Disclaimer: I do not own 'Twilight' or any of the characters.
Pairing: SC/EC
Rating: T (a small bit of language is involved)
Hey, first of all I would like to address 'Rising Tides' and the sequel to anyone who is curious to know how that is going. I have recently gone back over 'Rising' to revise and rewrite to improve. As for the sequel, there is no definite time as to when that will be started, posted and completed, so I hope that you all can hold on a bit longer while I work out all the details. Other than that, I hope that you will read (and enjoy ;] ) this story that I have written and let me know what you think!
Chapter One: Telling Sue (and Leah)
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"I don't think I can do this."
"Yes you can, I'll be right there when you do," came the smooth reassurance from beside the smaller, shaking man.
"Well that's easy for you to say. You don't have to face possible rejection from the only family you have," came the nearly strangled reply.
"We're your family too Seth, none of us have rejected you."
"I know," the boy sighed, looking into the liquid gold eyes of the one person who he didn't have to hide his feelings from…not that he could when he was in the same room with Jasper but--yeah--you get the point.
Edward bent down so that they could be eyelevel with one another. Carefully, he ran a hand through the short black fringe that had fallen into Seth's dark eyes. Seth didn't need to be told twice, the look in Edward's eyes conveyed so much support and love; the two things he needed at the moment more than anything else. He took a deep breath, still staring into Edward's eyes before saying, "Let's get this over with."
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The walk up the small front steps of his childhood home was very much like walking to the gallows. Seth just knew that his mom would be the first one to see them together and that Leah would be the first one to take a bite out of Edward. Seth wasn't sure if he meant that figuratively or literally and hoped that it was the former.
He gripped the stone cold hand in his own as if it were an emotional anchor of some sorts, seeing as he couldn't control the fear, relief, anxiety or possible heartbreak that was soaring through his head at an alarming rate. Edward gave the hand he was holding a reassuring squeeze and nudged the teen gently in the direction of the doorbell.
Seth had a fleeting thought as to why his mother or sister hadn't seen them coming through the front window or something… "Must be out back…in the garden, talking about me, or maybe they already know! Oh God! What if they already know? Mom is gonna kill me--" His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Edward's voice, "They're in the kitchen preparing lunch for you, you did tell them that you were coming back this afternoon."
Oh. Right. Seth sighed in relief, but tensed up when he heard the sound of footsteps rushing to the front door. "So much for the doorbell," he thought to himself, just praying that it was his loving mother who opened the door first.
"Hey Seth." Sue Clearwater smiled at her son, pulling him in for a hug which Edward momentarily let his hand go. Seth smiled, thanking God or whoever that it wasn't Leah he was hugging…not that he would be hugging his sister at the moment if that were the case. "Hi Mom," he said, pulling away so that he could look down at her. He might have been shorter than Edward, but at least he was taller than his mother.
"Edward?" Sue asked, just realizing that the vampire was standing there. Not exactly the reaction Seth was expecting, or the one he wanted. In truth, he thought that maybe his mom was an extremely perceptive woman and that she would instantly know why Edward Cullen, much less, a vampire was standing on her front doorstep which was located in La Push, beyond the boundary, with her son. Seth immediately chalked it up to the fact that it had been wishful thinking on his part.
"Hello Mrs. Clearwater," Edward greeted her, a friendly smile on his face. "Oh well, this is different Seth. I didn't know I was expecting anyone else," Sue pointedly glared at her son, just now noticing Edward's presence. She looked at him curiously, knowing that he read minds and kept her own carefully blank. Seth had the decency to look sheepish and shrugged, "Sorry Mom…can we come in?" Sue threw a curious glance one more time at the both of them before stepping back and letting them pass her into the house.
Instantly they were hit with the smells of lunch coming from the kitchen, and the sound of Leah moving around in the unseen room. Seth reached out for Edward's hand as soon as Sue excused herself to go check on the food.
"I think she knows."
"Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Yes but she didn't actually come out and say anything. She gave us 'the look.'"
Just before Edward could chuckle and tell Seth that he was overworking his nerves, they heard a loud banging coming from in the kitchen and the sound of heated whispers as Leah argued over what their mom was telling her.
"What is the leech doing in here?"
"Seth is up to something--"
"I don't care Mom! You invited him in your home--"
"Exactly Leah Susan Clearwater. My home, so what I say goes."
"But Mom--"
"Seth is in love--"
"Doesn't explain why that damn leech is here with him! I swear if he blackmailed my baby brother into--"
"Leah. Edward being here explains everything."
"Oh yeah? Edward came here to negotiate some treaty bullshit so that Seth can go on loving another bloodsucker without restraints? Funny Mom."
"Not just any bloodsucker Leah…its--"
Edward decided to tune out the rest of the whispered conversation that Seth couldn't hear, thanks to his internal debate on whether or not they should just leave and try again another day. He gently cupped Seth's face with his freehand, turning the boy's head so that he could place a soft kiss on his lips. Seth melted under the feeling of the cool flesh against his own, forgetting where they were until they heard a loud, "WHAT THE HELL!?!" issue from the kitchen.
He wrenched himself away from Edward just before Leah came bursting into the room, breathing heavy and obviously trying to get herself under control. It wouldn't be so smart if she phased in the middle of the living room.
Sue stood right behind her daughter in the doorway of the room, arms folded and a 'Don't-even-try-it' look on her face. Her light brown eyes flickered to her son's and Seth could see that she knew; his wishful thinking had obviously done some damage.... He looked down in shame, gripping Edward's hand tight enough that it would have hurt to a normal human. But he was a vampire, the one thing that his mother was most wary of and the one thing his sister was so hell-bent on taking out to prove her worth to Sam. Sam, who no longer loved her.
"You're too young Seth and I don't like it," Sue murmured, voice wavering slightly in her effort to keep her emotions in check. Seth closed his eyes, feeling Edward's thumb rub soothing circles over his palm as he waited for the emotional blow he was sure his mother would deliver.
She surprised him. "You're too young and I don't like it, but I love you and I can learn to deal with it." Seth looked over at her, past Leah, and saw that she had a small smile on her lips and her arms still folded across her chest. He smiled, relieved that his mother hadn't abandoned him and even laughed when Leah ground out, "Me too." Seth couldn't help but to jump up and give his mother and sister a hug, kissing them both on the cheeks and say thank you over and over again.
Sue walked over to Edward who was standing beside the fireplace and held out her hand. Edward was momentarily taken off guard, but then composed himself and shook the offered hand. Sue shivered just a little, but smiled at him and said, "I just want him to be happy you know. After Harry died I didn't think that Seth would ever smile as much as he used to. I guess I should have known that you were the reason--he talked about you so much at dinner. Just…take care of him."
Edward smiled and couldn't help but to give the surprised woman a hug, before quickly moving back a few steps. "I will Mrs. Clearwater, without a doubt in my soul I will." A smile worked its way onto her gentle face as the shock of the hug wore off.
"I know…God," she chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "I know."
(A/N: Hey! What did you think?? After going back and reading over this, I was thinking I could make this a multi-chap. thing...or a drabble series! So if you think it should be continued please let me know how you'd like it to be done! Thanks so much!)