A/N: It's here, the beginning of a new saga. And how good it feels to dictate over the lives of the characters in my story. Also dictated upon is my now severely reduced story alerts, because sometimes you just have to let go when enough time has passed. So I'm on the lookout for something new.
Thanks once again for all the reviews, alerts, favourites I can't say it enough.
My disclaimer once again states: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga.
Chapter Thirty Five: Atrox Flavia
May 2th 1933
Temptation was rife. Regardless to whether one was mortal or immortal, we were all taken in by the ambiance of the atrium, and the rows upon rows of glass counters. Every surface was polished and buffed; expectantly made of the most high end materials that glittered and sparkled under the soft lighting.
From the moment one passed through the revolving doors, had their coat and hat taken by gallantly dressed staff member, it was a completely different world. Where even the ceilings were dressed with ornate mouldings and carved cornices. Where everything was perfect and beautiful, where nothing could possibly go wrong if one simply had money.
Floor after floor towered above the entrance, filled to the brim with exclusive items. There was something terribly exciting about the department store.
And so, with little mind of where to start we began to happily amble. Walking the jewellery cases and admiring the outlandishly garish beauty of the highly valued pieces. There were stool's position every couple of yards, playing host to the wealthy as they admired items on velvet display trays. Appropriate sounds were made as sales assistances presented the exclusive goods, making a show as they held them lithely in their nimble fingers, deliberation in catching the light.
With their attentions firmly taken, Esme and I were able to avoid too much bother. Eventually, finding ourselves trailing contently through the racks of beautifully tailored clothes and rolls of fabric. Unlike once upon a time, where wedding dresses were merely one's best gown, and could be worn again and again. They were now merely worn once, before being put away, only ever to be gazed upon it times of reflection.
Which turns out was quite fine by me, such colours as white and cream were hardly practical for daily use. And the sheer amount of lace and ribbons sewn onto hems, collars and seams were truly ridiculous.
"I confess I have not the slightest idea to what I'm looking for." I mused, continuing to flick leisurely through the rail of gowns.
"I know the feeling." Esme agreed. "I was most adamant I wanted a simple two piece, skirt and blouse with no fuss. And we both know how that ended." She smiled, rolling in topaz eyes.
"But your gown and veil were so beautiful, it's no wonder you changed your mind."
"True." She nodded. "Although it's been over a decade since my nuptials, and the styles have changed a bit."
With no real idea in mind, between the two of us we ended up with a horde of different kinds of dresses. Bombarding our requests upon a young sales assistant; who diligently guided us towards the dressing rooms, before scurrying off to get the correct sizes. Esme decided to take a diligent seat outside my small room, in order to deliver her most honest opinion, and to aid me in the lacing, buttoning or zipping up of garments. Since I had little desire to explain to the human dresser why my torso was marred with such scars. Especially the one that most resembled two sets of teeth that would be most awkward.
"Are you ready for the first?" Esme questioned.
"Probably not." I replied. "But indulge me nevertheless."
It was many dresses later, after copious pulled faces and grimaces that I came across a promising sight.
"This one is nice." I confirmed, running my hands along the sleek material. "It's less…extravagant than the others."
"It's beautiful." Esme said, all the while her fingers working away to tighten the slack laces at the back. Once finished, she stood back, her eyes flickering over the dress before gracing me with a dizzy smile.
"Well." I prompted.
"You look stunning." She gushed, pushing me towards the full length mirror. For the first time I was able to regard the dress in full. It was cream, relatively simple with a lace bodice. Perhaps not a modern design; but then again neither was I, a remnant of a past decade.
Regarding myself in the dress was a more difficult task, I was naturally critical of the things I wished to change. I had already decided to decrease the amount of ribbon on the bust and cuffs, and there was no way I was walking with a train. But past these improvements I would undoubtedly make to my own, I was delightfully enchanted by it.
"You know I'm quite surprised, the long lace sleeves have really grown on me." I mused. "I should very much like to add them to my own design... I shall have to shop for lace. There's an idea I've always scoffed at."
"You could always use the needle lace from my veil." Esme offered.
I'm sure my neck almost snapped at the speed I turn at her words, such sincerity made an uncle table lump grow in my throat. "Esme." I said thickly. "I can't accept that, it's your wedding dress. You treasure it."
She nodded. "But what good is it sitting idle in my armoire, I shall never wear it again."
"But what if you and Carlisle get married again."
"I shall buy another." She said. "Consider it your something borrowed."
"I don't know what to say." I confessed. "I'd be honoured. But...are you really sure? Because once I see it and fall in love with it, there's no going back."
"I'm quite sure." She smiled.
"Well." I breathed. "I guess I've decided on this style, I can't quite believe it. Truly is it supposed to be this easy? I was under the presumption it was a long drawn out process, where one would spend days, weeks even months looking for the perfect one. And look here I am...I'm rambling. Sorry."
"Overwhelming, isn't it?" Her fingers raked rhythmically through my hair, sorting through the tangled snarls and setting them pretty about my face. And whether she knew it or not, it was a soothing action.
"Exceedingly." I replied. "I never thought I of all people would be getting married."
"Why ever not?"
I listened around us to make sure there were no humans within hearing range, lowering my voice regardless. "You know I have no memories of the past, but upon awaking from the change I had retained the use of words and I was still literate. When asked, I could give a perfect definition of things, even if I couldn't recall them. Upon recalling items like books, there was a sense of familiarity. Yet when people spoke of marriage… the whole notion was very…alien. That's why I was dubious to having been engaged in the past, the whole idea was not recognizable to me."
"And now?" She prompted.
"Now I find myself in love, and marriage is very agreeable." I confessed, absentmindedly running my hands along the dress satin.
"Well I'm delightfully ecstatic for the both of you, and if you don't mind me saying….It was about time."
"You're right." I laughed. "It's only taken fifteen years with a nine year sabbatical in between. Not a recommendation for any relationship, but I guess we got there in the end."
""Anything worth having is worth fighting for." She quipped.
"Oh I certainly hope so, but then again didn't Jefferson also say: the world belongs to the living not the dead. Look how that turned out for us."
After getting far too emotional and philosophical for my own liking, the experience was quickly rectified as we exited the department store having spent an eye watering amount. Layed down with bags, containing what could only be described as a horde of expensive items, deemed only necessary by the female race. Things that would no doubt clutter my vanity desk, and confuse Edward to no end. Because explaining why I had pearl headed bobby pins had been enough of a trial.
After successfully managing to relocate the car in the sea of identical Fords, we stashed the bag away. Reapplying a layer of rouge in the window; before taking to Second Street in search of the lawyer's office. Hoping to catch Carlisle and Edward before they finished with the deeds meeting.
Although a short distance away, the walk was slight accosted by the sheer number of people who had all decided that this particular Tuesday was the perfect day for a city amble. Or perhaps the news of the 'Strange Spectacle on Loch Ness' and reports on its monster, were just too enticing not to share. Either way, I was forced to step into the road gutters more times than I cared to count. Lucky for me the last few days had been rain free, so the storm drains were dry.
Our plans of meeting in the lawyer's office were scuttled upon being informed that our counterparts had left, now on their way to the estate realtor to finalise the document transactions. Which meant we were now the proud owners of a grand house in Waynesville, North Carolina. And so in celebration we took to the drapers in search of fabric samples.
Eventually, as the sun began to fall into the horizon, and the light started to fade we reluctantly admitted defeat. Shops bought in there outdoor advertising, and slowly the days training came to a halt.
We once again managed to find the car; now sat quite alone in the empty lot. It was quite a pity it was still here, people just didn't have the dexterity to steal anymore, or maybe they were all too wise to how awful the Ford was. But I'm sure it still had a scrap value.
Regardless, we left the city centre as the sun set; passing groups of young people on their way to the now legal bars. The novelty of being able to buy an alcoholic drink had still not worn off, even for the likes of me, and I sincerely hoped Tanya was up for some bar hopping during the next visit.
"Do you think you will miss Rochester?" Esme questioned.
"Hmm a little." I replied, fingering the fraying stitching on the upholstered chair. "I'll miss the lakes; I haven't really ever ventured far from them. It will be strange."
"We can always come back, it's not like we're restricted by time."
"Eventually. But perhaps I should at least try and see the rest of the fifty two states. Maybe even go to another country...there is a lot of world to explore. While also skilfully managing to avoid Italy."
The happy banter that usually accompanied most car journeys came to an abrupt end, the moment we arrived home. The very second we stepped down from the vehicle.
It was easy to see something was not right, we could tell from the offset. The sickly sweet smell of spilt human blood lingered far too close to the house, splatters and drops visible along the path, up the steps, on the porch. In the depths of my mouth venom began to pool, the burning fire raging in desire. Esme's audible gulp signalled my own, before we exchanged a foreboding look of dread.
Nothing good ever accompanied the smell of human blood.
The Cadillac's rear door was wide open; one curious look was enough to make the burning in my throat tenfold. The once pristine cream upholstery, was now saturated an incriminating burgundy.
"W-what's going on?" Esme whispered rhetorically. Her hand grasping onto my arm tightly, and darkened gaze now turned deliberately away from the bloody motorcar. As we reached the whimsically shaped path, the thundering of a human heart beat became all too clear. And with it, the uncomfortable groans and shrieks. It was loud, frightfully so, both of us flinching and shying away from such an abrasive noise. But there was now little doubt in my mind, I'd heard it all before.
"A change?" I mumbled out. Beginning to recall all those other times I had been in a situation such as this. We should rush in, determined what was happening, I should be able to help where I failed last time. But going in is a scary thought. I'm selfish creature and I don't like change. I'm perfectly content with how thing are.
Yet I can feel Esme's eyes on me, and I sincerely hope she's not looking for some kind of direction.
My body lurches forward in fright when the front door creaks open; we still haven't got around to oiling that hinge. I realise eventually that it was Edward standing upon the porch; I was guiltily relieved to find his eyes still topaz, glinting darkly, but still golden.
"Something's happened." He stated grimly.
A/N: Introducing another character is so daunting; I went through so many different scenarios to this chapter. Even having Bella finding Rosalie, but I think the way I have written her makes her far too selfish and wary to change another person. She'd rather see them put out of their misery then become a vampire.
And although Carlisle didn't change her to become Edward's mate, I like to think he hoped to give her another chance. Which he may come to question…she's not exactly a bag of sunshine.