Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
Thanks to all of you who keep reading and to my fabulous BETA Miss. Ellen.
This chapter is from both Bella and Carlisle's POV.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Blood-red Bikini
BPOV
"Is he a good kisser?"
I groaned at Jessica's question, but, refusing to answer, I continued to limp down the hall towards my next class. She hadn't been the only one interested in my relationship with Carlisle, though I had flat out refused to tell anyone the specifics of our relationship. That, of course, hadn't stopped them from asking me, every single day, for the past six weeks.
Alice seemed to think it all quite hilarious and had a large smirk on her face as she walked beside me.
Brat!
My silence, however, had a consequence, in that since I wasn't supplying them with any juicy information, they decided to make up their own, and believe me it was far from G rated. Carlisle had assured me that in the end it didn't really matter what they thought, and while I knew he was right, it was still incredibly annoying.
"Come on, Bella," she continued, "Just tell me. I mean we're friends right?"
Friends? Yes, I suppose we were, but Carlisle wasn't just some high school boyfriend, and unlike Jessica, I didn't enjoy having the whole school know the intricate details of my personal life.
"You know, you might as well just tell her," Alice supplied suddenly, "She's asked you every day since she found out, and she's not going to stop."
"She's right, you know." Jessica added, her smile turning into a broad grin.
Coming to a stop just outside of my English class, I leaned up against the wall and sighed. I suppose it wouldn't do any harm, Alice wouldn't have suggested it if it did. "Fine," I huffed, rolling my eyes, "Yes, Carlisle is a good kisser, in fact he's phenomenal. Now, is that enough to satisfy your curiosity?"
She giggled and bounced on her toes. "I knew it." She screeched. "So… have you two, you know, gone all the way yet?"
That I wasn't going to answer. First off, because, although we had been intimate in a sense, no, we hadn't actually had sex yet. More importantly, it was none of her damn business.
So, without another word I turned toward my class, Alice opened the door, and together we walked in, leaving Jessica standing alone in the hallway.
XXX
CPOV
Our relationship was, as expected, the talk of the town. Despite being in a professional setting, my colleagues were not at all discrete about their thoughts. Many of the male staff complemented me on managing to get such a young girl to share my bed, while the females were a different story completely. Some would whisper behind my back, not understanding what would attract me to such a 'little girl', others accused me of taking advantage of Bella while in a fragile state of health. In the end I knew that it didn't matter, that their opinions, were trivial, that eventually Bella and I would leave Forks and begin our eternity together, and that I would most likely never see or hear from any of them ever again.
Charlie, thankfully, after a very lengthy and heartfelt conversation, came to understand that I truly did love his daughter; that what I wanted most for her was to be safe and happy. I had actually come to find a good friend in the human, which wasn't something I usually allowed myself to do. I had rarely made human friends; it was simply too difficult to have to say good-bye, not to mention the possibility of them finding out my true nature.
I had had a few over the years, Esme for example. There was another, a few years after her; someone I came to not only see as a friend, but as family. Edward was dying of Spanish Influenza; his father had already been taken by the illness, his mother's dying wish was that I save her son. It was the first time I had been tempted to create another immortal, and in truth I just may have, had he not recovered.
I had actually taken him from the hospital the night of his mother's request. I brought him to my home, gave him a bed and a warm place to rest. He had been young, only seventeen at the time and not yet legally an adult. Most who were orphaned became wards of the state and placed in Orphanages. I couldn't allow that type of life for Edward, however briefly; so I assumed his guardianship for those seven months before he came of age. For a short time, I truly felt as thought I had a son of my own.
He never knew what I was, at least I don't believe he did, and while I was sure he knew there was something different about me, he never spoke of it. A year after he turned eighteen, I moved from Chicago, and although I never saw Edward Masen again, I did keep in touch with my friend through letters and phone calls. He ended up going to college and getting a degree in law, following in his father's footsteps. He married a girl named Sarah, had three sons and a daughter. He died, a couple decades ago, in his sleep, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven.
I continued to think of him often.
My mind was pulled from its reminiscing by the sound of my cell phone. Pulling it from my pocket, I looked at the screen. A smile pulled to my lips when I saw that it was my Bella's number.
"Hello, my sweet angel."
She laughed, "Hey. So, you want to tell me why my boyfriend with his perfect vampire memory has somehow forgetten that he promised to pick me up an hour ago."
My eyes flew to the clock on the wall, she was right; I was nearly an hour later than promised to retrieve her. "I'm so sorry, Bella. I guess I got caught up in paperwork and lost track of time."
"I figured that. It's too bad; I was really looking forward to my therapy."
As was I. The workers had finally finished the pool over the weekend, and I had promised Bella we could work on the water therapy techniques, though to be perfectly honest I doubted much actually therapy would be taking place.
"We can still do it, we still have a couple hours before sundown; plus, we had the outdoor heaters put in, so it should be fine." We had actually expanded an enclosed patio area that had already existed, and turned it into a recreation area; in addition to the pool, there was also a spa as well as a game and lounge area.
"Goodie, so when can you get here?"
"Fifteen minutes."
"I'll be waiting."
XXX
As soon as Bella and I entered through the front door, Alice and Jasper made a quick exit. They didn't say why, just that they would be back in a few hours. Bella made her way towards the closest bathroom, I handed her the bag she had brought along and then headed up to my room to change myself. At vampire speed I took off the clothes I had worn to work and slipped on a pair of black swim trunks. Returning down stairs I found Bella still in the bathroom, so I went ahead out to the pool area, turning on the lights and heaters.
I could hear her as she exited the bathroom, the knock of her cane as it hit the floor with each step. I could smell her perfect floral scent that I loved so much, as she grew closer. I turned as the sliding glass door slid open.
She stood there, with a smirk on her perfect lips, "Hi."
"Hi indeed." My eyes raked her exquisite form, which was barely covered in a very small, blood red, bikini.
"Do you like?" She asked, as I moved towards her.
Did I like? I could feel myself becoming aroused at the very sight of her.
"Did you pick that out just for me?" I asked, reaching out and placing my hands atop her bare shoulders. She gasped as I moved to hands to slowly run down her arms.
"You're the only reason I would ever be caught wearing something that exposed this much skin," She sighed.
"Oh, my dear Bella," I breathed, sending peppered kisses down her neck, my hands roamed down the sides of her beautiful curves, "and how I enjoy seeing you in so little attire. But alas we have work to do."
My Isabella squealed in surprise as I scooped off her feet and into my arms, "Ready for you therapy Miss. Swan?" I asked making my way over to the pool.
"Absolutely Dr. Cullen," She said with a grin.
I walked down the steps and into several feet of water before I finally put her down.
"Now, I took the liberty of printing out the techniques that Dr. Wong believes would be the most helpful."
She gave me an annoyed looked, and shook her head. "Are you really going to make me do actual therapy?"
"Think of it this way, it will help with your recovery, and the sooner you are completely mended the sooner we can…" I ran the back of my hand gently down her cheek before letting it slide down to her breasts, "participate in more enjoyable physical activities."
She moaned my name at my touch, "Please… don't make me wait." She reached for me, but I carefully backed away. "Sorry, my beautiful, but Dr. Wong will expect to see results, now, first we need to relax your muscles."
Placing my hands on her hips, I pulled her up out of the water and placed her on the edge of the pool. Taking her right leg, I gently raised it from the water. "Now, this is a simple process," I stated, placing my thumbs on the ball her heal, the rest of my fingers around her ankle. I then slowly began to caress up her leg, over her calves, past her scarred knee, and around her thighs.
I smirked as I watched her hooded eyes darken with lust. Her breathing had quickened, her heart rate accelerated. "Carlisle, this is torture." She groaned.
"No, my dear, this is therapy. Now, please lift your other leg out of the water so I can repeat the process."
XXX
Two hours later we finally exited the pool, followed by a quick shower together, and just as I was preparing to take Bella home Alice and Jasper walked through the front door.
"Enjoy yourselves?" She asked with a knowing grin. I simply nodded while Bella blushed scarlet. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on, Bella, I'll take you home."
"But Carlisle-"
"Is going to be called into work in about fifteen minutes," Alice finished the sentence.
She sighed, obviously preferring my company at the moment, but eventually she shrugged in reluctant agreement. I gave her a kiss good bye and she and Alice left.
And yes, I did receive a call from work soon after. Dr. Gradey had gone home with the stomach flu.
XXX
BPOV
School was finally out for Christmas Break, which was great for several reasons. Most importantly, I would have more free time with Carlisle, but also, I would have two weeks free from having pretty much every student at Forks High asking me questions about my personal life. I was, however, also highly nervous, for in just a matter of hours I would be meeting the rest of my boyfriend's 'extended family'.
There were six in total, though only four would be visiting; still, I couldn't help but be worried. What if they didn't like me? What if they didn't approve of my relationship with Carlisle. What… what if they made him choose, them or me? Part of me knew I was being irrational, but I just couldn't help it. I wasn't one of them, at least not yet. I was just an imperfect, not to mention severely scarred, human being.
"Bella, Carlisle's here."
At the sound of Charlie's voice, my eyes turned to my clock on my dresser, it was only eight, and he wasn't supposed to pick me up until close to ten.
"Coming."
Pushing myself to the edge of my bed, I grabbed my cane, which rested against the side of my headboard and stood. I then slowly hobbled my way out of my room, and down the stairs. My perfect boyfriend was standing next to Charlie quietly chatting. Carlisle nodded his head and chuckled at something my dad had said and then they both laughed.
"Something funny?" I asked, making my way over to them.
"Just getting a laugh at Mike Newton's expense," Charlie said with a grin.
"I really shouldn't have said anything," Carlisle admitted, slipping his hand into mine.
"Why? What happened?" I was beyond curious.
I knew Carlisle all but loathed Mike; apparently it carried a death sentence to hit on a vampires mate. Charlie hadn't been exactly thrilled either, when he found out that Mike had all but cornered me and then attempted to kiss me, without my permission.
"He came in to get his stitches removed. He had actually requested that another doctor do it, but surprisingly, I was the only one available," an almost wicked grin pulled to his lips as he continued. "In my haste to remove them I may have accidently pulled them a little too hard, reopening the wound."
I bit my bottom lip to stop from bursting out in laughter. That was just… awesome.
"I re-stitched him, though this time I used the kind that disintegrate on their own, as I have no desire to see his naked backside ever again."
"I wish I could have seen it," Charlie laughed, "Carlisle said he screamed like a little girl!"
Carlisle grinned and nodded, is golden eyes sparkling. "Three nurses and an orderly rushed into the examination room it was so loud. Of course they were all laughing under their breath by the time they left."
It was funny, though I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy. He had managed to get on the bad side of a vampire, and the Chief of Police, not a good combination.
"Well, I should get going," Charlie remarked suddenly, grabbing his coat from the closet. "I wanted to get a bite at the diner before my shift started. Be sure to take care of my little girl, Carlisle," He added, glancing up at my boyfriend. "I'm sure she nervous as it is, getting to meet the rest of your family for the first time," he said with a chuckle as he took his gun holster belt from its hook, buckling it around his waist.
"Don't worry Charlie, I'm sure they'll love her," Carlisle beamed, squeezing my hand gently.
"I'm sure they will, too. Well, I best be off."
"Okay. Be safe, dad."
"Always am."
And with a final wave, he left us alone.
"Bella," I turned and looked up into the beautiful golden eyes of my love. He smiled down at me, before placing a soft kiss on my lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too." He kissed me again this time with more longing, but then, after several blissful seconds, pulled away "So, you're probably wondering why I'm here so early."
"Yes, but I'd rather go back to kissing and discuss that later." I leaned in for another kiss, but instead of his sweet, cool lips attached to mine, he held my shoulders and straightened up.
"In a moment, first we need to discuss something."
His expression suddenly turned serious, and mine turned worried. "What's wrong?"
"Irina will be joining us for the holidays after all," he explained, with a sigh, "Apparently she and Laurent had a… disagreement and he left."
Well that didn't sound good. I wondered what the disagreement was about. Had Laurent slipped and drank from a human again? I wanted to ask, but in that Carlisle seemed to be purposely vague I decided not to. Plus, if I really needed to know the specifics at some point, I was sure he would tell me.
"Okay. That's fine, the more the merrier, right?"
He gave a small laugh as he raised his hand to cup my face, "You have such a beautiful soul Isabella Swan."
"I'm not the only one," I whispered. Our eyes locked, as we slowly leaned closer.
We sat on my dad's couch making out like a couple of hormone-driven teenagers for over a half an hour before we finally pulled apart. He then offered to take me out to eat, before the big introduction.
A/N: Okay, I know I promised to put Bella meeting Carlisle's family in this chapter, but the chapter was getting way to long, but don't worry it will go in the next, I promise. Did you enjoy the pool scene? There will be a rated M outtake posted, hopefully by next week sometime.