Chapter Twenty

June seemed to fly by quickly, I spent half of my time down at the rez with Paul, we've gone on a few other dates, some without our lovely friends and before anyone asks yes we are dating.

We weren't going to tell anyone yet, the only ones who know are Charlie, the elders, Emily, Kim, Jared and Sam....  I didn't want a whole lot of people knowing just yet.

It was the last week of June... This day came quickly.

I laid awake staring up at the ceiling, petting Piper who was cuddled up to my side, the sun was almost up, and it was raining so it was a groggy day. I felt numb, letting out a sigh and feeling tears in my eyes, staring at my parents portrait.

Today was a good and bad day for me.

Reaching over I grabbed my phone off the table and unlocked it, checking the time and noticed I had a bunch of unread text messages. One from Leah, Embry and Jacob... My friends at school and those on the rez... Along with Athena and all of my paternal cousins... And one of the messages came from the group chat between Emily, Kim and I.

The door opened making me brush the tears away and turned seeing Charlie and Bella coming in.

"Happy Birthday!"

I stared at them for a minute before giving them a small smile and sat up.

Charlie seemed to understand, he gave me a gentle smile glancing at his sister's face and then handed me a small purple stripped box.

I took the box from him and sat in in my lap, taking off the lid and moved tissue paper from inside until I found candle and smiled.

"Awe this is great." I told him taking a smell of lavender scent. "Thanks Uncle Charlie."

"I was hoping you'd like it."

"I do." I told him grinning. "Love that it fits my purple theme."

He smiled at me.

I sat the candle on my side table and put the paper pack in the box and sat it aside before reaching for Bella's.

It was wrapped in pretty sparkling purple which made me grin even more and quite heavy.

I unwrapped it and found an empty journal, it was bounded in leather and had a purple stone engraved on the front.

"Thank you." I told her, setting it aside. "Really, thank you."

"You're not done yet, you've got several packages from everywhere." Bella told me watching Charlie go to my door and grab three boxes, one of them looked pretty heavy. "Jazz, Quinn, Juliet... and some of your other cousins... You got a lot of people."

I laughed at her.

"Yeah the Lovelace clan is big and scattered everywhere on earth." I told her earning a nod.

I pushed my legs over the edge, Charlie sat them all on my bed. I decided to open the biggest one first that came from Jazz, I wasted no time in ripping the paper off and opened the lid, I found a treasure chest type box and opened the lid of that. The corners of my mouth curved seeing all of the herbs, crystals, sage and everything I could think of.

Jazz was amazing.

I sat that one aside and went to grab the other two, Quinn had sent me a new bath bombs, Marianna and Holly gave me a new book titled: Witchcraft A handbook of Magic, Spells and Potions.

"Awesome." I muttered smiling, playing with what Jazz had sent me more than anything and glanced up at Charlie and Bella. "These gifts are amazing thank you."

"I know you probably want to do your birthday tradition, so we'll leave you to get dressed." Charlie told me making me nod. "But first we're making you breakfast for a change."

I smiled at them and watched them leave the room before I got out of bed and went to take a quick shower, I washed my hair and got out, wrapping my hair in one towel and my body in another and headed back into my room.

Heading for my dresser, I stopped spotting a fancy wrapped box on my bed and paused, feeling the tips of my lips curve, somehow knowing who left it there, there was a small card on the top of it, so I skimmed it.

Ellie,

Party at our house tonight, Alice says you must wear this and be at the house for dinner.

Edward

Putting the card down, I opened the box and pulled out a pretty purple dress with shoes and accessories. I smiled mentally thanking my fashion diva and got dressed in something else. Black crop top, black jeans and boots.

And headed downstairs seeing Bella putting a plate of chocolate chip pancakes on the table.

"This is great, thanks."

--

The rain had gone away, so the sun was partly out as I parked the jeep and got out, walking towards the entrance of the Forks cemetery.

In the middle of it, there was a family crypt, many of the Lovelace's were buried here including my parents.

I always celebrated my birthday the same way, which included visiting the family crypt and lighting candles.  I only did this twice a year on my birthday and on the day they died.... but each time was very emotional for me.

Spotting the crypt, it was just your typical stone room, where my family laid in a tomb sleeping the forever sleep. The name Lovelace was written above the front door in Latin.

I headed up to the door and pushed it open, looking around not seeing anyone and walked on.

There wasn't a coffin here, instead there were urns on the walls and an alter in the middle.

I walked up to the alter in silence and placed some flowers I had down.

Muttering a spell, I lifted my pointer finger and pressed it against the wick of a candle. It took a few minutes before my fire spell did it's job.

Smoke rose into the sky.

I stood there for a few minutes, taking in a deep breath and closed my eyes.

--------

After visiting with my parents and family for a few minutes, I started headed back home, feeling muddled about leaving them. Pulling into the driveway, I spotted Billy, Jacob outside with Charlie. I had to do a double take seeing Paul standing there with them.

Hopping out, I wiped tears from my eyes and saw a knowing look on both Charlie and Billy's face, they knew this day was always the hardest.

"There she is." Billy said giving me a smile, when I reached where they were standing by the stairs. "All your friends from the Rez sent their gifts by messenger."

I noticed there was a pile of more gifts on the porch and did a double take.

I gave a small smile; he handed me a smaller box he had in his lap.

"Open it later." He told me making me nod.

Charlie said something about a game that was going to start so he helped Billy up the stairs and headed inside, Bella started taking all the gifts into the house for me. Leaving Jacob, Paul and I just standing there.... Jacob kept looking between the two of us.

"Jake help Bella bring in all the gifts." Billy called making Jake look over at him.

Billy gave his son a firm look, Jake let out a sigh but moved to do as his father asked.  I smiled at Billy with appreciation and earned a wink from the old man.  Paul and I were alone now.

I glanced at him seeing him already staring at me with a soft smile.

"I'm surprised to see you and Jacob together." I told him moving closer.

"Well Billy said it was cool with him." Paul said shrugging. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek making me grin. "Besides I wouldn't miss this for anything."

He cleared his throat and pulled out a very tiny gift bag.

"Happy Birthday Elena."

"Awe thanks." I told him taking the gift from him and carefully removed the paper and pulled out a woven bracelet, it was had purple beads mixed in with a bunch of other pretty colors and a tiny wolf charm hanging on it. "This is cool."

"Saw it a few weeks ago and thought you'd like it." Paul told me making me look at him, he was studying my face. "It was literally the only purple one there....do you like it?"

I grinned a little at that, I think I had almost everything purple that existed.

"Love it." I told him nodding, slipping it onto my wrist next to my one with a Triquetra symbol.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. He happily accepted and slid his arms around my waist, pulling me in as close as possible.

Taking a deep breath, we pulled back. He smiled at me and we headed inside to join Charlie, Billy and Jacob in the living room. Sitting on the floor together and watched the game. Bella sort of stayed up in her room.

Eventually the game was over and just in time because it was time for me to head over to the Cullens.

Charlie walked Jacob and Billy out to the truck leaving Paul and I trailing behind.

"You're going to the Cullens tonight aren't you?" He asked drawing my attention. "I can smell them here."

I could sense his sudden change in emotions and stared at him before deciding to test the waters.

"Yeah they throw me a party every year." I told him slowly.

His entire face went from gentle to nasty in matters of seconds.

"Look." I muttered giving him a soft look. "I know you don't like it, but the Cullen's won't hurt me... I've known them since I was practically a baby.... besides I've got magic on my side."

I lifted one of my hands dramatically and grabbed his hand. He let out a heavy breath, calming down.

"It's just for tonight, I'll text you when I get home and I'll see you tomorrow." I added earning a calm look. "Leah wants to have a beach day tomorrow anyway... I'm going to use it as an excuse to hang with Jake too, his thoughts are kind of loud tonight"

Paul said nothing, he just stared at me with a hard look, I smiled at him innocently. He sighed in defeat and nodded.

He leaned over and kissed my cheek, I could feel his warm breath on my skin.

"Lahote time to go!" I heard Jake yell.

I just remembered that Paul hitched a ride with Billy and Jacob.

We walked out together, still holding hands and stopped along side Billy's truck.  Paul flashed me a smile before climbing into the back.

I followed quietly, leaning against the bed.

"Hope you had a good day." Jake told me helping Billy into the truck and then came to put the wheelchair into the back next to Paul.

"It wasn't so bad." I told him glancing at Paul. He stared back at me making my heart flutter, I had to fight my blush and turned back to my best friend. "I haven't really celebrated much in..." I paused thinking about it. "Wow...It's been officially four years since...." I shook my head, changing the subject. "It was fine... thanks for all free delivery on gifts.. I think everyone in the world has sent me at least something..."

I laughed.

Jacob smiled at me.

"No problem."

"I'll see you guys tomorrow." I said glancing between him and Paul, earning nods.

'Be safe... please.' I heard Paul think.

I looked at him and smiled, nodding letting him know I heard him.

Jacob got into the drivers seat and backed out of the driveway.

I watched them leave, staring at my shifter for a long time until I couldn't see him anymore.

I turned, walking into the house and went upstairs to get ready.

After taking a shower, I headed back to my room and got dressed in the outfit Alice sent me and sat down at my vanity, staring at myself in the mirror, working on my hair.

After getting to see my boyfriend and receiving all the gifts from friends and family I was starting to feel a lot better.

I started on my makeup, trying to match the shade of the dress, just some simple gloss and eyeliner and couple swipes of mascara.

Once my makeup was done, I stood up and grabbed my bag and opened my door, heading downstairs meeting Charlie and Bella in the living room.

Bella was already, ready to go, Charlie's head turned and stared

"Wow." He said making me smile. "Bella told me you were going to a party at the Cullens."

I nodded.

"Do you mind?" I asked seeing the look on his face.

"No, you have fun."

I nodded again and turned to Bella.

"You ready to go?"

She nodded and we headed out to the jeep.

----

It didn't take long for me to pull up to the Cullen house, I smiled feeling like I was free, you know like a place where you can just be yourself and I was happy.

Getting out, Bella and I headed for the door, Edward was already there opening it.

"Ellie, Happy Birthday."

"Thanks." I told him smiling, entering the house, I took my jacket off and smiled seeing the inside beautifully decorated fancy birthday like. "Wow."

Suddenly there were strong arms around me, nearly crushing me.

"Alice." I muttered in amusement. "Breathing is required."

She let go letting out a giggle and grabbed my hand, leading me up the stairs into the living room where everyone else were.

There were purple flowers and candles and a big cake with purple tint mixed in and a table with a bunch of presents.

"You guys really went all out this year." I muttered breathlessly.

"Of course, we did." Alice told me making me smile at her, she pulled me over to the table with the gifts and grabbed a tiny shiny dark purple wrapped one. "Jasper and I got you this."

I unwrapped it, revealing a box and took the lid off spotting a pair of hooped earrings with black cats in the middle of the hoops with a matching necklace.

"Thank you." I muttered giving her a quick hug. "These are pawsome."

She smiled at me, dragging me to the couch and made me sit down while Rosalie brought over a slightly bigger box, sliding down beside me. She gave me a melted smile making Bella look at us kind of like she was surprised or in shock Rose was being friendly but Rose loved me.

"This ones from Emmett and I." She told me making me nod, taking it.

Opening it, I moved paper. Inside the box was two garden gnomes but black cats with little hats on them, I smiled a little seeing a pattern coming Esme handed me hers and Carlisle's which had a stuffed black cat.

"Ooh looks just like Piper." I muttered pulling it out of the box and hugged it, feeling the softness. "Thank you, really. This is the happiest birthday I've had in four years."

Looking around at all of the Cullen's, seeing all of them staring at me with smiles and family love. I suddenly felt tears in my eyes thinking it would be great if my parents were here.

"They're here." Edward told me clearly reading my mind.

I looked at him.

"They're with you."

I smiled at him before remembering something else, Edward was a mind reader like me... does he know about Paul.... I wasn't ready to tell anyone yet, part of me was nervous what everyone would think, now being an imprint I was really torn between both sides.. the other half of me just wanted to keep it to myself for a while...

This was a new relationship, it was new territory, I would always protect my relationship with the Cullen's but like I always say fate isn't something we can control.

It was my fate to be a witch, for my future to be woven together with Paul's... I didn't know what was going to happen next the only thing I know is we were meant to happen.

'Edward please don't tell anyone' I asked beggingly. I could see his eyes go dark, clearly reading my mind again, seeing what I saw. 'Please?'

'You don't have to worry, whatever you choose we'll be happy for you, no matter who or what, this family will be here for you'  I heard Edward tell me firmly. 'When you're ready we'll talk'

I nodded in thanks.

The others all noticed we were speaking telepathically, leaving us be for a few minutes. I caught sight of Bella's face, glancing between Edward and I, and again she looked jealous or something.

Esme came over and pulled me into a motherly hug, making my smile come back.

"Come on, I made all of your favorites." She told me, grabbing my hand and pulled me up and over to the table with a bunch of goodies. There were portabella mushroom burgers, fries and other treats.

The party went on for a couple more hours, with Bella and I eating most of the food and they sat around the table with cups of their own meals, it didn't bother me. Soon it was time for cake which was a yummy velvet dyed purple which made me chuckle.

It wasn't long until Bella and I were walking out, before I left Carlisle handed me another present and told me to wait until I got home.

---

"So how was the bloodsucker's party?"

Once home, I sat up in my room after taking another shower and got dressed in fluffy jammies.

Like I promised, I made sure to let Paul know I was home. We were talking quietly since it was a little late.

"It went fine." I mumbled sorting through my new things, making sure every item was in a proper place. "I got a bunch of cat related items and Esme made all my favorite foods, including a purple velvet cake using my mom's recipe..." I sighed happily. "It almost felt like my mom was there."

"Dude you're hanging out with vampires!." I heard from other side. "How much fun can you have with a bunch of bloodsuckers?"

"Jared shut up."  Paul grumbled.

"I'm just saying."

There was a long pause, before I heard a smack and Jared crying out. I laughed loudly knowing Paul.

"Sorry about that, Jared's being a pest." Paul's voice came through.

"Sounds to me like he's just cranky." I told him catching sight of the time. "There's only three of you and a lot of land to cover...."

"I don't wanna let you go..."

Smiling I laughed at that softly.

I settled down on my bed, sliding under the covers and sat against the bedframe.

"Go take a hot shower and go to bed." I told him firmly feeling a yawn creep up. "Take your downtime while you got it..."

"Sweet dreams Angel."

"Night." I mumbled softly.

I hung up the phone, smiling at it like a crazy person for a long time. My eyes caught sight of the gift Carlisle had given me. It was sitting on my side table.

So I grabbed it and opened it, there was a big yellow envelope, I blinked in confusion recognizing my father's handwriting.

Opening it I pulled out a bunch of papers, there was a deed to the Lovelace house signed by Dad and Athena both. There was also part of Dad's ownership to his money and a letter.

'Dear Daughter,

Today is the day you came into my life and made me a father. If by chance I am not there, I gave these to Carlisle for safe keeping. I asked for him to wait until you were seventeen. If you don't believe me just ask your aunt.

Athena, your mother and I made these plans just in case something happened to us.

As you can imagine, this is one of the most difficult letters for me to write and right now as I await my fate as you know no one can change. I think about what would happen if I was no longer there and there are things you should know.

'Dad'

There were a couple more letters, so I laid back against my pillows and read each one.

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4/23/2024

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