Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
TDF
Thursday, October 20, 2011 – 11:27 am – The Cullen's home, Port Angeles, WA
"You have got to be kidding me," I mumble to myself as I pull my car down a long tree canopied drive up to the biggest house most beautiful home I have ever seen.
The picturesque perfection of this modern home overlooking the water makes me think of a photo shoot from Architecture Digest. I am afraid the mere presence of my beloved but dingy old jeep lowers the property value by a cool million.
I am contemplating leaving and claiming I got lost, when Alice knocks on my window.
"Move your ass, Swan, we don't have all day."
Begrudgingly, I gather my paperwork, exhit my vehicle and trudge up the porch stairway behind Alice.
Before we can even ring the doorbell, Esme opens the door and greets us both with enthusiastic smiles and hugs.
"I was sorry to hear that the Brewers didn't make it to the World Series," I tell Esme as she hugs me.
"Yes, it was unfortunate, but those Cardinals are on a roll," she admits. "Don't worry, Emmett will get his ring and his place in the hall of fame."
Alice and I just smile and nod as we step into the awe inspiring foyer.
"Come along girls, we have a lot to talk about," Esme instructs as she shuts the door and leads us through the house.
Taking in my surroundings, I can't help but feel that I am in over my head.
TDF
"I really think our only problem is location," Esme concludes.
Esme lead this meeting like a high powered business woman. Alice and I barely got a word in, too busy listening to Esme speak, eating the amazing lunch and tea she prepared from scratch and staring at the view of the ocean from the Cullen's dining room.
"We need a location that is large enough to house an art gallery and classrooms on one floor, with a café, used bookstore, and artisan's boutique on another floor. We would probably also need room for offices and a conference room."
"There is nowhere in town that could hold all of that," I sigh, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
"Outside of one of the empty warehouses," Alice adds. "There is nowhere I can think of. And I know we cannot get a loan or private funding to build from scratch."
"I agree. That is why I have looked into available residential real estate," Esme explains handing us packets of available homes near the downtown area. "All of these homes are large enough to house what we need, and can be renovated to suit our needs if we can get the city to rezone."
Esme has really done her homework and I am feeling like an amateur compared to all the progress she has made in the past few weeks. My notes and proposals look like they were written by an idealistic high schooler and I want to hide them, but Esme has been so supportive of our ideas and work that what I really want is her approval.
"Some of these houses need a lot of work," Alice comments as she flips through the prospective buildings.
I reach the last page and freeze, "This is the Denali house, it isn't for sale. Irina and Tanya plan on dying in that house."
"I am pretty sure Irina has mentioned that she has written it into her will that the town is to set fire to the house with her inside it when she dies," Alice laughs as she reads over the information on the Denali house. "That is how strongly she feels about the possibility of her house falling into the wrong hands."
Alice is right, the Denali sisters love their house almost as much as they love their cats, they would never sell it. That being said, the house is the ideal location for our project. Right outside of downtown, close to both campuses, it has three floors and a basement, and would require minimal exterior renovation. Best of all it is listed at a rock bottom price.
"The deed isn't entirely in their name," Esme explains. "Sixty percent of the house is in the name of their nephew Riley Beers. We have a meeting with him next week."
The whole thing sounds too good to be true, but I have to trust in Esme, keep an open mind, and keep my mouth shut around the sisters this weekend.
TDF
"I will admit that it was nice to be an empty nester with Carlisle for a while," Esme giggles while we finish our lunch.
As is typical with an Alice attended business meeting, personal talk and gossip was not permitted until after all official business was discussed. Alice quickly led Esme into discussions about her home and family, and again I have just sat here smiling, nodding, listening, and feeling like an idiot.
"When Edward left for Chicago with Jane, sheesh, that was ten years ago. Carlisle and I sold the house in Forks, bought our dream house on the water and enjoyed being a couple again. But it is so nice to have both my boys back with me now… and Rosalie, too."
Esme beams when she talks about the men in her life, but the way she says the names of her daughters-in-law make me think that Rosalie might not be wrong when she says Esme doesn't like her. Which is hard to believe when every experience I have had previously with Esme has lead me to believe she is incapable of hating anyone.
"I have yet to meet Emmett," I tell Esme. "But I have spoken to Rosalie quite a bit lately."
"And what do you think of my daughter-in-law?"
Rosalie may be a bit of a demanding bitch, but the way Esme is acting makes me want to stand-up for the poor girl even if I have to be a bit diplomatic with my verbage.
"I don't know if she told you, but she is on the committee for the Literacy Fundraiser at the library next weekend," I explain. "I have been blown away by her tenacity and enthusiasm for the project. She is really giving this her all."
Esme raises her eyebrows in surprise before smiling calmly, "That is good to hear, Rosalie needs to find more motivation outside of herself to participate with others and give back. She has always seemed to me a bit internally focused. Perhaps this is a sign she is changing for the better."
"I have yet to meet her," Alice comments. "But we could always invite her to help with our cultural center project."
"Oh, I think it is better to let Rosalie start with baby steps, Alice. Let's not over extend the poor girl. We will see how she does at the OYLL Fundraiser and take it from there," Esme responds.
Alice is obviously equally taken aback by this new side of Esme as I am, and surreptitiously gives me a look of wide eyed shock and concern. But, before Alice has a chance to reply, her phone starts to ring, pulling us from our discussion.
"Oh goodness, that is Angela, I didn't even realize what time it is," Alice admits. "I have to get back to the café and Bella you need to get to the library."
Looking at my watch, I realize if I don't leave soon I will arrive to a lecture from Mrs. Cope, but before I can gather my things, Esme stops me with a tentative hand to my arm.
"Bella, do you mind if I talk to you in private before you leave?" Esme asks me with a sweet smile and I cannot even consider saying no to her.
TDF
Alice leaves pretty quickly with a whispered promise to call me at work so we can dish over the surprising turn our meeting took today. Esme leads me into the living room, sitting me down next to her on the love seat near the fireplace.
"Bella, I have to say I am just so impressed with you, Alice, and this whole project. Giving back to the community in which one lives, is one of the most important things a person can do in their life. Creating a community arts and education center is something this growing town needs, and I believe you and Alice are just the two women to do it," she smiles and pats me arm.
I can't help but feel like she is cushioning the inevitable blow she is about throw my way. I have seen two different Esme's today and I am having trouble reconciling the two sides of her personality. There is lovely, kind, and intelligent community leader Esme Cullen. And then there is overprotective Mama Bear Cullen.
I was just complimented by Esme Cullen and my spidey senses are telling me that Mama Bear Cullen is about to take a swipe at me with one of her claw sharpened paws.
"Now, I was so excited to hear that my Edward has decided to court you. After that terror of an ex-wife left him I was worried that he was doomed to a bachelor's life. But you are just the type of woman he needs, intelligent, independent, community minded, and pretty," she keeps patting my arm.
"Esme, that is so kind of you. I am flattered. I can tell how much you love your sons and how protective you are of them. Your approval means the world to me."
"Not so fast, darling." Esme's kind affectionate pats turn into a claw around my wrist. My eyes go wide and I instinctively try to pull away, but Esme holds fast.
"I recently heard that you are also dating Teddy Masen," she eyes me and I just nod in response.
"My son has been hurt enough in one lifetime, not only by a cheating and deceitful woman, but by Teddy Masen, too. And I don't want to give either of you the chance to hurt him, again. So while I understand that it is en vogue now for a young woman to date multiple men and 'play the field,' I encourage you not too dawdle and make your decision before you hurt more people than you intend.
"I am a strong ally, Miss Swan. But I am an even stronger enemy. You make your decision while our working relationship is still salvageable."
With that she releases my wrist with one last pat and gives me a kind smile as I nod and mumble 'yes ma'am.'
I cannot get out of this big, beautiful house quick enough.
TDF
AN: This is the only post for the day. Have a 13+ hour work day and I was able to run home on my lunch hour to get this to you, but I won't get a chance to post again. But Saturday and Sunday will be full of lots of posts…so yay?
Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on Mama Bear Esme Cullen!
Have a great Friday lovely readers!
