Tempus | Alec volturi | Joel Courtney |

† two †

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“ Blessed are those who repent of their sins, they shall be refreshed in the faith of forgiveness. ”

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J O E L

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"Hey Joel, what are you doing?"

My gaze moved from my diary, to Maddelyn who stood near my desk. I put down the pen I was using, and shrugged. "Nothing important."

"Come on. Let's walk around."

"Looks good." I smiled, gazing at the garden area which looked livelier that it ever did. The wedding was to be held outside; the couple requesting an outdoor marriage that would begin their lives with nature's biggest blessing. 

"Car!" Maddelyn exclaimed, waving her hands before running towards her. Carly's eyes lit up at the sight of her sister, her arms extending as she pulled Maddelyn into a warm hug.

"What seems to be plaguing your thoughts brother?" Alec asked, tipping his head to the side lightly. I was reminded of the childlike side of him with that one subliminal motion taking me back to the time before the stake - when he was nothing but an innocent child; nothing more. 

"Does that need to be voiced brother?" I retorted, smiling lightly as he chuckled. 

"She doesn't hate you Joel. She'll come around." Alec smiled, patting me on the shoulder before he walked away in the direction of the group of guards who were erecting one of the many white pillars that added to the Grecian-vintage style wedding theme. 

"Joel! Would you be as kind enough as to assist us with the champagne tower?" Jane asked, holding a tray with three remaining glasses left while the majority were stacked in perfect synchronization on top of the silk clad table. 

"Just a few more glasses to stack and we'll be done." Jane said, handing me the three glasses that had to go on the top of the gigantic structure.

Keeping in mind the crucial state of balance that each cup required, I placed the two glasses side by side on top of the previous ones. Just as I carefully leaned forth to place the last one, a loud yelp followed by a sharp tug at the bottom of the steps had knocked me off my balance. I along with the guard behind me that handed me glasses, had tumbled forward; right into the assembly of glasses. 

The loud shattering of glass seemed to put everyone off of their duties. Accusing orbs eyed me and the fragments below as a familiar blonde pushed her way through the crowd. 

"What the heck Joel?!" She screeched furiously, eyeing the broken glass and the culprit on top of it; who just happened to be me. 

"I didn't mean to - "

"Shut up!" Carly growled, her fists clenching around the clipboard in her hands. "You had one job Joel - and you aren't even capable of doing it right. How could you be so negligent? If you can't help us, then might as well not burden us more!"

My jaw went slack as I could feel the remaining fragments of my heart shattering to nothing. With the remaining amount of energy left, I stood up and dusted myself over before disappearing. 

As more time begins to pass, my chances of forgiveness are lessening to the point that I can imagine loosing my mate permanently. The thought of never seeing her again isn't just a nightmare I wouldn't want to see, its slowly becoming a reality. 

If only there was a way for me to go back in time and reverse the wrongs I had done. I would never treat her like she was inferior ever again or doubt her capabilities. I would treat her as my equal; or perhaps my better half that could do no wrong. 

I would show her how much she meant to me, in every way. I would make her mine and keep her by my side for all eternity. I would be there for her in every step of the way, by her side through thick or thin; till the end of time. 

But the chance I had is slipping through my fingers each day; taking a piece of my heart along with it. I fear that soon, it will be gone completely leaving nothing but an empty space in my chest that would ache every time I thought of her. 

Some part of me accepted this as a rue for all the blunders I had committed in my immortal and human life. 

Seems to me that karma truly is a bitch. 

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