Magical Healings and More

Your body's ability to heal is greater than anyone has permitted you to believe.

Unknown

EDWARD'S POV

The low murmur from Bella had my head turning. My family gave no indication of hearing her. I turned to look at Charlie and Malcolm. They were gazing over their shoulders. Surely they hadn't heard Bella, but as I've learned, magic was tricky. Bella could have subconsciously transmitted that she was awake. I had to know if either of them knew, so I caught Charlie's eye, asking his permission. Not that I needed it. With a lift of his hand, he motioned for me to go. I was relieved in more than one way. He and I had had a long talk as Carlisle tried to examine Bella about what was going on when he appeared in the clearing. I couldn't answer his questions, but I assured him I hadn't done anything to hurt Bella and that I could never hurt her.

"If you would excuse me a moment," I said.

Nickodemus frowned as I stood. What he was explaining was important and I needed to know, but Bella was more important. Plus, I would be able to hear what he was explaining and see through someone's eyes if he demonstrated anything.

Bella was sitting up, her head in her hands. Not wanting to startle her, I approached the couch slowly.

"Bella," I said as I knelt next to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," I said. "How long have I been out?"

I glanced at my watch, already knowing what it would tell me. "Sixteen hours."

"Sixteen hours!" she shouted, sounding shocked. "Didn't anyone try to wake me?"

"We did. Everyone is worried about you," I said, not revealing much.

"Everyone? Who's everyone?" she asked in a whisper.

"Your protectors," I said. "Do you remember what happened yesterday?"

Several beats of her heart passed before her face morphed into a look of confusion. "No, I don't remember anything. What happened?" Her voice remained low.

"Carlisle," I said.

He appeared a moment later with Charlie following. "Bella can't remember yesterday," I said for Charlie's benefit as I exchanged places with Carlisle.

"Are you feeling dizzy?" Carlisle asked, taking out his penlight and shining it in her eyes.

"No. Why would I be? Did I hit my head?"

"Should I tell her?" Carlisle asked, glancing at me and Charlie.

I nodded.

"In a way," Carlisle replied to Bella's question.

BELLA'S POV

"What does that mean?" I asked to no one in particular. My gaze dropped to my hands, I was afraid of what the answer might be.

"It means, Isabella, your powers healed you before Carlisle got home. You transported yourself, Edward, and your father back here. You collapsed hitting your head," Grandmother answered.

I blew out a breath. That was a good thing. But it didn't explain why no one could wake me.

"You tell us what it means, Bella," Carlisle suggested.

I looked up at him and then around the room. All my protectors' eyes were on me and full of concern.

"It means my powers healed me after I used them to transport Edward, my father, and myself back her. What did I hit?" I asked.

"The floor," Edward said. "There was no way for me or Charlie to catch you. We were disoriented and attributed it to the magic used. When we finally oriented ourselves neither of us could touch you. When the others returned, Lorena was able to levitate you and lay you on the couch."

"A magical force field surrounded you while you healed," Grandfather said in answer to my unspoken question.

"I was surrounded by magic," I said. "What happened yesterday before I hit my head?" And will I remember, I added in my mind?

"You will. You are still coming down from a magical high."

"You found all but one trigger. The one for Charlie," Edward answered, trading spots with Carlisle before taking hold of my right hand. "While we were walking back, he appeared."

"No one can explain how you were able to as each trigger was different," Charlie said.

"I wish I could remember. I will in time, once my magic settles down."

I felt weak, and I was very hungry.

"Here," Esme said, handing me a plate with a sandwich and chips on it.

She also handed me a bottle of water.

Such a motherly thing to do, I thought.

"Thanks, Esme."

"Think nothing of it," she replied with a wave of her hand.

Everyone was still gathered and Emmett started to explain what had taken place yesterday. It was a strange story and everyone contributed in telling.

"That's all we know," Alice concluded.

In the time that it took to tell me what had occurred the previous day, I started to regain my lost memories. My eyes went wide as I remember what I was feeling as Edward and I headed back.

"I was frustrated over something," I admitted with a slight blush, knowing full well that that something was a somebody—Edward—and hoped no one would read too much into my blush.

"Frustration, yet another strange trigger," Maidie said.

"Not at all strange, Isabella. It was nothing more than a way for you to deepen the connection to your protectors. Ask Emmett to go outside with Rosalie and Carlisle, and then call for just one of them," Grandmother said.

"Maidie," I started, "it was nothing more than a way to strengthen the connection between me and each of you. I should now be able to call anyone of you with just a thought."

I turned to Emmett before continuing.

"Emmett, could you go with Rosalie and Carlisle outside. I will demonstrate by call just one of you. Those who are left come back inside once someone disappears."

"Why not," Emmett said with a shrug, looking at Rosalie and Carlisle.

They left with only Rosalie giving me a skeptical look. So it will be her I call then.

"Are you sure you want to try this now?" Grandfather asked.

"No time like the present," I said.

I reached out with my mind and watched myself take the pendant in my hand. I looked down and both my hands were right where they shouldn't be. One was still securely in Edward's hand and the other rested at my side. I mentally shrugged; I guess I don't need to physically touch the pendant. Then I said mentally "Rosalie help." A moment later, she was standing in the rumpus room wide-eyed.

Carlisle and Emmett follow a minute later, not at all surprised to find her where I told them they would find her.

Daniela was the first to speak. "You didn't hold your pendant."

"She no longer needs to as long as it is around her neck it will do what is needed or asked," Grandfather explained.

I wasn't surprised Grandfather knew this. Though, to my knowledge Grandmother never had to call for him.

"Isabella has a strong connection with the pendant, but when she first called each of us to her she needed to touch it so a connection to the person she was calling could be made."

Grandfather paused, looking at me briefly and winked before speaking again.

He knew what I had to do and didn't share.

"As discussed last night and this morning, there will be a need for training," he said. "I fear more of Isabella's powers and abilities will come to the forefront now, ones that even I won't know how to recognize."

Everyone filed back into the dining room, but Edward stayed me by pulling me down on his lap. "I was really worried, Bella. Jasper has always been able to read you, but he couldn't tell us what you were feeling."

"Alice didn't see anything?" I asked, not knowing what to say.

"No, and trust me, she was trying her hardest. She gave herself a headache more than once."

"I don't understand. Why couldn't Alice or Jasper sense anything?" Grandmother?

"Strangely I have no answer for that question."

"That was one of the things we discussed and nobody has an answer," he answered.

"What else was discussed?" I asked.

"Training for whatever might come. Jasper has agreed to train those of us without magical abilities in hand-to-hand combat. The sisters will be writing spells and creating amulets and potions. The wizards will start researching and learning more charms, enchantments, and protection spells."

"And I need to learn how to control whatever it was that made for collapse," I said.

"And whatever other abilities come to light," Edward stated with a weary smile.

EDWARD'S POV

There was so much more I wanted to ask Bella about. I wanted to ask her out on a date, about her future powers, but as I was about to open my mouth, Alice came waltzing back in.

"Time to go shopping, Bella," she said.

"Shopping?" Bella questioned before looking at me.

All I could do was glare at Alice.

"Yes, shopping. A girls' day out. Come on, go and get ready."

Man she was demanding.

"Alice, I don't think this is a very good idea," I said.

"Of course it is, Edward."

I gave Alice a menacing look. One that I hope said "Bella is still recuperating."

"Valentine's Day is just around the corner. And there's the Masquerade Dance at school. Bella will need something to wear."

"Bella, you don't have to go," I said, ignoring Alice.

"I'm afraid of what Alice will do to me if I don't," Bella replied. "Besides it would be good to get out with the girls."

"Alice," I said with a low, warning growl after Bella vanished up the stairs.

"Kate and her sisters are not coming. I called them last night and told them there was a family emergency."

I nodded.