A/N: Hello all! I am sorry I haven't really made much comments on here but I would just like to take this time to thank everyone who favorited! You are all awesome! Much love to you guys! And I'm sorry if this all seems a bit rush, it kind of is, I'm very busy most of the time so I try and post chapters fast.....Just to let you all know, I'm working on chapter 9 right now and I will be posting the other chapters soon as they get edited. Also, there will about atleast 20 something chapters to this story. Very long. None of these characters belong to me, all property of Stephenie Meyer aside from my random characters thrown in. And trust me, I'm a fan of Bella and Edward but I'm no good at writing about them. lol I've tried and it doesn't work so I have to restort to my own made up characters that I see fit.
Again, thank you for support! And reviews would be lovely!
Chapter 4-
Welcome
"Our family is ever growing and I could not be happier!"
Edward and I's hunting trip went well; after his little confession we had long conversations about things that we were missing before and I discovered that behind all my worry and obsessing over my former human life and friends that I was falling in love with Edward too. The difference between human love and vampire love is that human love doesn't change or impact you as hard as vampire love. When you fall in love as a vampire your whole perspective of life and loyalty changes; it's like you're a completely different person after some impacts your entire soul as I think it does when you fall in love. It's almost like a animal sense of courtship takes over; you mate once and that is for life.
Though, spending time with Edward was wonderful and we broke down the walls we were both holding up, my mind was often at home with Alexandra. I wanted to be by her side as the change was happening but Edward thought it would be easier for me to handle to stay away until the change was almost finished and I had to admit, he was right. I faintly remember the burning and pain of the change and I wouldn't wish that on anyone and I certainly didn't want to witness it. I had to get through another day of waiting but I had Edward there to keep me sane. The cell phone in my pocket vibrated and I reached down to pull it out and I smiled a little bit when I saw it was a text message from Tasha, I opened to read it and what it said broke my heart, 'Where have you been?! I haven't heard from you in months! If you want to be like that then fine; enjoy your new life,' I sighed heavily and looked at Edward; again the need to cry came into my mind but there were no tears.
"This has to be hard on you; having so many friends before you were turned vampire." He said coming up beside me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
"Wasn't it hard for you too?" I asked shutting my cell phone and looking up at him.
"Well, I changed in 1918 so times were a little different." He stated and I understood, I guess the family loyalty was stronger back then and friends were few and rare.
"Do you want to start walking home? I bet it'll be dusk by the time we get close if we keep a slower pace." He asked grabbing my hand really giving me choice to decline but he knew I wouldn't.
We walked slower than we normally would and the pace was almost painful, I was used to walking and running at a faster speed; a speed that human eyes could not see but now we were walking like a human and it was annoying. We passed the small river that flowed through the forest and I knew we were almost half way there.
"I bet Esme is preparing another room already." Edward stated with a little grin as we walked hand in hand.
"How many more rooms does the house have before they have to stop saving people?" I asked a small laugh escaping my lips.
"Well, it's a ten bedroom house. So we have room for like two more, unless we switch around rooms a bit and get rid of Carlisle's study."
"Ah, why haven't they kicked anyone out?" I asked with a grin wondering why all of them piled into one house when the Cullen fortune could possibly get the USA out of debt.
"I don't know but I love living there, I guess having my family around is something that I wouldn't change, no matter how old I get." Edward winked to me as if we actually aged. I shook my head with a giggle. "Rosalie has moved out a few times but always came back; she missed the company."
I nodded but continued to walk in silence; I had to admit that I was getting excited as we got closer to the house. Alexandra was going to be a part of the adoptive family that I loved more and more each day. Alice was glorious with her energy and charisma, Emmett was the big loveable brother who reminded me of a giant teddy bear, Carlisle and Esme truly became my parents though I still missed my human parents, Rosalie and Jasper were both good for a laugh; I still wished that Bella and I could become closer, she was extremely shut off but my family had ensured me that she would warm up after a while and become more open. Edward was the best of them all I had to admit; he was so caring and deep, a quality that I found very comforting.
Alice was waiting at the door when we stepped up to the house and she looked a little impatient with our late arrival but she didn't mention it to us if she really was being impatient. The family welcomed us back and Carlisle had informed me that Alexandra still hadn't woken up yet though Alice said it wouldn't be long before she did. I went straight into Carlisle's study to sit with Alexandra; call me selfish but I wanted to be the first face she saw when she had woken up. Edward and the rest of the family waited by the door as I sat next to her. The greatest feeling a friend could have was watching their best friend open their eyes in a whole new world that ran parallel to the human world that we used to exist in; though her confusion was quite entertaining as well, I didn't feel like such the oddball when she first awoke. I was disappointed that she didn't fly through any windows like I had when first standing up but the string of cuss words that flew out of her mouth when she realized that she would no longer be in the world of humans and sunlight was amusing to say the least. Alexandra's reception into the vampire world was a little easier than mine too; she took everything we told her with stride as I had not planned and she was joyous to find that she was living in a some sort of movie like living that we didn't know was existent. Carlisle and Edward gave the same talk with her as they had with me about the ways and rules of living as a vampire which the entire family had a part in including me; being the newest I had given her the basic run down on hunting ways that was easiest for me, so I figured they'd help her out as well. She seemed to blend well with the Cullen family but I had to confess that I noticed she was the happiest when she saw me and that she knew she didn't have to go through this alone, which she was lucky. Her color was a bright orange and when I focused in I heard the words 'radiant and warm' come into my mind and I couldn't have said it better myself; those words fit her better than any word I could've came up with.
"Like this?" Alexandra called out as she took a stance preparing to lash out at her prey. I laughed and rolled my eyes, "Sure, but the talking thing doesn't help so much." I replied to her shaking my head.
"Oh…" she muttered going silent and focusing in on her environment. She took off into the forest but I noticed she wasn't chasing a deer but Edward.
"Alex-"I called out but it was too late, I heard a loud thunderous sound then laughter,
"Leave it to her to hunt her own kind," I muttered to Carlisle before I ran over to where they were both sitting on the ground laughing. Today's hunting wasn't going as well as we hoped.
"Did you not smell him? He clearly doesn't have a pulse!" I said holding back the laughter but seeing my best friend and boyfriend sitting on the ground covered in leaves was too much to handle.
"I am sorry; I'll try harder next time." She gasped between giggles. Carlisle ran up behind us and joined in on the laughter then decided it might be better to take Alexandra off by himself; we seemed to be having too much fun with the whole hunting attempt.
"You two are not helping," he said pointing out Edward and I but we just stood there trying to look innocent as possible. "You know this poor girl is thirsty and yet here you two are setting her up to hunt Edward," he griped out with humor in his voice.
"It was Edward's idea," I told him pointing to Edward who's face of horror and shock was priceless,
"It was Courtney's!" he pointed back then Carlisle looked at us both looking like two children blaming each other for a wrong-doing. I pouted a little bit to add to the joke then I got a rude awaking when I was suddenly slammed to the ground, "Oh, is that how you want to play?" I chirped to Edward then reversed the move on him so that he was lying underneath me.
"Let's go, Ms. Cullen," he challenged but I was no fool to his ability, there would be no way I would win this battle; he would know every move before I made it.
"Oh no, I'm not going to wrestle with you only to lose because you cheat!" I gave him a hard glare before I got back up only to notice that Carlisle and Alexandra were nowhere to be seen. "That's wonderful; I can't be with my best friend on her first hunting trip because someone wants to play evil tricks on her." I stated putting the blame on Edward when I had been the one who decided it'd be cute for Alexandra to hunt him.
"Do not even try that, it's not going to work," he laughed picking me up swiftly then started heading back to the house. I wasn't even going to fight with him at that moment, it was a lose/lose situation with no hoping of winning on my end.
We arrived back to the house and he carried me to the couch where he sat me down then sat next me wrapping his arm securely around my shoulders. Rosalie was on the loveseat flipping through the channels at a good twenty miles an hour not taking one second to look at the programs she was flying by. Edward picked up a pillow and threw it at her but she caught it before it made contact with her head,
"Excuse me?" Rosalie asked raising an eyebrow at Edward; she wasn't in the best of moods today.
"Stop thinking of yourself and hand over the remote." He requested and was welcomed with a remote flying towards his head; he caught it with ease.
"Quit being a smug bastard then I'll stop thinking of myself." She spat at him walking out of the room; no doubt to go whine to Bella about something or other. Rosalie and Edward's relationship wasn't the strongest out of the Cullens by a long shot.
"Do you have to upset her like that?" I asked him as he flipped through the channels finally setting it to some remake of Batman.
"If you heard her thoughts you'd do the same, love."
"Probably not," I disagreed, "I wonder how the hunting is going since someone ruined my chance to witness it,"
"May I point out that you only have yourself to blame," he grinned, "and I bet it's going fine," he finished before Alice fluttered down the stairs.
"Courtney, can I give you a makeover?" she asked taking a seat next to me but I questioned her sanity at that moment and wondered why she wasn't attacking Bella or Rosalie or even Esme for that matter.
"May I ask why?"
"Bored," she rang out as if she didn't have plenty other victims, I looked up at Edward and he looked a bit nervous too.
"Why can't you do this on Rosalie, Esme or Bella?" I questioned but an evil grin came across her face,
"I have too much respect for Esme and that would only make Rosalie more vain and Bella threatened to crash my car if I touched her." She explained but somehow I didn't trust her explanation but I gave any ways.
"Sure…"
"Oh goody! My room in five seconds." She stated before disappearing up the stairs, Edward looked down at me with a wide grin,
"If you don't want a permanent hair cut I suggest you be careful with her," he warned then Alice's voice carried down the stairs kindly calling out 'I heard that!' before Edward had another chance to tell me what evil plots she had waiting.
"Wonderful..." I muttered before going up the stairs and joining Alice in her room where Jasper was sitting on their bed reading a book.
"Can I cut your hair?" Alice asked looking angelic as if I already didn't know what was up her sleeve,
"Will it grow back?"
"Yes,"
"Liar."
"Curse Edward…" she grumbled pulling out various brushes and make up from her vanity.
"I like my hair long..." I stated as she set everything up in perfect order as if she was going to be performing surgery,
"But I don't," she chimed
"I do and I think I'm the one who wins this argument," I laughed as she begun to brush power on my face,
"You do but I was hoping to change your mind somehow," she chuckled continuing her attack on my face,
"Sorry but you fail this time,"
"Don't worry, I'll have my revenge.." she spoke as her face got another devilish tint to it,
"I'll still win. You're forgetting that Edward knows what you're up to," I countered but she was still one up on me,
"And you're forgetting that he has to hunt sometime and that you might not go along,"
"Okay, Alice. You got me but you're still not cutting my hair and I will be watching you…" I laughed as she begun painting my eyes with shadows of neutral colors; I was thankful she didn't have some sick plan of lime greens for my face.
"Finished!" she clapped as I looked into the mirror; it was pretty amazing she didn't do something outrageous but I did look very good with my sister's makeover,"Wow, thank you," I grinned up to her as Jasper's low chuckle flowed from behind,
"Why are you laughing at over there?" I asked turning in the chair,
"You are without a doubt one of the lucky ones…" he chuckled returning his attention back to his book. I glared up at Alice who smiled innocently
"That's why Esme, Rosalie and Bella wouldn't let you touch them…"
"Maybe, I figured if I was nice to you, you'd let me do it again sometime…" she pouted upset by the other family members and their refusal to her makeovers.
"I might,"
"You will."
"I'm not going to argue with you about that," I chuckled getting out of my seat and going back downstairs to join Edward with his movie lameness.
"You really need better taste in movies," I grumbled as I sat next to him but he just ignored my witty comment and kept his eyes glued to the TV.
Alexandra's laughter broke through my boredom as her and Carlisle returned to the house. I shot up and greeted them at the door as they came in, Carlisle congratulated Alexandra on her nice hunting without the two children around then took off upstairs no doubt in search of Esme. I drug Alexandra up the stairs and into my bedroom before she had a chance to be distracted by anyone else in the house.
"So, your thoughts on Edward?" I muttered softly trying to keep my voice from traveling but I knew he'd heard something in my thoughts if he was paying attention; I was confident that his attention was on the TV enough that my thinking would breeze by him.
"Um, well, he's nice." Alexandra said giving me a questioning look. Then it hit her, "No! Really?" Oh my gosh, you and Edward…?" she gasped out loud; I quickly moved to her to place my hand over her mouth,
"Not so loud, he'll hear…" I choked out looking towards the door making sure he wasn't going to welcome himself in after hearing her statement.
"Sorry but really?" she asked with wide eyes keeping her voice at a whisper,
"Yes, his and I's conversations are amazing and I truly love him back… I have never felt anything like this before; Edward told me once that when you fall in love as a vampire that your whole soul is impacted and the emotions are so much stronger than that of a human's." I ranted on as she listened with a huge grin across her face.
"I think that's great, Court! You two are so cute..." she whispered but our low voices did not do the trick from keeping it from listening ears, Edward stood at the door laughing.
"You two are something else," he continued his laughter; so much for private girl talk.
"Um, private here..." I glared at him, "I would like to talk to her alone and so what if I'm talking about you! And don't listen to my thoughts either!" I said dismissing him out of the room but he wasn't so willing to leave. He grumbled a bit before coming over and placing a soft kiss onto my lips before exiting out of the room again; my entire body felt like a million feathers were being rubbed over it at one time. That was our first kiss and I must say the timing and location wasn't the greatest but the kiss itself was breath-taking. I sat there frozen looking at the now closed door where he had just exited out of not five seconds ago.
"I think maybe he wants alone time with you…" Alexandra muttered out with a slight giggle behind her words. I looked at her still wide-eyed, "I can't believe that ju-just happened…" I stuttered out a little shocked at his actions.
It didn't take about a half a second before I flew off the lounge and flew towards Edward's room where he sat listening to a piano mix; I stopped and stared at him bewildered, he just looked up at me with fire burning in his eyes. I took a step forward drawn by his eyes and kneeled before him. His fingers graced my cheek for a moment before those same fingers brought my face forward; I noticed his aura had turned completely dark blue but the words couldn't come to my head before I felt his lips on mine again, this time slower and more careful. I was lost in his taste and scent; I wouldn't have cared if we stayed like that forever, I would have gladly gone thirsty for his lips but the kiss ended all too quickly in my opinion. His eyes took a new look a deeper more sullen look but behind it was happiness and hope; I wanted to find the words to speak but nothing was coming to me, I couldn't help but stare into the depths of his golden eyes. Edward brushed his lips against mine again before picking me up and placing me into his lap where he wrapped his arms tightly around me, I gladly returned the embrace.
I closed my eyes and rested my head against his for a few moments, before he laid back on the lounge; I still had my legs across his and my arms kept their tight hold around his neck and we laid there staring at each other. For the first time since I met him I wished I could read into his mind to know what he was thinking; it seemed unfair that he could hear my thoughts and I could not hear his. Closing his eyes he brought me into another kiss and I noticed a slight gasping noise escape his lips; that was the only thing we could do if we wanted to cry, was either gasp or sob but there were no tears. The kiss ended and I looked at him; new worries and questions popped into my head.
"What is it?" I asked bring my hand around to stroke along his cheek and jawbone. He just shook his head remaining silent. "Edward, please tell me…"
"It's truly nothing…" he muttered; I traced my fingers along his lips,
"Edward…" I whispered trying to encourage him to tell me what's on his mind,
"Content, love. Content for the first time in a hundred years…" he whispered back burying his face into my shoulder. I smiled and kissed the side of his head softly. I don't remember how long we lay like that but it had to be close to a day; I guess time doesn't matter when you have forever.
Rosalie, Alexandra, Jasper and I all sat in the living room watching the weather channel; we were curious to what the weather was like during the week because Jasper had to do a document run to get Alexandra's information, the same as I got during my first days with the Cullens. Rosalie kept glancing at herself in the mirror and I couldn't help but chuckle a little bit at her; she truly had no idea how stuck-up she looked when she did that but I was not going to the be the one to inform her; her and I weren't the closest and I was keeping my pledge not to make enemies anytime soon. I shook my head when Edward caught my attention; he was standing at the top of the stairs keeping his eyes locked on me. Alexandra had also noticed the new addition to the stair case and we gave each other a questioning look before I stood up and joined him at the top of the stairs; he took my hand and led me to his room which was strange because we usually stayed in my room. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a small silver box then placed it on his bedside table before taking a seat on his couch; he patted the empty space next to him where I took my seat. Taking my hand he held it softly in his then placed our intertwined fingers on his lap. My mind was whirling; he hadn't truly been the same since our first kiss only a few days ago.
"I know you're perplexed but there is something I've wanted to discuss with you..." he muttered taking a glance at the silver box then turning his attention back to the floor.
"What is it?" I asked, a sigh escaped his lips before he continued,
"I was just wondering what your thoughts were about marriage…" he asked softly; I smirked a little at his pun but I hadn't really thought about marriage since Edward and I had gotten together. I thought it through for a moment before I answered him; the idea of marriage was different being human versus a vampire, a vampire's love is eternal as where a human love can falter with temptation. Vampire's had the idea of mate for life.
"Well, I haven't really thought about it…"I began before he nodded his head,
"I know but I was just wondering if you would ever get married." He corrected his previous statement.
"I guess but I don't know because I don't see the point of it when I have already decided that I want you…forever." I muttered to him brushing my thumb across the back of his stone hand.
"I was just wondering because it's something that means a lot to me and if you want-if you would- I would like to marry you…" he kept his voice at a whisper but never locked his gaze to me; I wondered for a moment if he was scared of rejection or he read somewhere in my thoughts that I didn't want to marry him.
"I would marry you…it's just a ring and a piece of paper doesn't mean that much to me; what matters is what's in my heart." I said sliding down to my knees to I could get into his sight. I knelt on the floor before him keeping my hand in his.
"I know…It's just that I'm old fashioned and I don't want to make love before marriage…" he said finally bringing his eyes to meet mine. A few of my hopes were crushed by his statement; I was hoping to be able to make love to him without a ring but it seemed like it meant a lot to him to keep to his values and that I could understand.
"I respect that…" I told him honestly; I really did respect his morals but the kisses we've shared had me thinking what other adventures would feel like.
"You agree to marry me?" he asked.
"Yes..." I nodded with a smile; his eyes closed for a moment before a smile spread across his face then he reached for the silver box on the table and my breath literally caught in me throat when I realized that it was a ring box and he had already planned on this. My hands fell to my lap as I was the one sitting on my knees; in human customs it was usually the man on his knee and a proposal didn't happen a month after being in an relationship but I couldn't complain. Edward opened the box and pulled out a white gold ring with a oval shaped three karat diamond in the center, outlined with a mixture of four sapphire and emerald diamonds.
"The green and blue are represent our auras…I see that I am dark blue and you're green, so it seemed fitting." He explained taking the ring and slowly sliding it onto my ring finger of my left hand. My mouth fell open at the beauty of the ring but I was also shocked by his words,
"My aura?" I asked a little bit confused; I wasn't able to see my own aura, not even in the mirror.
"When you look at yourself in the mirror I can see your aura…" he stated before placing a kiss on the hand he was holding; when my eyes locked back onto the ring the thought of my aura was forgotten,
"This truly beautiful, Edward…" I muttered softly before a smile that I couldn't hold back spread across my face. I wrapped my arms eagerly around his neck and brought him into a deep kiss that seemed to last into the night; I wasn't counting time with Edward as where I felt like our love was timeless and now I had no doubt about that in my mind; he was the one I would love forever and I was extremely glad that we had forever to have.