Chapter 21 – (Claire's POV)
For a while nobody says anything. Shane, Michael, and Eve are all staring at me like they can't believe I'm really here, and I'm staring right back. Then Amelie clears her throat.
'Um… I think that we should give these four some time to… er, catch up.' She turns towards the Cullen's, 'Would you like me to show you where you will be staying?' she asks them.
'Thank you, that would be very kind,' Carlisle nods, smiling but still looking tense. Oliver leaves the room and Amelie and the others quickly follow, Alice and Bells are the last to leave. They stand by the door, unsure on what to do. I smile and mouth, 'go.' They nod and walk out.
For a while after the door closes nobody speaks, then Eve squeals.
'Claire! Oh my God, I can't believe you're here!' and throws herself at me, I hug her back.
(Shane's POV)
Amelie opens the door and we all walk in, I can't wait to see Claire, but at the same time I am really nervous. Which just goes to show… I am still in love with her.
When she sees us, she looks like she's about to leg it. But we're nearest the door and she knows that she'll never make it. She quickly glances away, towards an unfamiliar group of vampires. I don't take my eyes off of Claire, she's all I can see. There's a deathly silence and everyone becomes very tense. After a while Amelie says something, but I'm not paying any attention to her, her and the others quickly escape, two female vamps being the last to leave. That just leaves the four of us alone. The silence stretches longer, and then Eve breaks it.
'Claire! Oh my God, I can't believe you're here!' she squeals. She crushes Claire in a huge hug. With Claire momentarily distracted by Eve, I quickly check her out. She looks great! With long black, shiny hair and her gorgeous brown eyes. Her dress style has also changed, instead of a pair of jeans and a blouse, she's wearing a black cami top and some light blue shorts. And it's all topped off with some black flats. She's absolutely beautiful... But she's not mine.
(Eve's POV)
I can't bear the awkward silence any longer. Claire's back! She's really here!
'Claire! Oh my God, I can't believe you're here!' I squeal, throwing myself at her and hugging her as tightly as I can. She's back!
'Eve!' she says, hugging me back just as tightly. 'It's so good to see you!'
We stand like that for a few more seconds until she pulls back and smiles at me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Shane watching Claire. Claire turns to Michael and gives him a hug as well. I start doing my usual… jumping up and down like a lunatic! When Claire pulls away from Michael she turns towards Shane, but she doesn't give him a hug. Instead she just gives him a shy smile before turning back to me.
'So… you guys going to fill me in on the goings on of Morganville whilst I wasn't here?'
Well… where to start?
(Claire's POV)
After I give Eve and Michael a hug I turn to Shane. For a few seconds everything goes back to being unbearably awkward, but then I smile at him and he smiles back, then I turn to Eve.
'So… you guys going to fill me in on the goings on of Morganville whilst I wasn't here?' I ask. Eve looks at Michael, who looks at Shane, who is still watching me. He hasn't taken his eyes off of me since he first saw me.
And then Eve clears her throat. 'It's quite a long story… perhaps we should sit down?'
(Edwards POV)
We follow Amelie down some long hallways and suddenly we're lead into some big rooms, four in total.
'This is where you shall be staying during your time in Morganville, I hope it's to your liking?'
Esme nods. 'It's beautiful, thank you.'
'My pleasure,' Amelie smiles.
'Um… Where will Claire be staying?' Bella asks.
'Oh, she is staying back at the Glass house with Shane, Eve and Michael,' Amelie replies.
Everyone returns to being tense, and Amelie notices.
'Do not worry, Claire will be perfectly safe. And it's only until you are all free to leave. After that you can all return back home. I can see from your eyes that you are not the same type of vampire as Morganville is used to. I presume you also have different diets..? Will there be anything you need me to get you?' Amelie asks.
'No thank you, we have come well prepared,' Carlisle replies. She nods.
'Yes, well, if there IS anything you need, do not be afraid to ask.' And with that she leaves.
'So…' Carlisle says once she has gone. 'This is Morganville.'