Chapter 12
Calm Before The Storm
It was Thanksgiving Day and we were all going to the Cullen's, as in Alice, Rosalie, Leah, and me. I was confused upon hearing that the Cullens actually lived very far away, like some 150 miles away due to the fact that Dr. Cullen himself was located at a hospital near our college. As it turns out Alice's father was living in a condominium near the hospital to work there for a year since he was transferred to hospitals all over the state due to his competence in his field, he was in fact known as THE best doctor in all of Washington State!
I was finally going to meet Alice's two older brothers. I was forewarned by Alice that her eldest brother, Emmett, was an extremely … liberal person with no filters when it comes to joking around. He was a guy in every sense of the word … perverted in lesbian fantasies and he often joked about Rosalie and Leah being in a … carpet munching relationship and much worse. Rosalie was extremely hotheaded but witty when it came to him and his antics and she usually got him to become speechless pouting for several moments before he turned to a different person to become a victim of his endless teasing. It was all in good nature so no one ever really got hurt over it.
I was hoping to get to know Leah better as well and figure out what it was that I felt when I was around her for that shopping trip. We met again for lunch one day a little while after the shopping trip. It was fun all in all but I still couldn't get the feeling of nostalgia and déjà vu to stop nor could I figure it out and it was driving me crazy. I needed to figure this out because it couldn't just be a coincidence that she reminded me so much of someone I knew without really giving me a sense for who it is. I had to figure it out but … I had to be patient because if I rushed into things then I would just end up drawing incorrect conclusions from being too eager to solve this mysterious enigma. Patience, after all, is a virtue as they say.
It was quite the drive to their mansion of a house. I was asleep for about half of the four hour drive and I felt so comfortable in Alice's lap (illegal but oh well she's at least seat belted in the car). Normally I wouldn't be so easy going and relaxed over having someone driving for such a long distance but I knew I could trust both Rosalie and Leah to drive … I somehow felt safe with them as well. It was only slightly unnerving that I couldn't figure out the feeling of nostalgia and familiarity … as if she and I had known each other from somewhere before … like we weren't just strangers turned acquaintances. I wished for some kind of reason to just make its self known rather than being forced to sit and ponder what it could possibly be about her that felt so familiar.
The drive was a pleasant one, quiet but for the music playing softly in the background. I won rock, paper, scissors so I was allowed to decide what music to play and I chose for relaxing music, instrumentals and the amazing acapella of TVXQ (東方神起) had me ready to fall asleep after half an hour. Alice contributed to the sleepy feelings I was having with the way she kept running her fingers through my hair and her fingers were gently running up and down my arm every few minutes. There was such a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in the car. I was sleeping peacefully to the soothing sound of music and Alice's tender touch everywhere.
I awoke to the feeling of fingers combing through my hair gently and a soft voice humming a familiar tune. I slowly blinked until I adjusted to the early morning light. Once my eyes were open properly Alice's warm and tender face full of affection and love came into view, smiling at me gently. Her voice was soft as she spoke, "we're almost there Bella. You can sleep a little bit longer if you want." With that she placed a tender kiss on my forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, and finally my lips. Her lips lingered longest over mine but it was just a gentle press and I smiled against her lips sleepily.
I fell asleep to the music and the feel of Alice running her fingers through my hair, it was a peaceful heaven.
I awoke again to Alice gently patting my cheek. I blinked my bleary eyes up at her and she giggled and muttered about how adorable I was and I smiled in response to hearing that. "Come on … wake up baby. Wake up my goofy giant." I could clearly hear the affection and adoration in Alice's voice and I felt a giggle bubble out of my throat from hearing it. "It's time to get up now love." I nodded slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and she giggled in adoration yet again. "You are too cute Bella, you really are. You're too cute for your own good!" We were both in our little world until Rosalie's eloquent "get up before I throw you both out of my car!"
Alice and I shared a look, both of us rolling our eyes at her empty threat. "Rosalie! You definitely were not meant for the medical field! You need to find a different, better suiting profession … dare I say boxing or … perhaps modeling since they are all so very mean!" Alice quipped back.
All was silent for a few moments before we heard Rosalie respond indignantly, "ha ha, very funny Alice … get your ass out of my car now or you'll be walking home!" Another empty threat from Rosalie and we shared another look before getting out of the car. The sight we were met with was well worth the yelling. Rosalie looked annoyed while Leah appeared to be trying to hold back her laughter all while standing behind Rosalie with her arms around her waist, pulling her against her front. Rosalie huffed and crossed her arms but didn't pull away despite the fact that her girlfriend was laughing at her. At least she was trying to hold back her laughter … I guess. It was all just too comical and it was only … I looked at my phone briefly, 10:20 A.M. I was a little shocked but not that we made such good time.
I just stood in awe of the sight before me, the beautiful mansion standing proudly erect before me. It was a shock to see that it was so impressively … enormous and white, impossibly white to be honest. It was a magnificent sight to behold, majestic and elegant.
The look of the mansion was that of Victorian times and it was quite the sight … it was beautiful and refined. There were trees standing around the mansion, a largely wooded area. It was quite the sight to see, the trees added an effect that just made it that much more beautiful. There was such much beauty around this isolated mansion.
I stood in awe until I was knocked out of my reverie by an unfamiliar … masculine voice.
"Hey! What's shaking little sis?" Before I knew it Alice was ripped away from me quite suddenly and swept into a bear hug from … a massive male. I was afraid he was crushing her because she was turning pink in the face. "How has my Ali-cat been? You'd better tell me if anyone's been picking on my little sis at college!" He went from sounding happy to a mock serious and he looked it too.
Alice squirmed a bit before squealing, which was completely adorable. "I … can't … answer … if I'm dead … Emmett … you big jerk!" To my utter amusement he let Alice down so suddenly she fell right into my open arms and I giggled as I pulled her to me tightly. "So much for letting me breathe a few minutes before you tried to crush me to death … I think that one prayer will never be answered." I could see Leah shaking her head while her counterpart was smirking in a way that suggested she was smug in the revenge she felt she was given over what Alice said to her earlier … perhaps Emmett would squeeze her to death too? One can wish I suppose.
"Why, hello there, my strong and sturdy goofy giant!" I had to giggle at that and Alice laid her head against my shoulder, snuggling in as close as she could. I laid my head on top of hers in response and I felt her sigh in content in response. I felt at ease with her in my arms, her warmth radiating around me. "I love you." She whispered softly into my neck. I smiled in response and snuggled my head into the crook of her neck, dropping an unnoticeable kiss as well.
The romantic and very still mood was stirred into oblivion by her eldest brother's voice yet again … unfortunately causing Alice to start out of my arms slightly to look at him. "Oh hey! Who's that hot chick with you sis? Actually I'm surprised since you only ever bring Rosie and Leah around for Thanksgiving!" Rosalie gave him a withering glare for the nickname and Leah just shook her head in response, pulling her into her and nuzzling into her neck lovingly. Rosalie, not so surprisingly, leaned back and looked like she couldn't be bothered with ever leaving her lover's embrace. "Oh, you guys are seriously hot together … it would be so much better if you kissed … you know and then some. That's seriously so hot." Emmett looked two seconds away from drooling and Rosalie, unwilling to pull away from Leah, walked to Emmett and slapped him upside the head without ever leaving Leah's arms. It was an amusing sight for sure and quite the accomplishment I was certain she had done many times before due to how it played out with Leah complying easily.
After spending a few more minutes outside lazing around we finally managed to bring the luggage in, most of it in thanks to Emmett's massive manpower and sheer size. I could swear he actually brought half of it in by himself all at once … I found it very comforting that more than half was just Rosalie and Alice alone. Leah and I seemed to be the ones who packed sensibly in this group from how much was visibly theirs.
I found that the entire house seemed to be very warm despite its extremely massive size. It was a shock to see the entire house from the inside and see that it was just as majestic and magical inside and out. Everything spoke of the wealth of this family and it scared me to see that Alice was so down to earth despite the wealth she had grown up with. It also explained how the Cullens were able to adopt so many children without ever having to struggle to support all of them. It turned out that Carlisle wasn't the only well known Cullen in this state; his wife was an extremely sought after Interior Designer.
Her mother, Esme, was very kind and very stunning … she looked much too young to have raised teenagers as well … just like her husband. They both looked like they could still be in the mid to late 20's and it was still a shock to see them being so affectionate and … motherly and fatherly to people who looked like they were only a few years younger than them. Esme and Carlisle had both been very supportive of our relationship and Carlisle even commented on how it was about time and that he had known for months that we would end up together. Emmett, as I figured, was a huge joker and basically the comic relief in this family and he made every effort to tease Alice and me as well as Rosalie and Leah for our respective relationships, in a good natured way of course. Edward … seemed polite enough but he didn't comment on our relationship and was … very quiet.
Alice's room looked to be about three times the size of our dorm room alone … and then some because she had an enormous walk in bathroom and closet as well. What surprised me even more was that it wasn't all yellow or pink, as I had previously thought it would be since they were her favorite colors. Instead there was a beautiful image painted across the ceiling of a waterfall and a river flowing from with a lion drinking from it and greenery surrounding it and extending to her walls and … it was breathtakingly beautiful. I just knew it had to have been Alice who painted such a majestic image. It was all so … Alice.
"Just … wow. This is … amazing and I know you painted it! Where have you been hiding this talent all this time Alice? I've never once seen a picture or even a sketch in our room … and I know everything in our room Alice!" I was incredulous that Alice hadn't told me sooner … or at the very least showcase some of her masterpieces for me. I also forgot to ask her again and again what her major was … I felt extremely horrible as a girlfriend and friend period.
"It's not like I wanted to keep it a secret … I honestly just … never really thought to mention it to be honest. I … that is … my dream is to be an artist someday. I really enjoy using art as an outlet for emotions and creativity. I would have shown you some of my art by I usually like working on it in my art classroom because it's a bit easier to have all of the materials around me instead of having to remember which ones I need … it's too easy to forget what I want or need, you know? That's all it was and also … I get embarrassed by it pretty easily … no more like … nervous and timid." Alice sighed and I gathered her into my arms and held her gently as she nuzzled into my body and wrapped her arms around my middle tightly, trying to get as close to me as humanly possible.
"Listen Alice … I'm not just saying this because I love you … though I really do love you very much my little pixie fairy. I just love what you did here because it shows only an ounce of the talent you hide inside of your very tiny but creative body. You just exude this artistic and creative aura about you with every breath you take, with every move you make, with every part of your being … just you. You truly amaze me with your humbleness over everything and with your talent just breaking at the seams to come undone and become something wonderfully brilliant. Your ceiling and hidden works of art are all proof of that Alice. Never be ashamed to show the world who you are and what astonishing things you can do in this tiny but powerfully made body full of potential." I said with so much conviction I felt tears running down my neck slowly, painfully happy tears. Alice pulled back to look into my eyes and she was shining, glowing so beautifully.
"I love you so much." Alice whispered before pulling me close and pressing her lips softly to my own … almost like our first kiss all over again. There was so much promise, so much in that one kiss. Alice pulled back after a few minutes of innocent pecking with a smile full of love and adoration. "I'm so glad that we have just about the next six days to be together … no school … and mostly alone with the exception of us having dinner with my family and getting to know the family better … I expect a ring soon." Alice's face was so freaking serious I had a mini freak out. "I'm just kidding! We're college students, freshman at that! I know you don't have the money for that just yet … or anytime in the near future either since you have yet to actually get a job post college and all that jazz. I scared you didn't I?" The little mischievous pixie had the nerve to tease me about my panic.
"You sneaky little pixie, you are so silly and mischievous! I can't believe you tried to scare me like that! I mean … it's not like … you know … th-that I-I-I have that … ahem … planned out for the future when … w-when we're both working and have settled into a routine and … well have the money for a ring, wedding, and honeymoon wherever you want. I, I really like that idea Alice. I want to spend the rest of my life with you … I want us to be together for the rest of our lives … I want to be able to hold your hand when we're old and gray while we sit on our rockers on our porch. I want us to have a future together until we're both ready to die in each other's arms in our bed in our house." I started off unsurely with my stutter but eventually I just spoke what I had been envisioning in my dreams long before we even first began dating. I decided to throw caution into the wind and say something silly. "Besides now that I know how loaded you are and … well the father of the bride is the one who pays for everything … I think we're set."
Alice looked up at me shyly with a smile on her face at first, her dimples peeking out from her cheeks. After what I said last she slapped me playfully on the arm and I just laughed in response before we both settled in. She nuzzled my neck and wrapped her arms around my middle whispering softly, almost in disbelief. "Do you … do you really mean that? I mean I've thought about it too … I really want to have that life but … I'm sometimes afraid of my ability to foresee events based on others decisions because of what I might see in the future. I don't like having a gift that is like a double edged knife … either way I cut myself, I hurt myself with what I want to see and what I never meant to see. I'm honestly scared that something this ability will become a curse because of what I might see too late or what I might see at all."
Alice was distraught and I did what I knew would best soothe her and bring her some comfort and a laugh all in one. I picked her up and walked her all the way over to her bed, Alice giggled the whole way there and I couldn't help the smile that overtook my face at the joy in her voice. I dropped her on the bed gently before backing away and then running to her bed before jumping over Alice's body and landing next to her. She squealed in absolute delight and terror at the thought of me landing on her before she felt me land next to her. She shoved my side playfully, giggling all the while, the moment I landed because of how I scared her with prospect of being crushed.
"Oh … my … GOD … Bella, I really thought you were moments away from crushing me under your massively long arms and legs! I would have been a goner you meanie!" At first Alice's spoken language was a little broken from her gasping for air and still having a giggling fit. "You are such a goofy giant … but you are my silly goofy giant so … I guess I can forgive you for that. I might need a little persuasion though …" Alice's face was full of happiness and her eyes were shining with such joy I was glad I decided to do what I did. I raised my eyebrows in question and she seemed about ready to burst at the seams again. "Well … if you give me lots and lots of kiss … later tonight I think I might be able to forgive you … if you start now I might be willing to give you a … reward of sorts later tonight … that is … if you want it." Alice wiggled her eyebrows with what she was tempting me with.
"You don't have to twist my arm to get me to kiss you … really you don't. In fact why don't I start now?" My voice was husky with need and want from her suggestive words. "I have to say you are a harsh mistress … but really I wouldn't have it any other way Alice." With that I sealed our lips for several minutes before air was a necessity.
Alice moaned loudly when I started nipping at her neck, licking and pressing open mouthed kisses against her sensitive skin. Alice's head was pressing against her pillows and her arms were wrapped tightly against my body, an arm secure around my middle the other reached up to clench fingers in my hair. She pushed me further down a little towards her collarbone desperately.
We were so absorbed into our respective tasks, me lavishing Alice's porcelain skin with love bites and Alice making sure I was where she wanted me to be, that we didn't hear the warning in steps and a doorknob rattling open. "Hey, Alice … whoa what the heck … why are you ravishing my sister? Get the hell off of Alice!" Her brother Edward surged forward and before I knew it he had grabbed my shirt and pulled me off of his sister suddenly and I hit wood. "Alice … what the heck were you thinking, allowing another … another woman to … to take advantage of you!" Edward's voice was loud and furious over the fact that we were dating. I could tell there was something off with him the moment Alice introduced me as her girlfriend and his actions now just proved me right. I didn't like him … even though he was polite earlier.
"What the heck Edward? You could have hurt Bella!" Alice was furious over his behavior and she pushed him out of the way and knelt down to where he had knocked me down. "Oh Bella, did he hurt you anywhere?" She gently pulled me closer to inspect me for any major injuries since I was thrown against her dresser. "Oh my … your arm is bleeding and … EDWARD! How could you? Her head is bleeding too! What is wrong with you? I can't believe you hurt her like that! Bella," she helped me up gently, "let's get you to Carlisle so he can check on your wounds. Oh, Bella." Her eyes were watering with tears and I felt more upset over her sorrow than over my wounds, they were nothing to me compared to her feeling unhappy.
I was in some ways surprised that good old Dr. Cullen had a private … well office with an array of medical equipment with him … and in others not because … well he is a stinking rich doctor after all … an amazing one at that. I had a slightly open wound on my head, despite the amount of blood it truly was minor, and a cut that wasn't too deep but it wasn't quite shallow either. My arm was bandaged up with white bandages that was wrapped around my arms several times to insure the wound wouldn't bleed through too much and then tied at the end.
"I am so sorry for my son's behavior Bella. Edward's background by no means excuses his actions but I believe it is due to his upbringing before he came to be with us. He was raised by his grandparents because of extenuating circumstances with his parents … questionable jobs and his living environment. He grew up with old fashioned grandparents until they died when he was twelve years old. That was more than enough time for him to grow up with their views and become a part of their views of how the world should be; a man and a woman in a relationship and marriage … amongst other views. It isn't right but it cannot be helped that he grew up in that kind of environment and prejudice." Though Carlisle was right it didn't make me dislike that fact any less than I already did because of what his behavior caused Alice; unnecessary tears and pain.
Alice seemed to have not known about it either due to her shocked face and demeanor altogether from earlier. I sighed and nodded my head in understanding. "I understand … Carlisle, I don't have to like it … but I do understand where both of you are coming from. You're a father and he is a misguided soul … he just needs to be shown some understanding and perhaps through some kind of miraculous event he will come to be more open about these kinds of things. It's not as if I can blame him for his very limited views on the world; his grandparents did what they could and raised him with the values they were. That's not a crime though it unfortunately does breed crime in the world because of how the brain then functions after such a thing. Angela's psychology is rubbing off on me, sheesh!" I blushed and looked away from them.
"I had no idea about any of this … if I had I wouldn't have said anything to him about us … or I would have at least known to be more careful. You probably didn't think this would happen so you didn't say anything right dad?" At Carlisle's nod Alice sighed in a gesture that suggested defeat and understanding. "Okay well … I understand that he doesn't know any better so … what if we teach him how to better handle us as a couple? Now that I think about it … he always has been very standoffish about Rosalie and Leah … polite but still … cold somehow. Maybe he'll know better if we had a family meeting or something like that?"
Alice's pondering face was absolutely adorable with her face scrunched up in contemplation with her hand cupping the side of her face. I had the urge to pinch her adorably dimpled cheeks from the cuteness overload but I refrained since we were still in her father's presence and I didn't want to embarrass her with my cooing. Carlisle nodded in agreement with Alice's words and he had his arms crossed, his face also taking on a thoughtful look but much more mature looking than Alice's adorable one.
"Well Thanksgiving isn't for another two days so perhaps we can talk to him tomorrow night about this? I never thought of it as a problem since he never did or said anything to either Rosalie or Leah … maybe he is taking it harder because you're his sister. I think that he sees Bella as someone who has defiled you in a way … as if she's taking advantage of you because you're so sweet. He saw his actions earlier as protecting his precious baby sister. When Alice first came into our lives he was a freshman in high school and he saw how vulnerable and scared she was. He loved her for her childish innocence and happiness once she allowed herself to be a child again. Edward seemed to find something in her that he loved so much he truly sees her as his sister…"
To say that what was happening was awkward … that would be a huge understatement, the understatement of the year really for me. Edward just sat with a stony expression as the Cullens and the Halewaters, as I've recently dubbed Rosalie and Leah privately in my head, tried to give him some insight into freedom of love. They were just stating that it couldn't possibly be wrong for someone to love someone else so much. The Halewaters were clearly happy with their relationship and Alice and I were too.
Edward would nod or shake his head in answer when appropriate so it was obvious he was paying attention but he had yet to speak a word. It was obviously frustrating the Cullens and Halewaters that he was being so quiet. Even Emmett looked frustrated with his brother for his lack of response and silence combined with his stony, expressionless face. I felt terrible that this was incited because of my relationship with Alice but I would never ever regret being in love with her nor would I apologize for acting on my feelings.
Finally after about an hour he broke his silence but unfortunately what he had to say wasn't the nicest thing. It was actually very cruel of him to say to me. "Look Alice, Bella, I understand that you think you're in love but you're not! You can't be because … because you're both women and a relationship is supposed to be a man and a woman! The Bible says that 'if a man lies with another man as he would a woman he has committed sin,' so the same thing applies with women who bed each other! I can't accept that you're dragging my baby sister to hell with you for your immoral behavior Bella! You seem like a really nice girl but you need to find someone else to be with. Settle down with a man and have a family of your own instead of ruining Alice's life by dragging her to hell with you!" His face was serious and his words cut through me like a knife.
All of the Cullens were shaking their head in disappointment and the Halewaters looked very upset on their part. "You know what? You're basically saying this all about Bella but what about Alice? Alice is as much a part of their relationship as Bella is and they are in love with each other. They don't need to have any other reason to be together. If you think about it this way they didn't choose to fall in love with one another … it just happened and now they are together because they accept one another. You wouldn't have any objections if Bella was a man but she can't change who she is as much you can't. She was born this way and so was Alice. You need to face that fact Edward. She is still your baby sister and you are still her big brother. Do you see how much this is hurting her? She can't stand to see you this way. She wants you to accept her like you did all those years ago when she first came into your life, that's all she wants. She wants your acceptance."
Edward shook his head … he was distraught over what Rosalie said because he knew she was right about Alice. He saw the pain and hope in her eyes and face clearly. He could see how much this was hurting her but he couldn't change how he felt. He buried his face in his hands and continued to shake his head. He was upset over what was happening but he couldn't find it in himself to accept me as his sister's love.
"I'm sorry … I can't deal with this right now. I … may I be excused?" Carlisle sighed and nodded, holding his wife close due to her distress over this as well. "Thank you … I'm sorry." And with that he left the room without another word … he glanced back at Alice one more time before shaking his head sorrowfully and leaving.
It was a hard meeting on all of us because Edward wanted to get it … he wanted to understand it but he just couldn't. He was hurting over how sad Alice was and how disappointed Carlisle, Esme, and Emmett all were in him. They still loved him but he could tell they were disappointed. Rosalie's words failed to assuage him even slightly over his differing views and he left to calm down and mull over his beliefs.
With a heavy sigh I stood up with Alice in tow. "I think we should all take a break from this. Let's go Alice."
I lay in bed with Alice cuddled against me, practically lying on top of me. I was still wide awake despite that Alice had fallen asleep a long while ago. I sighed and looked over at the clock to see neon blue looking back at me with 12:20 AM glaring back at me. I couldn't fall asleep because there was too much on my mind. After sighing again I decided to slip out gently from Alice. She whined at first and clutched at me tighter which made me smile because of how absolutely adorable that was.
When I finally managed to slip out from underneath her she whined again and her hand moved around as if in search of something. Her eyes opened a crack and I felt panic bubble to the surface at seeing her topaz eyes seemingly glowing in the dark. "Huh? Bella? Where …?" Alice mumbled cutely. She was an adorable sight to behold.
I reached my hand out to hers and held her hand gently in mine as I chuckled at her bleary eyes and sleepy blinking. "I'm right here baby … I just can't sleep so … you know I thought I'd go on a walk to clear my head. I'll come back to bed soon, I promise." Alice blinked up at me again adorably and nodded her head slowly, her hair bobbed along with her and I couldn't hold back my chuckle and smile of adoration.
"You promise?" The way she asked, her voice so soft with a childlike innocence, had me cooing over how endearing it was to see her so vulnerable and adorable she was. I smiled at her and nodded. "Okay." She closed her eyes and I gently pulled my hand away from hers before I stood up. I leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the top of her head before I moved away. I looked at her one last time before I left her room and shut the door softly so as not to further disturb her.
I walked alongside the trees that were next to the long road leading up to the mansion's massive parking garage. I reached the road and turned left on the road. I sighed and saw my breath in the air. I stood for a few minutes relishing in seeing my breath in the cold air of winter and I was reminded of my childhood for a moment. I was so lost in reminiscing I didn't hear it come, didn't see it coming … it happened and before I knew it … I was in the worst pain I had ever felt in my life. I felt glass shattering and I heard a tire screeching before everything was blanketed in darkness. I heard someone shout out, I heard someone yell my name in horror but I saw nothing. The last thing I could recall was someone's warm touch before everything stopped … before darkness took over and I knew nothing.
So that's chapter 12 for everyone! I'm sorry for the long wait in this chapter! I've had a terrible week with a broken tendon in my left hand and being in the hospital! Though the tendon is still very much broken and swollen it doesn't hurt nearly as much for me to move my left hand. I know this is very cruel of me but just wait! Have faith everyone!
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