As a heads up, there may be a slight delay getting the next chapter up. When I say slight, I mean no more then three weeks. At the max.
Once again, huge thanks for TanyanaGuitton and for all her help.
Chapter 20 – Think' the Same Thing
Jane POV
Nights had become repetitious for me. Well, I suppose they were repetitious for humans as well, but for me it was a little different. Nighttime for me meant boredom. David needed at least a couple of hours of rest. I didn't. Sometimes I would read, or work, or just lie beside him, and think about nothing. On some times, the nights I was really lucky, I could lie beside David, close my eyes, and just imagine I could sleep. I just spent a few, very peaceful hours, thinking about nothing.
The first night at the Cullens', I was lucky. After David came into bed with me, we both held each other, until David fell asleep. I left my eyes closed, and imagined that I was sleeping alongside him.
But, there was one thing about the nights that I hated. David very rarely slept peacefully. Most nights he would toss and turn restlessly. I could hear his heart rate speed up, and sometimes I could smell adrenaline shoot through his system. The worst part was how powerless I felt watching him toss and turn. I had all the strength in the world, I was nearly invincible, but I was powerless to protect him from his own mind.
David never had any good dreams. I hopped each night that he would sleep soundlessly.
I slowly opened my eyes, and looked down. I was lying on my back, and David was lying across me, his head resting in the crock of my neck. Every time he exhaled, I felt his warm breath go down my neck, and I felt a shiver of pleasure.
I looked him over one more time. I had to hand it to Alice, David looked good in black.
But, I thought with another shiver, he looks even better in nothing.
I lifted the sheets a bit, just to admire him, when a thought came unbidden to me. How would he look in black, as a vampire?
That caused another shiver.
David and I had discussed him become a vampire, and he was for it. He said that he was looking forward to "leaving his old life behind". I was happy because it meant that I would have him beside me forever. And I would never have to watch him sleep through another nightmare.
I often thought about what vampirism would do to him, and it made me very... excited.
I imagined him, black shirt, black jeans, with glowing red eyes. He was lying on top of me, and holding me down. I imagined that he leaned down, and his lips slowly parted over his razor sharp vampire teeth. He ran those teeth across my color bone, before he would lean into my neck, and slowly... sink his teeth into my skin. A vampire, marking his mate.
As I became more enveloped in my morning fantasy, I noticed that David had begun to stir. It was then that I noticed my sleeping shorts had become damp from my excitement. What are the odds that David won't notice that?
So what if he does...
David stretched his arms and legs, and groaned. His eyelids fluttered a few times, and then opened. His almond eyes were sleepy and unfocused at first. He blinked a few more times, but looked up at me, and smiled.
"Good morning," he whispered.
I reached down, under his shirt, and ran my hands up his chest. I felt his muscles twitch behind my touch and noticed his pants starting to bulge.
"Good morning, love," I cooed in his ear.
David moaned in appreciation. "Someones in a good mood."
I wrapped my lips around my teeth, and nibbled on his ear.
"Since neither of us have anywhere to be this morning," I whispered, "Why don't we make it a really good morning?"
David reached up, and cupped my breast through my shirt.
"Yes, ma'am," he said in a husky tone.
David's hands lifted my shirt up, exposing my bare chest to him. David leaned in, and started to flick my erect nipples with his tongue.
I reached down, and pulled his pants down, causing his erect shaft to pop out. I wrapped my hand around his warm, hard member, and started stroking him. David moaned, and tugged at the strings on my shorts.
Once he undid the offensive knot, he pulled them down. He ran his middle finger around my wet folds, and pressed against my entrance.
I took my free hands, grabbed the back of his head, and brought his lips to mine. His tongue was soon dancing with mine.
Suddenly, David tensed.
The bedroom door flew open, and Alice came rushing in.
"Good morning!" She cried with bubbling enthusiasm.
David threw himself over me, as if trying to protect me from flying debris. He laid like that for a moment, while Alice danced around the room, rummaging through the dresser and laying out a selection of clothes, talking about styles and colors.
"Alice," David growled angrily.
Alice kept doing... whatever she was doing.
"Alice!" David shouted.
Alice paused and turned. "Yes?" She asked.
David paused for a moment. "Fuck off!" He cried.
Alice folded her hands behind her, and smiled sweetly. "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?"
"You know good and goddamn well you are!" David barked.
I heard the sound of laughter from elsewhere in the house.
"Well, I'm sorry, but you two have a busy day ahead of you!" Alice turned and went back to work. "I suppose you two will just have to put it on ice for a while," she said with her back turned.
"Are you fuckin' kidding me!" David grumbled.
I pulled my shirt down, sat up, and wrapped my arms around him.
"Honey, it's not like we haven't done it before," I reasoned.
"That's not the point," David grumbled.
I loved him dearly, but sometimes he could act like a child.
"Sorry, lover," I leaned in, and whispered in his ear, "When we get back to school, I'll do that thing you like."
David's head snapped around, excitement in his eyes. "You mean... that thing you do on my birthday?"
"I'll even put on the French maid costume," I said in a husky tone.
David's eyes sparkled. "The one with the lace?"
I nodded.
"Well, okay then," David said with a smile.
"The way to a man's heart," Alice said, quietly.
I tried to suppress a laugh, but David noticed. He looked between me, and Alice.
"What did she say?" He asked.
I kissed his check. "Don't worry about it"
David grumbled to himself, but eventually got up, and made his way to the bathroom, glaring at Alice as he walked past.
Alice turned to me, and smiled.
"You really love him, don't you?"
I smiled. "I really do."
Alice's smile became sad. "It's not always easy, is it?"
My smile fell. "Not always, no."
I heard a knock at the door. I turned and Bella was standing in the door.
"May I come in?" She asked.
"Bella, why don't you let her get changed first?" Alice asked, giving a look to Bella. "It might make everyone a little more comfortable," she suggested.
Bella was already dressed for the day. She wore some kind of distressed washed jeans, and a sweater. Knowing the Cullen's, and Alice, I assumed that they were some expensive band that I'd never heard of.
I was sill in my night attire. And, it had evidence of this mornings... activities.
Bella nodded, then looked at me. "As soon as you're dressed, there's something I'd talk to you about," She said.
"Oh... okay," I said cautiously.
"Thank you," Bella said.
Alice turned to Bella, and huffed. "How many times do I have to explain style to you? That outfit doesn't work at all!"
Bella rolled her eyes. "Yes, Alice."
David walked back into the bedroom and Alice danced out. Bella gave me one last look, before closing the door.
David looked between me and the door. "Did I miss something?" He asked.
"Bella said she wanted to talk to me about something," I said
"Okay," David said slowly, "Did she say what about?"
I shook my head again.
David paused for a moment. "Do you want me to stay?"
I stood up and walked over to him. I smiled, and wrapped by arms around his neck. "David, you've done enough. I'm not scared anymore."
David put his hands on my hips, and squeezed gently. I could feel the warmth from his touch through the thin fabric.
"Okay," he said with a smile.
He leaned in, and placed a gentle kiss on my lips.
"Okay," he repeated.
I slowly let my arms fall from his neck, and turned to pick up the neat stack of clothes that Alice had laid out. She had given me a pair of light blue jeans, a long sleeve white shirt, and a light gray v-neck cashmere sweater.
David was pawing through his own pile of clothes, but with less interest than me.
"Up to your strict standards?" I teased.
David smirked. "Oh, you know me, I only buy from," David picked up the jeans and read the label, "From... uh..." David cocked his head to the side, then chuckled, "I can't even read the label."
I laughed, then started taking of my sleepwear.
"While I'm talking with Bella, can I trust you not to pick any fights?" I asked.
David paused for a moment.
"I promise that I will not start any fight," He said carefully.
I rolled my eyes. "Would it kill you to turn the other check? Once?"
"Yes. Actually it would."
I rolled my eyes, and finished getting dressed. When I was done, I turned to him.
"Are you going to behave or not?" I demanded.
David turned to me, and was about to say something. He paused, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. When he was done, he opened his eyes and looked at me.
"Okay, I'm only going to do this once. While we're here, while we're guests of the Cullen's, I will... do my hardest... to be nice."
David wore the look of someone who was having anesthetized stomach surgery.
I smiled, walked over to him, and pressed my palm against his check.
"I can only imagine how painful it was for you to say that, but thank you."
"I'm holding you to that maid outfit promise," he growled.
And just like that, our tender moment was ruined.
"One track mind," I scoffed.
I kissed him lightly on the check, and walked out into the hallway. I looked around, expecting to see Bella. Alice poked her head out of nearby room.
"Bella's room is on the top floor, second door on the right," Alice said.
Before I could thank her, she had already disappeared back inside.
I can see how David would find that irritating, I thought.
I climbed the stairs, and walked down the right hallway.
I wasn't scared to face Bella, but I was nervous. And a little ashamed. When I served the Volturi, I disliked all the Cullen's. But, I saved a special dislike to Bella. She was the only one who was immune to my ability. And, I think one some subconscious level, I was envious of the love she and Edward shared.
I hated her. I hated that she knew such love, and I especially hated that she made me look weak. And during our meeting in the field, her vampire ability made me absolutely useless.
I knew that she knew how I felt. And I wouldn't be surprised if the feeling was mutual.
I realized that I was staring at her door. I could hear classical music playing softly inside.
Feeling foolish, I raised my hand and nocked.
"Come in," Bella called.
I opened the door, and walked in. Bella was sitting on a cream colored couch, reading a well-worn copy of Romeo and Juliet. She looked up as I walked in.
"Jane, close the door please," she said.
Feeling a sudden sense of nervousness, I closed the door, and turned back to Bella.
"Bella, may I say something please?" I asked.
Bella nodded.
I took an unnecessary breath. "When I first meet you... I didn't like you. Or Edward. And I know that I went out of my way to torment you. And I don't know if you can forgive me, but I'm sorry."
Bella looked at me for a moment. "Are you asking me to forgive you for torturing Edward in front of me?"
...
"Yes," I said quietly.
Bella paused for a moment. "We'll come back to that," she said.
Bella set the book down and leaned forward. "I want you to know something: I believed that you deserved a chance. I thought that you had changed, and that you were a new women. Then, I found out that you were still using your gift of pain."
"Bella…" I tried to say.
"I want to know what makes you think you can still torture people," Bella said simply.
"I'm not torturing her!" I responded.
Bella gave me a piercing look. "You are causing her pain without her knowledge. Because of you, she has been medically misdiagnosed. How is that not torture?"
"Because she deserves it!" I exclaimed. "I've seen her with him! She keeps hitting on him, she keeps touching him! He's not hers, he's mine! And she has no right to keep treating him like that!"
"Treating him like what?" she asked.
"Like... he's interested in her! Because he's not! And she should stop chasing him!"
Bella thought for a moment. "How does David feel about this?"
"He hates it!" I barked. "How do you think?"
"I don't think it bothers him as much as it bothers you," Bella observed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, getting angrier.
"David has made clear that he has no interest in her. But, that's it. He just doesn't think about her. You have demonized her, and you've gone out of your way to torment her."
"But she deserves it!" I insisted.
"Besides hitting on David, what has she done that's so wrong?" Bella asked.
"She... She... She shouldn't act like that! Not with him!" I snarled.
Bella looked at me for a moment, then the smiled just a little. "You're still angry, aren't you?"
"What?"
Bella thought for a moment. "You've been angry for such a long time, I suppose I'm not surprised that you've held on to a little bit. But, you need to let it go."
"I'm not holding on to anything! She-"
"Do you believe David would ever stray?" Bella asked.
"What? No!"
"Do you believe that there is anything she can give him that you can't?"
"Bella, what are you-"
"Answer my question, please," Bella instructed.
"No. Why are you-"
"One last question," Bella said. "Do you believe that there is anyone else in the world that could make David as happy as you do?"
I thought for a moment. I was damaged. I was an angry, borderline sadistic vampire. As Bella had pointed out, I wasn't as different as I thought I was. I was still torturing people. But, David didn't object to it. He didn't acknowledge what I was doing, but he was smart enough to figure it out. He didn't have to live with someone who he had to tolerate. He could do better. He was handsome, strong, and a perfect gentleman. But he stuck with me. And I was confident he would follow me anywhere.
I blinked, and saw that Bella was patiently waiting for an answer.
"No," I answered.
Bella smiled.
"What do you remember of me when I was human?" She asked.
"You mean when you came to Volterra?" I asked. Bella nodded. "Well, I remember that you were scared. Uh, you ran through the fountain in the plaza, so you were shivering." I thought for a moment. I smiled, and said, "I remember that you were in love. I remember seeing the way you kept looking at Edward, and how he kept looking at you. I heard Aro mocking Edward earlier for his memories, and I knew the two of you had something special."
Bella smiled. "Why don't you take a seat?" She asked, gesturing to the space on the couch.
I slowly walked over and sat down.
"When I was human," Bela began, "I was shy, clumsy and full of self doubt. On my wedding day, on the day that Edward vowed to be mine forever, I meet Tanya. She was an old friend of his, and she chased him for a long time.
"I felt so inadequate standing next to her. She was so beautiful, and I always thought I was plain, and dull. Without saying anything, she made me feel like nothing. I knew she didn't mean to, but she did. The worst part was that I knew Edward loved me."
Bella paused to look at me.
"I see the way you two look at each other when you thought we weren't looking. The two of you were made for each other, just like Edward and me. And you need to realize that David would never leave you," Bella paused for a moment, and smiled, "In fact, after last night, I think he would fight of Death himself, and probably win, if it meant staying with you."
While Bella was looking at me, I had the feeling that she could see right through me. "I'm going to tell you something it took me years to realize: The love that you two share, just like to love that Edward and I share, is a bond that is so much stronger than most. It will not bend, and it will never break."
She reached over, and put a hand on my arm. "The next time you see this Neal-Harris woman, and the next time she tries to hit on David, don't get angry, laugh. Because he will never leave you. Laugh, because she is wasting her time, chasing something that will forever be outside her reach. Laugh, because after he has turned her away, he will return to you. He will always come back to you."
"Okay?" Bella asked.
I was smiling. I couldn't stop smiling. Bella reinforced what I always knew that David and I were forever. It felt good to have someone tell me that.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Bella's smile fell. "There's something else," she said slowly. I tensed, fearing what would come next. "Living with humans. It's not as easy as you say it is, is it?"
I unconsciously reached for my throat. "No. It's not easy."
I took a deep breath. "Bella... It hurts. Every day. I'm surrounded by them. I'm surrounded by their smells. I know I don't want their blood, but it calls to me. And it hurts! Every single day!"
"How do you do it?" Bella asked quietly.
"I don't know," I whispered. I remembered with clarity the near constant burning in my throat. Every so often someone will walk too close, or someone across campus will get a cut, or a scrape, and that smell...
That... burning!
Bella reached across the couch, and wrapped in a tight embrace. I felt comfortable talking to her about this. I knew that she would listen to me, and wouldn't pass any judgement. I leaned back, and saw that her eyes were kind, and wise. I never noticed it when I was trying to kill her, but she was a rare, good person.
"Jane, give me your phone," Bella said suddenly.
Confused, I reached into my pocket, and passed her the small device.
Bella took it, and started typing on it.
"I'm programming my number, and the house phone in here," She finished, and looked up at me, "If it ever get too much, or if you need help, I want you to call me. Whenever, day or night. If you can't reach me, just call the house, and someone will help you. Esme, Jasper, Emmett, Alice, Carlisle... someone will always help."
Bella put her hand on my shoulder, and said, "You're not alone. Not anymore."
We stayed silent for a moment. "And Jane, to answer your first question: Yes, I forgive you."
I was touched, so deeply by her kindness. I had never known a vampire to have been so nice. Especially not to me. She had forgiven me, then she had offered her help.
I thought back to the Volturi. There was no love there. They had fear, hatred, and forced loyalty. The Cullens, they were a family. They had love, and trust. And... I felt like one of them. I felt... like I had a family.
I felt my eye's getting glassy.
"Bella, thank you," I chocked out, before I wrapped her in a tight hug. I squeezed hard, because she was a vampire, like me. She knew what I was going through, and she could help if I asked her.
Was this... a mother's love?
Bella calmly patted my on the back. "It's been a long time since anyone's offered you help, isn't it?"
"A very long time," I answered.
I heard a knocking on the door. Bella and I let go of each other, and the same time Edward walked in.
Edward turned to me, smiled kindly, and nodded. Even if he wasn't a mind reader, I knew he would have heard our conversation.
"We try not to listen in on each other in this family," He said, "But, unfortunately, it happens."
Edward continued to look at me, and said, "And when Bella said someone would always help you, she meant it. I want you to know that we all understand what you're going through. All you have to do is ask, and someone will be there for you."
I nodded. "Thank you, Edward."
I looked around, and realized that this was their bedroom.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, turning to Edward, "Did I get you kicked out of your own room?"
Edward grimaced. "No. Actually, I had to talk to my daughter... the birds and the bees."
Edward then turned to Bella. "Which was a conversation I thought we were going to have together."
Bella looked defensive. "I was needed in here!" She retorted. "Besides, I'm sure you did a fine job."
"That not the point!" Edward answered, folding his arms and looking embraced. "It would have been nice to get a... female voice for... that!"
"You could have asked Esme," Bella suggested.
Edward's eyes nearly rolled out of his head. "I am not going to get my mom to help me talk about... you know... with my daughter."
"Do you need me to talk to her?" I asked.
"No!" Bella and Edward shouted at the same time.
"Uh, not to be rude," Bella said, "But... We'll, Emmett's already done enough damage. We don't want her thinking that it's some sort of competition."
I looked between Bella and Edward. "You two know that it's supposed to be fun, right?"
Edward was shocked. Bella looked like she should have been blushing.
"Of course it's fun, but there's a time and a place," Edward blurted. "The time is eleven to sixty years from now, and the place is... far, far away."
I grew an evil smirk. "Well, if you change your mind and want me and Emmett to talk with her-"
"Let me just stop you right there," Bella interrupted.
I laughed.
"David is down in the kitchen having breakfast," Edward said. "After he's done, Carlisle would like a word with the two of you."
I looked at Bella who smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm sure it's not what you think it is."
"Okay," I said.
I got up, and walked out. I paused, my hand on the door knob, and turned around.
"Thank you. Both of you," I said. Both smiled, and nodded.
I opened the door, took the stairs down to the bottom level, and followed the sound of David's voice. I was still thinking about what Bella and I had talked about. All of a sudden, I wished I could call the Cullen's my family.
To Hell with the Volturi!
I walked into the kitchen, and immediately saw that David and Jacob in a headlock.
"David!" I cried.
"Jane, calm down," I heard Jasper call.
I turned, and saw that Emmett, Jasper and Renesmee were sitting around the table, watching David with interest. Although in Renesmee's case, she was watching with worry. Esme was also bustling around the kitchen.
"You're boyfriend knows the coolest shit!" Emmett called.
"Emmett! There are ladies present!" Esme turned and scolded.
"Sorry, Mom," Emmett mumbled.
Emmett turned to me. "He was showing us how to do a blood choke!" He said with the excitement of a seven year old at Disney.
"And without actually choking him!" Renesmee urged.
David rolled his eyes.
"Anyway," David continued, "Once you have the subject in the hold," he gestured to his arms wrapped around Jacob's neck, "You apply firm pressure to the sides of the neck, like so," David, gently squeezed, and Jacob tensed, and tapped David on the arm. David, released him a little. Esme turned and watched with concern.
"In doing so," David continued, "You cut off blood flow to the brain, which causing him to lose consciousness quicker than cutting off oxygen."
David dropped his arms, and Jacob breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks for being my dummy," David said, patting Jacob on the back. Jasper and Emmett snickered, Jacob glared.
David turned to the table and continued. "The advantage to a blood choke, is that no matter how big someone is, if you cut off blood flow they will go down.
"Cool," Emmett said in awe.
Jacob scoffed loudly. "Please! As if that weak, scrawly little punk could ever beat me!" He boasted.
David stared at the back of Jacob's head for a moment. "See, in the real world, it's done something like this."
David quickly wrapped his arms around Jacob's neck, and started squeezing. Jacob's face went red, and he started to struggle.
"David!" I shrieked.
"I'm not fighting," David grunted, "I'm demonstrating!"
Sure enough, after struggling for a few more seconds, Jacob closed his eyes and stopped moving. David immediately dropped him, and he landed on the floor with a dense thud.
"Jacob!" Renesmee cried, as she dashed over to him.
"He'll be fine," David dismissed, "He's just unconscious."
David has just finished talking, when Jacob started to stir.
"That was the coolest thing I've ever seen!" Emmett exclaimed with glee.
David turned, and smirked. "You're welcome."
"I'm not saying your army is better than mine, but you do know some better tricks," Jasper grudgingly admitted.
I huffed. "You're never going to grow up, are you?"
"Nope," David responded.
I reached over and took his hand. "Come on."
David's POV
I held on to Jane's hand, as she pulled me out of the kitchen. As we left. Jacob started to climb to his feet. Scrawny punk, my ass!
"Where are you taking me?" I asked.
"Bella said Carlisle wanted to talk to us," she said.
Good, I thought, This will give me a chance to talk to him about letting Jane join his family.
"What did Bella want to talk to you about?" I asked.
Jane stopped, and turned to face me. She smiled brightly, and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Us," She said. "About you and me."
"Oh," Was all I could say.
Jane paused for a moment. "And I think I've been a little hard on Harris."
I frooze. "Who are you and what have you done with Jane?" I demanded.
The Jane imposter in front of me laughed, then she looked at me and smiled.
"Sometimes, I forget how much you love me," she said. "It's the first time I've ever been in love, and... sometimes the thought of you with another woman... scares me."
Jane pulled me tightly against her. "I love you. And I don't want to lose you."
Put my hands on her waist, and squeezed just a little. "I do love you, and I promise, I will never leave you."
"I know," She whispered.
I leaned in, and gently kissed her.
A moment later, I leaned back, and asked, "What brought this on?"
Jane shrugged. "Bella and I... talked," Jane paused, "This family is magical," she whispered.
I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her as tight as I could. "Angel, you don't know how wonderful it is to see you so happy."
Jane nuzzled against me neck, and kissed the hollow behind my ear, "But we probably shouldn't keep Carlisle waiting."
Jane smiled. Her hand found mine, and she squeezed.
"Do you know where we're supposed to be meeting Dr. Cullen?" I asked. "Or we just supposed to nock on every door in the house until we get lucky?"
Jane sighed. "Oh, I'm sure Alice will-"
"Appear out of nowhere and tell you were to go," Alice said from behind us.
I turned around to glare at her. She smiled smugly.
"Top floor, second door on the left," Alice said.
"Could you start wearing a bell or something?" I demanded. "I really don't like being snuck up on!"
"I know," Alice said with a smile. "I think its funny how much it bothers you."
I rolled my eyes. "Alright, come on," I grumbled, taking Jane's hand and leading her back to the stairs.
Jane laughed, but followed.
Once at the top floor, I looked around and admired the home that the Cullen's had. After working for the Vulturi for two centuries, Jane had certainly acquired enough wealth to support us both comfortably. But the Cullens had everything. A loving family, a grand house, a fleet of expensive cars. All the toys that anyone could ever want. So this is how the other half lives.
And I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little envious of the Cullen's lavish lifestyle.
We took a left at the top of the stars, and found our self standing in the threshold of Dr. Cullen's study. It was wall-to-wall bookshelves, save only for the far wall which had a large landscape window, overlooking the large field behind the house, and had a breathtaking view of the rolling Vermont mountains.
Dr. Cullen, was sitting at his desk, reading an ancient looking leather bond text. I noticed that there were also two small, black boxes on his desk.
Dr. Cullen looked up from his book, and saw us standing in the doorway. "Good morning," He said. "I trust you both had a pleasant night?"
"We did, thank you, sir," I said.
Dr. Cullen chuckled. "You remind me of Jasper. It took him a full year to stop calling me sir."
I chuckled.
Carlisle's eyes started to twinkle with amusement. "And I understand you and Jacob had an entertaining breakfast."
I laughed. "Yes, very internaining."
"Oh, yes, two Alpha males marking their territory," Jane sneered. "How thrilling."
Carlisle laughed. "Just give it a few months, Jane," Carlisle advised. "After that, the boys will grow bored with fighting and they'll move on to someone else." Carlisle paused. "It's not the first time I've had my boys bumping heads."
Carlisle's smile fadded, and his face became serious. "I'd like you both to shut the door, and come take a seat."
I closed the door behind me, and walked over to the two chairs sitting our side of Dr. Cullen's desk. We sat down, still holding hands, and I felt a feeling of deja vu.
The last time I felt this nervous I was in the Colonel's office in Afganistan. He confronted me about being under aged, and was about to throw me out of the Army. But, then I remembered how that conversation played out. I remembered that he offered me a scholarship to Noriwich, and he promoted me. And that's how I meet Jane. Remembering that, I felt... optimistic. Hopeful, even.
"Last night, we had a discussion over how we would treat the two of you," Carlisle began, "Given that the two of you are a special circumstance, it was a rather heated debate. However, we have reached a decision."
I felt my stomach tense. I looked over, and Jane was holding her breath.
I looked back, and Dr. Cullen was now looking at Jane. "Jane, we have decided that if you can abstain from using your ability to inflict pain, you are welcome to join our family."
"Yes," Jane answered instantly. "I'll stop."
Carlisle, nodded, and turned to me. "Sargent Cain, if you so choose, we would welcome you into our family."
I turned to Jane, who smiled back, and nodded.
I faced Dr. Cullen. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
Dr. Cullen smiled brightly. He stood up, and walked around the desk.
We stood up too, unsure of what he was doing.
Dr. Cullen stop infront of Jane, smiled, and held out his hand. "Jane, welcome to our family."
Jane's eye's became glassly. She grasp his hand, and chocked out, "Thank you."
Dr. Cullen realsed his hand, and turned to me.
"David, welcome," he said, holding out his hand.
I smiled, and grasped his cold hand firmly.
"Thank you, sir," I said.
Dr. Cullen released me hand, and turned back to his desk. He picked up the two black boxes, and handed us each one.
"Curtousey of Alice," he explained. "Also, we are going to have guests in a couple of minutes," he turned to Alice, "They are the Denali Coven."
Jane's eye's went wide, and she gasped.
"Before they meet you, and they will meet you as members of our family," the Doctor said firmly, "We need to explain this situation to them. I know I am being rude in saying this, but it would be easier if you were not present for that."
"I understand," Jane said.
Dr. Cullen turned to me, and I nodded.
"Is the guest room still open?" I asked.
He smiled. "David, that's your room now."
I smiled. "Thank you, sir," I said.
Dr. Cullen nodded. "This is your home, too. Both of you. Please, make yourselves comfortable."
Dr. Cullen then excused himself, and walked out.
I turned to Jane. She opened her box, and gasped. Inside was a silver necklass, with a pendante bearing the crest of a lion, a hand, and three clubs. I assumed it was the Cullen family crest.
I looked down, and opened my box. Inside was a woven leather bracelet. On the silver clasp was the same family crest.
I picked it up, set the box down, and released the clasp.
"May I?" Jane asked softly. I turned to her, and smiled.
"Of course," I handed her the bracelet, and held out my wrist. She took the bracelet, and fasted it around my hand. Maybe it was just my imagination, but that click of the bracelet sounded louder and heavier than normal.
Jane held out her silver necklass.
"Could you?" she asked.
"I'd be delighted," I answered.
I took the necklas, and Jane turned around. I draped the necklass around her neck, and fastened it. There was another resounding click.
Jane slowly turned around, and picked up the silver pendant.
"David, I have a last name now," she said softly.
I took a step closer, wrapped my arms around her, and hugged her tightly against me.
"Jane Cullen," I whispered.
We were Cullen's. We had a home. We had a family.
Okay, what did you think? "Jane Cullen" have a nice ring to it? What about "David Cullen"?