Some of you have interesting theories. I like it. Some are really close to the plot I wrote, others no so much.
They arrived in the early evening at Edward's house. Bella managed only two steps away from the car when Alice rushed to her vampire speed. Alice hugged her tightly, then snatched her away.
"Alice, this isn't necessary," Bella protested.
Alice took her to a familiar room: Rosalie and Emmett's room. Rosalie was at the vanity, painting her nails.
Bella sat at the foot of the bed, staring at her own chipped nails.
"He's hogging you," Alice explained, sitting down in the middle of the king sized bed. "We're going to have a girls' night."
"And you have to explain what sort of witchcraft you used to defile our prudish, little Edward." Rosalie caught her eyes through the mirror.
The door of the bedroom opened to reveal a murderous-looking Edward. "Not that it's any of your business, but it was my idea and I was a willing participant. Rosalie, can we have a word?"
She tossed her blonde locks over her shoulder, capped the bottle of nail polish, then stood gracefully. She walked to him, wrapping her arm around his extended elbow. It was the picture of mannerism ripped out of the eighteenth century.
Bella noticed Alice's eyes glazing over in a familiar way. She was having a vision. Her frown deepened, then she smiled.
"So let's do your nails while we catch up more, Bella."
"What was that?"
"Oh, don't worry. Let's hope Emmett sees reason when he finds Edward and Rosalie embracing outside the house."
"What," Bella gasped. Bella had figured out that they were going to talk about Rosalie's lapse of judgment when she had met her singer. "Emmett surely knows better. I mean…"
"Yes, but when you see your mate connecting with anyone else, even a close one, you don't think straight. You feel helpless that you couldn't help, and someone else does. It doesn't matter both Rose and Edward are invested in their own separate relationships."
Bella frowned, staring at her hands as Alice took her nail polish off.
"Imagine you walking in on them not knowing what was going on," Alice said gently.
Bella could envision the picture Alice was trying to paint, but she'd know that Edward would never look at another woman the way he looked at her.
"You might not know this, but when Carlisle turned Rose, he did it with Edward in mind. He'd hoped Edward would find a mate in her. It didn't take long to realize they despised each other. It had been a low blow on Rose's ego to be dismissed like that. She was used to men complimenting her beauty. Everything she tried to get Edward's attention failed. He'd been there for her through her dark newborn years, but he was never interested in more." Alice brought over the nail polish bottles. "Until you."
Bella gasped, startled by the story. She didn't know that. "How could he not see how beautiful Rosalie is?"
"He simply wasn't interested. He was content with the life he had. That decision to interfere in his solitary love life had happened after he left Carlisle and Esme for the first time. His rebellious years."
"I think that's enough, Alice," Edward spat from the doorway. His eyes were on Bella's shocked face. "Bella's nails can wait. I hear Carlisle's car approaching."
Alice sprung out of the bed, rushing out of the room.
"We're going to talk about this when all the excitement dies down," Edward said softly.
"You'll tell me when you want. I don't mind if it's tomorrow or in ten years." Bella went to him, wrapping her arms around him. "So you actually suffer from bad eyesight. I knew it!"
"My vision is perfect, love."
"We're talking about Rosalie, Edward. Have you seen her?"
"Her beauty fails in comparison to yours. Besides, beauty is not all about looks, I thought you knew that."
"That's right. She never teased you with her tantalizing blood," Bella teased.
Edward rolled his eyes, taking her hand. "They should pull up in a minute. Let's head downstairs."
.
.
.
Rosalie kept a strong hold on Edward's arm as they strolled outside, heading toward the river behind the house.
"I didn't get to say hello properly," Edward started.
"You demanding me to go check on Bella the other night was the best welcome back here." Rosalie smiled, touching his forearm. "I now understand what she means to you."
"You've known from the beginning, but you refused to accept that I've fallen in love."
"Maybe." She stopped near the river, turning to face him. "Can you blame me? All those women who threw themselves at you, yet you stood in front of their beauty and desires, then this human girl appears in your life…and creates havoc."
"Quite literally." Edward chuckled.
It's really good to see you happy. Rosalie squeezed his elbow. Thank you for talking me through that dark times not that long ago.
"You know I'm always there, Rose. I'm glad you listened to me."
Emmett is very grateful, though he might not admit it to your face.
Rosalie gasped, her thoughts trained on what she was hearing from the house. Alice was telling Bella more than she should about their past.
"Go back. I know you want to," she said gently.
"If you ever need to talk about the incident, I'm here. I completely understand the way you feel."
Rosalie surprised him by wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. It was worse than Alice's vision. Edward hoped Emmett wouldn't interrupt them, like he'd seen in Alice's mind.
Because he was a gentleman at the core, Edward wrapped his arms around Rose, returning the hug.
Emmett doesn't understand. God knows he tries, but he can't. He's been young when he came across his singers, but I had almost a century of self-control.
"Rose, when I first caught Bella's scent…" Edward shuddered. "I hadn't fed properly in weeks, then there she was. You have no idea how I wrestled with the monster within me. All I could see was Carlisle's disappointed face. When the thirst got the best of me, every other minute or so, I reminded myself of who I was. I wasn't a killer, even though every fiber within me wanted to spread Bella's delicate body on that Biology desk and sing my teeth in her neck, to taste that delectable nectar."
You're second after Carlisle with this steel strength when it comes to human blood.
"There might have been a rational part of my brain seeing Bella for the beautiful person who she was, apart from the blood-frenzied monster who wanted to drain her veins."
"I guess that's what saved her. You fell for her."
Edward inclined his head.
You better run faster than me! Emmett was barreling through the trees from his walk with Jasper.
"I better head back inside to save Bella from Alice."
Edward pulled away from Rose, looking in her dark amber eyes, a reminder of what had happened. Then he kissed her hand, rushing back inside the house as Emmett jumped over the river.
"Don't be an idiot!" Rose chided her husband. "We continued that conversation we had after the incident."
If I didn't know you were committed to Bella, I'd rip your hands off! "I see, babe."
"You are an idiot," Edward stated clearly, stopping outside their bedroom.
Alice was just finishing telling Bella about the time he'd left the Cullens. By some miracle, Bella didn't look too upset at the news.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, walking downstairs just as the front door opened. They stopped at the bottom on the stairs.
Son, it's so good to see you! Carlisle smiled brightly.
My beautiful boy! And look at Bella, what an amazing woman she turned out to be! Esme opened her arms.
Edward didn't need more invitation. He stepped into Esme's embrace, pressing his cheek to the top of her head.
"I'm incredibly sorry, Esme. I know I promised to never do it again, but this time round, I plan on keeping my promise," he whispered.
Do not worry, my darling boy. Now let me see Bella. Esme drifted toward Bella who was rooted where I'd left her at the bottom of the stairs.
Her heart was beating erratically, like she was afraid. Edward turned his head to Jasper, and he met his eyes.
She's terrified, he confirmed his suspicions.
Carlisle's greeting had to wait. He'd understand.
Edward spun around, catching Esme's shoulder before she could reach Bella. "Don't," he said softly, only for her.
"Bella, love." Edward reached Bella fast, enveloping her in his arms. She pressed her face into his shirt. A loud sob erupted her chest.
Shit, Edward. Her emotions are all over the place. She's scared and worried yet extremely happy.
"Love," Edward tried again, rubbing her back.
Son? What's wrong?
Edward met Carlisle's worried eyes, shaking his head. He had no idea.
"Allow us a minute," Edward told the others faster than Bella could catch.
What felt like a lifetime of soaking his shirt later, Bella pulled away, looking around with blotchy eyes. Then a gasp caught in her throat.
"They allowed us a moment of privacy. What happened? What scared you?"
Bella chewed her lower lip. Edward tugged her lip free before she could draw blood.
"I can't look Esme in the eye, knowing I ripped you away from them. I'm the reason the family fell apart."
Edward chuckled, shaking his head. He caressed the back of his fingers over her blushing, wet cheek. "We were so worried you were somehow scared of Esme, and here you surprise me again. You were worried that you've hurt her."
"But it's true!" Bella retorted, hotly. "Besides, scared of Esme? She's the most inoffensive of you lot!"
"Oh, sweetheart!" Esme was by their side before Bella could finish talking. The movement startled her, but she smiled nonetheless.
Edward allowed them to hug and talk, while he went into the living room. He stopped at Carlisle's side, suddenly uncertain how to approach the apology to the man who'd created him and loved him openly, offering him the best and being there through his darkest hour. Edward didn't deserve Carlisle's kindness.
No words are needed, Edward. Carlisle pulled him into a tight hug. Do not bemoan your actions.
Edward hung his head.
"Carlisle," Bella's teary voice came from behind him. He turned to embrace her, whispering into her ear to not feel guilty because it wasn't her fault.
Her scent has changed, Edward. Have you noticed it?
Carlisle met Edward's eyes over Bella's shoulder.
"That's absurd." Edward pulled Bella into his arms, pressing his nose to her hairline. The same torturous ambrosia invaded his senses, as flames erupted in his throat.
It's sweeter somehow, Carlisle insisted.
"I can't tell," Edward admitted.
Their one-sided conversation got the others' attention.
Follow me upstairs with Bella, son.
Edward resisted the urge to shout after Carlisle that Bella was fine. Maybe age had changed something in her blood, though he couldn't tell. And he should be the first to notice.
"Carlisle wants to speak with us in private," Edward whispered in Bella's ear, leading her upstairs.
They found him in what used to be his and Esme's bedroom.
"Bella, I'm going to ask several medical questions, and you have to be truthful," Carlisle started.
Bella shot Edward a questioning look, to which he shrugged, leaning against the closed door.
"First, has anything major happened to you, like blood transfusion?"
"I'd know, believe me," Edward muttered, but quieted when Carlisle glared his way.
Stay quiet, he said sternly, silently.
"Uh no. Why?"
"I see. What changed since the last time we saw you?" Carlisle tapped his chin.
Bella blushed furiously.
"It could be my scent all over her that throws you off," Edward offered.
"You can't tell me you don't smell it too if you pay attention to the finer notes. And it's flowing slower."
Bella squirmed under their inquisitive eyes.
"I'll be damned," Edward exclaimed. "What does it mean? You're not in pain, or anything?" He came to her side, watching her concerned.
"I'm fine, Edward."
"I don't have an answer, Edward. But let's not worry and ruin this beautiful Christmas family reunion." Carlisle smiled lightly, though his eyes showed concern. I'll pour over my books later to check if it is a medical condition.
"Whatever this means, it's irrelevant," Edward declared. "We've decided that when we move away, I'm going to turn her."
You might not have that much longer. I've never heard a human's blood flowing so slowly through their veins.
More theories? I'm curious of your thoughts.
See you all tomorrow. =)