"You can't hoard it all for yourself!" The nomad shouted angrily at my father. "I have heard enough to know there is plenty to go around!"
A wandering vampire named Nathan had sought me out and came out here in hopes of getting a portion of my blood. Carlisle had tried to tell the nomad that I was not available and to forget about me and leave, but he wasn't being easily persuaded.
Only Emmett, my parents and myself were home at the time. It had begun peacefully enough, but quickly went sour when I hadn't been produced right away. Once he saw me for himself, he became more determined.
I stood behind Emmett, who had protectively placed himself between me and the vampire, and watched the scene unfold.
"I am afraid you were misinformed." Carlisle continued his attempt to disengage the situation. "The child's blood is not. . ."
"I'm not leaving without a fight." Nathan threatened. "Something this exceptional should not be kept exclusive!"
"I can reassure you, we are not. . ."
"I don't mind." I blurted out. Everyone stopped and looked at me. I can't have anyone in my family getting hurt because me. Especially over this.
"Mia cara. . ." My father began. I knew he thought I was doing this just to keep the peace.
"No, really." I tried assuring him. "It doesn't hurt much and . . ." I shrugged. "I can understand wanting to taste something new after such a long time of drinking the same thing." I know I wouldn't be able to drink the same thing for hundreds of years.
Nathan looked shocked that I was so willing to cooperate. My family, on the other hand, knew me better than that and were more bothered by my-what they considered to be-bizarre behavior.
"There you are." Nathan gestured to me. "The child is more than compliant." He added smugly.
My mother walked over to me and put her arm around my shoulder then looked at her husband with grave concern. He still seemed hesitant, like he was arguing with himself inside.
"I will not stand for anyone biting our child." Esme spoke firmly to him.
"No one has to bite me. You can drain it out through an IV and into a cup." I suggested. That's what Leon used to do. . .
"Hush, Alaina!" My mother ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." I said, dropping my head down and biting the side of my mouth. If it doesn't bother me, I don't see why it bothers her!
"I wont be the last one. There will be others after me." Randall warned. "Are you going to fight them all off as well? "
Carlisle still seemed extremely apprehensive. On one hand, he felt like he was betraying my trust by not protecting me from anyone who stopped by to use me for their own desires, even though I've repeatedly told him it's not an issue for me.
On the other hand, there really IS no harm done by allowing them to drink my blood; I have to return to Volterra periodically anyways for that very same purpose. Finally, is he really going to put the rest of his family in danger by having an ongoing battle with random vampires for the rest of eternity?
"Don't expect everyone else to hold the same pathetic convictions as yourself, Carlisle." Nathan said. "Some will kill to get what they want. Are you willing to do the same?"
I walked slowly up to my father, who's brow was wrinkled in stress over the burden and weight of this monumental decision, and laid my hand on his arm. He looked straight into my eyes and I stared back at him, my face full of meaning. I gave him a little smile, and squeezed his arm in encouragement. It's alright, Dad. I promise.
The prick wasn't nearly as painful as it was with Leon and none the vampires in Volterra bothered with needles at all. They would just bite me and drink directly from the source or cut me with their teeth and let my blood drain into their cup. I was grateful for my father's tender touch and years of medical experience. It was a nice change.
The vampire drank the crimson liquid slowly as if to savor every sip and then set his glass down on the counter and licked his lips. "I see now that neither the flavor nor the instant gratification has been exaggerated."
Carlisle pursed his lips together and nodded politely. "Yes. Now kindly be on your way."
You could have cut the tension in the room with a knife. Carlisle was guilt-ridden, Esme was distraught and Emmett was just plain pissed.
"I don't believe I have drunk from a cup in almost two hundred years." Nathan remarked.
"Get out!" Emmett growled.
The nomad gave a single nod and walked at vampire speed onto the balcony. Before he disappeared, he cast a final glance at me and said to Carlisle, "Just be sure you don't let anything happen to her!"
"I can't believe it's ya'll's graduation day already!" I said to Alice, standing in my bedroom and staring at my calendar in shock. She had called me up here to get me dressed and ready for it.
"You really need to work on your accent." Alice said, kindly, shaking her head in amusement. I rolled my eyes. They were all telling me that all the time, but I just couldn't help it.
"What are you going to wear?" I asked, changing the subject.
She looked at me like I was an idiot. "My graduation gown."
"Oh. . . right." I replied. "This must be so exciting for all of you!"
"Actually, the novelty wore off sometime in the early sixties." She replied, nonchalantly putting my clothing ensemble together.
"Oh. Yeah, I guess it would." I said with realization. Must be nice. To relive the best years of your life over and over again while I have to spend eternity stuck in this 'in-between' age. "I suppose I'll have to be satisfied with living high school vicariously through you."
"Hmm. . . maybe not." Alice said, slyly.
"Why not? What do you mean?" I asked. There's no way I look old enough to actually go through four years of high school. No question about that.
She stood there analyzing me for a moment. "You know, with the proper hair, make-up and clothing combination, I think you might just be able to pass for a 15-year-old."
I couldn't contain my excitement. "Do you really think so!?"
"Possibly." She shrugged. "But certainly no older. It wouldn't be old enough to graduate, of course, but you could at least be a freshman and possibly. . . ."
She was interrupted by a light tap on the door. "Come in!" She said in barely a whisper.
Carlisle and Esme both walked in, hand in hand and stood in front of my bed where I sat, They both looked concerned and I knew immediately what this was about. We had been through this conversation every day for the past week. I didn't mind. I was just so grateful that they were allowing it at all.
"Lanie, dear," My mother began. "Before we we leave, there's a few things we wanted to go over with you."
Here we go again! "Yes, I know." I said, trying not to make myself sound irritated. "Stay close to you, don't talk to very many people and stay away from people I know."
"And remember, the story is we adop. . ." Esme began.
"Of course." I interjected. "You and Dad adopted me while ya'll were away in New Yo. . . "
"California." Carlisle corrected me. "Remember? We told everyone we were going to California."
"That's right! California." I said, nodding. Gosh, I can't believe I slipped up like that! I hope they still trust me.
"Well, I think it should go well!" My dad said, full of optimism.
Like that's even believable! A gorgeous, rich, perfect couple like them adopting someone like me. Everyone will probably think they did it out of pity. Or maybe because some random family member died so I was dumped on their front door step. I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb. Like a family of swans and a one little, ugly duckling.
"Don't you think that everyone's going to think it's weird." I voiced my thoughts without really meaning to.
"Think that what's weird?" Carlisle asked, his brow pulled together in thought.
Isn't it obvious? Haven't they thought about it before? I shrugged. "Ya know, that ya'll are all ridiculously beautiful and light-skinned and stuff and that I'm tanned and . . well . . . not as good-looking as ya'll. You're not going to be ashamed to say I'm yours, are you?"
Instead of my parents acting horrified -like I thought they'd be-at the thought of me believing that, they both burst out laughing. What could possibly be so funny?
"Lanie, you are so silly!" Esme exclaimed, clasping her hands together.
"Well be waiting for you downstairs." My father said with a smile, kissing my forehead and walking out the door with his wife.
I turned around to get dressed and was surprised to see Alice standing there with her eyebrows raised and her mouth twisted to the side in a cocky expression.
"What?" I asked, confused.
She shook her head slowly. "Don't you know you're beautiful?"
"Well . . . I know I'm better looking than I was before."
She sighed. "I already know there's no point in me trying to tell you so. You'll just have to be convinced by someone a little darker and warmer than myself."
"Huh?"
"Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!" I squealed, walking into the high school gym with my parents.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." Carlisle said with a hint of humor in his voice.
I admit, I felt a little pathetic about how excited I was acting, but this was the first time I had gone out in public in a long time. It was kinda nice being around other humans again. Though, I had forgotten how noisy the sound of their thoughts were.
"Dr. and Mrs. Cullen!" A woman greeted.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Lawrence." Carlisle returned with a smile and nod.
"We're all so thrilled you decided to come back to Forks and grace us all with your presence." The woman said somewhat snidely.
"Thank you." My father returned, cordially. "We are very happy to be back."
"And who is this?" She asked, smiling at me.
"This is our newest daughter, Lanie." Esme introduced me. "We are pleased to announce she joined our family in the short time we were away."
"Oh, lovely!" She complimented. "Well, she certainly meets up to your standards." And with that, she sauntered off.
"What did she mean by that?" I asked neither one of them in particular.
"That's what is known as being 'passive aggressive', mia cara." Carlisle told me.
I wasn't sure what he meant, and thought she was being real nice until I read her thoughts. "She's just jealous because you're prettier than she is." I told my mother.
"Alaina!" Esme scolded.
"What?!" I threw my hands up. It's the truth! What good is mind-reading if you can't share it's benefit with others!?
She opened her mouth like she was going to say something but then sighed. "We should go to our seats now."
My father led us to a row of chairs that were labeled 'RESERVED' and we immediately sat down directly behind Jasper and Alice. There was still a little time before the ceremony was going to start, so I thought I would spend the time listening to what people were thinking about me.
What is the deal with that couple? Isn't five children enough?
Wow! She's so pretty!
She looks a little different than the others. But I can figure out exactly why. . .
Must be nice to be added to such a well-to-do family.
I wonder what her name is. Maybe I'll ask her. . .
"What's your name?" It took me a second before I realized the voice was coming from a girl behind me. I turned around to answer.
"Oh! Uh. . . Lanie. Lanie Ke. . . Cullen." From the corner of my eye, I saw both my parents flinch as my near mistake. "My name is Lanie Cullen." That was the first time I heard the name out loud.
"So the Cullens adopted you then, huh?" The girl asked. She had short blonde hair and was around my age.
I shook my head. "Yeah. That's right."
She lowered her voice a little and leaned towards me. "The guys in your family. . . they are all so hot!" She said, as if she were excited about it.
Oh, my gosh! Don't say that! They're my family. They are NOT suppose to be hot. That sounds so weird! I let out a short, nervous chuckle. "I suppose so." I glanced over at Carlisle and Esme who were amused by my awkwardness.
"Especially your dad." She continued on, much to my chagrin. "He is such a DILF!"
I almost choked. That poor girl! If she only knew that Carlisle and Esme could hear every word she was saying, I can't imagine how she would feel. But that's OK. I'm embarrassed enough for the both of us.
"Is he 'seeing' anyone?" She asked.
"Uh . . .yeah. My mom, actually. And they've picked out furniture together so I thinks it's pretty serious." I joked. I heard my parents both snicker at my remark.
"Aren't all your brothers and sisters dating each other?" She questioned as if it were the town gossip.
"S. . .sorta." I answered. If you consider being married for 60+ years 'dating'.
"I mean, are they siblings or are they couples?" She pressed. Apparently this girl wasn't going to stop until she got an answer.
"They're both! Ya know, just like 'The Chipmunks and The Chipettes'!" I replied, laughing a little at my comparison.
"You don't have anyone." She pointed out.
I shrugged and shook my head 'no'. Not really. . .
"Sucks to be you." She commented smugly and leaned back onto her chair. Yep. Sucks to be me. I scoffed out loud. You have NO idea!
My mother tapped my shoulder. "Turn around, baby. It's time for it to start."
Jessica Stanley took the podium."When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like Astronaut, President or, in my case, a princess. When we were ten, they asked again our answers were Rockstar, Cowboy or, in my case, a Gold Medalist. . . ."
Suddenly, I had an urge. Oops! I probably should have thought to do this before now. Maybe I can hold it in. Nope, that's not going to work either, darn it!
I squeezed my mother's hand and she looked down at me to see what was wrong. Although, she seemed to already know. "I have to go to the bathroom." I told her.
She seemed hesitant and I got the feeling she was planning on going with me. Which, of course, there was no way I'm going to allow that. I mean, I'm 13-years-old for Pete's sake. Granted, this is a special set of circumstances, but still. . . . it would be demeaning.
Esme looked over at her husband in question and he gave her a single nod.
"Please be careful." Esme whispered to me as I was getting up. I smiled my assurance at her.
Little did I know that in just a few short moments, I was going to fully find out what I and my abilities were really capable of!
Thank ya'll so much for all your wonderful reviews! And don't forget to tell me what you think of this latest chapter! (or the whole story in general ;) )
There's much more to come! ^_^
LindseyCullen12: Yes, Renesmee will be in the story, whenever the story gets to Breaking Dawn. I already have stories for the two of them.