Chapter 29
Sophie's POV
Our Boston adventure was the therapy I needed. Carlisle and Esme chose to take me alone in order to keep their attention focused. Trading in the luxury car, we instead decided on taking the red line to Park Street and through the Commons to Newberry from there. The stores we visited were high end with prices that made my gut sink, but the Cullens didn't blink an eye, paying for bag after bag each being arranged for delivery at their home later that day. Our journey took us through the aquarium where I fell in love with the penguins, watched the sea lion show, walked through a hall of jelly fish and marveled at the size of the lettuce eating sea turtle.
A short walk through the North End brought us to a true Italian establishment. "Esme, Carlisle!" the owner's wife greeted both with a warm embrace. "So good to have you join us, and who might I ask is this beautiful young lady?"
"This is Sophie. She's family," Carlisle explained, proudly. "Soph, this is Irene. Her family came over from the old country. Her recipes are the most authentic you'll ever have."
I smiled though eying her carefully. Her eyes were fawn colored much like the Cullens and her skin cold to the touch. My eyes flashed to Esme then back to Irene. She had to be a vampire. I began to wonder how many of the characters of my childhood nightmares might actually exist.
"Sophia, you are a treasure," she touched my curls with delicate fingers. "What beautiful hair."
"Thank you," I was grateful when Esme squeezed me into a side hug.
"I'll take you to your usual table. Right this way," he led us through the exquisitely decorated establishment to a table in the basement with lightly only from crystal chandeliers and wall sconces. On the walls were old oil paintings of the family and I could have sworn I spotted several portraying Irene in the 1600's.
Once settled into our table with lush cushioned seating, I began to look over the menu. Esme and Carlisle, of course, would not be eating; however, they began to sip crimson colored wine from golden goblets. I got the impression the wine was laced with blood.
Of course, they had noticed my lack of appetite of late though they didn't recognize it as an outlet of my control as I did. This meal would get tricky. Embarrassed, I excused myself for a human moment. Inside the bathroom, my finger closed around the pill bottle; its contents were quickly swallowed and I returned to the table wearing an heir of innocence.
Carlisle leaned over to me while I pretended to scan the menu.
"What'd you take in the bathroom? Your blood smells different."
"You can smell my blood?" I exclaimed.
"Yes," he responded, casually. "Now, what did you take?"
"Nothing," I started to say before changing my story, "Just some herbal supplements." It wasn't a total lie.
"Show me," he ordered, calmly. "This isn't the first time I've noticed it in your system."
"That was the last one; I threw the bottle away," I lied, digging myself a deeper hole.
Without a word, he held out his hand and waited. My face grew red and hot; I had not expected him to call my bluff. When I didn't move, he reached for my bag, setting it on the table before me. "My dear, it is time we all started being open and honest with one another. Now, either you show me or I will search your bag. If I have to, we can run some blood work. Either way, I'm going to find out." His tone was gentle, but I knew he meant business. Instead of dragging it out, I opened the purse with a huff. My face turned even redder as I handed over the bottle.
"Thank you," Carlisle said, simply. His facial expression did not change as he read over the label. Inspecting the contents, he found a mix that did not fully match the label. "Ephedrine and caffeine," he sighed. "I am certain it comes as no surprise that ephedrine is a banned substance due to its cause of many deaths. How long have you been using?"
I shrugged, "Ten months, maybe. It helps me keep up."
"I bet it does, but it is also probably the leading cause of all those nasty anxiety attacks that have been plaguing you. Soph, do you trust me?"
I took a moment to consider his questions, "Yes," I answered, honestly.
"Ok then, I'm going to help you get off this junk. The ephedrine stops because of the potential damage to your heart, but the caffeine pills I will regulate and we will back you off slowly to limit withdrawal symptoms. It's not going to be a walk in the park, but we are going to get you back on track."
Esme pressed a kiss to my cheek, "We just want what's best for you, sweetie."
"I know," I sighed. It felt good to be cared for after fighting it for so long. Somehow I managed to get through lunch and on with the rest of the day. Boston was beautiful and so full of life. I could see myself staying here even for college.
Before I knew it, we were getting off the subway and climbing into the car. Together, we rode in silence for some time before Carlisle began to speak. "Sophie, I would like you to consider staying with Esme and I for awhile before going back to Edward and Bella's. We have already spoken to them and we agreed it is your decision. There's some things that need to change, and I think you know what. The partying, the drugs and sneaking out...it stops. You are on a fast track toward a very dangerous end, and kiddo, I love you too much to stand back and watch. I know you've had a horrible year, and I can't even imagine how much you have been hurting, but baby girl, all we want is to love you and help you get back to the girl I know you are. I want to offer you a fresh start. I can get you in with a wonderful counselor if you're interested, but our one focus for the next couple of months is simply to do whatever it takes to get you healthy both physically and emotionally. What do you say?"
I took a deep breath, Esme turned around to face me with a motherly smile on her face, "We're going to get through this together. I promise you."
"Ok," a tear slipped down my cheek, dripping off my chin. "I'll stay." That said, the tears began to flow in earnest. It took me a moment to realize the car was parked in the driveway of the Cullen's estate. Carlisle had the door open and was offering me a hand. I took it, allowing him to pull me from the car and into his arms. Esme joined us, wiping away my tears.
"Shhh, baby girl," Esme soothed, "We have a bright future ahead of us and soon all of this will be behind you."
But I cried...The pain and fear leaked its way out of my body in a healing flow while we stood there beneath the moonlit sky. Things were about to change.
