Chapter 6: …And the family
…
"I'm the one smelling too good to resist here." I added trying to lighten the mood again. It worked and slowly the tension left the car as they both muttered under their breath:
"You have no idea."
…
It turns out my kidnapers were taking me to their lair. No, really. First I recognised the long driveway that was almost invisible from the road and then I was greeted by the Cullen mansion where we spent so much free time playing around after casting. It was always crew's hideout because of all the consoles, books and other entertainment that was set there for the movie. We took full advantage, of course.
"So," I stated amused and a little nervous; I realised I was meeting the family today, apparently. "No first dates, first? I didn't take you guys for this much old-school, but I think asking my father comes first, anyway." I joked to hide my nerves.
"Don't worry, Bella." Edward played along. "I'm sure Carlisle can work that formality out."
"Yeah we do have much to offer." Alice joined in.
"The whole eternity." I agreed solemnly. They got a funny look on their face and I wasn't sure whether they were amused or the 'joke' wasn't that funny after all. Though Alice didn't seem that troubled by it.
"Don't worry I'm not asking for it." I said apologetically when it appeared they were taking it too seriously. "Sorry."
"It's alright." Alice assured me. "We're just not used to people talking about it so openly. I'm sure we'll get used to it, though." She gave me a small smile that I happily returned.
"I think I can help with that, then." I said with a wink and then turned back to the mansion in front of me. "So… do you think I can charm the rest of your family too?" I felt the air behind me move and felt the colder presence of a vampire at my shoulder.
"Oh, they're already charmed." I heard her whisper in my ear sending pleasant shivers down my spine. "Edward did great advertising on your behalf." Of course he heard that. Come to think of it the whole family was probably listening…
"You're welcome." He whispered conspirationaly and exiting the car blurring to the other side before I could reach for the door and opened it for me. "Milady." He offered his hand.
"Kind sir." I accepted it giggling at his antics. I knew he was probably just acting the way he would when he was human and not playing it as much as I did. It was easy seeing him like that, it suited him.
"Oi! What about me?" I heard mock offended shout from the car and giggled harder. I swear I'm not the constant giggling type but they just cracked me up like that.
Edward quickly jumped to show his sister the same curtesy and she elegantly accepted his hand making my performance hide in shame. Vampires…
"Careful, Edward; a girl could get used to this." She teased releasing his hand and jumped at my side joining our elbows walking me to the front door. "I might use you on my shopping trips." She shouted over her shoulder and I heard a groan from behind me and what I was fairly certain was laughing from the house. So they were listening.
Carlisle Cullen's POV
I smiled with the rest of my family; we were listening to their conversation ever since they came close enough for us to make out their words. Bella seemed like a nice kid and was able to bring out the playful side to both Alice and Edward. The latter being the award winning achievement, actually. He was just so guarded all the time, judging himself for what he was. And now he was hearing a human speak about our deepest secret so freely and without judgment… I hopped she'll make him see the good in him like the rest of us tried time and time again without success.
But this, her knowing about us, put us in a difficult position, not knowing what to expect from her. Even if Edward told them she said she'll keep the secret, I couldn't be at ease until I made sure of it myself. And with her being able to hide her thoughts from my son's ability I was concerned of her intentions… and future; if Volturi found out about a human who knew about vampires, well… And thus my requesting to meet her, though I still wasn't sure on how to approach this situation and the human girl in the middle of it.
I watched as my wife walked elegantly to the front door to open it for our guest. I was certain she exaggerated those hip-swings to tease me knowing it would work and draw my attention only to her. I felt my body hum in appreciation of the view and I had to forcefully stop my mind to spiral in that direction. After all we had guest to greet (and question).
I grinned and promised to myself I'll get back on her for trying to distract me later that night. Silently hoping Edward had enough decency to block those thoughts and Alice was doing her best to ignore the visions that choice brought. There was nothing I could do about Jasper feeling the sexual attraction I felt for his mother, though. Although as often as something like this happened in this house, they were half expecting it anyway and if it weren't the two of us it would've been someone else so no harm done. I really hoped I could reserve the cottage a few miles away for us tonight.
As my teasing wife opened the door we were greet with a wide grin on Alice and a shy but determined one on Isabella, or Bella as she preferred. It took less than a second for her delicious scent to greet us too and we all leaned just slightly closer before we caught ourselves and controlled our thirst. It caught even me off guard and I was the doctor who was daily surrounded with more human blood than not, so that said something.
With a corner of my eye I noticed the rigid form of Jasper while Emmet restrained him just in case with a seemingly casual hand on his shoulder. This all happened so fast I wasn't sure the human noticed as my wife beamed at her and gave her a … I would said warm hug but yeah… Bella immediately responded and hugged her back, though, not minding the cold touch one bit. It was nice to see that.
"Hello, Bella." I stepped forward to greet her myself. "We already met at the hospital but weren't properly introduced; my name is Carlisle Cullen and this is my family." I gave her a reassuring smile and motioned for her to come inside where Esme led her to the unused kitchen. Where they all stood around the girl. We all did our best not to come across as intimidating (because a coven of vampires ought to be quite frightening to a lone human), though Rosalie gave her one of her iciest scowls while Edward and Alice stood closer to her protectively. But Bella didn't really seemed to mind and took it all in stride as she beamed at everyone and gave a little wave saying "Hi".
"You just met my wife, Esme," I quickly started the introductions, though I got the feeling they weren't really needed, "and you already know Alice and Edward. This is Alice's mate Jasper and Emmet and Rosalie who are also mates."
"Nice to finally meet you all." She nodded to each one I introduced and apparently decided to ignore Rosalie's glares and Jasper's stiff form giving them bright smiles like everyone else. She then turned to me and surprised me with her next words: "I know you'll want to talk to me and I promise I'll answer all the questions I can truthfully." But before I could reply Esme jumped in and diverted the conversation away from planned interrogation that will apparently have to wait.
"So, Bella, we heard a lot about you already." She said giving Edward an amused look. Whatever she thought to him had him huffing and smiling slightly as he mumbled his protest:
"Was not!" A knowing smirk from my wife had him showing his tongue to her faking a pout. I loved seeing my son in such a playful mood and I had Bella's presence in our lives to thank for that, no doubt. She also appeared to notice the exchange since she had a big knowing smile plastered on her face. Just how much she knew about us?
"Yes, maybe he could find his calling in filming commercials." She supplied. "I'm certain he'd be a hit no matter what he was promoting." That caused another round of laughter. I really did like the effect she was having on us all. It was like the sun stepped in our house making us truly shine not only our bodies. Even Rosalie was trying to hide her smirk and Jasper was relaxing more and more as moments went by.
'How's Jasper?' I sent my question to my son who answered me barely loud enough for me to catch his words with my vampire hearing;
"I think Bella's emotions are calming his thirst." He sounded equally surprised as I was with that statement. Was she gifted even as a human? That would explain her blocking out Edward's gift, but her reducing our thirst for her sweet blood would mean another gift altogether. My scientific mind found this human increasingly interesting and urged me to observe her and learn about what makes her so special. I was only slightly ashamed to admit she became my new personal project.
Esme Cullen's POV
As soon as I opened the door and laid my eyes on Bella I felt a connection form between us. It was very similar to what I felt towards my adopted children and it was then I knew I wouldn't be able to consider her as anything less than a family, my youngest daughter. She warmed her way in my heart and will stay there forever, which in my case meant truly an eternity if nothing happened to me.
I haven't even noticed her alluring scent before it suddenly didn't bother me anymore as I accepted it not as a pray to stalk and dry of its blood but a family to be protected and loved. This sort of connections never seized to amaze me; while mate bonds took longer to form completely since they were based on emotions and trust between mates, only having that initial spark that drew the two closer together to give them the chance, family bonds formed based on emotions and realisation of having them for someone. There is no initial push but once a person accepts another they form instantaneously and are sealed for life and nothing could break them.
Apparently I heard so much about Bella I felt connected to the girl and then hearing her joke with my children and being so relaxed and at home with them, bringing their playfulness out in the open so easily, deepened that to the point where as I lied my eyes on her I was already accepting her as my own. And now I won't let her disappear from our lives.
"Really? Are you sure about it?" Edward whispered only for me to hear while we escorted my newly found daughter to the kitchen (maybe I'll have a reason to use it now).
'Yes,' I thought to him, 'she's family. She's my daughter.' I suppose I have six children now, I mused to myself; I couldn't be happier. I was looking forward to get to know her. I also noticed my husband's apparent fascination with her. Apparently we'll have to share. I almost felt like pouting which made me smile all the more. There was just something about this girl that seemed to draw our inner children out to play.
Emmet Cullen's POV
Everyone knew I was the kid of the family. Always has been and hadn't changed much through the decades. You might argue Alice is the chipper one always anxious to do something new and exciting. But that's just it, she is chipper not a kid and she has her reasons. Me, I'm the one wrestling bears, pranking my family and making them laugh at me daily. I don't need Edward's gift to know what they're thinking; I am even bigger kid as a vampire than I was as a human. And I was proud of it.
And now I was meeting a human girl who was doing the exact same thing (save for the bear wrestling). But I wasn't jealous… well maybe just a bit since she got Edward to loosen up. I never managed that… No, I was excited! I found my partner in crime! Oh, the pranks we could pull together… and the best part yet, she knew what we were so I wouldn't have to play human and could go all out. This is going to be so awesome!
I had a goofy grin as the door opened and I finally got to meet her. At school we chose to stay away like from the rest of them, but then Edward just couldn't do that. He had to go and try to solve the puzzle. Well now I was grateful for that. Then I got a whiff of her smell and I found myself leaning closer ready to pounce on her.
Damn it! I won't kill my pranking partner. I scolded myself for my lack of control and swore I'll never think about her as a pray again… well, maybe she'll be my pray if I ever chose to prank her, too… Beside me Jasper went rigid and I casually put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed.
"You okay?" I whispered to him. He paused to collect himself and then answered:
"Yeah, just… feeling all that thirst coming from all around on top of mine… I'm glad we went hunting before this." He whispered back. I was glad too. I haven't even thought about how it'd be for Jasper feeling all this burning thirst. I nodded and gave his shoulder another squeeze sending my happy emotions to him to distract him from the others.
We were all introduced to her and as she met my gaze I gave her a wide grin which she apparently recognised as conspiring since she returned it, her eyes shining at me. Ow yeah, it's going to be a great partnership. We could already understand each other only with eye contact. I heard Edward groan behind her and turned to Jasper as he explained why:
"He's dreading the consequences of your thoughts." I felt him relaxing under my arm slowly. "I think she agrees with your plans…" And that just then made my day.
Rosalie Cullen's POV
I don't like her. At all. Who in their right mind would walk in a house full of vampires knowing full well what they were and smelled like a delicious meal?! She was just asking to get killed. Then again maybe she had a death wish; hanging out with Edward was bound to kill you with boredom sooner or later.
That's also one of the reasons he and I would never work and me and Emmet were so good together. Yes, he was as childish as it gets but he kept things interesting around here. I swear I'd go challenge the Volturi decades ago knowing full well I'd be dead in seconds if he wasn't here pranking the life out of us.
The beast inside me growled at the stupid human while she just smiled at everyone. It was like a flashing sign was hanging above her head saying 'delicious and willing meal, come and get me'. Even if our hunter instincts kicked in while the pray was running, she was just so… stupid. I felt like she was doing all the work for us. It was almost as if Emmet was playing one of his pranks on us and I wasn't about to fall for it. She didn't get any points when I saw her exchange a goofy grin with my mate either.
Then I saw her make fun of Edward and I allowed myself to smile just a bit; okay, maybe she is alright… but still stupid, nevertheless. Maybe she just doesn't realise the danger she is actually in right now. Humans are slow sometimes… maybe when she sleeps on it she'll get it and will avoid us like any other normal human being would. And just like that I wasn't interested anymore.
Jasper Cullen's POV
We all knew this'll be the hardest for me; even at school her blood was calling to me to put out the fire in my throat. I had to use all my military training to restrain myself plus I went hunting almost every other day. Today I made sure to drink even more than I usually needed and I still had problems restraining my instincts that wanted to take advantage of the pray in our den.
Feeling the initial thirst of everyone around me certainly didn't help. Then as we were introduced and I met her eyes and big smile I felt as if she was pushing her emotions my way. There was no fear my instincts could feed from, it was calmness (though there was a bit of nervousness there, too), happiness and trust. I felt like my gift was being used on me to calm me down instead of the other way around. The pray that didn't act like it should perplexed the hunter inside me to the point he was no longer urging me to attack the girl.
As my body relaxed slowly so did the restraining hand on my shoulder and I was able to follow what was happening around me once again. I was able to depicter what others were feeling and draw comfort in them not feeling the burn of thirst anymore. Mother was protective and loving towards Bella, Father was certainly interested while Rosalie lost hers along with despise after she came to some conclusion, Emmet was giddy and full of excitement, Edward felt like he was being picked on but didn't really mind this time around and Alice was trying to hold some of her emotions back and focused on happiness and excitement.
And me? I was relieved mostly; I didn't lose myself to the beast and managed to semi-relax in the presence of the human whose blood smelled better than anything I smelt before and return her smile. I was rightfully proud of my achievements.
Okay another chapter done. This one was a bit different, as you probably noticed, and introduced the Cullens from individual POVs. Yes, there was no Edward's POV yet, but that will come in time too. For now let's pretend you were his POV and read other's thoughts about what was going on.
Hope you liked what I did with it and let me know your thoughts.
Also, since I have only a vague idea where I want to go with this story, I invite you to leave suggestions that you think will make this story better/funnier/worth reading and if I decide to use it I'll make sure you get the credit.
Till next time…