Chapter 2
AN INSIGHT
Bella's POV:
I woke to find that he had already left, the pillow in which he laid, still crumpled where his head rested. I moved my head over to it, burying my face into it. I was so close to losing it yesterday. So close to kissing him and I found myself regretting that I passed up the chance. I've never really stopped loving him, even when I had left him. I knew that the thought of him and all the things we shared and went through would forever haunt me. But my attempt to live a life with the father of my child, failed.
When Gabriel died, I felt homeless - afraid and alone with my only son, not knowing where to go or where to start. Edward stayed by my side the whole time, ready and willing to reconstruct the relationship we once had. But I couldn't bring myself to it. I had hurt him. Regardless of the misconceptions that led up to my having Gabriel's child, I felt I had no excuse for betraying Edward. I felt I should have killed myself sooner upon learning of his death, which was in itself a selfish fabrication of Gabriel's. I later came to understand why Gabriel did it, why he lied to me and although I couldn't forgive him for it, it was already too late. I was pregnant with his child. A child that was destined to be born.
As if calling out his name through my thoughts, Lucian appeared, literally, materializing right before my eyes.
"Lucian," I scowled, "what have I told you about popping in and out of sight?"
"Oh mom! We're in our home. No one can see me!" he whined.
"I can see you and I've asked you time and time again to stop doing it. Walk like everyone else does."
"Ok, ok" he said turning around with his head bowed making ready to leave the room. I pulled him by his shirt and onto the bed on top of me. He giggled as I tickled him along the ribs. He has such a delightful laugh.
"Stop it! Stop it! I can't breathe!" he cried between hysterics.
"Who says you need to breathe?" I teased.
Then he did something I didn't see coming. He morphed instantly into a bullfrog, fat and hideously repulsive as it sat on my stomach.
"Lucian!" I cried out as he took a leap and morphed back into his natural form, laughing uncontrollably.
"You should've seen your face!" he cried.
"That wasn't funny" I muttered annoyingly.
"Oh yes it was!"
I couldn't keep my face straight for too long. I began laughing as well.
Lucian looked exactly like Gabriel. He had his small nose and mouth and frame of face. His hair was a dark coffee bean brown and wavy, which had grown past his chin now. His body's structure down to the last toe resembled his father's. The only thing he got from me was his eyes, dark brown as mine. They had little streaks of red undertones, which was the norm for him because of his diet. Since he was a pure vampire, he drank a lot of human blood. Carlisle kept a supply for him from the local blood banks. Even though I've tried to turn him into a vegetarian like the Cullen's, it proved very difficult for him. He was too young and Carlisle told me that human blood was just as essential as formula was to a human baby.
"So what do you have in mind for today?" I asked as smoothed his hair from his face.
"I want to go to Carlisle's!" he jumped in excitement.
"Carlisle's?" I whined.
"Yes! He promised me he would show me how to dissect a frog today!"
My stomach turned. I had him only a month ago and yet, he's grown quickly to a boy of six years old. It was unfair that I couldn't enjoy the pleasures of ordinary mothers who watched their babies grow slowly as they were meant to be. Instead, I tried desperately to be there for him every second of his life, afraid to miss any milestones. Four weeks ago, he was nestled in my arms, hands as tiny as a rose petal, and now, he was ready to dissect his first frog.
"Come on mom! What do you say?" he asked his eyes wide and pleading.
"Oh, all right" I finally gave in.
"Yesss!" he said as he climbed off the bed and ran out the room.
"I want your room clean!" I called after him. Three seconds later, he calls back "Done!"
He really enjoyed the Cullen's company, especially Edward's. And I was grateful to have them all in his life. He was truly loved.
****
As we drove up the driveway of the Cullen's house, I spotted a small Chevy Malibu parked outside. Moments later, the front door of the house opened and out came a small woman with brilliantly blonde hair and tanned skin. Edward came out behind her.
"Who's that?" asked Lucian.
"I don't know." I caught myself frowning and feeling a bit insecure.
We drove up behind the Malibu, catching the stranger's attention. Edward smiled warmly with his hands in his pocket as I made my way up the steps to the porch.
"WOW! I must say, you are absolutely beautiful!" said the woman, with a sharp southern twang. "Is this her?" she asked looking at Edward.
"Yes, this is Bella… and Lucian."
My insides froze when he said his name. I was very overprotective of Lucian and didn't like anyone meeting him, let alone, know his name. I kept my hands on his shoulders as she bent down and smiled at him. I could smell her blood and I knew she was human. I wasn't afraid of Lucian attacking her, since he was more than capable of controlling the thirst, but I was worried of her touching him, and noticing how unnaturally cold his skin was. I looked up at Edward nervously who mouthed the word 'relax'.
"Well oh my goodness, aren't you a little darling!" she said to Lucian. "How old are you?"
My heart froze.
"I'm six" he said proudly.
"Six? Well, you're one dashing little six year old" she said enthusiastically and she placed her hand on his chin. Instinctively, I pulled him away. She stood up, staring at me with wide apologetic eyes.
"I'm so sorry! How could I be so stupid? My name is Sookie Stackhouse. I'm a friend of Carlisle and I know what you all are. My boyfriend is a vampire also. We live in Louisiana. It's such a pleasure to meet you. Edward has told me so many wonderful things about you. He said you were stunning but my golly, you're so much more than that!" she smiled in disbelief.
I couldn't shake loose of my nerves but I offered a smile nonetheless.
"Thank you" was all I could conjure.
She stared at me strangely for a moment and then as if sensing the awkwardness, she turned to Edward who I could have sworn had just jumped in reaction to something.
"Well then, I'll be on my way but I want to thank you for your help. I owe you a lot" she said to him.
"You're very welcome. I'll walk you to your car" he said, being ever the gentlemen.
"It was nice meeting you Bella and you too Lucian" she said with a twinkling smile.
There was something about her that unsettled me and I know it wasn't jealously. Whatever it was, I didn't trust it.
****
Edward's POV:
I waited until we were far enough away from Bella to hear us whisper.
"You can read her mind?" I asked, completely taken aback by this revelation. As she was looking at Bella a moment ago, I heard her voice, in Sookie's thoughts. It wasn't clear and I couldn't make out the words but I knew it was Bella's voice.
"Not exactly," she frowned, looking over my shoulder. "I picked up something, but I couldn't make it out. What is she?"
I turned and looked at Bella as she was making her way in the front door, looking back at me.
"She's part human and part vampire" I said turning back to Sookie.
"Get out. Seriously? I've never heard of anything like that before" she mused.
"It's not a common" I said.
"So she's a human, but immortal… right?"
"That's right."
"Can you read her mind?" she asked.
"No. Unfortunately, I can't. No one can, so the fact that you were able to pick up something took me completely by surprise. Perhaps you may be able to repay someday after all."
"Gladly," she beamed as she turned around and got into her car.
"Tonight then? Say at 8:00?"
"Yes, that would be fine."
"Does she know that you're leaving town?"
I looked back at the house and then back at Sookie.
"Not yet, but I'll tell her now."
As the car drove away, I found myself wondering what was running through Bella's head when Sookie was staring at her and I wondered how she would take the news of my leaving to Dallas to help Sookie. I turned and began to make my way to the house.
More to follow soon....
;)
