WHO IN THE HELL WROTE THIS STORY
Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's Saga beloved Twilight, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass in them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
This chapter has been beta'd by dowlingnana and her work is making the story flow more smoothly.
As he got to the airfield he noticed the vehicles that were already in place to transport luggage and people back home. He got out and walked over where everyone was waiting for the plane's approach. With the touchdown and the immediate coming into position beside the people on the ground Jasper prepared to step forward as the hatch was opened and the stairway lowered.
First person out was a blonde bombshell beauty with all of the right looks, moves, and curves with hazel eyes. Following her was a short black haired pixie creature that had Jasper's mouth dropping open and dragging the ground. And the last person off was a dark haired creature with a to die for peaches and cream complexion, chocolate brown soul reaching eyes with a height between the blonde bombshell and the black haired, blue eyed pixie. All three women were what dreams were made of and then some. Shit, which one is IMS?
All three women watched and waited for the lone figure to move or say something, anything, but, he stayed motionless and silent with eyes locked on Alice. One of the individuals standing further back closer to the cars moved forward to greet the newcomers and then began directing the loading of baggage and then themselves for the drive back to Whispering Pines. Finally, as all of the women got into the car and the door closed Jasper remembered where he was and the reason why which brought the memory of his behavior leading to him feeling like a damn dumbass fool the way he froze up. He knew if that was spread he would be teased terribly by his brothers, but, it would be interesting to see how his brothers behaved once they caught sight of these ladies as well.
CHAPTER 3: ATTITUDES AND A MYSTERY TO SOLVE
Jasper led the way back to the main house with the caravan following along behind, but, during the short drive he was busily kicking himself mentally for freezing up the way he had appearing to be a fool in front of the three guests the way he had. Never before had he behaved that way with seeing a beautiful woman the way he had with these three. As he had already thought it would be fun to see the reaction of his brothers once they behold the beauties in the vehicle just behind his. Even in that he had been a dumbass as he had never introduced himself, nor, offered to let the young women ride back with him. If he had he would have been able to find out more about IMS and her staff; especially about the little pixie creature that had him totally enthralled with just the first look from her and his first sighting of her. Shit, just as then, the thought of her was making his pants very tight in one particular place. Desire for her was racing through his veins making him feel the fire of passion throughout his entire body. Shaking his head to clear the sexual thoughts filling his mind and the fantasies chasing each other in all the ways he would be delighted to see his little pixie did little to help him correct his current problem. He had to get himself under control before climbing out of this car in front of his family and their guests.
Turning into the driveway, Jasper kept his mind firmly on pictures of things that seemed to be having a reverse affect in helping to eliminate his problem that had existed a slight ways below his belt. It was taking all of his concentration to try and clear up his problem before having to stop the car, step out and begin the introductions of which he hadn't even gotten done at the airfield. He had no idea who was who. But, all of that was about to be corrected and fast, but, his brothers were going to give him hell over this oversight and question the reason behind it happening. His mother and father were going to give him a look of inquiry then wait until later to lecture him upon his lack of manners. Shit! Life became complicated after seeing his little pixie and he still had no idea what her name was.
All the vehicles came to a stop at the front entrance with his parents and two brothers waiting to greet the last of the invited guests. Breathing a sigh of relief for the moment Jasper got out of his car and was prepared to watch the expressions on the faces of his brothers when he saw the three women. One woman he claimed and knew that his brothers had better forget about her, if they ever thought about laying a claim to her. There would be immediate problems if they wanted his little pixie.
Shaking his head to rid himself of such thoughts for the moment he walked towards the car directly behind him to help assist the exiting of the three women. As each one exited the car Jasper had his hand ready to assist and introducing himself at the same time and was giving his apology for the oversight at the airfield. Then he indicated the rest of his family waiting for them above the steps on the porch waiting to be introduced and to greet their guests.
As the group walked up the steps Jasper realized he still didn't know any of the three women by their names as yet to be able to identify them to his family. But, as they neared the waiting group at the front entrance door way, the medium height woman with the soulful brown eyes, shapely figure and mahogany hair stepped forward with an outstretched hand ready to meet each individually.
"Hello, I'm Isabella Swan and these two are my cousins, Rosalie, my researcher and Alice, my personal assistant. We would like to thank you for your kind invitation to be included into your mystery week." Bella had introduced each of them and their position with no effort. So, Jasper realized that his unspoken question was just answered, but, at the same time his attention was riveted on the reactions of his two brothers which were giving him amusement. It took every last bit of control he could command not to laugh at their expression. Emmett had been turned to stone, it seemed, just by the appearance of one of the ladies, and, Edward was stunned to complete silence.
"It is our pleasure and I would like to introduce the rest of my family. I'm Esme Cullen and this handsome creature next to me is my husband, Carlisle. Next is my son, Emmett, the one that looks like an overgrown bear with the personality of a child, most of the time. Then the lean, but, will muscled man next to him is my son, Edward. Finally, you met my son, Jasper, at the airfield." With that last statement it hit Jasper all over again that he had failed to introduce himself upon the two separate occasions he had had the opportunity to do so. He only hoped that his parents didn't say anything in front of the three after hearing that his mother's assumption was in correct.
All three ladies turned to look at Jasper and smiled, but, said nothing more than, "Of course, he was most welcoming." This caused Jasper to do a stunned double take, but, he stayed silent.
With a gesture of the hand, Esme invited the women into the main house while continuing to explain their accommodations. Then turning to her three sons she told them to make sure the entire luggage was put into the appropriate cottage. As Edward, Emmett and Jasper turned to help with the luggage Esme and Carlisle escorted the women on into the house and to the living room.
"Can you believe it; we still don't know who IMS is? And, what is this hell about us having to tote this entire luggage to their quarters? What do we look like, the hired hands?" Edward bitched all the way down to the cars and begins gathering up said baggage along with Jasper and Emmett. Neither of them was saying a word. Both lost in thoughts, or, rather, daydreams of two of the women.
As their thoughts snap back to the present and come out of the clouds they hear their brother and all of his grumblings. "Hey, Edward, what is your problem? Lately, all it seems that you do is cop an attitude about whatever the topic might be?" Emmett questioned.
"Yeah, but, it is always around this time of the year when Mom likes to have her mystery week with different individuals." Jasper mentioned.
"Sorry, guys, but, it really does get old having to do the same year after year and put up with all of the women trying to make a play for us in one way or another. Makes no difference whether they're young or older, married or single, what position they have career wise, it's the same each time. Don't try telling me that it doesn't get on your nerves as well because then I'll call each of you a liar." The venom seemed to spurt out of his mouth the more he ranted on about things.
"It makes no difference if we agree or not, all that matters is that it brings Mom pleasure to do this. At least, be happy that we don't have to play parts this year. We only have to help provide the facts of the Vanishing Child."
"That story goes all the way back to the first Cullen that owned the house before the Revolutionary War. It has been passed down generation to generation hoping that someone could solve the mystery as to what happened to the youngest daughter."
"You got it and tonight that story is going to be retold over dinner for all of the guest writers and see if they are going to be able to do what others in the family haven't been able to do; solve the mystery of what happened to the child.
"I think it's a bright idea. All of these best sellers are known for the mysteries they write that springs from their imagination. They will know how to look for certain clues that the rest of us don't even think about. Or, that might seem not associated with the case.
"Besides, my brothers, I did notice, on the sly, that a certain problem that I had encountered sprung forth for the both of you as soon as you saw our last three guests." Jasper remarked while lifting some of the luggage to haul to the assigned quarters for the women. Edward grumbling and Emmett keeping his mouth shut followed suit with the rest of the baggage. No one made another statement during the short journey and depositing the baggage just inside the doorway to the cottage. After that was done, each brother went his own way to start getting ready for dinner when everyone will gather to begin the mystery week quest.
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While the luggage was being delivered to Bella's, Rosalie's and Alice's quarters, Esme and Carlisle were getting to know the young women better in the living room of the main house. Esme was explaining that all of the slave quarters had been renovated into small cottages which offered privacy to the guests, but, giving easy access to the main house.
The three women explained how they all decided to come together on the trip, but, that Rosalie and Alice definitely would be fulfilling the positions to which they had been assigned. That this was the first opportunity in a good while that all three had had some time to spend together and took it, but, felt that it was only right to conform to the requirements of the invitation.
"Oh that wasn't necessary, but, thank you for taking that into account. There aren't many people nowadays that would be that considerate. I have been hoping that you would accept our invitation as I'm a great fan of your works." Esme told Bella with a great deal of excitement. Then remarked, "I saw where you young ladies are a bit of influence upon all three of my sons as well."
But Bella, Rosalie nor Alice knew how to reply to that. Bella blushed like she always did when someone made a similar comment, Rosalie just smiled at both of her cousins reactions and the fact that she had felt an instant attraction to the big teddy bear introduced as Emmett, and Alice gave a sly smile with a slight twinkle showing in her eyes since she had felt a quick draw towards Jasper at the airfield. But, none of the women knew what to say concerning Esme's comment about the effect her sons had shown which something none of the three had even observed was.
Indeed, the one introduced as Edward seemed to have shown a great displeasure of having them around. It was curious since none of them had ever met. But then, 'to each his own' Bella quickly thought as the introductions had been made. She made a mental note to stay out of his way as much as possible since he seemed to have a problem with them being there. There was no reason to incur his temper if it could be avoided since it seemed as if he could be very unpleasant.
After a bit more conversation with their hosts Bella, Rosalie and Alice were shown to their quarters so they could rest, relax and then freshen up for dinner which was being served in the main house promptly at seven. Esme had explained that at that time she and the rest of the family would be filling everyone in on what the mystery would be that would be theirs to solve, if they could.
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All guests with their staff met the hosting family for dinner that was followed by cocktails to discuss the mystery that had been disclosed to them.
The story of the Vanishing Child had been revealed and it was to be the guests' responsibility to discover what had happened to the young girl, if they could.
Esme had told how Whispering Pines was so named due to all of the pines tress on the land by the first Cullen to settle there. As the wind blew through the tree branches the sound heard was said to be of a whisper both sad and mournful as if from a lost soul. But, as time passed the owner married and the Cullen family was established.
"Roger Cullen had three sons, but, only one daughter and she disappeared one night without a clue. It seems she had retired for the night after saying her goodnights to her parents and brothers. There had been no indications of any health issues with the girl and she was too young to be showing any romantic notions towards any young man of the neighboring families. She was only eleven years old at the time of her disappearing.
"Around midnight as her parents were going to bed a sound was heard by her mother; a low crying as if in pain. Not knowing what could be making that sound from her daughter's room, Martha Cullen went to check. As the door opened Martha noticed that the bed was still made, no clothing had been discarded, but, the child was missing. She screamed for Roger who immediately was by her side to see what the problem was.
"After being told about the child missing Roger alerted the rest of the household and everyone began searching the house top to bottom. Other servants searched the grounds and surrounding areas a bit further from the house. An alarm was raised as word was sent to the neighbors of the child's disappearance. Everyone continued searching for days, but, nothing could be found. No footprints leading from the house, no secret rooms existed that hadn't been searched many times over, nothing disturbed in the girl's bedchamber; just no signs whatsoever could be found to give indication of what had become of her.
"It has been passed down to each generation since that the child could be seen upon an occasion to mark a coming event such as a bad occurrence or a death to a direct line family member. And, since the mystery still exist, each generation has tried at one time or another to find out what happened to the girl, but, nothing has been discovered as of yet.
"So, to each of you, my dear guests, I present this mystery for you to see if you can unravel it and discover what became of Elizabeth Isabella Cullen. The person that does solve the mystery will have the family gratitude and our permission to tell the story as your next novel with our full endorsement. We will be happy to make all known information available to you and each family member is familiar with the story, so, for any questions you might feel the need to ask feel free to ask anyone of us.
"With that being said you are invited for after dinner cocktails in the patio area, but, mystery week has now officially begun. Good luck to each of you." Esme says with a smile and a slight bow of her head.
A/N: The mystery details have been given. Edward and Emmett, as Jasper said, had the same reaction as he did once he had spotted Bella, Rosalie and Alice. What could have happened to the young girl?
Hope you will enjoy the new story and will take the time to let me know your thoughts.
Updating should be about every two to three weeks.
