A/N: Thanks for the reviews!
Show and Tell
My new family's reaction was almost instantaneous, except for Alice's, who didn't react at all. After all, she had already known what I had wanted to ask. But the others hadn't and they were accordingly vocal about their opinions about that matter. I had already expected it, however, and so I simply let them talk. They wouldn't convince me otherwise. Not Rosalie with her scoffing, Jasper with his suspiciousness, Carlisle with his reasoning or Esme with her concerns. I blocked them all out, shaking my head apologetically, hoping they would get my message. I was going to do it and no one could change it. Actually the only person who seemed to want to encourage me was Emmett, as he was grinning at me with anticipation shining in his golden eyes.
Still, it was Edward's reaction that I had feared and it was him, who managed to drown out everyone else with a quiet but very firm and very angry, "No." When I turned to him, I saw his eyes darken with fury. I held his stormy gaze and noticed out of the corner of my eyes how he clenched and unclenched his fists.
"Edward," I said calmly, hesitantly reaching out to him. I wasn't sure, if I should touch him, when he was so angry, but at last I gently let my fingers trail down his arm. "Trust me."
"No," he repeated through gritted teeth, as he took a step back. I let my arm fall to my side, feeling a bit hurt by his rejection. "This is insane, Bella. Think about it for a moment. Have you completely forgotten everything you've seen and what I've told you about our strength? And Emmett of all people! He's able to squash you with his small finger."
"I haven't forgotten," I told him, slowly losing my calm. "But things have changed Edward, and if you'd just let me show—"
"No!" he snarled again, this time turning away from me. I could see that his shoulders were shaking with suppressed anger and tension. The whole living room was completely silent – everyone was simply shocked – except for the sound of the few deep breaths Edward took before he finally faced me again. "I can't believe that you're that eager to be hurt and worse even, killed! Didn't you have enough danger for a lifetime by now? Or is that your plan? Do you think that, when Emmett hurts you so much that no doctor can help you anymore, you will get your wish before I get mine? Is it—"
Slap!
Edward's head whipped to the side by the unexpected blow. My right palm stung slightly but it was nothing that wouldn't be gone in a few moments. The pain was already beginning to fade. "Don't you dare!" I hissed dangerously, my temper having finally gotten the best of me. All day I had been on an emotional rollercoaster, going from shock over deliriously happy and furious to deeply depressed and scared, and I had managed to keep my temper and my feelings in check most of the time (except for the tiny incident in the shower). But this accusation had been the last straw.
I felt the tears well up in my eyes, but I blinked them away again. Slowly, Edward turned his head back, facing me again. Most of the anger was gone from his eyes, replaced by confusion. Absentmindedly he lifted his left hand to let his fingers touch his cheek. Did I actually manage to inflict pain? I didn't waste much thought on this, however, as he opened his mouth to say something, but before he could utter a sound, I whispered,
"Do you really think so low of me? Do you really think I would deny you the one thing you wish the most? You of all people should know that no matter how much I whine and moan, I would do everything for you, that I will give up everything for you. So… please just trust me, trust that I'll do the right thing and that I won't be hurt… but if you can't trust me about this, please trust Alice at least." I allowed a small grin on my face, hoping to lighten up the situation a bit. "You said yourself that no one should ever bet against Alice and she knows that it'll be okay."
Edward didn't say anything for a long moment, just looking at me, staring into my eyes. I didn't avoid his gaze, even though I almost felt naked by the intensity, and finally he nodded. I closed my eyes briefly and let out a quiet sigh of relief. However, in that short moment when my eyes were closed, I suddenly found myself trapped in Edward's strong embrace. "I'm sorry," he whispered into my ear, his voice betraying the guilt he was feeling. "I overreacted and I shouldn't have said those things. I wish I could take them back. I didn't mean any of them. It's just… I just can't stand it to see you in any kind of danger. I fear that I might lose you. Losing you would destroy me. I just love you too much."
"I know. You don't need to apologize," I replied softly. I opened my eyes again and looked up. His eyes were no longer dark, but the warm butterscotch color I was used to and I smiled. I stood on my tiptoes, my right hand finding his left hand, and pressed a gentle and short kiss on his lips. "I love you, too."
Someone cleared his throat and I was suddenly again aware of the six pairs of eyes resting on us. My face began to feel hot and I just knew that it was completely red. During my argument with Edward I had completely forgotten that his whole family had been watching. Still, my utter and complete mortification couldn't last long, as Emmett brought me back to reality and the reason why I was even here. "So, what is it, little human girl? Are you ready for that arm-wrestling match or are you scared of the big bad vampire?"
Taking one last deep breath, I hoped that the color on my face had by now returned to normal, as I turned around and smirked at him. "Scared? You wish." Alice was winking at me with a grin on her face, which I returned. Somehow, now that it was getting serious, I felt my nervousness rise. "Uhm… where do you usually do this? The dining room table?"
A booming laugh erupted from Emmett's throat and even Edward chuckled behind me. I relaxed slightly, as did everyone else, as I had managed to break the ice with my unintentional and apparently stupid question. "Bella," Alice quickly interjected with a grin. "I think Esme is fairly fond of that table. It's an antique."
"Thanks," Esme mouthed at her.
Emmett was still grinning widely. "You know what, Bella? I know just the place. Right this way."
I was still holding onto Edward's hand, as we both followed him outside with the rest of the family trailing right behind us. None of them wanted to miss this. Or they were all just too worried that something might go wrong. It was completely dark outside by now and I was surprised at how good my eyesight had become, as I could see almost every detail of the garden in this darkness. Strangely enough, now that I knew that I was different, I began to notice more and more little and not so little things that had changed. Suddenly, the lamp hanging at the wall of the back porch flickered to life and the light now flooding the garden illuminated the way, as we were walking towards the garage. There I could see a largish granite boulder standing up out of a tumble of rocks near the river. This was obviously our destination. Even though the rock was a little rounded and irregular, it would do the job.
When Emmett finally stopped next to the boulder and put his elbow on the rock, I felt Edward's hand tighten around mine slightly. I looked up at him and gave him a smile to appease his worries, before I let go off his hand and came to a halt directly across from Emmett. One more deep breath and I, too, put my elbow on the rock, clasping Emmett's huge hand. I bit my lower lip, as I saw my small hand nearly disappear in his grasp and for a moment wondered, how crazy I actually was to even do this. But then I remembered what I had already done and what I should be able to do, and smiled at Emmett.
"I'm ready whenever you are."
"Okay, one last chance to back out, little sis."
His grip tightened. "Never," I hissed fiercely, but still with a slight grin on my face. Without even removing my eyes from Emmett, I asked, "Carlisle, would you do the honors?"
Carlisle nodded seriously. "Alright, on the count of three."
"One…"
I chanced a glance back at Edward to reassure him one last time. He looked so worried, so helpless, and I couldn't help but remember when he once told me that I would only be stronger than Emmett as long as I was still a newborn. I was sure that it was taking all of his power and maybe a bit of Jasper's calming influence to keep him from interfering, to keep him from grabbing me and getting me out of here.
"Two."
I looked back at Emmett, who was still grinning at me. My grin was gone by now, as I concentrated fully on what was about to happened. Still, his grin was infuriating and somehow getting angry helped me to grasp the new power in my body. I was ready to use it. And if just to wipe this grin from Emmett's face.
In the quiet surrounding us I noticed that every vampire hat stopped breathing.
"Three."
As soon as Carlisle spoke the last number, my muscles tensed and I gritted my teeth. Emmett never saw it coming. He wasn't taking me seriously and that was his downfall. It was obvious that he wasn't using all of his strength, probably just enough so that a still completely human Bella would have never even been able to move his arm just an inch, but he hadn't expected the Slayer. So, using all of my strength, I shoved his arm down with one swift motion. His hand smashed into the rock and a part broke off at an invisible fault line, falling to the ground with a loud crash.
The silence around us was deafening, but I couldn't suppress the victorious grin on my face. I did it! I beat Emmett in an arm-wrestling match and I wasn't even a newborn yet! It didn't matter that Emmett hadn't used all of his strength, because normal human Bella would have never been able to move the arm at all. Resisting the urge to jump up and down like a child, I turned around to face Edward. His face was, if possible, even paler than usual and his lips pressed to a thin white line. "See?" I told him smiling. "I'm fine!"
The grin on my face grew even wider, because for the first time in my life, Edward Cullen appeared to be speechless. "Bella? How? This… How?" he stuttered, as he ran a hand through his hair.
"That's a very good question, Bella," Carlisle said. He and the others, especially Emmett, who still seemed to be in some kind of shock – could vampires even go into shock? – all looked at me expectantly. "I do hope that you have an explanation for this, because, to be completely honest with you, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have never believed this. And I think the others share my sentiments."
"I know… I didn't believe this either until I had proof. And I do, have an explanation I mean," I told them, all of them. "But I think we'd better go inside. This… might take a bit longer to explain."
The others nodded and began to retreat to the house. However, I hesitated. The 'fun' part was over; now it was time to get serious and face the music. My stomach clenched painfully. My new family knew now partly what I was capable of, but not why. And I was horrified of their reactions, when they found out, which would be in just a few minutes.
Before she and Jasper left, Alice regarded me with a quizzical look on her face, before her eyes first went blank and then widened. Upon seeing this, I immediately knew that she had just seen what I wanted to tell them and my hands began to tremble. "Incredible," she just mumbled, clearly amazed by what she had seen in her vision, before she took Jasper's hand and pulled him back to the house.
"Alice, why are you translating Japanese pop songs into Arabian now?" Edward called after her, but he didn't get an answer. He sighed and took my hand again. A frown appeared on his face, as his other hand tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Bella, are you sure you're fine? Emmett really hasn't hurt you?"
"I'm…" I wanted so confirm that I was fine, but that would be a lie. I was very far from fine. "I'm unhurt. I'm… I'm just nervous and… scared. This… what I'm going to tell you… You won't like it. And… I'm not sure, if I'll be welcomed in this family, when you know."
"Bella," his soft voice comforted me, as he hugged me gently. "I admit… it's hard to believe what you've just done… I'm shocked and I can't even imagine what has brought on this incredible change in you, making you so strong. But, no matter what happens, don't you ever be afraid of losing us. We are your family and you will always be welcomed. Never forget that. If Carlisle welcomed me back after my rebellious years, he won't turn away from you just because you've gotten a lot stronger over night."
Even if I'm born to be your enemy? I wanted to ask him, but kept my mouth shut. Instead, I simply nodded and said, "Let's not let them wait any longer."
"Alright…"
He pressed his cool lips against my forehead and together we followed the others to the house, hand in hand. The rest of the Cullens were already in the living room, waiting for us; one couch was empty, obviously for Edward and me, because Carlisle and Esme were sitting across from us, with Alice and Jasper standing behind them, while Emmett and Rosalie were close to the windows. I smiled apologetically at Emmett, but he simply grinned back and gave me the thumbs up. Now that he seemed to have regained his composure, he didn't seem to care why I was so strong; he just thought that it was cool that I was, which already was a big relief.
With Edward taking the lead, we went over to the free couch, were Edward pulled me down next to him. He was still holding onto my hand, which had two effects – one, it was keeping me somewhat calm and second, it kept from fidgeting even more than I already did. I tried to meet Carlisle's gaze, but couldn't hold it for long. I simply didn't know where to start.
Finally, after long tense minutes, and a careful squeeze of Edward's hand, I took one last deep breath and asked, "Has one of you ever heard of the term Vampire Slayer?"
I met many blank looks. Actually, only Carlisle's face showed recognition of the term, as did Jasper's, and, of course, when they recognized it and thought about it, Edward knew about it as well.
"No," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "I won't accept that. This can't be true."
"It's just a myth, Edward," Carlisle told him. "At least I always thought so."
"What is it, Carlisle, Jasper?" Esme asked worried. "Edward? Bella? What is this… Vampire Slayer? It can't be what I think it is, can it?"
"It is…" I admitted quietly, lowering my gaze. I paused for a few seconds, before reciting one of the things that had been burned into my memory that morning. "In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer. Or, at least that's what I was told this morning."
"That's almost exactly what Aro told me many years ago," Carlisle mumbled thoughtfully. He regarded me with something akin to awe in his eyes, but also pity and compassion. Clearing his throat, he explained, not just for me, but also for the others, "One night, while I was staying in Volterra, Aro and I talked about the enemies of the vampires, among others the werewolves, but he also mentioned the Slayer. He said that he had heard rumors about a girl that was destined to kill vampires, but that he didn't believe in them. He couldn't fathom how one lonely girl could possibly have a chance against one of us. I always thought the same, but Bella, you showed us otherwise."
"But Emmett didn't even use his full strength," Edward quickly interjected. I could see that he was clinging to every straw that might prove that I'm not the Vampire Slayer. "He promised me that he wouldn't." Edward said this with a pointed glare at his brother, who held up his hands, as if saying 'I didn't do it'.
"That's right, he held back." Suddenly, Alice was by my side, squeezing herself on the couch next to me. "Directly after the match, Emmett considered a rematch, where he wouldn't hold back, but he quickly dismissed it. But I saw what would happen. Emmett would win, of course, and Bella would have to go to the ER with a broken arm, collar bone and dislocated shoulder, along with some torn muscles. Still, this doesn't mean that Bella isn't suddenly supernaturally strong, because she is, as you have all seen." She took my other hand and looked directly at me. "Bella, I've already seen everything you were thinking about telling us," she said softly, her voice tinkling even though it was quiet. "But I think it's best if you start at the beginning, so that the others will understand as well. Don't be scared, Bella… You know we love you. So can you please tell us all what's happened this morning and who told you this?"
I felt everyone's eyes on me, as I averted my gaze again and stared down at my fingers. It should have reassured me that Alice already knew and was still accepting me. But Alice was no fighter, she might not see the real danger I might pose to them. The others, however, would, most of all Jasper. He might see me as a threat.
"Bella…" Edward's velvet voice tore me out of my depressing thoughts. I raised my head and met his still worried eyes. He didn't say more, but his look told me all. He couldn't take the suspense anymore and was pleading with me to tell him and the others everything. And as usual, I couldn't deny him, when he was looking at me like this.
And so, still only looking at Edward, drawing strength from him, I began to tell my story.
"This morning, I had two visitors. They told me their names are Willow Rosenberg and Xander Harris and they made Charlie believe that they were going to talk to me about college. However, once Charlie was gone, they admitted that it was just part of the truth. While they were coming from a school, a school for gifted girls, they also had something else to tell me. They told me… that I was a Vampire Slayer."
With those words spoken, the rest just seemed to flow out of me. I couldn't stop them anymore, as I got everything off my chest, starting with the shocking news this morning and stopping with my decision that my new family deserved to know the truth and that they could only believe me, if I showed them, hence my stunt with Emmett. The whole time, everyone listened patiently and raptly, though now and then I saw out of the corner of my eyes one of the Cullens shake their head in disbelief.
I didn't leave anything out, not the test with the ball, what the two strangers had told me about Sunnydale and the magic that had changed all the girls with the potential into Slayers, nor my afternoon in the meadow with Jake and what I did to the bathroom afterwards. Surprisingly enough, my breath hitched, when I told them that I had killed my truck.
Sometime during the tale, I noticed Edward's arms around me, as he pulled me against his chest, and Alice's hand gently rubbing my back. I hadn't realized until then that I was crying, but I still didn't stop talking. With my cheek resting against Edward's chest, I eventually finished my story.
The whole room was silent for a seemingly infinitely long moment. My body felt limp and I was so exhausted. My eyes began to droop, but I forced them to stay open. I felt as if I could sleep for a week, but at the same time, I felt incredibly lighter. They finally knew and the only thing I could do now was wait for their judgment.
Tears were still silently running down my cheeks, as I waited. I didn't look up, instead concentrating on the pale and flawless skin of Edward's strong arm that was holding me tightly. His chest rose and fell steadily, which, in addition to the soft rubs on my back, was soothing. For a few seconds, I allowed my eyes to close and I must have been really close to sleep, because I was suddenly startled awake by Rosalie's outraged outcry.
"How cruel!" she snarled, as she quickly moved from her spot at the window and knelt down in front of me. Rosalie carefully took my left hand into her own and entangled her fingers with mine. Her gaze was stormy, furious, but I could tell that she wasn't angry at me. No, I realized in my foggy mind, she was angry on my behalf. "Oh Bella… The nerve of them… You and all those other girls! Their lives destroyed! Whoever's responsible for this…"
"Rose," Carlisle admonished her quietly but strictly. She turned to him sharply, but he just shook his head. "I understand your feelings, but we have to approach this subject with reason, not with anger, no matter how justified it is."
"Carlisle is right," Esme agreed, her voice gentle; her eyes, however, showed the fierceness of a lioness protecting her cubs. She was looking directly at me, nearly right through me into my soul, as she appealed, "This, however, doesn't change anything about your place in this family, Bella. You are still one of us, a Cullen in all but name. But as we all know, this will change soon," Esme added with a smile.
I returned her smile, relief spreading through my whole body. They weren't pushing me away. "Thank you…"
"Stupid Bella," Edward mumbled into my hair. "Did you honestly think we would turn away from you? This is just another obstacle, but we will break through it, just as we always do."
Carlisle nodded, as he offered me a comforting smile. "That we will, all of us, together. But before we discuss what should be done now after this most shocking revelation, I believe you should get some sleep, Bella. You've had a really trying day and you need some rest. And tomorrow, we will sort this out."
"Yes, Bella…" Esme agreed, her loving smile warming me. "Thank you, for sharing this with us. We know it must have been really hard for you. You must have been so scared. But now, sleep and rest, and believe me, tomorrow, you will already feel a lot better than today."
"Thank you," I could only mumble again, overwhelmed by Carlisle's compassion and Esme's love. Once again I really saw that those abilities were their greatest gift. As a matter of fact, every single member of the family was looking at me with encouragement and sympathy, even Jasper, whose reaction was one I had feared so much, but who I believed even helped a bit to make me feel a bit more comfortable now, and Rosalie, who had surprised me the most with her sudden outburst.
My tears were slowing, but those that were still falling were of gratitude for the great family I happened to be a part of. For the first time since this morning, when my life had been turned upside down yet again, I managed to relax completely – if it was Jasper's doing or not, I didn't care. Slowly but surely, my eyes began close again, and suddenly I felt that I was no longer sitting on the sofa. I opened my eyes a little bit. We were on the stairs, going upstairs, and I snuggled deeper into Edward's embrace, as he carried me to his room, where he placed me carefully feet first on the floor. I swayed at first, but he held me.
"Do you need a human minute?"
Sleepy as I was, I could only nod. Was it just last night that I had been just as sleepy? It seemed as if it were a lifetime ago.
I quickly went into his bathroom, brushed my teeth, combed my hair and got dressed into the pajamas he kept especially for me in the bathroom. After I had taken care of other necessities, I returned to the bedroom. I was still so incredibly tired and worn out, but not as much as before. Some cold water I had splashed in my face had taken care of that. I needed to be awake for just a short moment longer, before I could give in to sleep.
In his bedroom, Edward was welcoming me as soon as I stepped over the threshold. He was already dressed in a pair of black designer sweats and a white T-shirt. Apparently he wanted me to feel as comfortable as possible tonight, so he wouldn't lie down next to me in jeans. "Let's go to bed," he whispered, gently letting his fingers trail down my cheeks. Just as usual, my heart began to beat faster and my knees went week. Edward used this chance, of course, and swept me off my feet, to lay me very carefully down on the enormous bed on the fluffy pillow, and at last covered me with the soft blanket. "Are you comfortable?"
"Yes," I answered, as he lay down next to me. We were facing each other and I was biting my lower lip.
"What is wrong?" he asked, worried at once. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?"
"It's just… It's stupid… but…" I shook my head, smiling wryly. "My truck's still at the trail to the meadow. I'm worried that something might happen to it."
A low chuckle rumbled in Edward's chest and he pulled me closer. "Consider it taken care of. Rose and Emmett will get it. Is there anything else?"
I hesitated for a moment, before I eventually said, "Yes… In the jeans… the ones I left in out bathroom. There's the card Mr. Harris has given me. I have a feeling that we might need it tomorrow."
Edward was quiet for a moment, as he was listening to his family downstairs, before he gave me a comforting smile. "Alice and Esme will go to Charlie's house. They will use this chance to take a look at the damage in the shower. Don't worry, Charlie won't even notice that they're there. And now, sweet Bella, sleep."
I wanted to protest, but found that I couldn't, because as soon as Edward began humming my lullaby, sleep claimed me.
Much to my surprise, I didn't dream that night.
Disclaimer: I borrowed some of the lines in this chapter from Stephenie Meyer's novel "Breaking Dawn", so I don't own them.
