DISCLAIMER: The Twilight universe belongs to SM, not me, if you believe otherwise wave a wand and say, "Accio Sanity!"
You may recognize some things in this story. Sometimes, that because I'm an evil minion of Darth Vader trying to steal the ideas of others for my own profit (see my castle?). Sometimes that's simply because "great minds think alike"! (honest I've had pros steal ideas out of my head before!)
CHAPTER 10: Conversations
Bella POV
The ride over to the Cullens was quick and fairly quiet. I was partly musing over what thoughts were in Edward's head, and which of Mike's thoughts had turned him into the protective vampire I had just seen in him. Since I had not been to the Cullen's before it took us a few minutes longer than it had taken his siblings. I heard Edward mutter next to me that everyone was home. It was not at a volume that told me he had not meant me to have this information, but it was rather quiet.
After we walked in the door, I noticed six vampires sitting on various pieces of furniture. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie were all on sofas. The two I had not yet met, their 'parents', rose from chairs to come and greet me. "Carlisle, Esme, this is Bella Swan," Edward introduced. "Bella, this is Carlisle and Esme, my parents for all intents and purposes."
"Hello, Doctor and Mrs. Cullen," I said.
Esme returned the greeting welcoming me into her home. I was surprised that Dr. Cullen did not immediately greet me. He seemed to be in a state of real shock himself. I was curious as to what had put him in shock. Was my earlier thought correct? Had the infamous Dr. Carlisle Cullen heard of little old me? I often wondered how far my reputation had carried in vampire circles, since the majority of my physical patients were not vampires as we needed little healing, physically. But I couldn't help but wonder.
"Doctor Bella Swan?" Dr. Cullen finally asked me as he shook himself out of his head and back into the present real world.
Despite my earlier thoughts I was still slightly embarrassed and if possible I would have blushed. I was confident in my abilities, but very flattered that such a renowned vampire as Carlisle Cullen had heard of me. My time had been much shorter than his 300 plus years; I was curious how he had heard of me. The embarrassed part of me was quickly, systematically pushed aside. I had learned to do that as a vampire, as I was sick of the spectacle I'd make of myself as a human when I was embarrassed.
I looked Dr. Cullen in the eye as I responded, confidently but modestly, "Yes. Doctor Isabella Marie Swan, at your service. I'm surprised you recognized my name. May I ask how you have come to hear of me?"
"Decades back I read an article on the mosquito-blood experiment. I found the idea very insightful and intelligent. And very useful," Carlisle replied. I noticed that the rest of the room had gone abnormally still and silent, even for vampires.
"Well, I'm very surprised anyone even read that article. I was not expecting it to ever come up in conversation. But I can't say I'm surprised that it was a vampire who found it useful. After all, I did the work for vampires."
"Yes, I had wondered about the motives for the experiment. But I still found the ideas very helpful," Carlisle replied. He was still a bit in shock but now was sporting a big smile on his face. The rest of the family was looking a little bit lost, but I paid no attention to them. I wondered what methods he found most effective with his family, and which members had required it.
"Well, since you seem so informed about my methods, I'm thinking you've actually utilized a few of those same methods?" Carlisle looked at his family with a sheepish look on his face. Now the rest of the Cullens appeared to be in shock. Though now that I think of it Edward hadn't moved a micron since Carlisle and I had been talking. I looked over at him and found him to be in a state of even more shock than the rest of the family. I wondered why that was, but decided to finish questioning Carlisle first.
"I'm curious as to which methods you found most effective in your training," I said. "I've only had two opportunities to put my methods to use for the real purpose for which I conducted them. If you read the follow-up about forty years ago, I used different strategies after attempting them on my patients." That was not the unclouded truth. Tough technically my patients, the two vampires I used my treatments on were my own "children". But Courtney and Alex were busy scouting for new animal blood to stock up on. Alex had wanted to expand his tastes.*
"I have only had the…opportunity to attempt them treatments once. I found the bitter hidden ingredient the most effective on… that…patient," Carlisle said. I could tell where he was editing, though he did so at a speed in which no human would pick up on the careful editing. I knew that someone in this room had required treatments. I suspected, given my own experiences with Alex who was an empath and given what I knew from Charlotte, that Jasper had needed the help adjusting to this lifestyle. I could tell Carlisle did not want Jasper to feel singled out, but being an empath, Jasper might need even more help than Carlisle knew.
I decided that the rest of this conversation would have to wait until we were slightly better acquainted. I finally turned my attention back to Edward. He seemed to have brought himself out of shock and given the look on his face was having a silent conversation with Carlisle. I smiled at this and decided that he should stop being rude. I placed my block-shield around Edward, preventing him from using his power. He suddenly stiffened looking agitated. He looked down at me, since I was still right by his side, and I smiled back and shook my head. I mouthed at him "Don't be rude".
"Well, I think that's enough shop talk, doctors. Let's talk about something everyone can feel a part of!" Emmett practically shouted at us. I enjoyed his happy-go-lucky attitude. Given my patients I dealt with a lot of depressed people whom it was my job to make not-depressed if not exactly happy. It was nice to see someone that needed no coaching from me.
"I think he means us," I whispered conspiringly to Carlisle. I knew it could be heard by all, but secrecy was hardly my goal.
Carlisle chuckled and agreed to postpone the rest of our medical "shop-talk" until a later time. So we all sat down again and began to talk about who we were. I learned the base histories of most members of the family. I knew when he had turned those he had turned, and how Alice and Jasper had entered the family. I knew why Emmett and Edward were dying, but Carlisle had left out the reasons behind the girls being on death's door. Being a doctor I let it be, it was none of my business why. I learned more of Carlisle's history than I had ever picked up from my various sources. Each member shared what colleges they'd attended and what degrees they had achieved. Edward had attended medical school twice, and was the first member of the Cullen family, bar Carlisle himself. I guessed that he had probably helped Carlisle with the blood training and that was why he had that look on his face earlier. I wondered if he had known where Carlisle had gotten his information from.
As we continued sharing stories I learned that Jasper had 3 degrees so far, one in Literature, one in psychology, and one in history. Alice had a fashion degree, a degree in mythology, and one in visual arts. Rosalie had one medical degree, one mechanical degree, one literature, and one in liberal arts, though she wouldn't specify beyond that. Actually, Carlisle and Esme had told me most of Rose's history, as she continued to give me dirty looks. I just ignored her.
Esme had a degree in architecture, one in interior design, one in education, and one in philosophy. She more often stayed at home designing and redesigning and decorating their various homes. But every now and then she went to college for something new to do. Carlisle had his medical degrees and experience and was always working in hospitals healing any human patients he met, and any one else he came across.
Edward had two medical degrees, both from Ivy League schools, though given his vampiric perfect memory and long life, that's not really as impressive as if he were human. It was more expected than impressive. He also had a musical degree and some science degrees. One in physics and one in biology, apparently he was feeling lazy and took the easy route given his medical degree. Emmett had a legal degree, a computer degree which he had used to design computer games for a few years, and a literature degree.
I shared with them my history. When I woke up, how I became a vegetarian. I told them of my various degrees. I told them a lot about me, leaving out a few crucial facts. I neglected to mention anything about Alex and Courtney. I also did not elaborate on my medical practice despite my desire to help heal Jasper. I was waiting for all introductions to be complete before that time.
Then my phone rang, Courtney called to tell me that everything was okay and that they were planning to hit Australia before heading to Forks in two weeks. They already had a huge supply that would arrive in two days. I hung up my phone to see all Cullens staring in my direction. I guess I had better explain about them.
*AN:
Though I have now removed my request for ideas I want to thank all of you for suggesting whatever you suggested. I was considering some before but wanted second opinions. I'm almost definitely going to have Lord of the Rings-style Elves, and Shape-Shifters other then the wolves, but I'll have to come up with my own name.
Here's the re-post of specific thanks for helpful suggestions. These people suggested ideas that clicked inspiration in my head, but everyone helped!
Beautifulbearljb: Your mention of elves, though you were referring to Harry Potter verse (house-elves) gave me the idea to use Lord of the Rings-type elves, though I'll modify it to suit my needs.
immortalwizardpirateelf-fan: You suggest Charmed or Buffy type wiccan witches. I just may use that. I'm not certain. I'm looking for more non-human types. Those that couldn't seek hospital help, but maybe…
mybelle08: goblins and centaur are rather perfect. But obviously the centaurs would have to be more friendly than we see in Harry Potter verse, maybe Narinan…
OUt'Of'pEnnAmEs: Thanks for the extensive list. Trolls Unicorns Leprechauns Fairies hobbit elemental dwarf genies griffins. All of which I might use and was not considering using before.