Walking in her Shadow – Chapter 2
Waking up the next morning I was flooded with remorse and a sense of bitter regret at what I said. Not necessarily for the reason of standing up for what I believed was right but for speaking out, I was feeling anxious now that Jessica would retaliate in some form or other and target me for the fact that I disagreed with her analysis of the Cullen's. I know it sounds stupid, trust me I do but try convincing that to the negative voice in my head.
Stretching up I reluctantly rolled out of my bed and began my routine of preparing myself for the day ahead. It didn't take me long before I felt appropriately dressed. I opted to go for skinny jeans, a long-sleeved jumper and some boots, warm and comfortable. I took a deep breath before jogging lightly down the steps reaching for my bag and a banana as I passed. I made a mental reminder to ask Bella to go food shopping later as we were in serious need of stocking up the fridge and cupboard. We could cope for the moment though. Charlie was gone again this morning and I felt guilty that I hadn't had a chance to properly speak with him, I sighed adding it to the growing list of things I needed to do.
'Morning' I turned and held a hand to my chest as I noticed Bella lingering in the shadows. I gave a half wave to her and accepted her offer of a lift to school, one could simply not be bothered to walk in the rain to school. Sitting in the passenger seat I stared out the window as the scenery flew by, the heaters were blasting through the car radiating warmth and making me hum with pleasure. I closed my eyes for the briefest period of time and opened them when I felt the car stutter to a stop. I thanked Bella for the lift this morning and promised we would catch up later. I could feel the stares on my back as I headed into the building to get to my first lesson. It just gave me the incentive to speed up. As I rounded the corner I bumped into a moving wall and dropped my books for class. Mumbling apologies I began to gather my things in an attempt to make a swift continuation down the corridor. Alas, it was not to be. Pale white arms shot out to help me pick up my stuff and when I glanced I saw Rosalie looking at me with concern.
It was almost as if everything was moving in slow motion, I could see her lips moving but I couldn't hear a sound. I could feel her nudging me and I shook my head and grinned sheepishly. I saw her beautiful face frown but it didn't stay that way for long. She looked gorgeous as always wearing a navy lace lop with a blazer accompanied with skinny jeans and a pair of heels to top it off. Not even a single hair was out of place. Oh how I envied her, she looked like she had the perfect life. I shook my head to get away from my thoughts and bring the conversation back to the present.
'Hey' I mumbled looking at the floor. She carefully placed my books back in my bag and began walking with me to first lesson holding my bag the entire time despite my pleas of asking for it back. We settled into a peaceful silence and I kept glancing at the clock. This lesson was a long one and would lead us up to lunch. I didn't plan on getting lunch today, I just wasn't in the mood, and in fact I'm seriously considering just going home now. As soon as the bell rang I gathered my stuff quickly and made my escape from the room. I didn't even bother signing out and left to go home, I could just sit and relax there and get into my zone. Harry Potter marathon here I come! I reached my front door and unlocked it dumping my bags in the lounge as I clambered towards the stairs. I quickly stripped down and whipped on my pyjama's getting all snug as I put the movie on and settled down.
Halfway through the film there was a knock at the door. I paused hesitantly thinking who would possibly be visiting at this time during the day. I ran down the stairs and opened the door. I was greeted by the Cullen who I just kept bumping into.
'Hey Lauren, sorry for invading your privacy like this but I just needed to see you're alright' I paused momentarily forgetting the fact that I didn't know her very well but I threw myself at her clinging onto her whimpering. She shocked me more by responding and wrapped me tightly in her embrace manoeuvring us so that we were comfortably situated in the lounge with the front door closed. I barely reached her shoulder with my short height but I could hear a soft purr emerge from within her chest. I didn't question that it was unusual simply snuggling closer to her as humanly possible. Her soft cold skin was a great comfort to me. I don't know how long we stayed like that and to be honest I didn't really care, I hope she didn't either.
I could feel her softly stroking my hair as she slowly moved away, she felt safe, she felt like home. We sat there again in an undisturbed silence as the minutes ticked by and neither of us spoke a word.
'I'm a vampire'. I whipped my head round so fast I was scared I got whiplash. I just stared at her as my mind tried to process that initial thought. It seemed crazy, the supernatural didn't exist. My mouth opened and closed several times as I still tried to come to terms with what she had said. She gently reached over and grabbed my hand taking it to her pulse point. Oh my lord, she doesn't have a heartbeat. I could feel myself panic and she softly growled and I calmed instantly which made me feel even more panicked. How did she do that? I was still speechless and sat there in stunned silence as she continued to speak.
'I'm sorry to blurt it out like this, I apologise but I really couldn't help myself. I'm sure you have many questions and I will do my best to answer them just know that I could never harm you ever. It would go against my very nature. Everyone else on the other hand, well that would be a different story.' I paused slowly trying to understand what she was saying to me. The same thoughts seemed to echo in my mind.
'Why me, there's nothing special about me, I'm a freak, I'm nobody.' She growled again stroking my hair as I sat there pouring out all my insecurities.
'You are everything to me, in the vampire world there are special bonds, bonds that are unbreakable only death can sever the connection. There are several types of bonds like sibling bonds, companionship, soulmate bonds and parental bonds. Some bonds are stronger than others and some bonds are strong enough to kill for. The bond I share with you and the bond Emmett shares with you is that of a parent bond. We both feel very strongly towards you, you only get one parental bond between a couple and one mate bond for all eternity. We consider ourselves very lucky we found you this early in our lives, some vampires have to wait centuries.'
Sitting there it just didn't seem real. Out of all the people in the world, a rare bond happened between me and two amazing vampires. Me, plain old me with all my problems attached.
'Rosie, can we go to your place for a little while so I can ask you questions without risking Bella and Charlie coming back' She nodded and whizzed around turning everything off, I also noticed her scribbling a note as she headed back towards me. She took my hand gently and tugged me to the front door where I saw Emmett leaning on the side of his car, it was almost planned but I didn't mind. He ruffled my hair as a passed and shut the door behind me. I could hear a muffled conversation going on between the two and it lulled me into a calm doze and I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes only soft snores emerging as I drifted off.
Rosalie and Emmett glanced behind them as he parked the vehicle in the garage. His heart melted at the sight of his human soul child sleeping away in the back of his car. He knew that she would make a beautiful vampire when the time came to change her, it made him happy that this life gave him and his Rosie the chance to become parents, something they both new might never happen but low and behold it did and he was so grateful for it too. Rosalie skipped ahead to their room to prepare the bed so Emmett could place their slumbering child in there.
Emmett went to the side of the car and opened the door carefully sliding Lauren into his arms cooing as she nuzzled into his chest. He silently ran through the house careful not to jostle her as he came to their room. Rosalie had the blanket pulled back as he placed her in the middle of the bed. As he tried to pull away her tiny hands refused to relinquish the tight grip they had on his shirt and he sighed. He made the decision to get in beside her and lie next to her as she whimpered every time he tried to leave. Rosalie gave them space as she continued flitting about the house going about her usual routine of flipping through magazines. Eventually Rosalie called up that she was going to hunt as she hadn't been in a while.
Emmett closed his eyes and relaxed getting as close to sleep as he could without actually sleeping because vampires simply didn't sleep. They had no need to. He enjoyed the peace of having his child safe and protected next to him away from all harm. He was happy, he felt his life was complete.
As I awoke I noticed there were two gold eyes focused on me. I reached up to rub the sleep out my eyes and I shuffled backwards nervously as I noticed someone else in the bed with me. I felt embarrassed that I had fallen asleep on the way here but he didn't seem to mind much.
'Evening squirt' I blushed at his nickname for me, I can't believe I had slept for a few hours, I didn't even realise that I was tired. He allowed me a few moments on my own to get up and utilize the bathroom as I relieved myself before exiting the room and meeting him in the corridor where he told me he'd made dinner for me. I thanked him numerous times knowing that he didn't eat food but drank blood instead. Rosie joined us at some point but I didn't even hear her enter but I saw her as I turned and caught her and Em kissing in the corner. I squeaked and they laughed softly at me.
I glanced at a clock in the room and saw it was about 7:30pm. It wasn't that dark out though but then again there were numerous lights scattered around the place that gave the house a luminous glow. I heard a few others enter the house and whimpered. I felt Rosalie's and Emmett's presence behind me knowing that they were there to protect me. I recognised the first three Cullen's who entered from school; Alice, Jasper and Edward. They gave me small waves but kept their distance. Now there was one final Cullen who I had yet to be introduced to. But from where I was standing he looked like a God who had fallen to earth. He was breath taking. I found it hard to take my eyes away from his perfect figure.
'Mine'
