The Mansion

(Billy POV)

"Jake and I will take you home," I said, and reached out to take her arm, flinching when I felt her skin. Like ice. What else had I expected? Mrs. Cullen smiled at me. Jacob sighed and turned my wheelchair sharply.

"All right," he grumbled, not even caring enough to show discretion in his disappointment, "Come along, Mrs. Cullen."

She winced at that, and I wondered what had happened.

"Just Esme, please," she sounded desperate, and I frowned.

"Of course, Esme," I said softly. As we reached the car, Jacob looked at my face and grudgingly opened the backseat door for Esme.

"Thank you, Jacob," she said softly, and climbed in.

"Sure, sure," he muttered and shut the door behind her.

"Be kind, Jacob. She looks upset," I reminded him, and he sighed.

"You know the legends about them, Dad," he said firmly.

"They're just legends, Jake," I lied, and he nodded. He opened my door and helped me in. I shut it behind me, and watched him fold up the wheelchair.

"I know what you are," I murmured. She nodded slightly.

"Then why are you doing this?" she whispered back. Jacob put my wheelchair into the back and slammed the door shut.

"Because I'm concerned. Will you mind us going on your land?" I asked quietly. She shook her head, and Jacob climbed into the driver's seat.

"Where do you live, Esme?" he asked gruffly.

"Down the main street. I'll tell you when to turn off," Esme said softly. Jacob nodded and started the car. We drove in silence for a while, until my curiosity got the better of me.

"What were you doing in the woods at night?" I asked, watching her expression in the review mirror. She looked somewhat sheepish.

"I was just out going out for a little walk, but I think I went too far," she said softly. I nodded. I did not have the courage to ask why she was so upset.

"What happened to you?" Jacob asked. Obviously, he did have the courage or the lack of shame. Jacob was weird. Esme frowned.

"What do you mean?" she asked gently. Her voice was so sweet and confused.

"I mean, you were very upset out there," Jacob rephrased, "What's up?"

I noticed the pain flickered across her face, but she brushed it off.

"I'd rather not say," she said quickly, but Jacob was persistent.

"Was it the big one?" Jacob asked sympathetically, "I could see him getting into a lot of trouble…"

"Emmett? No, he has done nothing. Lately," Esme said, a smile flickering across her face before vanishing. What a beautiful smile.

"Emmett? Is that his name?" Jacob asked, clearly he did not understand to leave it alone.

"Yes, Emmett," Esme repeated.

"What about the short one?" Jacob continued.

"Alice? No, Alice wouldn't do anything worse than extreme shopping spree," Esme almost laughed, and her perfect smile played across her face.

"Okay… what about that Blondie girl?"

"Rosalie is going very well."

"What about the blond guy in pain?"

"Jasper would never do anything bad."

"Butt-kisser, huh?"

"More people-pleaser."

"Sure, sure. What about the loner?"

"I assume that's Edward?"

"The only other kid left."

"Then no, Edward has not done anything."

"Was it the doctor guy then?"

Esme was silent, and her smile had vanished, only to be replaced by a grimace. Jacob smirked.

"Did he kill your grandma?"

"No…"
"What did he do?"

"I'd rather just talk about the others right now."

"Did he cheat?"

"I don't think so."

"Did he leave you?"

Silence. Esme was clearly close to tears. Jacob had never understood the concept of quit when you are ahead.

"Oh man! Doctor-man ditched his wife and million foster kids?" Jacob sounded almost joyful. I frowned at him, and his smile dimmed slightly. What if the doctor had taken Esme's children from her?

"This is my turn here," Esme sounded as if she was hurting terribly and I frowned at Jacob.

"All right. Wow, only house on the street, huh?" Jacob smirked.

"Yes. We-" Esme grimaced, "like the privacy and quiet."

"Sure, sure," Jacob said, and his smile quickly turned into a gasp upon seeing the Cullen- mansion, I suppose was the only word to describe it. Jacob stopped the car, and Esme opened the door quickly.

"Thank you for the ride," she said quietly.

"Would you like me to come in with you?" I asked. She frowned.

"Must you?" she asked.

"For my peace of mind," I smiled, "Jake can just go home."

Esme nodded, once again, Jacob helped me out of the car, and he wheeled me up to the door, looking confused.

"Call me when you need to be picked up," Jacob said quietly, and I nodded. Esme wheeled me inside, and we watched through the window as Jacob climbed back into the car and drove away.