be Edward and I.
Merana was lovely in her dress and the way her hair moved was beautifully. I also had to admit that I was struck by the fact that in the light her hair looked red. While inside or earlier in the meadow it looked light brown. It wasn't a bright red or even a deep red just red like it was making itself know… but that's when I realized her hair did show signs of redness but only minute. But against the whiteness of her skin really made it pop. Plus her eyes… those blue eyes just screamed at you at how unique she was and that nothing is as it seems.
Then Jared… will being as this is the third real time of seeing him or really the first time to be able to observe him… he was her opposite but also her match.
He isn't dark as the pack but he is tanned and his hair is longer; to his shoulders long. I wonder if that is because Merana likes it longer. His hair is brown not light like Merana's but brown, simple not dark just brown. Though his eyes are a green that I would never imaged ever seeing. They just captured you and pulled you in. They were bright but deep at the same time. Then there was the fact that Jared wasn't as muscular as Jake or Sam but he stood and held himself up with such power that you knew he was very capable. He wasn't slender nor husky but a good middle, if that even made sense.
The way he danced with Merana and moved with her said that this was not their first nor that they held anything back. It made me wish that I could move like that or that I would be like that. They were fluid and perfect. Jared dipping, lifting, or spinning her, all seemed flawless and effortless, I just wanted that to be Edward and I, when I'm one of them. Or the same as Edward.
The songs they danced to were all different and all having some meaning that I couldn't help but smile and enjoy. Songs like Ain't Nobody by Chaka Khan & Rufus, Don't wake me up by Chris Brown, More then Words by Extreme, Don't Matter by Akon, and Layla by Eric Clapton. They were so enticing that Edward and I danced, as will as all the other couples, though many had been dancing since the first song.
Then just like that they parted and Merana was running to us, or more precisely to me.
"Bella come dance with me." Merana shouted as she got closer. The look in her eyes had me worried but the smile soothed me, so being stupid I reached out and grabbed her hand. Or really let her grab mine and then drag me from Edward. Then turning she called to Diana and Kalia to come join.
Then as Merana stopped and turned to me I just had to speak up. "Merana I can't dance."
"Yes you can. You just need to learn how." She said as she stepped up beside me and gestured for me to mimic her. Following her lead I spread my feet apart and bent my kneels. Diana and Kalia having caught up or meeting us starting moving to the music. I just stood there looking to Merana. "Ok now close your eyes and let go."
"WHAT?" I gasped and just stared at her. "Merana no I will fall. I have the worst hand-eye coordination, two left feet or whatever coordination. No!" I blurted out as I moved to head back to Edward.
"Oh come on Bella just enjoy yourself. We are here and will help." Diana said as she turned to us.
Being sucked in by their smiles and compassion to help me I just did as Merana said only I felt as I was falling.
"Good Bella now just listen to the music and find the beat. Then just sway to that." Merana said as I felt her hand on my shoulder. Not understanding I just did it.
Before I knew it I was hearing the beat to the song and swaying. Opening my eyes I found them all smiling at me.
"See it just takes letting go and having fun." Though just as Kalia said that I stumbled back. Only for her and Merana to catch me and pull me forward onto Diana, who just held my steady till I found balance. "Ok will your getting it."
We all just laughed and enjoyed the music. Sometime after that varies Cullens joined us, like Alice, Rose, and Emmett. Though when Edward came up behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist did I actually really enjoy dancing. Even Zander and Lalan joined us, though Lalan was really being pushed around after he tried to dance with Alice, which had Jasper joining us.
Then some time after that the pack showed up and many of their family members. Like Jake's dad, Seth and Leah's mom, and two other elders I didn't know but they stayed to the side and talked with Carlisle and Esme. Now I had to smile when I saw Emily and Kim show up though they kept with their partners and to the other side of the clearing.
Now and then I had to break and rest but as soon as some song like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Vevo, Gonna Make You Sweat by C &C music factory, or some more modern dance song like the Black Eyed Peas Get This Party started, I found myself being dragged back out to dance. The music was so random and crossed so many different generations and types that yeah everyone at one point did dance. Though the slow songs were my favorite cause it meant I just had to hold onto Edward.
Though while dancing to You Gotta Be by Des'ree I was wondering where Jared was. Turning my head I saw Jared near one of the fire pits with food in it (I think it was the deer) watching us. I waved to him but he just shock his head no and just continued to watch. Or really stared at Merana who I had to say was as graceful as any dancer I saw. She could do anything, even when Lalan tried to get close. She just moved around him then away. It was funny. Especially when Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson played, where she just used him as the fool.
Though what really had me laughing was when she grabbed Jakes hand and started dancing with him. Yeah I don't dance and I don't know much but Jake was bad. Not horrible but it was funny. Though Merana did work with him and because of that more of the pack joined us. So now it wasn't like there were two parties.
Feeling tired and suddenly realizing that I hadn't really eaten anything since this morning I looked to Edward. "OK break. I need food and want to talk with Merana." Nodding to me we walked over to Merana and I pulled on her. Looking to me I just pointed to one of the fire pits and the food that was on the table near it. "Break and food, plus talk."
Nodding to me as well she grabbed Jake and just about dragged him after her. I just laughed well until Edward hoisted me up and carried me bridal style after them. That had Paul and Emmett laughing as we walked by, which in turn had Jake turning around to stare at us. Jake didn't look too happy seeing me in Edward's arm but then again I wasn't smiling but looking grumpy or I hope. Though when Jake snickered I just knew I failed.
Finally reaching the table Edward put me down and moved to get us some plates. "Ok what do we have here to eat?" I asked as I looked over the food. There was potato salad, chips, baked beans, coleslaw, baked macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, green beans and collard greens. A lot of it I helped make except for the meat. Which some Merana and Jared caught and the rest was bought.
"Bella who made all of this or caught the hares?" Jake asked leaning close to me.
"Well I actually made a lot of this with Esme, Alice, the new girls and Merana. I think Jared caught those. But I know Merana caught the deer that's on the other side." I answered while still looking at the food. I didn't even notice when Jake went rigid till Esme spoke.
"So what will you like?" looking up I smiled at her and was going to say I could do it myself but Jake beat me to it but rudely.
"Nothing I don't want anything." At that he turned to leave but found that Merana was behind him.
"You now we worked really hard to make all of this food and Esme even begged and pleaded Bella to help so there would be food here that you would eat. Now I am not telling you to eat but it would be nice of you to try something." Then smiling at me she added. "Yes I did catch the deer but I also helped in the capture of the bunnies."
"Hares. Not bunnies. They weren't no babies." Jared growled as he stepped up from Jakes side with a plate. "Hey Jake you got to try the salads I don't know what the girls did but its great. Even though Merana did help."
"Hey what are you saying? I can cook." Merana yelled which really got everyone's attention if we didn't have it already.
"Oh I don't know, how about getting food poison twice for the last three months. Which was no picnic." Jared said as he flung some macaroni and cheese at her head. Merana didn't even duck, in fact she caught it with her plate and just glared at him as she lowered her plate with the food still on it.
"Hey I worked on that don't go wasting it." Merana snarled as she stepped to him. Poor Jake didn't know what to do as he was now in between them. I on the other hand was so happy when Edward whisked me away. To tell you the truth I don't think they were really fighting but something was up. For the next moment more food was flying.
"Well here have some pasta salad, green beans, no wait..." Jared just rattled off everything that was on the table as he spooned it up and flung it at Merana. Though none of it hit her I was still laughing at the fact that they were having a food fight. Only no one was getting hit with food in fact it was all making its way on the plate. Well that is till...
"Here Jake..." Merana finally said giving her plate to him and turning to leave, "I am not hungry anymore. Especially for some bunnies." At that she rushed to the other side where, I believe it was her that throw it, a piece of the deer came flying over right for Jared.
Acting fast Jared grabbed the empty plate Jake was still holding and raised it to catch the deer, only paper plates aren't made for catching and Jared end up catching it in his mouth. That had me double over and had Edward squeezing me to him, which in turn meant I could feel his laughter as will.
"Does Kitty want more?" turning my head I saw that everyone had gotten out of the way and now I could see Merana standing at the other table holding a pie. "Here eat this." Then just as fast the pies were falling. Now unlike the meat Jared caught the pies with his hands and passed them to who ever happened to be next to him, which was Paul, Qual, Sam, Leah, and Jake. Though the last two pies he couldn't pass off. That's when Merana walked over carrying another pie, a cookie and cream pie. "Had enough."
"You wouldn't dare?!" Jared shouted as Merana raised her hand, but didn't throw in fact she chased after Jared as he ran around the clearing.
At that all I can say is that there was some snickering and squealing as they darted here and there. I really couldn't see anything for everyone was in my way but Edward was laughing which meant that Merana was still chasing after him. Then as people moved I saw that Merana had pied Jared and he was at that moment rubbing the remnants on to her. Though my laughter was short lived as Edward went rigid behind me.
"Edward wants wrong?" I said turning as much as I could. His hold on me had tighten and his head was turned looking to the other side of the field. Following his gaze I found Esme, Alice, and Jasper struggling to contain Carlisle. Neither have I ever seen him so mad but why. Looking back to Merana and Jared I realized why they were kissing, at that Esme's words returned to me.
This time I was able to turn and grabbing Edward's head I forced him, as much as I could, to face me. "If they were married would that make matters worse or better?" I asked which got everyone's attention and I mean everyone's. Then before I knew it Carlisle was in front of me shouting at them.
"Merana have you lost your mind? Tell me she is lying, that you're not married. Do not tell me you have forsaken your life and I will forget that today ever happen. Merana…" Carlisle was just ranting as he pointed to me then to Jared. He just seemed to have lost his mind. How could being married to Jared have forsaken her life? But just like Jared interrupted Carlisle's ranting he also broke my out of my thoughts.
"Carlisle stop." Jared shouted.
Only for Carlisle to come back even louder "Do not speak to…" except Jared didn't give him time to speak as he was in his face.
"CARLISLE YOU WILL LISTEN TO MERANA!" now at that Carlisle did stop and seeing he wasn't going to speak again Jared stepped to the side and Merana walked closer to them but she spoke loudly so everyone could hear what she had to say.
"Carlisle one I have not forsaken my life or of any one present. But I am married to Jared." It looked like Carlisle was going to speak but stopped when Jared growled. By now Merana was next to Carlisle but she looked to me and winked at me, then continued "Secondly they had their chance. I was theirs to do as they wish. They could have taken my life but because they fear Issac more then me they spared me. Now thirdly I do not care for the laws nor will I let them tell me how to live me life."
"But Merana you can't be serious." Carlisle responded then before he continued he turned to Jared, "Nothing against you Jared but Merana it's not the laws I am worried about but the prophecy"
"Carlisle please that prophecy is wrong." Merana said then turning she raised her voice as she spoke. "There will come a child of both light and dark that will lead the white one to her final battle, where either she will die or all will succumb…" turning around I gasped as I saw the fire in her eyes. It was just like the first time, when I realized she wasn't normal or a human. Then at that she turned to me and spoke again. "Though that is only part of the prophecy but can't you see it's not the child that will kill me but the battle she will lead me to. So you nor anyone can stop her for she is needed. Plus she won't be mine but she will be of my family. That I swear."
"Jared is she mad." Carlisle just about yelled at Jared, then as a second though spurted out, "What do you mean they had their chance to kill you? I never heard of you being before the council." At that he whipped around to stop her from walking off.
Putting a hand on his shoulder, "Carlisle a long time ago I gave up on fighting Merana's logic. I hate to say it but she's right and no, no one was to know that Merana willing gave herself to the council to be tried for her crimes and convicted."
Shocked wasn't even the right word to explain what I was feeling. Crimes! Merana a criminal! That just couldn't be right.
"WHAT!" Zander of all those present shouted as he appeared next to Merana. "Who are you?"
"The Enchantress, Walking Death, Last Kiss take a pick for I was tried and convicted of all their crimes and now, today I strive to me, Merana Am'Nadial Gabriella Hawkyns." Merana simply put it like it was no big deal. "Did I wrong you as one of them? Or did I bring misfortune to you?"
"No I just never thought that the woman Jared loves would be a mass murder." Zander said as he stepped away from her.
"Merana is a lot of things and one of those is being my wife, which is my favorite part about her." Jared responded as he turned from Carlisle and walked back to Merana where he kissed her. "Plus the council nor anyone can separate us."
"Now how are you so sure of that?" Carlisle demanded as he pulled Jared away and growled at him.
Carlisle growled, neither would have I ever thought that I would see Carlisle get so worked up or growl at anyone. Let alone someone who was a friend. Though at this moment I don't think Carlisle saw Jared as a friend or even a comrade.
But Jared didn't answer in fact Merana grabbed his left hand while presenting her left one to him. The next thing was weird as they kissed each others hand and as they pulled away I saw something sparkling on each of their hands.
"This is why Carlisle." Merana answered never looking from Jared but showing her hand and the ring that was on it. I couldn't see it but the look on Carlisle's face said it all. "Plus the fact that standing before you is Cronus's son."
"Cronus as in the king of the rivalry kingdom of your family's?!" Carlisle shrieked as his head snapped up to stare at Jared.
"Now that was before we were even born and doesn't continue today." Merana snapped as she reached up and caressed Jared's face. "Besides the only factor you should be focusing on is that Jared is a prince and more then eligible to be my husband."
Shaking his head Carlisle just turned and walked away from them. Though Jared called out to him.
"Hey Carlisle I never knew my father and since he is now dead I never will but he did give his blessing and pray that nothing will ever break us apart. So in that sense I do thank him and know he was a wise man, will in his last years that is, plus because of that Merana has been accepted by his people, or what remains of them. They even welcomed her as their queen."
"Well that's good to know but I still don't know what will happen when others find out." Came Carlisle's reply as he continued to walk away.
Then just like that the music was on and Merana and Jared were dancing again.
I just smiled and went back to picking out my food. Though it was kind've hard when you had not two, nor three but four guys in your face asking questions. They were asking me because no one was gaining Merana or Jared's attention at that moment and because it also seemed that I knew something. I played along for I knew that they needed time and really isn't that all we ever want.
But besides that I was actually enjoying myself, watching them that is, for Jared and Merana are really beautifully together and learning that they are a couple only made their moves that more personal. Their moves were more sensual, elaborate, and just pure graceful not vulgar or sexual but beautiful. They danced to songs like Daddy's Money by Mark Chesnutt, Far Away by Nickleback, Don't Go Breaking My heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee, and many more.
Ok I don't know if this works or what not. But I am having trouble and this chapters plus work is kicking my butt. I have an ideal where I want this to go but having trouble getting there. I really need those reviews cause I just need them. Besides I just like it when people write back to me ;p ;) ;p ~~ Mary Mab