Chapter 63: She's Got That Magic Touch
Renée felt a flicker of restlessness stir within her as she thought about Bella's arrival. The anticipation of seeing her daughter again made it difficult to stay focused, yet her hand remained steady as she held the paintbrush, guiding it in smooth, deliberate strokes across the canvas. The deep blue paint spread evenly, enhancing the depth and shadows of the vase she was working on. She had taken up painting a few years ago, a hobby that had turned into a passion, and to her surprise, she discovered she now had a real talent for it. The quiet hum of creativity usually soothed her, but this morning, even the comfort of the familiar brush against the canvas couldn't still her excitement.
Her gaze drifted momentarily to the far corner of the room, where stacks of her completed canvases leaned against one another, their colors and shapes hidden beneath protective covers. Each piece represented hours of work, of focus, and sometimes, a need to escape the intensity of her new life. One day, she planned to display them in a gallery, but she wasn't there yet. She was still learning, refining her skills. For now, she was content to keep them close, but she couldn't help but feel a spark of pride at the thought of showing them to Bella.
Renée let out a soft sigh, her restless energy just refused to settle. Painting just wasn't doing the trick, no matter how much she tried to lose herself in her work. In a blur of motion, she left the easel behind, the brush falling onto the small desk beside her paints, forgotten. Within seconds, she was in the living room, standing in front of Jean Paul, who was leisurely reading the Sunday paper.
She sank down beside him, her long gloved fingers trailing sensuously along his arm, a touch that was both affectionate and deliberate. "I'm restless, honey," she murmured, her voice a sultry whisper, the tension of anticipation clear in her tone. "Think we could have a little fun before Bella arrives?"
Jean Paul smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes as he folded the newspaper and set it down on the coffee table, turning to give her his full attention. "Renée, mon amour," he said, his voice warm and teasing. "Bella texted that she's already in the city. You really think we've got time to fool around before they show up?"
Before she could respond, Jean Paul wrapped his arms around her waist, effortlessly pulling her onto his lap. He knew how to ease that restlessness in her. His lips found the curve of her neck, pressing gentle kisses there, and then he began sucking softly, knowing it would make her sigh with pleasure.
And sure enough, she did. Renée's lips parted, a sigh escaping her that was half contentment, half low moan, her body instinctively melting against his. The tension she'd been carrying seemed to slip away under his touch, but her playfulness still lingered in her words. "Maybe we don't have that much time," she whispered, tilting her head slightly to give him better access, "but we could make it quick…"
Jean Paul couldn't help but smile against his wife's neck, his lips still teasing her skin. Sometimes, Renée's insatiable nature amused him—though he knew well by now that nothing with her was ever quick, no matter how much she claimed it would be. "Tonight," he murmured, his voice low and promising. "I swear. I'll even let you do that move you love so much. Patience, and you'll be rewarded."
Renée sighed, but the playful curve of her lips betrayed her satisfaction. "Okay, you're right…" Her voice trailed off as a soft moan escaped her lips. "Ohh, yeah, right there…" she murmured, her eyes fluttering shut, savoring the way Jean Paul's touch sent little ripples of pleasure through her.
But even in the midst of his attentions, Renée's thoughts drifted back to the mystery that had been occupying her mind for the past two weeks. As Jean Paul continued his gentle ministrations, she voiced her curiosity aloud, her tone a mixture of excitement and wonder. "I just can't stop thinking about this Edward fella Bella's been traveling with. Do you think she's finally found someone? Oh, I hope she has."
Jean Paul's hands moved to Renée's shoulders, massaging gently as he spoke in a calm, measured tone. "I'd suggest a little discretion, love. You know how private Bella is. Don't do anything that might embarrass her." His fingers worked soothingly over her muscles. "Besides, it sounds like they'll be staying for a bit, so you'll have plenty of time to learn all about this Edward in due course."
Renée sighed, turning around to face him, her gloved hands sliding over his arms and tracing the lines of his chest with a teasing touch. She could feel the tension between them, the unspoken desire hanging thick in the air. She knew Jean Paul wanted her to remove the gloves—she could see it in the way his eyes darkened, following her every movement—but she restrained herself, much to both of their frustration. He was right, after all. Bella would be arriving any minute.
Just as the thought crossed Renée's mind, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she flashed Jean Paul a mischievous smile. In the blink of an eye, she disappeared, racing toward the door.
Jean Paul chuckled softly, shaking his head at her enthusiasm. He stood up at a more leisurely pace, making his way toward the front door. Even from the hallway, he could already hear Renée's unmistakable voice, bubbling with excitement as she greeted Bella.
Renée swung the door open to the front entrance hall, and there she was—her daughter. With a joyful cry of "Bella!" she rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her in a tight, affectionate hug. The years apart had been hard, but seeing Bella in person again filled her with a deep sense of contentment. She had missed her so much.
But that wasn't the only emotion swirling within Renée. After seeing Bella's heroic actions on the news, saving all those lives, her admiration had quickly turned to distress as Jean Paul explained the consequences of Bella's actions. Even in her short time as a vampire, she had heard enough about the Volturi—whispers of their ruthlessness and the iron grip they maintained over vampire society. The thought of her daughter now being in their crosshairs had sent a chill through her that even her immortal nature couldn't shake.
Renée doubted she would have been able to sleep, even if vampires still had that luxury, during those tense two days when Bella's fate had remained uncertain. She had been so anxious for any word, any sign that her daughter was safe. The relief she felt when Bella finally called, saying she had prevailed, had been indescribable.
Jean Paul had tried to explain the larger significance of what Bella had done—how it would change vampire society in profound ways—but Renée wasn't interested in any of that. The politics and power plays meant nothing to her. What truly mattered was that Bella had come through unscathed, and now she was here, safe in her arms.
As she held Bella close, Renée took a moment to pull back slightly and look into her daughter's eyes, her smile soft but full of affection. "It's so good to see you again," she whispered, her voice warm with love and gratitude. Whatever lay ahead for the vampire world could wait. Right now, all that mattered was that her daughter was home, and she had never been more relieved to have her back.
Renée finally let go of Bella and stepped back, only then noticing the man standing beside her daughter. Wowsers! Bella had really found herself a looker. He was the epitome of male-model perfection—broad shoulders, a hard body, and a young, chiseled face that looked like it belonged on a billboard. And that hair—perfectly tousled like he'd just rolled out of bed in the most irresistibly sexy way. Renée's eyes blatantly swept over him, taking in every detail of the eye candy standing in front of her.
Before she could say anything, Bella cleared her throat. "It's so good to see you, Mom, Jean Paul. I'd like to introduce you to Edward Mason."
Jean Paul's voice interrupted, surprising Renée, who hadn't realized he had come up behind her. She turned to see him step forward with a welcoming smile, extending his hand to Edward. The handshake was formal but cordial, as Jean Paul gave Edward a quick nod of approval.
"It's very nice to meet you, Edward," Jean Paul said, his tone polite but curious, as he sized up this new guest. "Why don't we all head into the living room? I'm sure you both have some very interesting stories to share."
Renée, still taking in the whole scene, watched as Jean Paul gestured toward the hallway, her eyes lingering on Edward for just a second longer before she smiled. She was eager to hear how this all came about and equally curious about the man who had swept her daughter off her feet—or so she hoped.
Renée nestled herself next to Jean Paul, her fingers absentmindedly tracing small circles on his arm as she watched Bella and Edward settle onto the loveseat across from them. There was a subtle, undeniable closeness between the two—not overt, their legs not quite touching, but an easy comfort seemed to flow between them. Renée's lips curved into a knowing smile. She was just about to ask about their status when Jean Paul's hand squeezed her thigh, distracting her for a moment. When she lifted her head, he had already begun speaking.
"So, Bella," he began, his voice carrying a weight that immediately commanded attention, "as you can imagine, the vampire world has been in a frenzy with rumors spreading like wildfire. I've been getting calls from vampires I haven't spoken to in decades—some even in centuries—everyone's looking for solid information instead of idle speculation or hearsay." He paused, his gaze shifting between Bella and Edward. "I've been doing my best to get the truth out there, but there's a lot of skepticism. No one quite knows what to believe."
Jean Paul leaned back slightly, his hand returning to Renée's thigh, giving her a gentle love pat before his focus shifted back to Bella. "Just three days ago, we were visited by the Irish coven. They were headed to Volterra themselves, wanting to see firsthand whether the Volturi had truly been defeated. We told them what happened, and they believed us, but they still wanted to go there and see it with their own eyes. They also wanted to ensure the castle's secrets were kept safe from prying eyes until new leadership could be discussed."
He let the words hang in the air for a moment, allowing the gravity of the situation to settle. "Vampire society isn't accustomed to such sudden upheavals," he continued, his voice thoughtful. "The Volturi ruled for so long that most can't even imagine a world without them. I know I'm still finding it hard to fully grasp."
Renée, still leaning against Jean Paul, studied Bella's expression carefully. It was almost surreal to think that her daughter had caused such a seismic shift—not just in the human world with her actions in L.A., but also in the vampire world, where the consequences of those actions had upended the leadership that had stood for millennia. She glanced at Edward, curious about his place in all of this. After Bella had told her about his imprisonment under the Volturi, it was heartbreaking to even consider what he had endured.
Bella had been turning the question of who would replace the Volturi over in her mind ever since she and Edward left Volterra. Finally, she voiced the thought that had been troubling her. "Have you heard anything about who might take over? I've been hoping—really hoping—that whoever it is will be an improvement. The last thing we need is another group to come in that's even worse than the Volturi."
"Well, I don't consider myself deeply involved in vampire politics," Jean Paul began thoughtfully, "but Siobhan—the head of the Irish coven—certainly is. Before she and her coven visited us, she mentioned that there have been some quiet discussions among influential covens about forming a ruling council. The idea is that several covens would share leadership, and the leaders would rotate every set number of years. It's an interesting concept, and it would be a drastic change from the absolute rule of the Volturi."
He paused, his gaze shifting to meet Bella's, conveying both the uncertainty and cautious optimism of the times. "I don't expect a decision to be made quickly. It will take time before everyone in our world is convinced that Aro and his guard are truly gone. They ruled with such force and seemed so invincible that many will need more than just rumors to believe the Volturi have truly fallen. But from what Siobhan said, the idea of a more democratic system sounded promising. I told her we'd certainly support that kind of approach. A council could bring more stability, representation, and fairness."
Jean Paul smiled, though there was still a deep sense of awe in his expression. He still found it almost impossible to believe that the Volturi were no more. And to see them come to an end in the span of a few hours—at the hands of his stepdaughter, no less—was something he was still processing. The world they had lived in for millennia had shifted overnight, and what came next was anyone's guess. They were standing at the threshold of a new era, and while it was filled with uncertainty, there was also the undeniable thrill of possibility.
Edward broke his silence, his voice thoughtful. "I've heard of Siobhan and the Irish coven. From what I understood, they always had a cautious respect for the Volturi. How did they react to the news of their downfall?"
Renée looked somewhat guilty before she answered. "Well, they seemed pleased... at first. Yes, I mean, who wouldn't be? But they didn't stay very long—there was, um… a bit of an incident."
Bella narrowed her eyes, recognizing that look all too well. Suspicion crept across her face as she stared at her mother. "Mom," she began, drawing the word out, "what did you do?"
Renée hesitated, excitement bubbling just below the surface. She had been holding onto this secret for what felt like an eternity, and now the moment to share it had finally arrived. The suspense was killing her. She bit her lip, her smile widening until she could no longer contain herself. "Well," she began, unable to stop the joy from spilling into her voice, "I finally got my superpower!" She announced triumphantly, as though she'd just won the lottery, her eyes sparkling with pride.
Bella blinked, momentarily taken aback. She hadn't heard anything about this... the last she'd known, her mom had shown no signs of developing an ability. But seeing her mom's bright smile, Bella understood why this was such a huge moment. Her mom had been a little disappointed that she had been normal, even if she'd tried to hide it. Now, her excitement was palpable.
"Wow, Mom! That's amazing. I'm so happy for you," Bella said sincerely, though a playful grin tugged at her lips. "So… what is it? Did you get those laser beam eyes you always joked about?" she teased, remembering her mom's old musings.
Renée laughed, her excitement unabated. "No, no laser beams," she said, grinning from ear to ear. "But let me tell you, it's something even better. It's..." She trailed off dramatically, savoring the anticipation.
"With just a simple touch," Renée said enthusiastically, "I can make anyone spontaneously orgasm! It's the most amazing thing."
"What?!" Bella choked out, half laughing, half horrified. Oh God. If that didn't scream her mom, nothing did. She shot Edward a look, her grin wide. "And you thought I was exaggerating when I told you those stories."
Renée, clearly thrilled to finally share the news, continued happily, having held onto this secret for over a year because she wanted to tell Bella in person. "It first happened a little over a year ago. Jean Paul and I… well, you know, we like to have our fun, so I didn't think much of it when he was, uh, climaxing over and over again."
Jean Paul groaned softly, his hand covering his face as he stared at the floor, shaking his head, wishing he could disappear.
"But then," Renée went on, completely unfazed, "whenever we were out dining, I noticed the men I was draining were climaxing uncontrollably as they expired." She paused, noticing that Bella's expression had morphed into one of abject horror—her eyes wide and frozen in place. Edward, meanwhile, looked like his brain had short-circuited, his mouth hanging slightly open, eyes bulging so wide they seemed like they might pop out of his head.
Renée blinked, not fully understanding their reactions, and quickly added in her defense, "Hey, at least they went out with a smile on their faces! And that's when we realized something wasn't quite normal, and voilà, I discovered my superpower!"
Bella looked at her mom with a mix of shock and awe. Of all the fucked-up abilities out there, her mom had somehow hit the jackpot of the most fucked-up one of them all. At least, Bella reasoned with some relief, her mom probably couldn't do any real damage with it. God knows, she was beyond thankful her mom hadn't ended up with any of her abilities. An orgasm power was… well, yeah—but if her mom had been able to make people explode with a glance… orgasms were definitely the lesser evil.
Renée, oblivious to Bella's internal horror, beamed proudly. "I'm still working on mastering my control. That's why I've been wearing these gloves." She wiggled her fingers, the long, elegant gloves that Bella had assumed were just a fashion choice suddenly took on a whole new meaning.
"Sometimes it happens when I don't mean it to," Renée continued with a sheepish shrug. "It's caused some… situations around the city. Like, when I've been out shopping and the salesgirls accidentally touch me while handing me clothes."
Bella didn't want to ask. She dreaded the answer but knew she had no choice. Bracing herself, she asked, "And the Irish coven?"
Renée winced, looking a bit chastised but continued with a wave of her hand. "Yes, well... we were all sitting here, just like we are now, chatting away. Liam had just told this hilarious story, and I was laughing so hard that I grabbed Siobhan's arm to keep from falling over—and, well… she just started orgasming all over the place." Then, she reluctantly added, "She was, ah… quite loud and, uh... a squirter."
"Jesus, Mom!" Bella groaned, throwing her hands over her eyes, wishing she could wipe away the mental image that had instantly burned itself into her brain. She took it all back—her mom's ability could do real damage.
Renée pressed on, sensing she needed to finish the story quickly, as it wasn't exactly painting her power in the best light. "Liam was furious. But luckily, Maggie was there to calm the situation down." Renée leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping with admiration. "Have you heard of Maggie, Bella? She has this incredible ability to instantly tell if someone's telling the truth or lying. It's remarkable! So, after she confirmed that it was, in fact, an accident, Liam calmed down… but, well, they still left pretty quickly."
"Yes, and that's when I bought Renée those pretty gloves she's wearing," Jean Paul chimed in, a hint of humor lacing his voice as he gestured toward the elegant gloves on Renée's hands. His tone was light, but his eyes carried the memory of what had prompted the purchase.
Renée didn't like that her power was being viewed negatively and felt the need to defend it. "Really though, it's actually a great power." With a flourish, she pulled off the glove on her left hand, exposing her bare skin. A thought seemed to occur to her, and she smiled. "Edward, you wouldn't mind if I gave a little demonstration, would you? Everyone loves it when they know what's coming."
She stood up quickly, a playful glint in her eye, and began walking toward Edward, her hand outstretched. Edward's mouth dropped open in shock, his eyes wide as he stared at her, frozen in place.
But before Renée could take more than a few steps, she collided with something unseen, stumbling back and landing unceremoniously on her ass.
Bella had been listening, but when she saw her mother remove her glove and make a move toward Edward, her protective instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, she threw up a shield, blocking her mom's advance.
Shaking her head, Bella spoke firmly. "I don't think so." The sternness in her voice left no room for argument.
Renée glanced up and realized that Edward, wide-eyed and clearly taken aback, had shifted closer to Bella. Their legs were now touching, and the subtle way Bella angled herself in front of him did not go unnoticed. Renée's lips curved into a knowing smile, pleased at how protective Bella seemed to be over her new friend. Maybe, just maybe, something more was brewing between them. The thought gave her hope as she stood up, brushing off her pants.
"Alright, alright, I get it. No demonstrations." Renée raised her hands in mock surrender, still smiling. "But if either of you change your mind, let me know. I'm still learning how to control it, and having a willing participant to practice on would be really helpful."
Edward remained silent, his expression still caught somewhere between disbelief and relief, while Bella offered her mom a tight-lipped smile—clearly not planning to volunteer herself or Edward for any 'practice sessions' anytime soon.
Bella had had enough talk about her mom, 'the orgasm whisperer,' and decided to steer the conversation in a more practical direction. "Jean Paul," she began, turning her attention to him, "Edward and I need to get back to the US, but neither of us have any form of ID or passports—or anything, really. Can you put us in contact with your guy who handles that sort of thing?"
Jean Paul, who had been observing the exchange with a bemused expression, nodded. "Of course." He stood up and gently tugged Renée down beside him, watching as she carefully slipped her glove back on. He knew he'd have to have another chat with her about not using her ability on others without permission, but that was a conversation for later.
"For a full set of documents, it should take about a week," Jean Paul continued, settling into his more serious tone. "Unless you're in a rush and need them sooner. Does that timeline work for you two?"
Edward, finally shaking off the earlier shock, nodded appreciatively. "A week's fine," he said, his voice steadying. "Thank you."
Bella glanced at Edward, then back to Jean Paul. "Yes, that should work. We can take it easy and enjoy Paris for a bit while everything's sorted."
Edward, now recovered from the near-embarrassment Renée had almost caused, cleared his throat and spoke up, his voice steady once again. "Jean Paul, I've been wondering—have you ever heard of the vampire who sired me? I'd like to find him, let him know that I'm alive and well. His name is Carlisle Cullen."
Edward's eyes flicked between Jean Paul and Bella as he spoke, hope clear in his expression. Bella had already tried searching for Carlisle's name on the phone they'd recently acquired, but she hadn't found anything, and her explanation of "no hits" still didn't entirely make sense to him.
Jean Paul leaned back, his brow furrowing slightly in thought, while Renée, sitting beside him, appeared utterly relaxed. She was absentmindedly playing with the fabric of her glove, completely engrossed in the sensation. Edward shot a glance her way, uneasily wondering what she might do next. He had thought Bella's stories about her mom had been exaggerated—but clearly, Bella hadn't done them justice.
Finally, Jean Paul spoke, his voice thoughtful. "I've met Carlisle before, yes. Though I wouldn't say we were close. The last time I encountered him was in the mid-1700s, in Volterra, of all places. We had a brief conversation about his plans to leave for the New World. That was the last time I saw or spoke with him."
Edward nodded, feeling a flicker of disappointment, but noticed Jean Paul wasn't finished. "However," he continued, "I do have a friend—Eleazar, of the Denali coven in Alaska. He and Carlisle have maintained a friendship over the years. Eleazar has mentioned him several times, so he might be your best lead. I'd suggest contacting him for help with finding Carlisle."
"Thank you," Edward replied thoughtfully. "I actually traveled with Carlisle once to Denali to visit Eleazar, not long after my newborn year had ended. I think visiting him will be a good place to start."
As Edward spoke, Bella felt a pit form in her stomach. The thought of Edward going off to Alaska on his own twisted something inside her. She wasn't ready for them to part ways... not yet. The idea of him leaving made her uncharacteristically nervous, a feeling she hadn't anticipated.
Clearing her throat, Bella tried to steady her voice. "Ah... after we get our documents sorted, would you maybe like a travel partner to Alaska? I've never been there before, and, well... it's actually the last state I need to visit to say I've been to all fifty."
Edward looked at her, his tension easing at her words. He had quietly dreaded the moment Bella would tell him she was leaving, heading off on her own. The idea of separating from her now, after everything they'd been through, didn't sit right with him. He hadn't realized just how much until this moment.
"I'd like that very much," he said, feeling genuine warmth spread through him. A small smile tugged at his lips. "You say Alaska is a U.S. state now? That's... news to me. There were only 48 states when I… went to Volterra. What's the other one I missed?"
Bella's smile widened, a playful glint in her eyes. "Hawaii," she answered, her voice softening with the memory. "You'd love it there—the beautiful sandy beaches, the warm sun, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore." She paused for a moment, a slight grin tugging at her lips as a more mischievous thought crossed her mind. "I had the loveliest time there... in my itsy bitsy bikini." Her gaze flicked toward Edward, a touch of heat in her eyes as she let the image of them together on the beach play out in her mind.
Edward's smile mirrored hers, though there was a hint of curiosity behind it. "Sounds enchanting," he replied, his tone light but intrigued. He hesitated for a second before adding, "Ah... what's a bikini?"
The question caught Bella off guard, but before she could answer, Renée, who had been observing the exchange with growing amusement, chimed in.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll find out soon enough," Renée said with a playful giggle, her eyes sparkling as she glanced between the two of them. There was no mistaking the attraction between her daughter and Edward, and it delighted her to no end.
Bella shot her mom a sharp, don't-you-dare-say-another-word glare, but Renée just laughed harder, clearly enjoying the moment. Luckily, Bella didn't have the ability to shoot laser beams out of her eyes either.
I hope you enjoyed Edward's introduction to Renée and the big reveal of her 'superpower.' There were actually some subtle hints about it in earlier chapters, though nothing you'd likely pick up on until this moment. In the next chapter, we'll dive into the rest of Bella and Edward's time in Paris before they embark on an adventure to track down the Cullens... Where could they be?