Okay! New chapter! Check the end for more AN but for now:
Trigger warning: illness and dead children are briefly mentioned in this chapter. If you think of any trigger warnings you wish I had/would put, please let me know.
For now,enjoy:
/-/-/-/-/
Can't be unlearned
I've know the warmth of your doorway
Through the cold, I'll find my way back to you
Oh, please! Give me mercy no more!
That's a kindness, you can't afford!
I warn you baby, tonight, sure as you're born
You'll hear me howling outside your door
Don't you hear me howling, babe?
- Hozier ~ It Will Come Back
Edward was ecstatic.
He didn't have to persuade her at all. She not only agreed to try his lifestyle, she asked him to help her. He was buzzing with pleasure. Beyond happy. She asked him to help her learn.
He had told her that they would have to run everything by Carlisle, since learning their lifestyle was a difficult road, she would have to extend her stay.
Edward knew that Carlisle would not be disagreeable to this, since he was nearly as enthused as Esme at the prospect of him finding love.
Isabella shifted nervously from foot to foot.
She didn't like this.
Putting herself in a vulnerable position, to gain permission to remain in a vulnerable position until she was no longer vulnerable, naturally.
The pair stood in front of Carlisles office. Edward raised his hand to knock.
"Come in." Carlisle spoke before the telepaths knuckles could tap.
Edward opened the door.
Isabella prepared to bolt. This was humiliating. Asking permission. Admitting that the way she lived was wrong?
She didn't like it. Her pride was strong. Nearly strong enough to push her out the door.
She didn't like to ask for help. Ever. This was... nearly too much to bear.
"Ah! Edward, Isabella. What brings you to my office?" Propose already Son?
Edward scowled at him for a moment and shook his head.
Only teasing Edward! So serious all the time. Carlisle thought laughing.
"Isabella would like to learn our diet."
Carlisles smile slipped. His eyes widened.
"If it's any trouble-" Isabella started.
His smiled returned- more a grin now. Ear to ear and happier than she had seen him yet.
Edward could see now, that Carlisle had hidden his fear that Isabella would not be receptive to their way of life. That she would leave, and Edward would follow. Why Carlisle thought Edward would leave with this woman the telepath had no clue, but the fear was there.
I get to keep my son- and I gain a daughter. Thank you lord. Praying was so natural to Carlisle that he thanked the lord without thinking now. Seeing his divine will in all the blessings before him. And his sense of humor in the ironies that befell the Cullen Clan.
Edward smiled looking to Isabella who looked shocked.
"My dear, dear young one. You could be no trouble to us. Stay as long as you'd like!" Stay forever! He added silently, not wanting to scare the girl.
Edward looked to her. "I told you it wouldn't be an issue."
Isabella looked frustrated. "And I told you, I don't sneak around coven leaders. That's how you get beheaded telepath."
Edward snorted. "Sneak around? I didn't ask you not to tell them, I just asked if you wanted to try hunting first."
Carlisles thrilled thoughts at their teasing barely touched Edward as he was focused on the woman in front of him.
Isabella looked sceptical. "I figured this would mostly be a control thing? I don't understand how hunting could be that different?"
Edward smiled. "Well why don't we go find out?"
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
The telepath was fast. Faster than Isabella had expected when, innocently she tapped his shoulder and grinned, "you're it!" And turned on her heel.
He caught her before she left the yard. Bent at the waist he wrapped his arms around her ribs and lifted her, bending his back.
"I've got you!" He laughed as Isabella struggled.
"No fair! No fair! You cheated!"
Edward dropped her and grinned smugly at her. "How is it cheating?"
Isabella looked frustrated, mouth curled up in a pout, eyebrows drawn down, she looked like the nineteen year old girl she was, and Edward was enamoured by the look.
His smile turned soft and he touched her cheek, brushing back hair she had let lay free after her shower.
It has a bit of red in it, I hadn't noticed.
Isabella was unsure if she felt attracted or terrified of the telepath now, but whatever she was feeling was stronger than anything she could ever remember having felt in this life.
Run! The tinny little voice in the back of her head, the voice of the little girl hurt too many times, screamed at her. She considered it, legs tensing as she prepared to run, faster than she had when she was playing. She prepared to run for her life.
But the thought of never seeing the telepath again filled her with a sort of dread. A feeling she feared would never go away if she were to leave.
She looked at his soft expression, fear plain in her eyes. "Don't hurt me."
Edwards heart broke for her. He didn't know what had led her to stand in front of him on this day, but he knew her life had not been kind. He knew that somewhere down the road she was given reason to believe that it was safer to be alone, than to be loved. And some part of him wanted to kill whatever being had hurt her so.
"I won't."
She assessed this truth in his eyes. Reading them as clearly as he could read a mind, and could see only truth. He had no intentions of hurting her.
She silenced the voice screaming at her to save herself, and kissed him.
Neither of them had been expecting the passion behind the move. It felt like twin supernovas blasting each other into oblivion. They could have never been prepared.
He clutched at her waist, begging her to stay, to stay with him forever. Her arms went around his neck, tangling in his hair and bringing him closer.
His hands went from her waist, dragging to her back pulling her in, caging her in, as close as they could get without merging into one.
Isabella didn't feel trapped though, she felt held, protected, cherished. Treasured. No other had held her like this, this tightly, since Demetri. And no ones touch had ever made her feel this.
Edward felt alive. Alive and tethered, to this precious creature in his arms. He knew now that he would never let go.
Isabella knew now that she was afraid, but not of him. Never of him. But of the vulnerability he offered in his arms. No shield could protect her now. She had to only trust he wouldn't hurt her.
The kiss ended, but they still clutched at each other as though drowning.
Edwards eyes shined back at her. And Isabella thought, home.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Hunting was difficult. Isabella found it hard to lose herself in the hunt when the prey was so... unappealing.
She looked to Edward, expressing her disgust with this.
Edward smiled with sympathy. "I know, it's awful. But you get used to it I promise."
Isabella rolled her eyes at him.
The hunt continued.
/-/-/-/
"You did fine!"
"I'm terrible at this."
Edward agreed, but kept his opinions to himself. "You took down that bear, Emmett will be jealous."
"Only because I was able to briefly convince myself that it might be a man in a bear costume."
Edward laughed.
"It's not funny. I couldn't even keep the blood down."
Edwards laugh stopped. "That's normal Isabella, I promise. The first time Jasper hunted with us? He dry-heaved for hours after. It gets better."
"I bet you didn't barf the first time."
Edward flinched. "Not- not the first time."
Isabella looked at him. "What does that mean?"
Edward looked to her. He knew she wouldn't judge him for his lapse in judgement. How could she, when she herself was still red-eyed from the same diet. But still- the shame. The shame of killing crept over him. He didn't like being a villain. And if he must be a monster, he would prefer to be a more tolerable one than he had been during his rebellion.
"I- I had a bit of a- phase?"
Isabella was curious. "A phase?"
Edward looked to her begging for her not to condemn him as he knew the Lord had.
"The first time I drank animal blood- it was the first time I had ever drank blood. I had no reference, so I didn't know how good" he stopped.
"You didn't know how good people taste?"
He nodded.
"But you learned?"
He flinched. "I- I left briefly. Only a few years in the 20s. I hunted the- the traditional way."
"Oh?" Isabella asked. "What brought you back?"
Edward looked at his feet. "Shame. I- I was ashamed of myself. Ashamed that I had killed. That I knew better and still-"
He took a deep breath. "But I never killed an innocent. I protected women and children from their abusers, and avenged the deaths of those I was too late to save."
Isabella smiled. "A vigilante vampire. Now what a headline. Dark and mysterious- I can see it now- 'a Bat-Man who really turns into a bat!' Quite the story there, telepath."
Edward laughed, shaking his head and his mood lightened suddenly as they entered the house.
Rosalie was still angry about the pet comment and had finally though of a rebuttal. "Edward! You know better! Esme wouldn't want such a dirty stray stinking up her front room!" She was quite pleased with herself there.
Edward growled. Eyes going black with rage. Distantly he wondered why the fuck he was so angry right now. Usually Rosalies jabs barely hit him. He just would scoff and send another back.
Emmett saw that Edward was out of control and began to step in front of Rosalie, thinking rationally at him to try to calm him down.
Edward come on, man. You know she was just trying to push Isabellas buttons-
Thinking of Isabella seemed to put Edward more on edge, his lip curling and a snarl cutting through his teeth suddenly.
Okay! Okay! Sorry, my bad! Listen man, I don't wanna fight you but I can't let you hurt Rosie. She won't touch your mate, I swear!
Edwards back straightened suddenly, anger forgotten, mouth dropping open.
Emmett was confused for a moment, until herealized the reason for Edwards shock. You didn't realize? Come on, Eddie. Really, are you blind?
Edward shook his head. Well this is an interesting development, he thought to himself- should have realized after the kiss- the kiss Edwards mind swirled back to the softness of her lips on his, the feeling of her body pressed against him. Her tongue- he shivered.
Isabella stepped around Edward,but he was so lost in this revelation he barely realized she had done it.
"No, Edward, don't be angry with your sister. She's right. I am a stray. A mangy little mutt, coming in and getting mud on Esme's carpet. Dirtying up the bathroom." Isabella smiled meanly- eyes glinting.
"But Rosalie- following your own analogy- doesn't that make you the pretty little puppy that gets doted on by her master? The purebred that still just can't seem to help herself from shitting on the carpet in front of guests?"
Rosalies mouth dropped open.
"But you're right Rosalie, I am a stray." Isabella nodded. "And you're such a pretty little bitch."
The side of Rosalies mouth twitched up. "Alright, I like her."
Isabella held out her hand. "Truce?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes, extending her hand as well. They shook.
Emmett looked at his wife like she had lost her mind. Edward was still frozen, staring at the wall in shock.
But the girls knew that they had had their pissing contest. And it had came out a tie.
At least, that's how Rosalie saw it.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/
"Esme! You just have to share the recipe! This doesn't hold a candle to the crock-pot recipe I have!"
53. And Isabella wins. Esme thought with a smile before answering. "I'm sorry it's not my recipe actually, a friend basically did all the work. I helped what I could but I mostly seemed in her way." Esme laughed.
Dr. Georgia Flanagan sighed. "Well she's a hell of a cook. Her husband is a lucky man."
Esme smiled. Her mind on weddings now. Would Isabella prefer a a lace dress? Or is she a taffeta kind of girl- lace would suit her far better- willowy beauty she is.
Carlisle came around to see her then. Grinning at the expression on her face. "Wedding planning, dear?"
Esme laughed lightly. "It's a big event. I have to be prepared to work fast."
"And how do you know Isabella won't want to elope?"
Esme is shocked and scandalized. "You don't think she'd do that? That she would make us miss our sons wedding?"
Carlisle smiled. "I hope we get to attend, but I'll be happy if there will be a wedding."
Esme looked bashful. "I suppose you're right, but I- Edward- he's- he's a traditionalist when it comes to these sorts of things. I just know it. He hated that Alice went to Vegas for her wedding, though he would never tell her."
Carlisle smiled. "He didn't hide it that well, Esme."
She laughed. "Oh obviously, the little Victorian in him took over at the- what did he call it? 'Salacious displays of vulgarity'. I'm surprised he even stayed for the wedding, after that escort offered him her- erm- services."
Carlisle nodded laughing with her. "Oh, but the look on his face. He was so- offended!"
Just then Nurse Jackson walked towards the, halting their conversation about things that could be deemed- strange.
"Dr. Cullen, Mrs. Cullen," She started.
"Oh Daphne! How many times do I have to tell you," Esme smiled. "Call me Esme."
The nurse smiled. "One more time, I guess Esme. I just wanted to thank you guys for dinner today. This was wonderful."
Esme smiled wryly. 54. "I'll pass along your compliments." She shook her head. "Now tell me, how is your sons treatment going?"
Daphne looked like she had been deflated. "He's- well he's still alive." The for now was silent but Esme could hear it loud and clear. Her son was young and this illness was eating at him. She hoped he would pull through, for his and for his mother's sake, Esme knew what it was to lose a child, and would wish that on no one.
Esme pasted on a smile. "Daniel is strong, he's so strong. I know he'll be okay Daphne. I just know it."
She smiled. "I know Esme. Sometimes it's just-" she stopped, forcing tears back.
Esme pulled the woman into a hug. Rubbing her back. The woman pulled back before the tears could fall.
"Ex- excuse me, Mrs. Cullen." She turned on her heel and ran for her car.
"Call me Esme." Esme spoke under her breath. Carlisle rubbed her back.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Alice asked Isabella to go for a run with her. I'll get her out of the house, Esme and Carlisle are almost back and you'll want to talk to them about your little Epiphany. She thought, with no small amount of amusement.
Edward nodded, thankful he wouldn't have to share such an embarrassing moment of idiocy with the woman he was sure had already known.
Of course Isabella knew she was my mate, she's not an idiot. Like me. Edward shook his head in frustration.
As Alice and Isabella ran out the back door, Edward heard Carlisle pulling in, the tires of the Mercedes squealing to a stop. Esme and Carlisle laughing their way up the stairs. The laughing stopped after the door opened and they caught sight of their son depressed as ever, splayed out on their couch.
Esmes thoughts were frantic. She's left him! No! He's only just found his mate and now she's gone!
Carlisles weren't far. Maybe if we chase her down, we can fix it. I mean, maybe she doesn't understand the bond.
Edward growled. "You both knew?"
They were still panicked thinking she was gone- thinking how to track a shield.
"Oh! Stop it you two! She's out for a run with Alice!"
They both relaxed.
"You knew she was my mate? How long?"
The looked to each other, then rolled their eyes simultaneously.
"Edward, we thought you knew. I mean. It was obvious. You go from social pariah who doesn't even notice women, to practically messing your pants when she looks at you? You weren't exactly subtle."
"Esme!!" Edward shrilled.
Carlisle chuckled. "She's not trying to be vulgar, but seriously. It was instant."
Edward looked between the two of them, pouting. "Well I didn't! I didn't know, and I probably would have- I- I don't know done things better."
Esme smiled. "You're doing fine, Edward."
Edward shook his head. "No, most of the time I'm okay, but then sometimes- sometimes she just- smells so-"
Carlisle laughed. "Son, you think she isn't feeling the same thing? I'm sure she's just as flustered as you seem to be"
Edward looked at his father, hope in his eyes. "You think?"
Carlisle rolled his eyes. "You know the bond isn't a one sided thing. She feels it too. But now I'm curious, what did you think was happening, Edward?"
Edward would have blushed if he could. "I don't know! I haven't really been thinking since I met her, I've just been-" he tried to word it correctly. "Preoccupied."
Rosalie snorted from the entry to the garage. "Yeah I'd say."
Edward was officially humiliated.
"I mean come on big brother you've got what? Almost a hundred years of backed up hormones?"
Edward scowled at her. "This isn't funny."
"Oh I agree, it's hilarious. I'm just glad you found someone who can hold her own."
Edward snarled. "She's not like you."
Rosalie nodded. "You're right, she's not. But she's not some weak thing that back down from a fight. She's a fighter. She just prefers not to actually fight. She's not soft, she just prefers defensive over offensive moves. But I will warn you brother. She may not be quick to anger, but she is quick to leave. You have a runner on your hands, I can tell."
Edward groaned. "What the hell does that mean?"
Emmett jumped in. "It means that one false move and she's gone. She'll slip right through your fingers if she smells the slightest hint of anything to scare her off. I got the same vibe."
Edward was petrified. He didn't know what if would be like if Isabella left, but the hole in his chest at the thought of it did not seem promising.
Esme stroked his hair. "It won't be that way forever, just until she learns to trust us."
Edward looked to his mother. "She doesn't exactly strike me as the trusting type, Mom. What the hell am I gonna do?"
He called me mom. Esme almost cried mentally, pulling him into a hug.
As Edward leaned on his mother for support he thought back, he called Esme 'Mom' didn't he? Or mother... no he didn't. Not often. Only in public where it was necessary. Never alone. He would rectify that.
Jasper broke into Edwards thoughts. "She's confused, and fighting the bond. She seems fine with desiring you physically, but the emotional pull is what's scaring her. Every time I think she's going to soften to you, it's like she doubles down on her emotional defences. Maybe you could lean into the physical side, and go slow with the emotional connection?"
Edward wanted to question the idea of Isabella desiring him physically, but now, in front of his mother and sister, was not the time.
"Okay, I'm going to go find my mate." The word still rang in Edwards ear strangely. He had a mate. He was a mated vampire. Holy hell this is gonna take some getting used to.
Edward ran out the back door, trying desperately to ignore the thoughts of his family.
/-/-/-/-/-/
Okay guys! I'm well aware that my grammar sucks ass. I'm seeking a beta, but at the moment I'm editing this myself and doing a shitty fucking job of it. Pardon my French.
Also, a mating bond will exist in my universe, but it is not the end all be all that it is in some stories. It will be explained later on but basically, yes you have a mate that is your "other half" or your soulmate. But that doesn't mean that you're going to end up together. It's not quite as perfect as it is some stories because I still want an element of personal choice. Yes, this person is perfect for you in every way, yes it will hurt to leave them, but you would still always have the choice.
That and also, I will be having more flashbacks throughout the story, but I don't want to crowd them all together, I hate when stories do that. So there may be one next chapter. Or maybe not.
Next chapter we can catch up with Alice and Isabella, wonder what they're up to in the woods?
I would love to hear your theories on what Isabellas past is? On her traumas from being human, and how that will affect the story.
My song for this chapter is by one of my favorite artists. If you haven't listened to this song, drop everything and listen now. It's so... sexy. And I think it fits this chapter well, for a number of reasons.
I'm going to try not to make this a Hozier lyric fic, lmao. but I literally love his music. So get ready to see his name at least a few more times at the beginning of the chapter.
Please. I am now welcoming criticism- not flames please don't be mean, but if something sucks tell me, chances are I probably agree. I hate most of what I write.
Review please, its my main motivation.