Hey guys!
A huge THANK YOU for your reviews!
Please forgive me for the long wait ... I didn't enjoy doing that, but sometimes you just don't have enough time, right?
And I'm halfway done with the next chapter, so it shouldn't take too long until I'll update again. (Plus UEFA EURO is over :-( Sad for me, good for you!)
Edward decided to go to his room and relax a little bit - well, as much you could call it relaxing when your behind feels like you had bathed it in hot lava.
Tentatively reaching back to rub at his smarting posterior, he let out a little hiss and quickly pulled his hand away. Still not able to rub. Nuh-uh.
At least it was over for now …
He lifted his head and looked out of the big, open windows while he shifted his weight impatiently from one foot to another. Hearing nothing but the typical sounds of the night time forest and the rushing of the river coming from outside, he sighed and continued his previous occupation. In his hands he was holding one of his favourite books, and he looked up the parts he liked most. The book was worn, the pages crimped and the spine cracked, the headband lost for more than thirty years already. Even though he had always tried to treat it carefully so it would never look old, he had obviously not succeeded. The book was indeed as old as he was, so seeing it slowly nearing the point of falling apart completely gave him a strange feeling. Melancholy, of course, as well as something else.
He often busied himself with reading paragraphs from his most cherished books, even though he already knew them by heart. It was just something to keep his mind occupied and hopefully make the time pass faster, because there wasn't much he could do right now ... he couldn't sit down, and he didn't want to talk about what happened again. Besides, Carlisle wasn't trying that hard anymore to block him out ... he could hear his musings, his thoughts, and feel the unnecessary guilt.
Carlisle sometimes beat himself up over things like that … but Edward thought it to be ridiculous, really. He did earn that tanning, because what happened had been more or less his fault. Oh well, Esme would cheer his father up again. She was not really the disciplinarian in the family, with only a few exceptions, but she wasn't against corporal punishment when it was deserved. And since it was deserved, she, as well as Edward, saw no need to feel guilty about doling out a punishment like that.
But yes, being with Carlisle right now and seeing his sympathetic glances and guilty looks would surely make Edward feel even worse, therefore staying in his room was the better option.
And there was actually yet another reason why he chose to stay in his room ... he was waiting for his Mom.
Esme and the others would be coming home soon, and he wanted to feel his mother wrap her arms around him and just hold him.
Waiting in the living room for her arrival was out of the question, because the way Rose and sometimes Emmett were teasing him he didn't need them as an audience when Esme would hug and coddle him. Yes, coddle him. She was so very motherly to the point that it could get annoying sometimes. But right now Edward just wanted her to come home … he was seventeen years old and wanted his Mom to be here with him... was that pathetic?
He frowned while thinking about it, but then shrugged his shoulders.
Well, even if it was pathetic, he did not care. She was his Mom and he had all the right in the world to want her to console him whenever he was upset and hurting. Screw Rose and her stupid comments.
Besides, Esme had promised she would talk to Rosalie about her teasing, and maybe this time Carlisle would have a word with Rosalie, too. It would only be fair! Someone needed to get her off her high horse, once and for all.
So now Edward stood here and lifted his head once every few seconds to listen for the distinct roaring of his brother's jeep that would signalise their soon-to-be arrival.
He let out a deep sigh of relief and a smile spread across his face when he indeed could hear a car heading for the path that would lead to their very well hidden residence in the woods.
Unfortunately he could not see the jeep, because the wall-sized window in his room was facing away from the street and only gave him a breathtaking view of the forest and the beautiful river that passed their house. But he could hear it all right.
He quickly put his book away, then jumped down onto the black leather sofa he kept in his room. Yes, he was the only one in this house who did not own a bed, go figure why that was.
But as quickly as his butt met the soft upholstery, he was already back on his feet, standing stock-stiff like a tin soldier. That hadn't been a clever move he realised, and he waited until the angry burning cooled down again.
Let's not repeat that for at least a few hours, he thought and lay down on his stomach.
Ah yes, way better.
The sound of the car came closer and he could hear every turn it took. It was slowing down when it reached the house and the sound of the garage door being pulled up filled the air.
The engine roared once, then the car sped into the garage and came to a halt with squeaking brakes.
Edward smirked a little, knowing that Emmett would definitely get scolded for that. And if he left rubber marks on the driveway or the floor of the garage, then he would definitely need to remove it. At human speed. Ha ha, when would he ever learn ...
But then he distorted his mouth - when would he ever learn? His temper got him into another unpleasant situation once again.
He could have spent the night at the movies with his family, or running through the forest exploring their new territory. It was too late for the movies, and he wouldn't even dare to think about doing something as running now. He wasn't a masochist, after all.
The sweet, melodic voice of his mother met his ears, and Edward turned his head to look at the door, hoping she would walk into his room any second now. But no, she was still talking to Carlisle, and then he could hear a short pecking sound.
Ugh, he certainly did not want to listen in on that. Besides, she could comfort Carlisle at a later time, it was his turn now!
Then, finally! there were soft footsteps heading for the topmost floor, then down the hall and toward his room.
He quickly hid his smile by burying his face in his crossed arms, and then he could hear his mother's knuckles softly rapping against the wooden door.
"Mom?" Edward moaned in a little voice and the door opened.
"Oh, my sweet boy!" Esme exclaimed and hurried over to him. She knelt down right next to the couch and put one arm around Edward's shoulders while she placed her other arm on the couch right in front of him. An awkward hug, but he hadn't lifted his head to look at her and she just wanted to bring him as much comfort as she could and as quickly as possible.
She let her cheek rest against his unruly hair and spoke again.
"Are you all right, Edward? Please talk to me," she begged and pulled away a little when she felt him lift his head underneath her cheek.
Edward turned his head and while letting it rest on his folded arms, he looked sideways up at her.
A sad, little smile played around Esme's lips and she reached out to brush an auburn lock away from his cheekbone.
He closed his eyes at that gesture, breathing in her calming scent. He was so glad that she was here with him now.
But as she continued to stroke his hair, Edward decided that it was time to address the promise his mother had made to him, and he rolled over onto his side. When a small hiss of discomfort left his lips and he quickly lay back down on his stomach, Esme's eyes widened, a spark of fire blazing up in her darkening orbs. She quickly withdrew her hand and rocked back on her heels, asking, "Do I need to talk to your father about -"
"He grounded me, Mom," Edward said quickly, because he could already see her preparing a speech for her husband in case he went overboard with their son's punishment. He didn't want Carlisle to be in trouble with Esme - no, that was all reserved for Rose - so he needed to distract her from that.
But to be honest, the grounding was actually worse for Edward. Being locked up in a house full of couples, day and night ... well, great. Just great.
And he had to admit that he was manipulating her a little right now … he just wanted her to stay with him a little longer and not get the impression that he was all right. And the more she would see him 'suffering', the more Rosalie would be in trouble.
So pretending to be sad and in pain seemed like a good way to go to help Rosalie get the talk she was asking for.
Esme's expression softened and she moved back towards him, then let her fingers run through his hair. "What did you expect, Edward? Do you remember the way you acted?"
Unable to hold her gaze, he averted his eyes and bowed his head in shame. He was embarrassed about the way he had behaved, especially in front of his mother.
"I'm really sorry, Mom. It won't happen again," he murmured and was glad when she lifted his chin with two fingers and smiled at him.
"I know, baby, I know."
He nodded his head and smiled back, but froze when her expression suddenly hardened.
"But if it does happen again, you will have to answer to me, too. You hear?" Her voice was harsh and serious, and the way she fixed him with a stern glare made him cringe.
With wide eyes he exclaimed, "Yes, Ma'am! But I guarantee you it won't!"
Now he didn't like that. Once again he was in trouble for something that was completely ... partly ... kinda Rosalie's fault. But there was one thing his blond sister hadn't reckoned with.
He pretended to absentmindedly reach back to rub some of the lingering sting out, but flinched when his hand made contact with his buttocks. "Ah ...," he gasped and drew in a sharp breath through his clenched teeth. It didn't hurt that much anymore, but Esme wouldn't know ...
"Oh baby, is it that bad?" she asked, her hands hovering helplessly over his lying form. Carlisle would definitely not like the way she babied their son, but she couldn't help it. "Do you need something?"
He glanced at her, then quickly shook his head and buried his face in his folded arms so she wouldn't be able to see his sly smile.
Deciding to go one better, he let his shoulders tremble a little, like he was trying to suppress the need to cry but nearly failing.
Seeing that tore at Esme's heartstrings.
"Sweetie, I'll go get you ...," she said and was already back on her feet, but Edward stretched one hand out towards her while begging, "Please stay."
She looked worried, but then took his outstretched hand in hers and held it while kneeling down next to him again.
"How can I help you, dear?"
"Just stay with me, Mom. The pain will fade of its own, I'll be fine." Uh, he was so brave.
She gave him a worried look, then gently stroked his cheek and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
When she pulled away, she saw a sad look on her boy's face, and it made her frown.
"What is still upsetting you so, hm? Tell me."
"Everything," he replied, groaning.
Esme tilted her head to the side to look him directly in the eye as he was still letting his head rest on his arm on the sofa. "This was a very eventful day for you, wasn't it?" she asked.
And he could suddenly see what she was getting at. Carlisle had briefed her about everything that took place while she had been out and about with the others. Not a pleasurable thought – he had given his father a hard time – but of course Esme would find out one way or the other. And she had something to say to him about that.
"Edward," she said. "You don't need to go hunting together with us, but I want you to take proper care of yourself. You know hunting is a must, and it is not up for discussion. We cannot risk endangering the humans surrounding us. It's not their fault that we chose to move here."
"I know, but I do take proper care of myself, Mom," he mumbled in response.
"Edward," she said in a no-nonsense kind of voice. "You ran away because you needed to hunt. And to be honest I don't like that you let yourself get so thirsty in the first place. You didn't even have time to tell your father that you'd be gone for an hour or two."
"Mama, I'm sorry."
Her voice had a hard edge to it when she continued. "And all that only because you let the urge to drive that car overpower your duty to feed. Taking care of your thirst comes first, Edward. It has top priority."
Uh-oh, he quickly had to pull her back into a different direction. She seemed to be getting angry with him, but she shouldn't - she still had a talk with Rosalie coming. Let her vent her anger on the blond devil, not him.
"I know it was wrong, and I cannot apologize enough, but I felt like I couldn't take it any longer. I just wanted to drive, Mom," he said in a half whine, hoping it would evoke sympathy in his Mom.
"We all have to give up things from time to time. Is it that much of a sacrifice it it guarantees you a life in peace? You need to try to substitute your driving with something else."
Edward looked her square in the eye, his face a humourless mask. "Just like Rosalie?"
Esme frowned for a moment until she realised just what he was implying. Rosalie did not like Forks and because she couldn't spend her days at expensive shopping malls or at clubs, she made do with teasing her little brother mercilessly.
"Her teasing will stop, Edward. Let me promise you that."
"You promise, Mom? How can you make a promise like that? You know Rosalie just as much as I do ...," he said with a hint of sadness and glumness in his voice and hung his head for show. Oh, Rose will burn ...
"I talked to her before. Now that I see she continued her teasing, I take strong offence in her behaviour, too. She not only treats you without respect, but she disobeyed me."
Nice.
"But -" His interjection was abruptly stopped by a delicate finger that Esme placed on her son's lips.
"Do you trust me, Edward?" she asked.
In her golden eyes he saw the love she had for him, and when she moved her hand away he said, "Of course I do, Mama."
"Then please don't concern yourself with Rosalie's teasing anymore. Let Mommy take care of it," she smiled and chuckled while letting her fingers run through his hair.
He rolled his eyes at hearing that, but then nodded his head. Yes, he could see in her mind that she would take proper care of Rose.
Edward had enjoyed the time his mother spent in his room with him, stroking his hair and whispering words of comfort. It was something that would never change and he was grateful for it. But as the time passed he could feel himself getting a little impatient. The curiosity about Rosalie's reaction to Esme reprimanding her was gradually growing until he couldn't take it anymore. Knowing exactly what he had to do to curb his curiosity, he gently stilled Esme's hand and told her that he needed some alone time after a day like that. Of course Esme agreed and after assuring herself that he was indeed feeling better now, she left his room in order to talk to his evil blond sister.
She and Carlisle sat Rosalie down in the living room to berate her, and Edward was the last person to go down there and risk getting into the line of fire. No, he enjoyed his 'box seat' in his room, listening in on what happened downstairs and watching Rosalie through his mother's eyes like he was watching a movie.
Needless to say that Rosalie didn't like her mother scolding her like a little girl and a spat broke out. But it wasn't really worth mentioning because Carlisle took care of it pretty quickly and then asked his wife if she'd like to take a walk with him. They left, leaving a grumpy Rosalie behind.
Alice, Jasper and Emmett waited in their rooms until her feelings had cooled down again, then pooled into the living room to keep her company and watch TV. They plonked down on the sofas and zapped through the channels, wishing to spend the rest of the day as calm and relaxed as possible.
Edward got very much aware of his boredom now - he was alone in his room while his siblings were downstairs enjoying some show. Deciding that a little distraction from this horrible day would do him good, he opened his door and made his way down the stairs to meet up with the others.
The moment he reached the bottom step however, Rosalie turned her head and gave him a death glare that would have scared the whole town away. Emmett noticed her anger and rubbed her knee comfortingly while giving Edward a little, apologetic shrug. He, too, had gotten an earful from Esme, even though his teasing was always more of a joking manner than Rosalie's.
Rosalie took her eyes off him, determined to give him the cold shoulder for at least a few weeks. Her brother was in her bad books now - or maybe he had been all along.
Did Edward care? No, because the tables have clearly turned and now it was his turn to be smug.
He casually strolled over to an armchair and let himself fall down onto the soft, cushioned sitting surface.
But unfortunately it was still a little early to be doing that without having to clench his teeth - he was not feeling completely pain-free yet. As inconspicuously as he could, he placed his left forearm onto the armrest and leaned onto it a little to take some of the pressure off his poor butt.
Of course Rosalie noticed. And instead of continuing to ignore him - which he definitely would have preferred - she eyed him and snorted.
"What, do you have diaper rash?" she sneered and Emmett turned his head to the side so that his little brother wouldn't see him smirking.
"Rose, don't," Jasper said calmly and shook his head at Rosalie. He was sitting opposite Rose and Emmett and had his left arm slung around his mate's shoulders who was stretching her neck to look at Edward.
"Are you all right?" she asked and gave Edward a sympathetic look, completely ignoring her sister's snide remarks towards him. The vision she got hours ago hadn't been quite clear, but clear enough to let her know that her brother got more than just a stern talking-to and a rap on the knuckles from their father.
"Yes, I'm fine, Alice. Thank you," he replied in a strained voice, which made Rosalie snort again. She liked to hear that he was in pain, because in her eyes he deserved nothing less. He had tried to get in her trouble, after all.
"You shouldn't be mad at me, Rosalie," Edward said and fixed her with a glare. "It's you who's at fault here."
"Let's not talk about fault now, all right?" Jasper asked, picking up on the heavy emotions which were clearly tainted with aggressiveness. Rosalie and Edward - always the same. Their 'sibling love' escalated every other year, and because of that he had to run around feeling angry and frustrated and hurt and whatnot - all at the same time. When would they ever grow up and stop this childish behaviour?
But they did not seem to hear him or they just decided to ignore his interjection, because Rosalie was already back in arguing mode. "I'm at fault here? Listen, you whiny wimp, I'm not the one walking around lying my ass off."
"Lying?" Edward asked, clearly offended by that accusation. "I didn't lie about anything!"
"Sure you didn't," she replied and rolled her eyes.
"Do you even have the slightest idea of how much trouble I'm in because of you? I even have to do the garden with Esme!"
"Cry me a river, Edward," she countered while checking her nails as though she was bored out of her mind.
He absolutely hated when she did that, so he decided to distract her from her obnoxious habit. "How did your talk with Mom go, huh?"
She lifted her head and her eyes narrowed for a second. She knew full well that he had listened in on the talk and probably enjoyed every second of it, but she didn't want to let him provoke her now.
"Ugh," she uttered, her voice laced with disgust. "Don't talk to me, idiot boy."
"I don't wish to interrupt your pleasant little chat, but Mom and Dad will be back soon, so you better stop now ... it wouldn't end well for either of you," Alice threw in, half buried in Jasper shirt. Together they looked so comfortable, so much at ease, that Rosalie as well as Edward decided to drop their quarrel for the night. Besides, Alice's ability gave them the unique chance of evading an unpleasant punishment, and they should at least show their gratitude by heeding her warning.
Truth be told, her vision wasn't true. She was the one lying here, but how would they know?
Next chapter will be the last one, guys! But I'll try to get the Rosalie/Esme story up soon ;-)
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