The Twilight Twenty-Five
thetwilight25[dot]livejournal[dot]com
Prompt: Stolen
Pen name: AStarDanced77
Central character: Esme
Rating: M
Photos for prompts 1, 7, 13, 19, & 25 can be found here:
community[dot]livejournal[dot]com/thetwilight25/16325[dot]html
To: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
From: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Party reminder
Alice,
Just a quick note to remind you about Carmen's party on Saturday. She is very much looking forward to seeing you and Jasper, so you need to RSVP to her as soon as you can.
What's this about your brother having a new girlfriend? No-one ever tells me anything.
Love
Mom
P.S. I couldn't help but notice that my hand-stitched red shoes with the diamante inset are missing. You wouldn't happen to know where they could be, do you?
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To: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
From: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: More information required
Mom,
Already done. Carmen and I had lunch on Monday. We had a lovely chat, including some reminiscing about your college days together. Let's just say that my blackmail stash has increased exponentially.
Edward has a new girlfriend? When did this happen? I saw him just last week and he didn't say a word. Come to think of it, he was lurking around Jasper's office with suspiciously neat hair and a huge smile. What's her name and how did you find out?
Love
Alice
P.S. Your red shoes that I adore? I can't imagine where they might be...
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To: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
From: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: No information available
Alice,
I don't know what Carmen could possibly have told you. I was a model student. Just ask your father. On second thoughts, best not.
I only found out because Edward asked if he could bring her to the family dinner next week. I calmly and rationally informed him that she would, of course, be most welcome, bit my tongue firmly to stop myself asking any more questions (you know how your brother is when you ask him questions), and hung up. Then I may (possibly) have squealed like a little girl. Her name is Isabella (though he referred to her in the conversation as Bella). That's all I know. Would it be overly interfering of me to hire a private detective to find out more? I'm not sure I can last until next week.
Love
Mom
P.S. I just spoke to Carmen; she mentioned the lovely shoes you were wearing at lunch. They sounded suspiciously familiar. Have you stolen my shoes?
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To: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
From: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: OMG!
Mom,
Bella Swan? Edward is dating Bella Swan? I didn't even know Edward had met her. How is this possible?
She's the new psychologist at Jasper's practice. I've met her a few times – lovely girl, absolutely no fashion sense. She's just moved here after finishing her Master's degree at the University of Washington. I think she's from some little town in the middle of nowhere. I've been meaning to ask her to have coffee so I can get to know her, since she'll be working with J and doesn't know anyone here. Though, I guess I don't have to do that now!
Jasper and I will be having a little conversation when we get home about the perils of keeping secrets from one's wife.
Love
Alice
P.S. Are you referring to the shoes I rescued from a life of oppression; caged in their shoe-box and sequestered from their peers? That wasn't stealing, that was an act of liberation.
P.P.S. I'm reliably informed that it's not stealing if you intend to give the object back.
()()()()
To: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
From: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Gently does it
Alice,
Don't be too hard on the boy – he's young and new to the responsibilities of husbands. Treat him gently. He may be our only source of information; Edward's certainly not going to share, and your father won't let me hire the private detective.
Love
Mom
P.S. Hmm, possession being nine-tenths and all, I might have to launch a commando raid to rescue the innocent hostages to whom you are so basely denying natural justice. Those shoes want to return to me, their rightful owner. They desire to be reunited with the feet for which they were purchased.
P.P.S I think you will find it is stealing if you didn't first seek permission.
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To: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
From: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Data acquired
Mom,
Here's the story.
It turns out that Edward was in the neighbourhood and popped in to see Jasper one afternoon about three months ago. Bella and J were in his office chatting, so J introduced them. Apparently Edward stopped breathing when they shook hands – J says he's never seen that precise colour on a human face before. They all chatted a little while longer, then the boys left to get a drink. J refuses to tell me what exactly they discussed, but I think we can all guess. Edward 'just happened' to drop in again two days later, on an afternoon when J was busy with a client (hmm, can you smell a set-up!), and asked Bella out for a coffee. Then he 'dropped in' again, and offered to take her sightseeing; which led to dinner, which led to another dinner, which led to... no, I really don't think I can go there about my own brother.
J speaks very highly of Bella; says she is sweet and kind and excellent with the clients. He also says he has never seen Edward so happy. And he gets to see a lot of it. Edward is 'in the neighbourhood' at least once, but usually twice or three times a week. You know how he has been about relationships since Victoria – that's HUGE for him. J thinks this may be the real deal for Edward.
Jasper informs me that to have mentioned any of this to me would break the 'guy code' (bro's before ho's apparently). I have informed him of the error of his ways and appropriate retribution shall follow. He also said he didn't want me 'meddling' and screwing it up. Yes; words were had and more retribution shall ensue.
Love
Alice
P.S. Those shoes fled a hostile homeland, fearful of persecution, to plead for safe quarter in a neutral land. It would be a violation of the founding principles of this land to deny them their sanctuary and send them back to face retribution. Poor little dears...
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To: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
From: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Happiness (but not for your father)
Alice,
I am squealing (very quietly, because your father is watching his history documentary) with excitement. Do I really have to wait an entire week before I get to meet this paragon? Perhaps I could drop in and see Jasper tomorrow. Surely he would appreciate a visit from his mother-in-law if she was bearing his favourite cookies?
Your father, who for once in his life was actually paying attention, snuck up behind me and read this email over my shoulder. He has just forbidden me from going within one mile of Jasper's workplace. I think I'll make him sleep on the guest bed tonight. There will be no lingerie in his immediate future, that's for sure.
Love
Mom
P.S. I beg to disagree! Those shoes were removed from their place of residence; a place, I hasten to point out, that had sheltered and cared for them for years (or at least months). They were removed forcibly on the feet of a foreign invader. The shoes were given no choice; they have no voice or vote in your infidel land. These are shoes of the highest pedigree. It demeans them to have to hobnob with the proliferation of sneakers and, shudder as I do to even mention this word, flip-flops. Our shoes must be repatriated so they can take their rightful place in honour and glory, adored by their compatriots and lauded as they deserve.
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To: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
From: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Cup of tea and a biscuit
Mom,
First of all, ewww. Let me introduce you to the concept of TMI (too much information), and assure you that your ssse—no, I can't even type the words—any intimacy with Dad falls squarely into this category. Though, I might add, if he is still be relegated to the spare room after 40 years of marriage, what chance do the other clueless husbands have?
I recognise that I will also be in your bad books, but I have to agree with Dad on this one. I'm afraid you are going to have to suck it up and wait. Apart from anything else, it doesn't do much from the cool, calm and collected facade you are trying to keep up, if you stalk the poor girl to her office and shove cookies in her face. You need to think long term here. Remember that time that Edward and I tried to befriend the squirrels, and you told us we had to stay very still until they came to us? I think we sat for hours trying to feed them (when you knew full well they weren't ever going to come anywhere near us!). Well, Edward is the squirrel and, I'm afraid, you are just going to have to wait.
That said, come over for afternoon tea tomorrow and we can discuss the matter exhaustedly.
Love
Alice
P.S. I think what you meant to say is that they were liberated from an oppressive tyrant who ruled them with an iron foot. They welcomed the chance of "hobnobbing" (as you say) with a variety of individuals from different social strata as their previous life had been stiflingly correct and proper. Now, as a member of a rich multicultural society where worth is based on merit rather than labels, they are fulfilled and feel a sense of belonging and purpose. And you ask me to cast them back to the harrowing ordeal of your shoe cupboard? Well I say NAY! Never shall I allow those under my protection to be persecuted when I alone can stop it!
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To: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
From: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Lovely cuppa
Alice,
Thank you for the lovely afternoon tea and chat. You are forgiven for your failure to support me against your father's unreasonable demands that I respect Edward's privacy. See you on Saturday.
Love
Mom
P.S. You dastardly thief! Return the purloined objects immediately, lest you be subject to immediate trade sanctions. You have twenty-four hours to return the spoils of your crime spree, or I will be forced to take this matter further. That's right. I shall deny you any home-made lemon cheesecake.
()()()()
To: eacullen(at)gmail[dot]com
From: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Golf clap
Edward,
Bravo! That was a masterly move you made last night. Your strategy was excellent. So good that I can't help but wonder if you had some assistance from your military-history-buff brother-in-law. But I digress.
I have never seen Mom so gob-smacked as when you sailed into Carmen's party last night with Bella on your arm. She had been focussing so heavily on meeting Bella next week that I don't think it even occurred to her that you might take her to the party. You got Bella in, introduced and back out again before Mom had a chance to gather her wits.
Bella seemed to handle the whole thing well, I thought. Have you been wording her up, or is she naturally that confident? Maybe you need to be mental health professional to be able to handle this family. In any case, I look forward to dinner on Wednesday with baited breath.
Give my love to Bella,
Alice.
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To: MajorJ(at)gmail[dot]com
From: eacullen(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Drinks on me
J,
Your plan worked brilliantly. Pub on Friday?
E.
()()()()
To: aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
From: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: A terrible dilemma
Alice,
I cannot decide whether to use the good china for dinner tonight. Would it be welcoming or overly formal? Our every day set seems too casual for such a momentous occasion, but the good china might be a trifle overwhelming. Your father refuses to comment (not that his opinion is remotely helpful); more importantly, he also refuses to let me order new curtains for the dining room. How can he not see how shabby they are getting? Men!
Perhaps the good tablecloths and nice glasses would work. Come over early, and help me set up. It must be perfect.
Love
Mom
P.S. I hope you don't think that I was so overwhelmed by your brother's sneakiness that I didn't notice the shoes you were wearing to Carmen's party. I mean it, no cheesecake for you until they are returned!
()()()()
To: esmeannecullen(at)gmail[dot]com, aliceinwhitlockland(at)gmail[dot]com
From: bellamswan(at)gmail[dot]com
Subject: Thank you
Dear Esme and Alice,
Thank you so much for the lovely dinner last night. I enjoyed it immensely and Edward tells me I have you both to thank. Esme, you have such a beautiful home; you must be very proud. The meal was delicious. I must get the recipe for the lemon cheesecake—it was divine.
Warm regards
Bella Swan
P.S. Alice, I loved your shoes. Where did you get them?
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A/N: This piece was inspired by an email exchange with my sister, over a pair of my shoes which she had borrowed. I feel I should credit her as a co-writer—she is responsible for Alice's responses to the shoe issue!
This is the last of the twilight 25 prompts. Thank you to everyone who has read, and extra specially huge hugs to all who reviewed. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated all your kind words.