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Trafficking
Chapter 11
I didn't even hear Edward approach the family room, so when he appeared right in front of me, I nearly jumped off the couch. I watched, enamored as his face brightened with his smile and he laughed. Seriously, it sounded like little bells were dancing around the room when he laughed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." He sat on the coffee table directly across from me and took my hand in his. I observed the feeling of his hand for a moment, so cool and hard, just like the rest of him.
He continued. "There's something I need to ask you. Now, don't feel pressured. Answer honestly. My family and I just had a little meeting, about what is going to happen to you."
Oh, so that's why they had a family meeting. My future was being discussed. I might as well get ready, go pack my bags…except I didn't have any bags to pack. So I guess I meant that in the metaphorically sense. Whatever, it was all the same in the end.
"I understand Edward. I'll get out of your way as so-"
"Bella, I don't think you understand. We think it best if you stayed with us. Moved in with us really, since we could never ask you to leave. Honestly, Esme is thrilled with the prospect of having another daughter…"
They thought of me as family? I was touched. I could literally feel my heart expanding with happiness. I was giddy, ready to jump off the couch if that were physically possible. I looked up into Edward's topaz eyes, they looked hopeful.
"Oh." I tried not to cry, but this was one of those times where I knew no matter how hard I tried, the tears were going to come.
"There is one other thing I need to tell you, before you make your decision." Oh great, here comes the catch, here comes the 'but'.
"You see, we're not exactly a normal family Bella. We're vampires. A coven, or family of vampires. We don't drink human blood though, we consider ourselves vegetarians. We drink animal blood. And, I understand now if you're frightened and want to reconsider your decision. But please, it's of the upmost importance that you don't tell anyone what I have just told you. The consequences would be…indescribable."
I was stunned. Was Edward joking? I looked into his eyes and it was clear to me he wasn't.
"Have I frightened you?"
"No. I'm not scared. I'm just trying to process everything." I honestly wasn't scared. I mean, it was all starting to make sense. Their insanely good looks, pale skin, the hardness of Edward's body, his cold skin, the fact that he never seemed to tire when carrying me. It all fit. I was just, wary. For lack of a better word.
I had just been through one of the worst experiences of my life, and now I'm being invited to live with a family who I've just found out isn't human. It's a lot to take in. And really needed time to sort through my thoughts.
"I don't know what to say. I'm, wow…"
"You don't have to make a decision right away. Just tell me, you'll consider staying. Think about it at least until you've recovered."
"Alright. I'll, um, I'll think about it." I scratched my head. What the hell just happened?
"You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that."
"Me too Bella. We're going to be such great friends." I didn't even see Alice come in, she just appeared on the couch next to me. The rest of the family filtered into the room, smiles plastered on everyone's face. I guess they really wanted me to stay. I still really had to think about it.
Esme came forward and placed a kiss on my forehead. "I don't want to push you dear, but I really hope you join the family." I smiled at her. I hope she would be okay with my decision either way.
EPOV
It frustrated me so much that I couldn't hear what was going on in Bella's mind. I was so excited getting to offer her stay in our home. Though there was a part of me who wasn't sure if this was the best idea. I mean, we were vampires, monsters. We may live a different lifestyle but that didn't hide what we were. I just didn't want there to be an accident. No one could lose control or we would have some major problems.
And I really thought she would say yes right away. But she didn't. And I couldn't figure out why. At least she wasn't frightened of us. There was hope.
This gave me new strength and drive. I would show Bella what life with us could be like. I wasn't going to make it into something it wasn't, I mean, we're a family that's been together for many many years. We fight. It's inevitable. But we were kind, and fun and honestly cared for this human.
I wanted to get Bella out of the house. She needed some air, some space to clear her head. I decided it would be a good idea to take her to one of my favorite spots in the area. Slowly but surely she was letting me see the real Bella, and now it was my turn to share something special of mine.
BPOV
I looked around at the family surrounding me. They seemed so hopeful, like they actually wanted me to join their little group. But I couldn't make that decision right now. I needed to get my feet back under me and really weigh my options.
"Bella, if you're up to it I'd like to take you out of the house so if you can get some fresh air. If Carlisle approves of course." We both looked up at the blonde haired man…well vampire.
"Just for a bit, and make sure she stays warm." I looked down at what I was wearing, a pair of plain lounge pants and a t-shirt. And, being as we we're in Washington, it would be pretty cold out.
"I'll be right back." Edward ran, and I mean ran faster than anything I've ever seen up the stairs and was standing back beside me within thirty seconds.
"Wow, I guess I'm gonna have to get used to that." Edward grinned and handed me a sweatshirt. His sweatshirt. How romantic. How chivalrous. As I put the sweatshirt on over my head, with help of course, I inhaled and for a brief moment all I smelled was Edward. It was heavenly. I hoped he wasn't expecting to get his sweatshirt back; I was planning on holding on to it for as long as I could.
"Thanks."
"You'll be needing these. Alice handed Edward two blankets, one of which he wrapped around me. He pulled me into his arms again.
"Um Edward. Where are we going?"
"I couldn't possibly tell you that. It wouldn't be a surprise anymore." I giggled but stopped as I noticed we passed a car.
"Are we walking?"
"Silly Bella. You're not walking. I'm going to be doing the walking, you're going to ride in my arms. Uh, do you get motion sickness?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
"I need to run there. It won't take as long. Close your eyes and get comfortable. I'll let you know when we're there."
I did as I was told and snuggled against Edward's chest breathing in his scent. Like the rest of him, I found it so comforting. I felt like we were floating. The wind whipped through my hair but I wasn't jostled. It was such a strange feeling and I never wanted it to end.
"Bella, you can open your eyes. We're here." I didn't want to, I wanted to stay held in his marble arms forever. I guess I should open my eyes though. I did and was stunned. We were in a meadow. A beautiful meadow that looked to be right out of a painting. It was peaceful and serene and I could see immediately why this was Edward's favorite place to go. You could think here without interruption, we must be miles from any sort of civilization.
"Edward. Thank you. This place is absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing it with me." Edward put me down and took the extra blanket, spreading it right under a huge tree. He picked me back up and placed me right in the middle of the blanket.
"This is where I like to come to think or be alone. No one really bothers me when I'm here. And I wanted to give you a place where you could go, well where I could take you, to think, to have space. This meadow is very very special. I like to think it's magical. Great things happen here. And now it's ours."
We lay there for god knows how long. Just talking. Edward told me more about his family. About how Carlisle turned him. How the rest of the family members came together. Alice and Jasper were married, soul mates, as were Rosalie and Emmet. And of course Carlisle and Esme were married as well.
I loved hearing him speak. Yes, what he was saying was interesting; I wanted to learn as much as I could about the family I could potentially be joining but the actual sound of his voice was soothing. Whatever came out of his mouth was beautiful.
I tried to share more about myself as well. I could tell Edward was curious. But it was hard. I didn't know if I was staying and everything was happening so suddenly. There was something I had to know though. I had to know it before I told Edward anything else.
"Edward."
"Hmm." We were both so relaxed, watching the sky dim. Not really a sunset because of the cloud cover, but beautiful nonetheless.
"I need to know something."
"Anything Bella. I will gladly tell you anything." At one point Edward had grabbed hold of my hand and held it in his, stroking the top with his thumb. The gesture thrilled me. It was so unexpected, yet so sweet.
"Why did you save me?" Edward stopped stroking my hand. Instead, he brought it up to his lips and gently kissed it. He really was a gentleman.
"I feel very protective of you. And when I saw you in the grocery store, something just drew me to you. I couldn't not help you. And I'm so glad I did. I've never felt like this about anyone. I feel almost like I already know you, like we shouldn't be apart. I don't know what this is Bella."
I was silent. I didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry. That was out of line. I shouldn't have said that."
"Don't apologize. I have to admit, I've been feeling…well strange about you as well. I don't know how to understand what I'm feeling. Or what to do about it. I'm just so confused about everything."
I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. I had just told the most gorgeous man that I had feelings for him. And then I couldn't stop my mouth and I ruined it all. I told him the truth, but he didn't need to know all that. He probably thought I was a freak now. Some girl who seriously needed some counseling.
"All I'm saying Bella is that I would like to get to know you better."
"I would like to get to know you better too."
We sat in silence, taking in what the other had said. That was a big step. Very awkward though. Where do we go from here? When had my life become so complicated? More importantly, why?
It was now officially past sunset. The air had grown colder and I was beginning to shiver even though I was in a sweatshirt and still wrapped in the blanket. I didn't want to leave, not yet.
"You're cold. We should get back."
"Not yet please. I don't want to leave yet. It's so peaceful out here." I could tell Edward was contemplating what to do. Maybe he liked me more than I thought. He seemed to be having a hard time saying no to me.
His mouth frowned making me giggle. I knew what was coming next.
"Fine. A few more minutes. No longer or Carlisle will rip my head off."
I sat up abruptly, gasping at the pain in my ribs. "Ow. Shouldn't have done that."
"Bella!" Edward sat up beside me. "You shouldn't have done that."
"I know, which is why I just said that."
"Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself further?"
"No, really I'm fine. Just sat up too quickly. Sorry. But did you actually mean to say Carlisle would rip your head off."
Edward lowered his head, grinning. "Yes. I guess I didn't use the best choice of words. I'm just used to saying that around my family. You see, it doesn't really work for us to say 'he'll kill me,' because technically we're already dead. And I won't go into any detail but to kill a vampire, you need to be a little more…vigorous. Sorry about that."
"Edward, you have to stop. Stop apologizing for everything! It's driving me crazy. You've done nothing wrong."
"Alright, alright. But let's get you back. You're cold and look exhausted."
I didn't argue this time. He was right. I was cold and most definitely ready for sleep. He helped me off the blanket and he folded the blanket we had previously been sleeping on. I lifted my arms up, signaling for him to life me up, back into his wonderful arms. He smiled at me. A beautiful breathtaking smile. I loved that I could do that to him.
"As you wish my princess." I laughed wholeheartedly. He zipped me up into his arms and I was once again cradled comfortably against his chest. I girl could get used to this.
AN: Already made progress on the next chapter. Review and I'll post asap.
