A/N: WOW! That is all I can say. You guys over whelm me. I never thought so many people would want to read my story. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you to the awesome theotherbella she is the reason this doesn't suck.
Chapter 9
When I woke up the next morning I drained my second pint of blood that was in my stash, this was my ritual during this time of the month. I knew my flow would begin Sunday, that is how it had been since I was twelve, 3 days of blood lust and then my flow. I didn't eat breakfast because usually I didn't have an appetite after consuming blood so I got ready for my morning class. After I got out of the shower I heard my phone beeping. It was a text from Edward.
I apologize for last night but there was human blood in your room.
I don't know how blood got into my room. This lying was killing me.
I know what I smelt.
Am I going to see you tonight? I had to change the subject.
Of course love, I miss you already. I hated having to leave like I did last night.
Can we see a movie tonight? I didn't want Edward back in my brownstone until Sunday, couldn't risk him finding my last pint of blood.
Of course anything you want love.
I need to finish getting ready will you pick me around 7?
I am counting the seconds until I see you love
Bye! See you tonight. With that I finished getting ready for class.
After class Angela and I met for some lunch and a little shopping; I wanted to get a new dress for my date with Edward on Saturday.
"What do you think of this one Angela?" It was still warm in Cambridge so I had on a tank top navy blue dress with a V neck with satin trim sleeves and belt.
"It's looks gorgeous on you and I think I saw some silver heel sandals that would match the belt perfectly." So I got the dress and the sandals.
"Edward's jaw is going to drop when he sees you. You two may not make it to dinner," she said with an evil grin.
Edward picked me up that evening and we went to see the latest movie. After the movie, he took me out for dinner. We had a great time; we had so much in common. On the drive home I was trying to figure out how to keep him out of my brownstone without bringing attention to myself. I decided it was best to bring him home as little as possible while I was dealing with bloodlust.
"Love, are you alright? You're being quiet."
"I'm just really tired. Would it be rude of me to not invite you in? I really just want to go in and go to bed." That sounded like a good reason.
"No, it wouldn't be rude. You need your rest." I could hear the disappointment in his voice.
"What time do I need to pick you up tomorrow?"
"Around 5; we have a 5:30 reservation."
He pulled up to my building, and walked me to the door. He leaned down, pressing his lips gently to mine, and I sighed. It was killing me. I hated not being able to tell him what I was, but I knew if he ever found out his life would be in danger not to mention he'd probably find me a freak. We said goodnight, and I missed him instantly because of the premature end to our night. Once I got inside, I went straight up to my room and got into bed. I slept restlessly; every inch of me missed Edward's icy skin pressed against mine.
Saturday morning was like any other Saturday; I got up around 5, drank my last pint of blood and proceeded to clean at vampire speed before Angela got up. Tomorrow my flow would start just like clockwork.
I was done by 7 and decided to take a shower. After I got out and was dressed I heard my phone beeping. It was a message from Edward.
Hey beautiful!
Hey!
Are you up?
Yes
Answer your door then. Edward was at my door. Thank god! I had already taken out the trash.
"Hey beautiful" he said as he put his arms around me picking my up to kiss me. "I missed you last night," he said as he put me down. "Hope you don't mind me just stopping by, but I had to see you. I couldn't wait till 5." His hands came up to cup my face, and he smiled softly. "I know it's short notice but I was wondering if you would want to go to Freeport with me. My family has a home up there and I want you to meet them. You can get ready there for the symphony. Alice will love playing Bella Barbie."
"Bella Barbie?"
"You'll see." He said with an evil grin on his face.
"I would love to meet your family." The thought actually made me nervous. One vampire was bad enough, 7 vampires really scared me.
"How long will it take you to be ready to leave?"
"Give me 15 minutes." I went to pack up my dress and stuff in order to get ready for tonight.
We were in Freeport by 9:30.
The Cullens lived outside of Freeport in a very quiet and secluded area. We turned down a driveway that would be easy to miss if you didn't know what you were looking for. It was about a mile long. We pulled into a clearing that was breath taking, the trees were beginning to change colors and there in the middle was the most beautiful house I had ever seen. It appeared to be made mostly out of glass.
"This house is beautiful!"
"That'll make Esme happy. She designed it." He said proudly.
"Esme is your mother, correct?"
"She's Carlisle's wife, and the closest thing any of us have to a mother."
"Carlisle sired you first?"
"Yes, then a few years later he meet Esme and a few years after that he meet Rosalie. Two years later Rosalie found Emmett. In the 50's Jasper and Alice showed up on our doorsteps." My heart was pounding so hard, I was so nervous. "Calm down, they're going to love you."
"How do you know that?"
"How could they not love you?" He helped me get my stuff out of his trunk and we preceded into the house. That is when I first came face to face with the Cullen clan.
"Bella, this Carlisle and my mother Esme."
"It's nice to meet you Dr. and Mrs. Cullen."
"Please call me Carlisle."
"And please call me Esme. It's a pleasure to meet you. Edward, she's as lovely as you said she was."
"This is Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett" Edward said as he pointed to each individual.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you." Next thing I know this pixie looking girl with black short hair comes up to me and takes me by the hand.
"Come on Bella and I'll show you where you can put your stuff." We went up the stairs and into this huge bedroom that lead into an enormous bathroom. "You're going to ready in here. May I see your dress?" She didn't even let me answer before she had my garment bag opened. "Bella, you have wonderful taste in clothes we're going to be best friends. Look at these shoes, they're perfect!" After hanging up my dress, Alice led me back downstairs, where Edward met us.
"I'm sorry about that; I've just found it is easier to let Alice have her way." He said apologetically.
"It's fine, I think we'll become great friends." And I really believed it.
"Emmett wants to play football, do you mind? You can watch, it's a lot of fun." I really wanted to play but I knew that wasn't a possibility.
"I love watching football!"
"You realize it's not soccer? It's American football." He said sarcastically.
"Yes, I realize that."
Esme came up beside me. "Bella you can help me referee. These boys cheat even though playing fair is better. I just hope they don't get into an argument or you'll think they were raised by wolves. I have to keep them honest."
It was so much fun watching them play football. It reminded me of home when some of the members of the guard would play rugby. And Esme was correct; they all tried to cheat.
I adored Edwards's family and which only made me feel guiltier about hiding my true identity. Sometimes I was afraid I might become impetuous and accidently slip up, revealing what I am. I wished I could mitigate the damage I knew was coming when my secret was exposed.
Around 1, Alice quit playing and came over to me. "Come on Bella, we need to get you ready for tonight." We preceded upstairs to her bathroom.
Alice had superb taste in clothes which was evident with her massive closet full of them. It seemed we had liked the same things because I recognized several designers in her closet that I admired. We spent the next two hours getting me ready; her beauty skills rivaled those of most professionals.
"Bella, we'll have to go shopping together in New York." Said Alice with a huge grin on her face.
"I would love that! I look forward to getting to know you. How long have you Jasper been mated?"
"Mated? We prefer to use the term married, it's more human." I found her statement to be odd because most vampires didn't want to be more human. I knew what a marriage was from the humans that I knew, but every mated vampire that I knew preferred that. It wasn't exactly the same as a marriage.
"So how long have you and Jasper been married?" I said as I tried out the term.
"About 50 years." She said excitedly.
"How did you meet?"
"It's a long story, so I'll have to tell you later." She said as she finished up my makeup and turned me towards the mirror. She did an amazing job.
I was ready before 3, and it seemed that time crept along slowly. My excitement was bubbling to the surface as I walked down the stairs to meet Edward. His eyes almost popped out when he saw me, I took that to mean he was pleased with my appearance and the fact that he told me how beautiful I was. When we walked out to the garage what I saw made me long for home. There was a black Aston Marin V12 Vanquish.
"Is this yours?"
"It's my pride and joy." You could see the pride all over his face.
"So when do I get to drive it?"
"Um, I don't know." He said very hesitantly.
To bolster my request, I told Edward of my midnight blue Aston Marin V12 Vanquish back home. With this information he said he would think about it.
On our way to Boston we talked about our Vanquishes. We also talked about the conductor of tonight's performance. I was beginning to get hungry and was glad for our early reservation.
Dinner was nice and the performance was breath taking. We decided to go back up to Freeport that evening and spend Sunday with his family. So, Edward took me to my brownstone so I could pack a few things, and to my surprise he let me drive his Vanquish back to Freeport. On the way I almost spilled my guts because he wouldn't be quiet about how fast I was driving. I wanted to tell him my reflexes were as good as his, but instead I slowed down.
It was a pleasure to spend Sunday with his family. I almost felt at home with the exception of my secret. I had to remember to relax my every move; it would've been too easy to forget my façade.
Alice and I had an instant connection. She was the most gregarious in the family and we had so many things in common when it came to clothes and shopping. We agreed to go to New York with Rosalie and Angela the following weekend. I couldn't wait; I knew it would be fun.
It was easy to control my gift around the Cullen men because, one they were all mated with the exception of Edward, and two they all wanted the same thing: Edward to find a mate. Jasper was the only exception. He was a tortured soul because he had a hard time controlling his blood lust. It takes year for a vampire to gain control, and even then most aren't able to. I was impressed with the restraint he already had. I decided I would use my gift and help him with his problem. Once I turned on my charm, Jasper just naturally gravitated to me. Alice began to take notice.
"Bella, I've never seen Jasper react to a human the way he reacts to you." She said excitedly.
Her response confused me, I expected her to be jealous but those two had a very strong bond. Alice realized she had nothing to be jealous of.
Edward came up to us and put his arms around my waist. "Alice, do you mind if I steal my girlfriend away from you so I can give her a tour of the house?" He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "I really want to get you all to myself."
"I would love a tour of the house." I said, so with that Alice went to find Jasper while Edward and I went into the house.
Esme had impeccable taste when it came to decorating. For the most part the house was simple with neutral colors and the back wall was completely glass. It was breath taking how the room light up when the sun shined in. It was all so beautiful, especially when the light reflected from Edward's skin.
"I wouldn't normally say this to guy but you are so beautiful in the sun." I whispered as I put my hand on his face. He smiled and cast his eyes down almost as if I had embarrassed him.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me for you to say that." He said.
The house was three stories if you counted the attic, where Edward's room was. The first floor consisted of a huge living room, the dining room, kitchen, a small bathroom and to the side was Carlisle's office/family library. The second floor consisted of three suites were the three couples resided.
The first room Edward showed me was the library. Carlisle was at his desk going over some patients' files.
"Carlisle, do you mind if we interrupt you? I would like to show Bella the library." Edward asked.
"Of course not, please come in. Bella, it's a pleasure to see you again. I'm sorry I've been a recluse." Carlisle said apologetically.
"It's no problem; I understand you have you patients to look after." I said as I smiled at him.
The library was astonishing, housing almost as many books as my own family library. Their library was actually two stores with a second entrance upstairs. Carlisle must have been an art collector because he had many florid pieces on display. Two pieces caught my eye, the first one was an enormous cross and the second was a painting of my papa, my uncles and Carlisle on a balcony overlooking our courtyard.
"This cross is exquisite." I said as I ran my hand over it. "How old is it?"
"It was craved in the 1600's." Said Edward.
"Do you know who craved it." I asked.
"Carlisle."
"Really?" I looked quizzically at Carlisle.
"My father was a minister and I made this as a young boy. He hung it behind the pulpit at the church where he served."
"It really is an extraordinary piece of work."
"Thank you." Carlisle said humbly.
Next, I turned my attention to the picture. "Is this you Carlisle?" I asked although I knew the answerer.
"Yes, that was painted by Solimean in the 1800's right before I came to America. It was painted in a city called Volterra. Perhaps you have heard of it?" He asked with a discerning look on his face as if he saw something
"Who are these three gentlemen in the painting with you?" I asked trying to keep up my façade because I already knew who they were very intimately.
"Three brothers actually, this is Aro, this is Caius…and this Marcus." Carlisle looked at Marcus and then back at me. "You look very much like Marcus." I had to think quickly about my answer.
"Florence is a little over an hour from Volterra, it's quite possible that we have common ancestors." I said but I knew my body was giving me away because my heart started pounding in my chest. I knew was caught.
"Swan isn't a common Italian name, who's your father?" I wasn't prepared for that question so I did the only thing I could do: prevaricate.
"Swan is my mother's last name; I don't know who my father is."
"Who is this man you keep calling your papa?" Edward asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"He is my mother's husband; he has raised me since I was a small girl." With that Carlisle's phone rang. I was lucky, it was the hospital and there was an emergency that needed his immediate attention so he excused himself to leave.
After Carlisle left, Edward dropped the topic of my papa and I was grateful for that. We continued our tour until we got to Edward's room. It wasn't a typical bedroom. First there was no bed and he had an entire wall full of cd's and other things I didn't recognize. He had a nice stereo system, flat screen and what appeared to be an ancient stereo system with a round thing on top.
"What are these?" I asked quizzically.
He laughed and shook his head. " I guess those date me, these are cassette tapes and these are record albums. This old stereo system has a turntable that plays the record albums."
I had never seen any of these things before in my life. We spent the rest of the afternoon in his room listening to music and talking until it was time to take me home.
It was pure joy being with Edward especially since we saw each other every day. We would study most week nights at my brownstone that eventually turned into nice make out sessions. At first we only kissed passionately but as the month progressed we got braver. I eventually got to feel his member in my hand and what it felt like to have his fingers in me.
There was more to our relationship than a physical attraction, although that was great. We could spend hours talking about everything. We got into a competition to see who could read The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark the fastest. I actually beat Edward but I let him think he won, mostly because I was afraid he would figure out my secret. Everything about our relationship always seemed to come back to my secret. I didn't know how Edward or my family would react when Edward found out, but it seemed to me that he would eventually figure it out; he wasn't stupid. The only thing I was for sure about was that I loved him with every ounce of my being. I just hoped he loved me the same because then maybe he would accept who I am.
E/N: Well Bella has met the other Cullens. Do you think Carlisle will figure out who she is? Hit the review button and let me know.
I just want everyone to know we have just past the half way mark. I should have another chapter up before Christmas.
