Chapter Twenty-Four

A few weeks went by since Bella's adventure into the woods....and my other family left. Bella and I were handling the Cullen's leaving a little differently. Bella had retreated into her room and was acting like a zombie while I was angry.

I sent a very angry mental message to Edward through telepathy about how he left Bella in the middle of the woods, and she got lost and almost died, if it wasn't for Sam finding her.

He didn't say anything back, but I knew he heard me.

I understood his reasons but doing it in this way was just too cruel. I tried to remind myself that Edward was hurting too, he was only doing what he thought was best for Bella.

I got several emails and postcards from them that I had to keep hidden from Bella. They kept me updated on Edward; I know it wasn't easy for him...He was going through some things too from what Alice has told me.

Since they've been gone, I took care of their house, but it felt empty without them.

Sighing to myself I walked into the house from the backyard, it was fall time so it was time for me to winterize my garden.

Walking into the kitchen I washed dirt off my hands quickly and dried them and then started on a simple grilled cheese and soup.

It was around lunch time; my mind was full of so many things that I sighed again staring down at the red liquid warm up as I stirred it.

"Hey sweetheart, I'm headed out." Charlie told me.

I turned seeing him in his uniform.

"Okay be safe." I told him nodding towards the stairs. "I'll stay and watch her."

He nodded and walked out. Bella wouldn't come out of her room, she just sat at the window not talking or doing anything.

At first, she kept asking me if I could find them, if the girls and I could do a spell and fix it but when we wouldn't, she retreated into herself.

I didn't blame Bella, not completely, no one can predict what will happen.... unless your Alice or Quinn but even they didn't see the attack, part of me blamed myself for letting Edward and Bella get so close.

I know I talk a lot about fate and things that are meant to happen will happen but right now I wasn't so sure I believed in those lessons.

The house was awfully quiet, more than usual.

Sighing for the one hundredth time, I turned off the stove and grabbed a bowl and small plate and sat them down at the table.

Turning to grab a pitcher of ic tea from the fridge, I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and heard the front door open.

"You forget something?" I asked turning around but instead of Charlie, I looked into the eyes of Paul. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh Charlie let me in." He told me shrugging, jabbing his thumb towards the front door. "Wanted to check up on you.. we're all worried about you, I was worried." He had a plastic bag in his hands.

I gave a slight nod and grabbed another glass, pouring tea into them and held a glass out to him.

He took the glass from me. I said nothing as I turned filling another bowl and sat it in front of him knowingly. I turned on my heel grabbing my iced tea opening my herb cupboard adding a dash of Chamomile and lavender into my glass and sat down in my seat. I took a drink already feeling a little better and gave Paul half my grilled cheese.

"Thanks." He said sitting down, flashing me a smile.

I nodded, taking my grilled cheese and dipped it into the soup, taking a bite.

"So are you feeling okay?" He asked.

"Yes and no." I told him shrugging. "I miss them."

I saw the look on his face change slightly.

"Carlisle and Esme were the closest people I had to my parents... For three years since they died." I added stirring my soup with a spoon. "I never had to hide what I was from them; they're house was the one place I could go where I could be myself... I know Charlie is my mom's actual brother and I still have Athena .. but Carlisle knew my grandmother since she was a little child. It's because of him saving her the Lovelace family exists I never would have been born... Grams trusted him so did dad and I do too."

He sighed nodding, his eyes changed again processing what I said.

"But mostly I'm worried about Bella."

"She still won't come out of her room?" He asked.

"Nope only for school and that's it." I told him frowning taking a drink from my glass. "She wakes up nearly every night screaming."

"That leech really did a number on her." He said making me nod.

"She keeps asking the girls and I to make her forget."

"Can you do that?"

"No." I said giving him a firm look. "All magic comes with personal gain attached to it... If I took him from her memories, Bella would never be the same again, I could risk taking more than just Edward's memory."

We sat there eating our meal and talking back and forth about everything. Paul knew about the Cullen's secret, he didn't like them, he hated them but he stayed calm, just letting me get everything out. He knew I considered them as family.

I didn't say much about them cause I didn't want him to get upset, so I mostly focused on talking about Bella's broken heart.

Thinking of Esme and Carlisle who I considered a second pair of parents, Alice and Jasper, and Rose and Em... and Edward... I felt tears in my eyes knowing that I might not see them again, Alice said we would but I still felt like I wouldn't.

I lost people who I could be my witchy self around and they didn't even bother saying goodbye in person.

Paul seemed to notice and reached over laying his hand over mine, making me pause and look up at him, meeting his eye.

He squeezed me hand.

I felt my heart skip a beat and jittery butterfly in my stomach. We stared at each other for a long time until I sighed in content and melted, giving him a small smile.

He wasn't just my crush anymore, he was someone who meant a lot to me... Even before he shifted and imprinted on me. I would always love him and yes I said love but I wondered if he would ever leave me.

Every night while I slept he was out guarding and protecting everyone from dark forces... I've lost a lot of people in my life but thinking of losing this guy... I couldn't imagine it.

"Soo how about we watch a movie and have some ice cream?" He asked putting his empty bowl down and pulled his sack from the floor and onto the table.

"Ice cream?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "We just ate, it may not have been much for your bottomless pit but still..."

"You're never too full for rocky road." He said reaching into the bag and pulled out a tub of said ice cream, along with licorice and other goodies and a pile of movies. "And your favorite witchy themed movies, starting with your most favorite one."

"Practical magic?" I muttered grinning and pulled it out of his hands, he had big smile on his face watching me and nodded.

I gave a tiny squeal and hopped up heading into the living room, putting it in the player and plopped down on the couch.

Paul just chuckled at me. He grabbed a couple clean bowls, spoons and came over sliding onto the couch beside me, dropping the rest of the snacks on the coffee table.

Fixing our snacks, we settled back as the opening credits started, he moved his arm around my shoulder, I curled up on his chest.

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"There are some things I know for certain always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck and fall in love whenever you can." I muttered smiling.

The movie was over, I may or may not have made Paul watch it about three times, it was now getting late. I walked him out and went into the back, near the woods.

"You really like that movie huh?"

"I really do." I muttered shrugging. "It's a perfect story where witches are not the usual stereotypes that most witch movies try to portray... Some witches are dark and some are light but we all follow a sense of code."

He just smiled at me.  I tackled him in a hug, he opened his arms accepting it and held me just as tight.

"Thanks for hanging with me, it's been a little crazy here." I told him leaning back slightly. He still had his hands on my waist. "I know you all don't like that I'm close with the Cullens but it means a lot that you kind of accept it... Between them leaving, Charlie worrying for Bella, Bella screaming nearly every night plus the girls and I checking the protection barrier over the town... There's a lot of strong auras, loud thoughts... I feel like my head's going to explode."

"No problem." He told me gently, kissing my cheek. "If you ever need me, you know I'm only a call away... or a thought away."

He smirked at me jokingly. I grinned laughing.

His arms slide up from my waist, coming up to cup my face with his hands.  He lowered down, keeping his eyes locked with mine. I could feel his warm breath on my skin, coming down for a kiss.

I met him the rest of the way, soon our lips were dancing.

Kissing him always brought all those exciting sparks to fly. He was so warm and gentle but rough... my hot headed bad boy.  With every kiss and soft caress the more my heart was thumping loudly.

After a few seconds of a slight heated make out, we broke apart, coming up for air, breathing heavy.

He laid his head against mine and stared down into my eyes.

"Good night Angel."

I smiled at him.

"Good night." I muttered.

He gave me another short kiss before moving around me, his hand left mine as he walked away from me into the trees.

I stared at his backside, until he was gone.

I let out a sighed happily, I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

Waiting just a few more seconds I turned heading into the house.

I cleaned everything up, left a note on the fridge, letting Charlie know his dinner was in the fridge and headed upstairs.

Entering my room, my eyes trailed to my inviting bed and my kitty that I feel like I haven't seen all day.

I took a quick hot shower and got ready for bed, laying down I burrowed under my covers and wrapped my arms around my kitty, cuddling up to her.

Staring out my window at the dark sky, I heard a small howl and felt safe knowing he was out there.

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'Paul slowly lowered down, keeping his eyes locked with mine. I could feel his warm breath on my skin, coming down for a kis'

A loud piercing scream filled the house making me snap awake out of the lovely dream I was having. I jumped out of bed like this was a normal thing and ran out from my room and into my cousins where I saw her thrashing around.

My eyes went wide slightly, and I moved over to her and grabbed her arms to stop her.

"Bella! Bella it's okay." I told her repeatedly. She slowly calmed down, waking up and cried into her pillow.

Charlie came into the room with a pained and tired expression, one he saw that I was taking care of her, he relaxed.

"It's okay uncle Charlie, go back to sleep." I told him. "I got her."

"You sure?" He asked in a deep heavy sleep tone.

"Yeah." I told him nodding my head.

He watched us for a moment as I settled down beside Bella and ran my hand through her hair a few times. She moved her head onto my lap.

Charlie closed the door behind him leaving, I made sure he was gone completely before staring at my cousin.

I had no idea how to shake her out of this. None of my spell books have the answers.

"I'm gonna make you some calming tea." I told her getting up and going downstairs.

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Another week passed, October was falling into November. School went by, phone calls with Paul were going strong... but Bella still hasn't made any changes.

It was the weekend I found myself in Los Angeles staring up at a tiny coffee shop, dressed in a black dress, my hair was tied up in a smooth bun, clutching a folder in my hands.

'We can do this I mean this is only Athena.' I thought to myself, making sure I looked okay before walking in.

Inside the building was a bunch of tables, a counter and a few couches and looked like a typical cafe.

There were people everywhere, ordering drinks or food, the usual people you would find at a place like this.

At one of the short tables with a couch, there was a middle aged woman with dark tinted glasses and her hair was cut above her shoulders. She looked pretty young for someone who was around fifty years old. Her skin was perfect, she looked like she was only eighteen. She looked very high class and fancy.

She spotted me, and a big smile came over her face.

"Elena!"

She raised her hand in the air, waving me over.

I smiled, walking over to her. She stood up and pulled me into a hug.

"Auntie Athena." I greeted patting her back until she pulled back.

"How are you?" She asked smiling brightly. "I'm sorry I haven't been in touch, there's a lot going on."

"That's okay I got my fair share of things." I told her.

She pulled me to sit at the table, sitting on the couch.

"Tell me about it."

"Well..." I trailed off before slowly telling her everything that happened.

I told her about Bella coming to live with Charlie and I, how she met the Cullens and found out I was a witch and they were vampires, and the baseball game. I told her how I helped fight and kill an evil vampire... and then I told her about Sam shifting, and Paul and how he imprinted on me and everything that happened the last couple of days.

"Do you think Bella should be with Edward?" Athena asked.

A waiter had came over and took our drink orders and walked away.

"I don't know I mean Grams and Dad always said what's meant to be will happen rather we like it or not." I told her quietly.

She nodded.

"Yeah but what do you think?" She asked giving me a pointed look.

"I think.." I said pausing for a second. "I wish Bella had never gotten involved... If she hadn't then the Cullen's would still be in town and the boys wouldn't have shifted."

"Paul wouldn't be in danger." She said knowingly.

I sighed nodded.

"I know we've only started dating and all that but I love him." I said watching the waiter come over bringing our drinks and a big plate of chili cheese fries.

Athena looked at me with a big proud smile. Her smile looked so much like Dad's... it was almost like I could see Dad sitting right beside us.

"I never thought I would have someone like him." I added taking a drink from my ice tea. "I never thought I would be an imprint, I do find it exciting but-"

"But you feel torn because of the treaty, being friends with the Cullens and the pack plus now being an official imprint?" Athena asked.

I nodded.

"I don't know how Elise did it." I told her admittedly. "How was she able to love her husband, live on the rez as pack healer and still be friends with Carlisle and them?"

"Elise never let anyone tell her what to do or who she could and couldn't be friends with." Athena said firmly, with full respect of my aunt, her great aunt. "She still loved Yaha Uta and made sure she never neglected her duties to both the tribe, coven and clan, she remained loyal to all three sides."

"It was Elise's fate to be an imprint just like it was mine to be Paul's." I muttered staring at my drink.

"You sound so much like David." Athena told me drawing my attention. "He used to speak like that, you have your father's witt... He'd be proud of you, just like all of us are."

I stared at her for a long time thinking of my father before smiling at her. Just remembering of the reason we were meeting up.

"Speaking of witch.. or should I say warlock" I said smirking at my attempt of a joke, I pulled out the yellow folder Carlisle had given me on my birthday. "Is it true about the house? Is it really mine? I read the letter from Dad but I thought the house was gone when Grams died."

"It's true." she said nodding smiling gently. "The house is all yours, I've been making sure everything taken care off. Any back taxes and things are up to date."

"I get the entire property? Just like that?"

She nodded again, she took the folder from me.

"Let me explain kay?"

She opened the folder, took out all the paperwork, talking back and forth while we finished our drinks and snacks.

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The time with Athena took most of my morning and part of my afternoon, I finally pulled into the driveway of the Swan house and sent a message to Paul letting him know I was home.  Since it was Thanksgiving weekend, he was spending the day at Sam and Emily's. He had pretty much moved in with them.

I had a smile on my face from seeing my aunt and getting the confirm that Dad had left Grams house to me. Just me.

Of course if any of my cousins ever decided to move back to Forks, I would gladly let them but the Lovelace Gardens was under my name.

Athena said she would help me set a budget plan and figure out everything money wise without draining the Lovelace vault completely. Dad had even left me more money to renovate it if I wished.

Of course I wasn't going to move out yet, until Bella was okay. Even though Charlie has given me his blessings, he and Bella were my maternal blood family and they needed me.

And I still needed to graduate first and figure out this whole thing with Paul... but I was excited.

I thought the house had been long gone so I never really gave it much thought until Carlisle handed me those papers.

The house was in the middle of the woods and sat in between where the treaty line was. Because our family were neutral the Lovelace Gardens was considered mutual ground, the only rule was there wasn't allowed to be any fighting.

Shaking my head clear, I parked and got out seeing Charlie standing there with a turkey in hand, and a couple. Bob Marks was a heavy guy and his wife Martha.

"Elena it's good to see you." Bob greeted when I scooted up beside them and stop.

"You too." I told them smiling.

"You're all fancy." Charlie said making me look at him. "Did you meet with your aunt? Did it go well?"

"Yeah, I'll tell you later." I told him gently and glanced at the bird in his hand. "Wow that looks quite big, why don't I take it inside and start on the side dishes."

I took it from his hands and walked to the house before he could say anything else.

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"You lived here?" Paul asked his eyes were wide and his mouth hung open.

It seemed months were passing by too quickly; snow was heavy on the ground as winter had came.

The tires of my jeep crunched on the snow as I pulled up to a familar gate.

Paul had came with me, we were spending the day together until he had to leave for patrol

"You think the outside is amazing, wait till you see the inside." I told him.

I waved my hand softly, the gate swung open so I could drive through and swung back shut.

"That was cool." Paul said making me blush.

I smiled at him.

I parked inside the gate and got out walking up to my old home. The place still looked like it used too, big and beautiful.

The house was an old Victorian home with three floors, on the second four bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and walk in closets. The bottom floor was where the kitchen and living room was and a dining room.

A kitchen, big living room and dining room. My Dad's office was on the third floor along with Gram's big attic where she would brew her potions.

There were two doors, the big double front doors and the back door which would lead into the famous gardens the house was named for. It had everything from spell ingredients to vegetables and was once really beautiful. On the side of the house there was a cellar door where Grams would do her canning and it had a special hidden room that held Lovelace artifacts.

"The Lovelace Gardens were famously known, it's where Grams would grow all her herbs... she always said fresh ingredients made the potions better..."

I looked around remembering ever section like the little brook where Grams would collect her water.

There was a big oak tree with one of those love swings my parents would sit every night looking at the stars.

A swing set and slide, with a small play area where I used to play, and a picnic table area where we would have a family barbecue every summer.

"We used to have huge parties all our friends from the Rez like Billy and his wife, Harry and Sue and old Quil and his wife...... The old pack they'd come during the day but once they left and night fell... The Cullen's would show up..... I would eat so much food that I felt like I was gonna burst but it was fun.  We balanced all three worlds perfectly.... until Grams died."

I frowned a little, sighing to myself.

"How'd she die anyway?"

I glanced at Paul for a second before shrugging.

"We don't know." I told him honestly. "My grandmother was immortal, she could have lived for as long she wanted as long as Colin was still alive, the rest of my family think her death wasn't an accident especially after Athena got attacked and that car accident that killed my parents... It wasn't just an accident."

I sighed thinking of that night.

"We were attacked, I wasn't meant to survive."

Paul's head snapped towards me hearing that. His eyes changed into an emotion I couldn't read.

My eyes trailed towards the stairs, I walked up them slowly and walked inside the house. Paul just followed.

"After my grandparents died, my dad and Athena were looking into it because of how strange it was." I told him gently. "It's part of why we went to the city for an entire summer... on the way home. Dad was driving, it was raining. We were only a few miles between where the treaty line ran... Dad saw something, he swerved to miss hitting it... and the next thing I knew I was outside of the car and the car was upside down..."

I took in a deep breath staring at the floor, remembering the screams, maybe if I had done something instead of standing there like an idiot I could have saved them.

"I was still a witch in training so my teleporting and other gifts wasn't fully under my control yet."

Paul nodded.

I grabbed his hand, pulling him into where the kitchen was. Noticing the entire place was completely spotless, fridge was full and everything was set up.

I concluded that Athena had hired a maid to help keep the house going. I was happy.  I opened the fridge seeing a case of root beer and grabbed two cans.

"I remember a black hooded figure and four red eyes staring at me, when they saw I survived they were surprised... I kinda read their minds but I was still in shock, torn between teleporting for help and leaving my parents."

Moving to the island, handing one to him.

"If it wasn't for Carlisle and his family and the old pack showing up.... I would have been killed too." I added thinking it all over. "That's another reason I will always trust the Cullen's..."

Paul stared at me like he was processing everything before a new look of acceptance came over his face. I could see into his mind, he was thanking Carlisle.

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New Chapter

4/25/2024

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(Alyssa Milano as Athena Lovelace, she will also portray Athena's twin sister Rowena)