AN: Just a few things before we begin. I've altered Damon a tiny bit. I didn't like how he treated Caroline in the show, so I've changed it. He's still feeding on her but they are not having sex. Damon is a grown man. He has no interest in minors.
As of 9/12/24: I've edited chapters 6 and 9. Nan's age is now 55 not 85. And Jasper turned Alice in 1882, instead of 1884.
– Forks, Washington –
Bella woke slowly. Her head hurt and she felt drained but, also, oddly full. Sort of swishy. It was an odd sensation. She could feel the magic in her pulsing through her veins; zipping from one nerve ending to another, as if she was made up of electricity.
"Angel?"
She squeezed her eyes closed and then blinked them open. "I feel weird…"
"Weird how?" Nan asked.
"Full," she answered, "but also sleepy…" She frowned. "That doesn't make much sense, I know. I can feel the magic pulsing through me…"
"Do you need to release it?"
"No," Bella shook her head and attempted to sit up. It wasn't easy with a beachball belly.
"I gotcha, Angel," Kol purred, gently lifting her so that she was sat upright.
"Thank you," she whispered, nestling into him. She looked back at her grandmother. "I can handle the magic. It's just . . . I'm not used to feeling so . . . full. Does that make sense?"
Nan nodded. "It does. It's not something I can relate to very well. I think that's a normal feeling for me but, if you are a siphon—even partly—this is likely the first time you've felt the magic within you."
Bella nodded as she yawned.
When she was sitting comfortably, Kol went to get her another mug of blood and Nan brought her a small plate of orange slices, dark chocolate, and a handful of mixed nuts before lunch.
"Are you okay, love?" Nik asked, kneeling beside her. His fingers gently brushed across her temple as he cupped her flushed cheek in his hand.
She leaned into him. "Mmm." She sighed. "I'm fine."
"You scared me," he admitted with a soft sigh.
She brushed her fingers through his hair. "I'm here," she whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."
A moment later, Kol returned with her fresh mug of blood.
Once Nik saw that she was safe, he returned to the kitchen, to continue helping the others with the search. They all agreed that saving the missing teens needed to be a priority.
"How's Peter?" Bella asked. He wasn't in the living room anymore.
"He passed out after you siphoned the spell," Kol told her, taking a seat beside her on the couch. "Nan said his mind was overloaded with information after the spell broke. When he woke up, she advised him to hunt before he tried to access his gift again. He'll be back later."
She nodded.
She'd just finished her snack and drank the last drop of blood when the doorbell rang. The whole house went still and quiet as the tension and anticipation rose.
"I'll get it," Charlie grumbled.
A moment later the door opened.
"Angela!" Charlie exclaimed, finally relaxing.
"Hi, Chief."
"What brings you by, kiddo?"
"I came to see if Bella's feeling any better and give her the homework she's missed this week. And, uh, to remind you about, you know, tomorrow…"
"I can't forget about that," Charlie sighed. "Why don't you come inside?"
Bella wasn't sure that was the best idea. Why was he inviting a human into this mess? And what was happening tomorrow? There was the full moon, but Angie didn't know about that. Did she? Surely, he hadn't told her.
A moment later, Charlie entered the living room with an anxious-looking Angela behind him.
As soon as Bella looked at Angela she knew she wasn't human. She had no idea what she was, but with her new magical sight, she could tell there was magic within her. Much like Charlie there was a faint forest green and pearly luminescent white surrounding her, radiating throughout her body but accumulating in her chest.
Does that mean she's a werewolf like Charlie?
"Bells there's—"
Angela gasped as her eyes fell on Bella. "Oh, my God! Bella, you're pregnant!"
Bella chuckled. "Can't get anything past you, Angie."
"When did this happen?" She asked, darting around Charlie to come and sit next to her friend. "Is it Edwards?" As her butt hit the sofa, she suddenly stood up again and moved away from Bella. "Whoa! Why is it so evil?"
Bella frowned. "How do you know that?"
Angela looked over at Charlie. "Have you told her anything?"
"She knows all about what I am and the supernatural."
"And about me?"
"Your story to tell, kiddo, not mine," he assured her.
"Angie?" Bella frowned. "What's going on?"
Angela sighed and dropped into Charlie's recliner, keeping a little distance between her and Bella. "I'm a werewolf."
Bella stared back at her best friend. A best friend that she'd always believed was human. Until now.
She figured this explained the colors shimmering around Angela, the same colors as Charlie. Forest green and a pearly luminescent white, represent the full moon and werewolves. Just as crimson and honey gold represent traditional vampires, ruby red and gold like the Tuscan sun represent Original Vampires. Nik has a little forest green in him, too, but it's not nearly as bright as Charlie or Angela, likely because his wolf is still bound.
How did the Cullens not know about this? She understood how she wouldn't have realized. Until two days ago, she had no idea anything but cold ones existed. But wouldn't the Cullens have recognized her scent or sensed her somehow? Surly Edward heard something in Angie's mind. And if he did miss it, you'd think Alice would've seen two of Forks' residences sprouting fur and a tail once a month!
"Cool." Bella smiled. "I'm a witch with the werewolf gene and I'll probably end up becoming a vampire one day," she told Angie, watching the look of awe on her face. "I'm a special case."
"You're the Tribrid," Angie breathed. "My grandmother used to tell me stories about the Tribrid and how powerful he'd be…"
Bella cocked an eyebrow. "He?"
Angie sighed, nodded, then shrugged her shoulders. "She's old. Very traditional. And believes men have more power than women. In her mind, there was no way the Tribrid could ever be female."
Bella nodded. "There's a lot of that going around lately."
"Tell me about it," Angie sighed then looked over at Kol, watching the two girls, and back to Bella.
"Oh, sorry!" Bella smiled, "Angie, I'd like you to meet Kol Mikaelson. My soulmate. Kol, this is Angela Weber. Angie was the first friend I made when I moved to Forks."
Angela's eyes widened. "An Original…"
"Ah, good. You've heard of us. A pleasure to meet you, darling," Kol smiled, his dark eyes lingering on Angela.
"And you…" her eyes darted back to Bella. "Did you say soulmate?"
Bella nodded. "I did. Kol's older brother Nik is also my soulmate," she explained. "He's in the kitchen helping the Quileute shifters find their missing members. And we believe their older brothers Elijah and Finn will also mate with me."
Angela's eyes were wide as she stared back at Bella. "Wow . . . That's, um . . . wow…"
"I used to know a Flora Weber back in the early nineteen hundreds, any connection?" Kol asked.
Angela blinked and looked over at him. "Maybe," she shrugged. "I don't know much about my ancestors. I guess it's possible. From what I've been told, you're the Original who's an expert in all things magical, right?"
"Correct," he nodded.
Angela nodded. "Then it's possible. My father's side of the family are witches. My father doesn't practice anymore but my grandmother taught me…"
"So, you're a werewolf-witch hybrid?" Bella asked.
Angela shook her head. "No. While my father's side of the family are witches, my mother's side carries the wolf gene. The stories have been passed down through her family line, but nobody has broken the curse in decades. Until me."
Bella frowned. "So, you can't be both witch and werewolf?"
"Nope," Angela sighed.
Bella felt her heart drop into her belly. "So, when I become a wolf, I'll no longer be a witch?"
"From everything I know—which isn't much—you're different. You're the Tribrid, Bella. I'm just a regular person. The rules that apply to the rest of us don't apply to you. Much like the Originals."
"For me," she went on, "I could practice magic like a normal witch, but once I broke the wolf gene, I was no longer able to access my magic because, for whatever reason, you can't be both witch and werewolf simultaneously."
"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Bella shook her head. "Who makes up these cockamamie rules!?"
"Nature, I guess." Angela shrugged. "But, you know, it's cool. I loved being a witch. That was awesome. But, aside from breaking all the bones in my body, there is nothing in the world like being a wolf. Once the pain is over," she smiled, "it's the best thing I've ever experienced."
"So, you're happy being a wolf? You enjoy it?"
Angela nodded. "The circumstances surrounding my transition were horrific, don't get me wrong. But once I was able to get past that pain and accept what had happened to me, the Chief taught me to see the beauty in being a wolf. There are times I miss being a witch. But I feel more myself now than I ever did casting spells. I know that this is who I was always meant to be . . . even if nobody else in my family agrees."
"Your family doesn't accept you?"
Angela shook her head. "My mother is terrified I'll hurt someone. Usually, during the week of the full moon, she'll take my brothers away. She fears I'll influence them and they'll want to become wolves like me. My father can't even look at me. And my grandmother, who taught me all about magic, disowned me the moment I transitioned and lost my connection to nature."
"I'm so sorry, Angie. I had no idea…"
"Nobody does," she said softly. "But," she cleared her throat and took a deep breath, "It's not all bad. The Chief has been my only support system. When I first transitioned, he was there. He recognized what had happened to me and offered to help me adjust to my new normal. My parents were so freaked, that I think they would've agreed to anything by that point."
"Now, every full moon, the Chief and I transition together," she said softly. "My, uh, wolf has accepted him as our Alpha. He keeps us safe and calm and keeps us away from humans so we don't hurt anyone else." She looked over at Bella, tears shining in her dark eyes. "I hope that's okay with you, Bella. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have the Chief's help . . . I don't want you to think I'm stealing your father away from you…"
"What?" Bella frowned. "No. Oh, God. No. No…" She shook her head and took a deep breath. She tried to get up but it was getting harder to move.
Seeing Bella struggle, Angela darted over to her, instead. As soon as the two girls were seated together, Bella pulled Angie into a tight hug.
"I'm glad my dad was there to help you, Angie," Bella whispered, holding her friend as she softly cried in her arms. "The thought of you stealing him away never even crossed my mind. Charlie Swan is a great man. I know there is plenty of room in his heart for me, you, and a thousand other kids who need him."
Angela nodded against Bella's shoulder.
･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.
For a long time, the two girls remained wrapped up in each other's embrace. Neither one of them noticed Charlie standing in the doorway, smiling.
He was thrilled that Bells was so accepting of Angela. It was hard for him not to see the young wolf as another daughter. They'd been through a lot in the last four years. As much as she accepted him as her Alpha, he and his wolf accepted her as part of his Pack.
He wasn't sure what he would've done if Bella had rejected Angela. He knew she had every right to be upset by this. He was her father. He'd been there for Angela when she needed him most. He'd never been able to do that for Bella.
He wished Bella had told him what was going on in her life. In the last hour, Jake had been quietly filling Charlie in on some of the things he'd seen Renee do and how she treated Bella. Charlie was . . . well, furious didn't touch what he felt when he heard how Renee treated their daughter. Turning her into a maid. Leaving her alone for weeks at a time. Letting her work to pay the bills that Renee should've been paying. Not allowing her to attend school and forcing her into homeschooling. Charlie had been under the impression that was what Bella wanted, not what Renee forced upon her. The worst though, was when Jacob told him about the men Renee would bring home. Men she barely knew. And leave them alone with his daughter!
No. Fury didn't touch what he was currently feeling toward his ex-wife. He knew she was a selfish bitch. But he'd always thought she was at least taking care of Bella.
How had he missed all the signs?
How did he not know?
Why hadn't Bella been the one to tell him?
These were just the few things Jake knew. He couldn't imagine what Bella had been through that she hadn't told Jacob.
Why keep this a secret?
Why protect Renee?
He could've done something. Brought her home to Forks. She might not like Forks, but at least she'd be away from that environment and safe!
"You promise you don't hate me?"
Charlie's eyes drifted back to the two girls on the sofa.
"I could never hate you, Angie. You're," she smiled, "family."
A fresh wave of tears rolled down Angela's flushed cheeks. "Thank you, Bella."
This meeting could've gone an entirely different way. Charlie knew that. He was immensely proud of Bells for accepting Angela, accepting all of this, with such an open mind and heart.
He wasn't sure what would've happened if it had gone in the opposite direction. There was no way he'd be able to choose between his two girls. Not now. His wolf would not allow his children to be harmed, and even though she didn't come from him, every part of him accepted Angela as his daughter, just as much as Bella.
From everything Charlie has witnessed, and all he's been told, Angela needed Bella, too. Just as much as Bella needed Angela. He could almost feel it in his bones. They were sisters. And now that Bella knew of Angela's situation, he was certain Angela would always have Bella in her corner.
After everything she's been through with Renee, he would have expected—he would have understood—if she'd been angry, aggressive, or even violent. There is a wolf that lingers beneath the surface, after all. But, somehow, she's the complete opposite. Loving, kind, compassionate, and gentle.
She might not always be that way…
Charlie smiled.
He hoped she wouldn't.
There was a time to be compassionate and a time to be ruthless. She's young, in time she'll learn how to read a situation and decide for herself which path to take. Luckily, she has—Charlie sighed—four mates to help guide her. As well as her family at her side.
Now, he just had to hope they could get the parasite out of her, deal with Sam, and find the missing shifters before another problem found them.
Something told Charlie, now that the Originals had joined their family, life would never be boring and quiet again.
･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.
Nan tried to get Angela to stay for lunch but she politely declined. She needed to get to Newton's Olympic Outfitters for her shift. She'd switched with Mike so he could have Saturday off and she wouldn't have to be around civilization during the full moon. Though, she hadn't used that excuse with the unsuspecting humans.
Not even ten minutes after Angie had left, Stefan arrived home. As soon as he entered the house, he paused in the doorway and breathed deeply.
"What is that delectable scent?"
Nan smiled, a twinkle in her bright eyes. "Bella's friend Angela was just here." She patted his arm. "She'll be back tomorrow for dinner."
He frowned. "Is that wise?"
"I don't see why not. She knows all about the supernatural world," she assured him. "She's a werewolf. A member of Charlie's pack. And, from what I've seen, she and Bella will become very close in the future."
Stefan nodded.
"Now," Nan took his arm and led him into the kitchen, "I believe you and I need to have a little chat about Elena Gilbert…"
Stefan opened his mouth and then shut again and sighed. "Elena's a doppelgänger…"
"Mm." Nan nodded. "That's why she and Katherine are identical…"
Stefan sat at the kitchen table and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah," he nodded.
"Do you understand what that means?" Stefan looked up at her. "I'm going to have to tell Nik and the others about her. The longer we keep it from him, the worse the fallout will be."
Stefan stared back at her in shock as if all the pieces had only just fit together in his mind. "She's the doppelgänger he's been looking for . . . the one that will break his curse…"
Marie nodded. "Yes. Doppelgänger blood, Elena's blood, is the key to breaking Nik's curse."
Stefan's eyes widened. "He'll want to kill her!"
Again, Marie nodded. "From what we know, to break the curse, her death is necessary. But provided we can find the moonstone and Nik can remain calm, listen, and trust us, I believe we can find another way…"
"You think?" Stefan snapped. "I—I," he shook his head. "I have to go back to Mystic Falls. She needs to be protected. We can't let him…"
Marie placed her hand on Stefan's to calm him. "Now, Stefan, dear, I know you're not this much of an idiot. Take your head out of Elena's backside and focus. You know what will happen if you stand against Nik. It's much better to be honest and work with him than to defy him."
"It's Elena…"
"I know," she said gently. "I know you care for her but the world does not begin and end with Elena Gilbert. There are bigger things at stake."
Stefan shook his head. "He'll kill her, Marie!"
"That is a possibility," she agreed. "I'm hoping that it won't come to that, though. If we can find the moonstone and study the original spell, between myself, Kol, and Bella, we should be able to find a way to break the curse without any deaths. But, for that to happen, I need you to remain calm and not go off and do something stupid to piss him off…"
Stefan's eyes widened. He'd never heard Marie swear before.
"While we're on the subject, shall we discuss your growing obsession with Elena?"
Stefan tensed. "I'm not obsessed."
Marie arched an eyebrow. "Really. I beg to differ. You moved back to Mystic Falls because of Elena. You've spent countless hours digging into her past. You know more about her history than she does. You follow her around. You watch her when she's unaware of your presence. And, if I'm not mistaken, you've recently told Elena you're a vampire . . . something, I believe, you've never done before…"
"I . . ." Stefan swallowed, "I . . . She figured it out on her own…"
"You couldn't have compelled her to forget?" Marie asked.
"You know I can't do that. I'm not strong enough and Elena wears vervain…"
"The vervain is easily removed," Marie countered. "She's not ingesting it, is she?"
"No," he shook his head.
"There, see. An easy fix. Remove the locket, compel her, put the locket back on and she's none the wiser and no longer knows about the supernatural world or your biggest secret."
Stefan shook his head. "I still can't compel her…"
"You can't," she nodded. "But Damon can. Did you not think to ask for his help?"
He shook his head. "Damon has been feeding on Caroline!" He snapped, his anger soaring.
Marie sighed. She knew he'd been up to something. "Is he just feeding or are they having sex?"
She could accept that he was feeding on Caroline and, very likely, compelling her to forget or keep his secret. She didn't like it, but he's a vampire. That's what they do. It was an entirely different matter if he was having sex with Caroline and compelling her to be with him. Vampires or not, she expected better from Damon and Stefan. If she found out he was using a minor as his sexual plaything, there'd be hell to pay!
Stefan shook his head. "It's just feeding. Damon isn't a saint but it's unlikely he'd ever cross that line. He knows you'd never forgive him and the last thing he wants is to lose you…"
Marie nodded.
"He's only doing it to taunt me and cause trouble with me and Elena…"
Marie shook her head. "The two of you," she sighed. "Have you spoken to Damon about this?"
Stefan shook his head. "I know my brother…"
"Obviously not very well," Marie sighed again. "Damon has no interest in Elena. He's concerned about you, Stefan. He's worried that she's—as he put it—'screwing with your head' as Katherine did."
"No," Stefan shook his head. "He wants Elena. He tried to compel her!"
Marie nodded. "To find out what she's up to and to get her to leave you alone…"
"No," he shook his head again. "He's trying to take Elena from me. He's jealous that she wants me and not him."
Marie could see now that she'd been right. Stefan was obsessed with Elena. Whether she was manipulating him as Katherine once did was unknown right now. It was possible. But it was also possible there was something else going on.
In all his years, Stefan had never told a human his secret. He'd never been obsessed with a human. And, from what she knew and had seen of Stefan, he was over Katherine. Damon was the one who mourned her and was now eager to reopen the tomb and free her. The fact that she was not in the tomb would cause problems. But those were problems for tomorrow.
"Have you told Damon you revealed your secret to Elena?"
Again, Stefan tensed. "No."
"Do you plan to tell him?"
"I don't see how it's any of his business. He needs to leave Mystic Falls and stay away from Elena. I won't let him hurt her…"
Marie nodded.
This could be more of a problem than she'd anticipated.
He let out a huffed chuckle and shook his head. "Is it happening all over again?" He asked softly. "Part of my brain keeps telling me this is wrong, that everything I'm doing is wrong. But the stronger part is completely focused on Elena. Even now, I'm wondering what she's doing, where she is, who she's with . . . and I know it's wrong. I know that being with a girl who's the exact double of my ex is weird on so many levels, but I also don't care because it's Elena… and I . . . I love her…"
He sighed and shook his head. "I think I love her," he repeated, frowning. "Everything in my head is screaming at me, telling me I love her. I feel drawn to her. I want to be with her. I want to be near her all the time. But," he ran a hand through his hair, "is that really how I feel? There is part of me that knows this is wrong…"
Marie patted Stefan's arm. "This is what I mean by obsessed, dear. No matter. We'll fix this. I have a feeling it's more supernatural than natural. But, with everything we've got going on right now, it'll have to be a problem for another day. First, I would suggest you tell Damon that Elena knows everything and, perhaps try having a conversation with him, instead of assuming you know what he's up to."
Stefan frowned. "Do I have to?" He asked softly.
Marie smiled. "Yes. You and Damon have been estranged for far too long. It's time to fix this mess. You two need to do better. There will be no more attacking each other. No more trying to kill one another. You're brothers. I expect better from my nephews! So do better, Stefan!"
He sighed but nodded his head. "I'll try."
She smiled brightly. "That's all I ask."
Without another word, Stefan darted out of the house and headed into the surrounding forest. Marie wasn't sure what the next few days and weeks would be like. She hoped that by the time they returned to Mystic Falls, Damon and Stefan would be on better terms, but she doubted it would be that simple.
From the little she'd seen, Elena Gilbert was a lovely girl. But in her experience, once someone's eyes are opened to the supernatural, they change. How they change depends on the person. From what she knows of the Petrova doppelgängers—going back to Amara—those changes aren't always good. Petrova doppelgängers tended to be inherently self-absorbed and manipulative.
That doesn't mean Elena would go down the same path. She is her own person. She makes her own decisions. And with the right guidance, she could break the cycle. Right now, she's a grieving teenager who's just learned of the supernatural. She's in way over her head and very likely feels she has nobody to confide in. Considering her home life and the complete lack of support now her parents were gone, Marie wouldn't be surprised if Elena lost herself to a darker path.
Jenna was trying her best, but she was not a parent, nor did she know how to parent two teenagers. And Jeremy—Marie sighed—the poor boy needs more than an aunt who doesn't know how to handle him or his grief.
That would all change soon enough. Providing everything Marie has seen of the future comes to pass. Visions are notoriously tricky little buggers. Just because it's seen, doesn't mean it's going to happen. Decisions change. Futures change.
Marie wasn't sure what would happen when she returned to Mystic Falls.
If she returned.
She would not leave Bella to fend for herself. She may be eighteen now, and a mated woman, but Marie would not leave her granddaughter when there are so many threats against her.
If Bella chose to stay in Forks, or leave, or move to Mystic Falls, Marie would follow. And as the decision hadn't been made one way or another, the fate of the Gilbert family was up in the air right now.
As the front door swung shut, Marie looked up to see Kol standing in the doorway.
"You can't keep the doppelgänger from him," he warned. "He's been looking for her for five hundred years. If he thinks you're hiding this from him, he will not react well and I would hate for Bella to be caught in the middle. I will not allow her to be harmed."
Marie smiled. "I believe he already suspects I know something. I have no intention of hiding the doppelgänger from him. His curse must be broken and therefore Elena is a necessary part of that."
"You seem oddly calm about all of this. The witches I've known in the past would not allow such a thing to happen. They'd see Elena as innocent and Nik as a monster…"
Marie smiled. "Now, what on earth makes you think I'm anything like the witches you've known, Kol?"
With a cheeky grin and a wink at the Original, Marie went back into the kitchen to prepare lunch for everyone, leaving Kol standing in the doorway, shocked.
･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.
After lunch, Bella and Kol curled up on the couch and watched a movie. There wasn't much they could do until Damon arrived home with the two doctors, so Bella decided to begin her mate's re-education. Starting with The Wizard of Oz. It's a classic. One of her favourites. And, in her opinion, everyone should see it at least once in their lifetime. And since Kol was busy being dead when it was first released, she had the pleasure of watching him experience the movie for the first time.
They were only at the tornado part when the doorbell chimed. Bella sighed and paused the movie.
"I'll get it," she grumbled, trying to stand up. She felt like her belly had doubled in size in the last few hours.
"Stay here, Angel," Kol insisted with a kiss to her temple. "I'll get it."
She smiled and settled back into the sofa, watching as he strolled out of the room.
Nan beat him to the door, pulling it open just as Kol appeared beside her.
"Hi there."
A white-haired woman, standing at no more than four foot eleven inches waltzed into the house, past Nan and Kol. She was carrying her handbag on her elbow and wheeling a pet travel carrier behind her.
"Ma!" Nan gasped, shocked. She pushed the door closed and followed the tiny woman into the living room. "What are you doing here? Are you alright?"
As soon as the tiny woman entered the living room, she made a beeline straight for Bella.
"Grammie!" Bella smiled. It had been a long, long time since she'd seen her great-grandmother. "What are you doing here?"
"Everyone is fine. No one died. The home burnt down," she stated, looking around the room. "What, no coffee table? Every home needs a coffee table. Where else are you going to put your coffee?"
Bella shrugged. "I, uh, sort of . . . blew it up."
Sophia smiled brightly. "That's my girl!"
"Oh, god," Marie sighed. "Ma, tell me you didn't blow up the home…"
"Of course, not!"
"Well, how did you get here?"
Sophia straightened up and looked over at her daughter with a straight face. "I hitched."
Marie's eyes widened. "Ma!"
Bella giggled.
"I kid!" Sophia smiled. "A cab. I took a cab."
"From Mystic Falls?"
"No, silly. I booked a flight. First class! And then when I got to Seattle airport, I took a cab. What do you think, I'm gonna sit in a cab for forty-five hours!"
Marie's eyes couldn't get any bigger. "How did you pay for a flight? Why didn't you call me?"
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "I'm perfectly capable of managing on my own, Marie. I don't need help. I'm a totally independent person."
"I know, Ma," Marie nodded, sighing, exasperated. "I know."
"I need four hundred dollars for the cab…"
"Four hundred dollars?" Marie screeched. "Four hundred dollars? Ma! Why didn't you call me? We could've picked you up at the airp—" her eyes widened just a tiny bit more, "did you say, first class?"
"Uh," Sophia shrugged, "yeah. That's all they had available last minute…"
"How did you pay for a first-class ticket?"
Bella was pretty sure if this had been a cartoon, Nan would have steam coming out of her ears by now.
Oooooh! That is one pissed-off, Nan!
Trying his best not to laugh at the situation, Kol shifted toward the door. "I'll take care of the cab," he offered.
Sophia looked over at the young man by the door and then back to Bella. "You have very good taste, Bambi."
Bella blushed.
Marie sighed. "Sit down, Ma. You must be exhausted after your . . . unexpected trip…"
"Why?" Sophia asked as Marie shuffled her to the sofa and sat her down beside a heavily pregnant Bella. "I rode in the plane, I didn't push it."
Sophia looked over at Bella, taking in her beachball-sized stomach and the way her face was beginning to thin. "Looks like you've got yourself in some trouble, Bambi." She frowned and placed her hand over the bump. "Hmm. This is not good. Not good at all."
Bella frowned. "You can sense that? I thought Nan had to bind your magic when you went into the home?"
Sophia glared at her daughter. "She did, but that doesn't mean I'm completely useless. I've been a witch for a long, long time." She looked back at Marie. "I told you that boy she was dating was a scuzzball. Didn't I tell you, Marie?"
Marie nodded. "Yes, Ma. You told me."
As Sophia was turning toward her great-granddaughter, Charlie entered the living room. "Sophia, what are you doing here?"
"Grammie's home just burnt down," Bella told him.
"Oh, that's terrible."
"Not to me," Sophia said. "It was a retirement home and you know what they did? They set off the fire alarm. In a retirement home. Who can rush? Half the people have walkers. The other half can't get out of their chairs. But they got bells going off like crazy! Do you know what that does to hearts that only beat a few times a week? It's not pretty!"
"Uh," Charlie frowned, "no. I guess it wouldn't be."
"Grammie," Bella said, as Kol came back into the room and sat down beside his mate, taking her hand in his. "This is Kol Mikaelson. Kol, this is my great-grandmother, Sophia Salvatore."
"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Salvatore."
Sophia looked at the young man, her eyes narrowed. "Hmm." She took his hand in hers and then looked at Bella's. "A vampire," she nodded. "An Original no less," she nodded. "I like him better than the scuzzball…"
Bella frowned. "How do you know about Edward?"
"Qetsiyah," Sophia answered as if that answered all their questions.
Before anyone could question her further, a little yip came from the pet carry case.
"Uh, Grammie, your suitcase just made a noise…"
Sophia smiled and opened the case. She carefully pulled out a basket and placed it on Bella's lap.
Unsure of what Grammie had done or what she was now holding her lap, Bella looked down at the little basket and caught a glimpse of movement. There was a blanket inside the basket and something beneath it was moving.
"Grammie…"
The corner of the fabric moved, and a little shiny black nose poked out. Then an ear and two eyes as a tiny, longhaired blonde miniature Dachshund looked up at Bella. Around her neck was a dark purple collar; the same purple as Bella's magic. Attached to her collar was a pendant with a single word engraved: Luna.
"Oh, she's adorable!"
"I'm glad you like her," Sophia smiled. "She's yours."
Bella's eyes flew to her great-grandmother. "Mine?"
"Wherever did you get a dog, Ma?"
"I rescued her from a shelter. She was abandoned by her previous owner. They think she's only young; maybe a year."
Bella laughed as the tiny dog crawled out of her basket and climbed up her pregnant belly to get to her face. She gave a little bark and then began licking Bella's face as her tail wagged at superspeed.
"Oh, she's lovely. Yes, you are," She cooed and held up the little, wriggling dog so Kol could see her. "Can I keep her?"
He chuckled. "You don't need to ask permission, darling."
Bella stared back at him, not entirely sure she should trust his words.
He hasn't lied so far, why start now?
This was new for her. She was used to the people in her life—mostly Renee and Edward—telling her what to do or not do. When she was a little girl, she'd begged her mother for a pet, but she'd always said no. The one time she'd mentioned wanting a dog to Edward, he told her if she ever brought a pet home, he'd drain the animal dry in front of her.
As if she somehow sensed Bella's distress, Luna cuddled into Bella's shoulder and licked her jaw. Bella sighed happily and brought the little dog closer to her.
"Welcome to the family, Luna," she whispered, scratching behind her small blonde ears.
･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ.
A while later, Marie was peeling potatoes and gazing out the kitchen window when a shiny black truck pulled up in the driveway. Before the truck had come to a full stop, the passenger door was thrown open and a tiny girl leaped out and ran toward the front door at an inhuman speed.
The knife in Marie's hand dropped into the sink and she whirled around as the front door was thrown open.
"Ali!" A male voice called from the front garden. "Damnit!"
Marie hadn't even made it to the front door when the tiny girl shot into the house. She looked over at Marie in the kitchen, smiled brightly, and then darted into the living room where Bella was napping with Kol and Luna.
"Ali!" A very tall, blonde male darted into the house. Marie recognized him instantly. "I apologize, ma'am," he dipped his head toward her in a very polite Southern manner and followed in the tiny girl's footsteps. "Ali, you can't just…"
Marie followed behind the two newcomers and entered the living room just in time to see Bella awaken from her nap. Deep brown eyes fluttered open and were drawn toward the blonde male.
"Jasper…" She whispered. "What are you—" She trailed off as a gasp left his lips and his body began to tremble.
Qetsiyah appeared at the edge of the room as a bright white light resonated through the tall man. Marie's eyes darted from Jasper to the spirit and back again. She'd never seen anything like this. The light surrounding him grew brighter and brighter, lingering on his heart and around his head.
"Belle…" he breathed, staring back at Bella with wide, shocked eyes. "My Belle…"
He cringed and cried out in pain. His hands thrust into his hair and he dropped to his knees in front of Bella, tears filling his eyes.
"My Belle . . ." he breathed, in awe. "You're here . . . How? I thought I'd lost you…"
Bella went to speak, but he gasped and cried out in pain again. His body doubled over as his hands clutched his head.
"Jasper!" Bella cried. "Nan, what's happening to him?"
Marie wasn't sure how to answer that. She'd never seen this before…
"He's remembering," Qetsiyah answered, her voice soft as she floated further into the room.
Bella looked over at Qetsiyah. "Remembering what?"
"Everything," the spirit answered. "It's time for him to remember…"
"It's hurting him!"
"It is. There's a lot for him to remember. But he will be fine, little flower."
The tiny girl watched on, her eyes darted back and forth between Bella, Qetsiyah, and Jasper. The same white light illuminated her, though it wasn't as bright as it was with Jasper. She shuddered and sighed as the light swept through her, almost as if it were embracing her.
When she opened her eyes, she instantly sought out Bella. A bright, dazzling smile lit her pretty face as tears rolled down her pale cheeks. "M-Momma…"
AN: So, there we have it. A lot was going on in this chapter. Sophia Salvatore has finally made it into the story. Bella now has her very own little dachshund. Jasper and Alice finally arrived, too. And Stefan is obsessed with Elena. What are your thoughts? Did you enjoy the chapter? Let me know what you think in the comments. See you in the next one! xoxo