Chapter 11

Telepathy

Continued

"Carlisle and Esme Cullen, I'd like you to meet Isabella Swan."


Isabella

Carlisle Cullen was a very attractive man, much younger than I'd imagined he would be. I knew he wasn't Edward's biological father, but I certainly thought he would look older.

Carlisle took my hand, "It's nice to meet you, Isabella."

I shook his hand, then turned to Esme with a warm smile.

"It's so nice to meet you both." Esme was so pretty she almost took my breath away. Was the whole Cullen clan amazingly attractive? I was beginning to think so.

For a moment, no one said anything, and Edward offered me a bit of information. "Carlisle practices medicine at The University of Chicago Medicine."

"So you're a doctor?" I reiterate, a little surprised that Edward hadn't mentioned it, considering Chicago Medicine is right across campus from where I work.

Carlisle picked up the conversation, "Yes, I am. Edward tells me you work over at GRC?" Dr. Cullen sat down across from me, "I've always been fascinated by genealogy. How did you come to do such interesting work?"

"I never knew my father's side of the family," I looked over to include Esme in the conversation. "In school, I had an assignment to trace my family tree. It's a strange feeling knowing there's someone out there, someone you're related to by blood, and they might not even know you're alive." Edward and his parents nodded in agreement. "I made it my mission in life to find my family."

"And she did exactly that." Edward bragged.

"So you found your own heritage, and now you help others find theirs," Esme smiled approvingly. "How rewarding, to enrich the lives of so many people."

"It is!" I smiled back. "Did Edward tell you that when we first met, I went online to try to find out what I could about him?"

Esme and Carlisle looked over at Edward, and he smirked, "I told her I'm adopted. It aggravated her to no end that she couldn't, 'research,' me."

If we were alone, I'd stomp his foot for teasing me! I thought irritatedly, but I decided to just ignore him.

"Edward was very lucky to have the two of you. I understand, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Jasper, were adopted too?"

"Carlisle knew Edward's mother before she passed away and she asked Carlisle to take care of him," Esme answered. "We found that older children are particularly hard to place and since Edward was already a teen, we chose Rose, then Emmett. Later, we met Alice and Jasper. Then, we renovated to accommodate everyone."

"Your home is beautiful, and Edward tells me you all have your own separate apartments?"

"That's right," Esme affirmed. "Occasionally, we're all here at the same time. I hope the girls will be home soon, so you can meet them. We decorated each floor to suit their style preferences. Edward's only specification was, 'no girlie crap.'" Everyone laughed, except Edward. "Now you have Isabella, Edward, she can add color and excitement to your life."

Edward wrapped his arms around me and burrowed his face under my hair to kiss my neck. "You definitely add excitement to my life," he growled. My face turned bright red.

"Stop embarrassing her, son," Carlisle teased. Edward was laughing under his breath when he let me go.

Esme stood and announced it was time to go and leave the young people alone, earning a big grin from Edward. Carlisle followed her to the elevator, then turned, "Bella, would you and Edward like to join us for lunch tomorrow? We'll have to go somewhere close to the hospital because I'll be on call."

I nodded before looking at Edward, "I'm going to the center tomorrow since classes are over for the summer, I need to clean out my office."

"Can I take you," Edward asked. "We can use the Volvo, so there will be plenty of room for your stuff. Then we can meet Carlisle and Esme for lunch."

"That would be great, thanks, Edward," I tiptoed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, barely hearing his parent's, soft-spoken goodnight as the door closed.

Edward arrived the next morning bright and early, in a teasing mood. "Good morning Isabella." I stuck my tongue out and mumbled something sarcastic about him being one of those, 'morning people,' I left him standing in the entry.

I yanked the hairbrush through my unmanageable hair on my way back to the bathroom, where I impatiently searched through a messy drawer for a hair band.

I jumped at Edward's deep rumbling voice, right behind me, "let me?" Our eyes met in the mirror, and I placed the brush in his outstretched hand. He drew it the length of my hair, running his fingers through to make sure it was free of any tangles. I've no idea how something as rudimentary as brushing someone's hair could be so seductive. My whole body was buzzing.

I leaned back and felt proof that Edward was as turned on as I was. He dropped the brush and stepped forward, pinning my body between him and the bathroom counter. He placed his hands on my hip bones and bent down to kiss my neck just below my ear, making my knees buckle. "Breathe, Isabella," he whispered. Taking a few deep breaths as directed, he then continued exploring as my arms wrapped around his neck. The mirror reflected one of Edward's hands spread across my breast, while the other moved between my legs.

I closed my eyes as well as my mind to everything except the feel of Edward's touch. The degree of intensely felt pleasure had me begging him not to stop.

"Mai, il mio Amore,"[Never, my love] he gasped. Our bodies moved in sequence, and his lips crashed down on mine just in time to mute my cry of release.

I opened my eyes slowly to see Edward resting his chin on my shoulder. His eyes were intensely blue as they met mine and I flushed scarlet, as he seemed reluctant to release me. I grabbed the counter for balance, my butt brushing his still prominent erection.

I covered my mouth, "I'm sorry Edward."

He shook his head and smiled, "Don't be sorry," his voice grew huskier, "I loved every second."

Half an hour later, we stepped outside into a light fog; not uncommon for Chicago in early spring, and usually, clears out by mid-morning. On our way to the University, I spent the time making a to-do list, until I noticed the car had slowed and Edward was driving very cautiously. I looked up and squinted to see through the windshield, the fog had become denser, and Edward seemed deeply concerned.

"What is it, what's wrong?" I asked.

He steered the car over to the shoulder. "There's an accident up ahead." Edward reached for his phone and speaking urgently, he gave information to the person on the other end of the line. He gave them our location and told them to stop all traffic behind our mile marker. "Need ambulance and fire department, there's no way MedFlight can fly in this fog. I'll call you back when I have more information."

"We've got to get out," he said. "It's bad; people need help." I unfastened my seat belt, opened my door and met Edward at the back of the car where he opened the trunk. He grabbed several items and handed me an emergency, first aid kit. He took my hand, and I followed closely behind him. Walking on the highway median, I was glad I'd worn sneakers. The fog had become thicker, but somehow Edward kept us going forward. As we walked upon evidence of the accident, there was an eerie silence. The sudden hiss of steam escaping an overheated radiator, made me jump. Edward's flashlight revealed metallic parts that had once belonged on a vehicle were now strewn all over the highway.

A car was half off the road; Edward rushed to open the driver's side door, but it wouldn't budge. The passenger door opened easily, and I heard him speak quietly to the person inside. When she cried out, I could hear it was a woman.

"Isabella?" Edward called.

"I'm behind you, Edward," I answered.

"Can you go around and see if the other passenger door will open?" I ran around the car and pulled on the handle, whispering a silent prayer that it would open. I blinked as Edward aimed the beam of the flashlight to the center of the backseat, where I saw a child's car seat. In it was a small baby.

Edward continued to speak soothingly to the woman, while I removed the baby from the infant seat. I was so thankful I had friends with babies and had seen it done before. The baby was bundled in a blanket and seemed fine, which was nothing short of a miracle.

"Please tell me she's okay?" The baby's mother begged. I placed the baby in Edward's arms, and he held it close to the mother's face. We allowed mother and baby a few minutes together until she spoke to us. "I'm Amy, the baby is Olivia, she's two months old today."

Edward handed the baby back to me, and I unzipped my jacket and held the baby against my chest then zipped it, leaving only Olivia's head poking out.

Edward told the babies mother not to worry, that Olivia was safe with me. We kept her talking while we prayed that the ambulance would hurry. When help did come, the shrill sirens and horns startled the baby making her cry. Amy told us the diaper bag should be in the backseat and it contained a bottle. Edward held the flashlight while I searched for it. Thankfully, we found it, and after a short time, Olivia nodded off to sleep.

When the fire department began the extraction process, we were moved into an ambulance where the baby was examined and then given back to me. It seemed hours before Edward brought news that Amy was out of the car. Her leg was badly injured, but not life-threatening. She was placed in the ambulance ready for transport, and I asked the technician if Amy could hold Olivia. The E.M.T.s allowed the request and looking on, almost everyone cried silent tears.

The emergency personnel announced it was time to go, but Amy asked him to wait. "Bella, I can never thank you enough for what you and Edward have done for Olivia and me." I squeezed her hand and told her how glad I was that we could help.

"I know I'm asking a lot, but could you please come with me to the hospital and keep Olivia until my husband and family get there? She's already taken to you, and I don't want her to have any more distress."

I looked over at Edward, and he nodded. "I'll follow the ambulance and meet you there."

When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Amy was rushed to surgery. I went to find Edward, who was in the ER waiting room. He held me close, and then led me to the seating area. We sat watching Olivia sleep peacefully.

"How did you know, Edward?" I asked.

He looked over at me. "We'll talk later," and then he rose to meet the tall, slim man who was striding toward us.

"I'm Joe, Amy's husband," Edward shook hands with him and introduced me.

"We're sorry it's been such a horrendous day for you, but Amy's okay, and I'm sure you're happy to see this little miracle." Edward helped me unzip my jacket, and I gently handed Olivia over to her father.

We could hear Joe's soft words of praise, thanking God for the safety of his wife and baby. He walked the length of the waiting room, softly swaying the baby back and forth as his eyes devoured the precious bundle.

Pressing my face into Edward's shirt, I cried. Before today, I'd never seen Amy, or Joe, and Olivia, but from now on, they would be important to me. Because of Edward, they were still a family.

Edward drove me home, and I didn't allow him to leave. I clung to him, only letting him go long enough to take a quick shower and put on clean clothes. I took his hand and led him to my bedroom, brushing his hands away when he tried to stop me from taking off his shirt and pants. I lay on the bed and held my arms out for him, but this time he gave in. I ran my fingers through his hair, and he relaxed with a soft hum. I slowly covered him with kisses, and to my delight, he remained still and didn't try to dissuade me.

I fell asleep with Edward's arms around me and my head on his chest. The next morning I opened my eyes to see him smiling down at me. My heart pounded, my breath grew shallow.

It was time. Whatever the conversation revealed, it wouldn't change my love for him.

"Edward, about yesterday." He rose up onto his elbows and then sat. "How did you know?"

His voice was quiet, "I'm telepathic, I read minds."

All the air left my lungs.

I knew Edward wouldn't lie to me, but I needed a minute to absorb what he'd just said. I thought back to all the questions I'd asked since we met. The first mystery had been Edward's job.

"That's what you do?" I whispered excitedly. "Your job. That's why you couldn't tell me. Of course, it's a secret. A gift like that could be used for evil as well as for good. Don't worry Edward, your secret is safe with me." I flung myself into his arms, "This clears up so much, thank you, for telling me."

I started thinking about the people that Edward works with, the way they wait for him to give the orders. They must know his secret. He must trust me a great deal to tell me. Of course, his parents and siblings had to know. How awkward it must be for them at times, to have Edward read their every thought.

Oh, shit! He could read my thoughts too! Waves of embarrassment crashed down on me! Every thought I'd had since meeting him had been available for him to hear.

"Ugghh," I groaned loudly. This is so embarrassing! What must he think of me?

"Isabella, what's wrong?"

My eyes filled with tears of humiliation as I began to sob. "You know I'm in love with you."

Edward's expression quickly changed from concern to supreme happiness. He held me by the shoulders, pressing his forehead against mine to get my attention.

"No, I didn't know, but I'm so happy you do. I love you too." He pulled me close. "I love you, Isabella. God, it feels good to say that out loud!"

"But, I thought you could read minds?"

"I'm able to read every mind I've ever come across ... apart from yours. It's very frustrating!" He groaned.

"Is there something wrong with me?" I asked.

"There's nothing wrong with you," he planted kisses all over my face, "you're absolutely perfect!"


Author's Notes:

Without Frannie Walsh, most of what I write wouldn't be readable. Thank you, Fran!

I absolutely LOVE the comments, I feed off them and they're a sweet reward. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave words of encouragement. Please keep them coming.

On June 19, Edward's Isabella was recommended on, "What we're reading in The Lemonade Stand this week."

Such a great honor. THANK YOU!