SM owns the characters. LMM owns the inspiration. The modern re-telling is all mine.
This wouldn't be possible without my team, prereaders TropicalSorbet and Sabriel, and my super beta and gal pal, Magnolia822.
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The resulting silence that filled the room lasted an awkward few seconds before Lina's nervous laugh broke the standoff.
"Oh, Mrs. Cullen, that's impossible. We've been in this process for over a year now, and even the beginning paperwork stated you were looking for a girl..."
"Exactly. A little girl... a baby." She looked at me apologetically, and I just knew it was too good to be true.
All I wanted to do was to quietly take my bag and disappear. Maybe shrink to the size of an ant and become some mythological pixie, something only little children see. I could give them comfort when they're scared and lonely. Make their sadness go away with a flick of my wand.
I felt like I needed my own personal fairy right about then.
I heard Lina's voice as if it were underwater. She stammered, apologized, and was immediately on the phone, presumedly calling the agency to solve the issue that probably couldn't be solved. There was no mix-up, according to the agency.
"Tell me about yourself, dear."
Esme's voice was suddenly right there next to me. She took the seat beside me on the sofa, her eyes showing her desire to be of some comfort to me.
I devoured the however-fleeting sentiment and hung on like it was a life preserver.
"Well, Mrs. Cullen..."
"Esme," she corrected.
I nodded. "Esme, there's not much to tell really."
"Nonsense. Tell me what you like to do."
I could here Lina on the phone in the kitchen telling someone off, but I only focused on the pleasant lilt to this beautiful woman's voice.
"I like to read. I read everything I can get my hands on. And like to take pictures. A lot. My foster parents gave me this camera," I explained, taking it out of my bag.
Esme's encouraging smile was heaven.
Please, want me.
Please, keep me.
"I'd like to see your photos one day." Esme replied.
"One day? Mrs. Cu... I mean, Esme, I'd like that. More than anything."
She looked at me, studied me, really. But I wasn't uncomfortable.
"Ms. Owens?" she called out, not taking her eyes off me.
"Yes, Mrs. Cullen." Lina huffed back into the living room, pocketing her phone.
Esme smiled warmly. "Would you mind staying a little longer? My husband should be here any minute. I'd like him to meet Isabella." She offered iced tea and went to the kitchen, returning in a flash with our drinks.
It was the best tea I'd ever tasted.
About twenty minutes later, Dr. Carlisle Cullen entered the living room, suitcase in hand.
"Hello, my dear. Ah, I see we have company," he said jovially, walking over to kiss his wife briefly on the lips.
"Yes, love. This is Ms. Owens from the adoption agency, and Ms. Isabella Swan," she said, gesturing to us.
Dr. Cullen listened intently as Lina and Mrs. Cullen explained the situation while I sat observing the scene that could potentially change the course of my entire life.
This very handsome older man with gleaming blond hair and bright eyes didn't seem as upset as I thought he would.
After a while all the words melded together until I heard Lina clear her throat.
"Well, I'm quite happy we've reached some sort of tentative agreement."
I shook my head. "Um, I'm sorry. I wasn't really paying attention. What agreement?"
All eyes were on me then. The Cullens were smiling, and Lina looked positively annoyed. She was not having a good day. And she was doing a very crummy job of faking calm.
"Oh, Bella. You and your daydreaming zone-outs. The Cullens have agreed to let you stay with them while the mix-up is sorted. I don't have foster placement for you at the moment, so they've volunteered to keep you until one is found."
Oh. Temporary. I didn't know what was worse, being able to sample this perfect fairy tale only to be ripped away again, or never tasting its sweetness to begin with.
"Um. Okay. I don't want to be a burden..."
"No trouble, my dear Bella. I'm actually a little anxious to get to know you." She patted my hand, which was resting on my lap.
"Bella, I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason," interjected Dr. Cullen. "Yes, we wanted a little baby. But sometimes, what you want isn't what's best. We'll just take it as it goes, yes?"
His piercing blue eyes spoke volumes. You could see right through them to his glowing soul.
Lina said her goodbyes, giving me a stiff hug and promising to follow up with the Cullens in a week's time.
I was given the tour of their magnificent home. It wasn't what anyone would call a mansion, but it was a castle to me. Every corner of the home whispered warmth and love. Comfort and family.
When I was finally brought to what would be my room, Mrs. Cullen looked around. I followed her gaze to what was really a nursery. A pink nursery. Crib, changing table, a closet full of baby clothes. Butterflies adorned the walls and bed sheets.
I felt horrible.
I was the consolation prize. Always. Or never really a prize at all.
"Well, it appears this won't do, will it?" she asked, a tight smile upon her face. She was trying to hide her disappointment.
She couldn't, though. I could see it, sense it.
Disappointment was a sentiment I knew all too well. Like the back of my hand.
"I think the guest room would be more appropriate for a young lady like you, I think you'll agree?" she joked lightly.
I didn't have words for her, which was very unlike me. I only nodded silently.
She took me to the adjacent room, where a muted palette of sage greens and browns decorated the space, along with a very welcoming, plush-looking double bed.
I walked slowly, taking in every inch, including a massive picture window complete with sitting nook. Right next to that, a floor to ceiling bookshelf stood, filled with volumes upon volumes of stories just waiting for me to open and absorb.
"Yes. I think this will do just fine," Esme said satisfactorily. My head spun towards her, where she was again smiling warmly. She must've seen me gawk at the books.
I pushed my glasses back from where they had slunk to the tip of my nose and smiled back.
"You must be tired. Why don't you put your bag down and freshen up, maybe nap a bit. Supper will be on the table in about two hours. I'll wake you. Go on."
"Thank you, Mrs... I mean, Esme. Thank you... for everything."
She stood in silence for a moment, contemplating something, I think, before nodding and closing the door quietly behind her.
In the privacy of this room... my room, I threw myself on the bed. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
I decided then and there I'd take whatever kindness the Cullens could bestow on me even if it was only a dream I would wake up from in a week's time.
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A/N: Sorry took so long to update. Lots going on, and my mind switched gears and begged me to write a drabble-esque story called Delay, which you can check out in my profile.
Next chapter? Um, probably sooner than this one came... maybe 3 weeks? Lemme know what you think so far! You don't have to know Anne of Green Gables to read this story, but it's kind of cool if you have ;)
Need recs? I've been posting them in the Delay A/Ns. Take a looksy!
