Later that day I met the rest of his family. He had a lot of adopted children, as it turns out. It was strange how they seemed to be in couples, though. With every fact I learned about his family, I grew more and more confused.
I had met Alice earlier, but this time, I got a proper introduction. She was extremely friendly, and actually seemed to like me, which was a big difference from the welcome I got earlier from Esme.
I also met Jasper, who was apparently her significant other (at least that's what I assumed). He didn't have much to say, but he seemed comfortable to be around.
Then there were Rosalie and Emmett. Rosalie didn't seem to like that I was even there. Yet another enemy and I hadn't done anything so far. Emmett… well, he was just Emmett. How else could I describe him? He seemed kind of like a jock.
I felt like I was entering high school all over again, because Carlisle's whole family had completely different personalities. And I felt like the outcast, like always, even though I never really was. I'd always been fairly popular until I got into science. Not that any of that mattered now.
"I'm sorry that Edward isn't here right now," Carlisle said. "He is one of the more… interesting members of the family. He's out with Bella right now. I have a feeling you and Bella would get along well."
"Who's Bella?" I had to ask, even though it was obvious that I didn't know her.
"Edward's girlfriend, of course," Emmett said, sneering at the word and then laughing afterwards. Right now, he seemed quite annoying.
"Ok…" I still wasn't sure where any of this was going. Why didn't Carlisle just let me leave already? And why did Esme say that I couldn't leave, even if I wanted to? I'd had enough.
"This is nice and all," I continued. "But I would love to be getting back to my research now. I'm forever grateful to you for saving my life, but I don't think a bruise on my head is that detrimental to my health. Now, unless there's something more important here that you're not telling me, I'll be leaving now."
He just stared at me. I was starting to hate it when he did that.
"There is something more important. And I will tell you," he whispered to me. "Just go along with this for now, and you will be glad you did."
"Are you threatening me?" I whispered back.
"I'm sorry, did it sound threatening? I honestly didn't mean to frighten you," he said. He clearly was distraught that I considered him to be a threat.
"Yes, it did. Especially combined with the fact that you're less than two inches away from my face. I consider that a little disturbing. Are you smelling me or something?" It truly seemed like he was smelling me. I headed toward the door.
He suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking the door. "Please, wait. I'll explain everything right now. I promise. There is a reason I brought you here in the first place."
I fell victim to his suave manner of speaking. I gave him another chance. "All right, then. Start explaining. Right now. You promised."
"I need to tell you the truth. The truth that has been haunting me since I went to the woods earlier," Carlisle began.
"Yes, so please don't hesitate to tell me what that truth is," I prompted.
"I… I'm… I really don't know how to put this. I'm no ordinary doctor." He looked at me again, his golden eyes blazing into the depths of my soul.
"That much was obvious," I said quietly.
"… And the truth is that I am in love with you. I cannot do anything to change it. I don't know why I feel this way, but I know that it's the truth." He looked away, ashamed.
I didn't feel happy. I didn't feel angry. I didn't faint. I had absolutely no reaction. It was almost as if he hadn't said anything. I think the reason for my apathy was that I had never had an experience quite like this one. I had no idea how I was supposed to react.
All I knew as I looked at his beautiful face and saw how depressed he was, was that I felt exactly the same way about him. I didn't know why, but somehow we were destined to meet.
My thoughts immediately switched to Esme and how furious she would be if she knew about this. His heart was breaking, whether I accepted his love or rejected him. I was lost and had no idea how to get out of this.
As it turns out, I didn't need to get out of it right now, because two people entered the house.
"Edward, Bella," Carlisle called out. He just winked at me and left to meet them.
Was that it? Was it a joke? How was I supposed to know what was happening?
I decided to just take it as a signal that we would finish this awkward conversation later. Lovely. In the course of a day, I met the strangest family, gained two enemies, and now had an extremely handsome admirer. I didn't think the day could get any more interesting. Again, I was wrong.