Ch. 12

I have never liked the idea of fishing. Don't get me wrong, I am a hunter by definition, but there's just something very twisted and unsettling about dropping bait and then laying in wait for your prey to take a bite into its own imminent death. I prefer to hunt with a more honest, straight-forward approach. I see what I want, and I take it.

Carlisle finds it more...humane...to lull his prey into a peaceful state before his attack. He says there's no reason for them to suffer any more than they have to.

He once told me, "Man is no better than beast, but since we must choose to partake from one, I choose to allow my prey to die with dignity." Oh so noble...He will watch the bison chew and enjoy it's last meal in anticipation of his own or lure a doe silently away to spare her fawn from witnessing when he pounces the moment they're apart. He has even gone so far as to donate to certain charitable organizations over the last decade which focus on rehabilitating injured polar bears and reintroducing them to their natural habitat up north, ensuring their species' survival in the face of endangerment.

"Oh how sweet," you might be thinking—I can only speculate since I can't truly read your mind—but it's not sweet. It's disgusting. He's just helping to build their numbers until it's safe to hunt them as prey again. I caught him thinking about the irony of the situation once. That should have been my first hint that the man was not to be trusted.

I was angry the day I uncovered the truth which had remained tucked so neatly beneath all that wisdom and compassion. I was furious really, never having felt such deep betrayal from someone whom I so fervently admired. He was my mentor, my creator...my idol. Carlisle had tried his absolute best to shape me while keeping those cards clenched deep into his chest—so closely, in fact, that the pattern of the deck blended with his skin in such a way that I didn't even recognize that we were playing a game until it was too late.

Just always remember, love, that you have to be careful when dealing with any of them because like any experienced fisherman, the Cullen motto is and will always be, "Hook, line, and sinker."

OooOooO

So far she seems appropriate, Edward. I haven't totally let my guard down, but I want to trust you.

Trust me, Carlisle? Me?!

"So, Bella, tell us a little about yourself."

...Little being the key word there, Bella. Carlisle appears unassuming to a fault, but he is making plenty of assumptions in his mind.

"There's not really too much to say..."

The warm redness pooling beneath the skin of your cheeks makes me yearn for so much more than a taste of just your blood. This evening is dragging...

"Oh, I'm sure that's not true, dear. You've certainly captured Edward's interest..." He's like a lovesick puppy. So precious.

Either Carlisle and Esme's over enthusiasm for you is making you feel uncomfortable or you're reacting to the comforting touch of my hand curling around your thigh. I'm learning that the rate and rhythm of your beating heart seems to be nearly as telling as the meaning behind your spoken words. Perhaps you're not the total enigma I once believed you to be.

"Mother." Or as close to a mother as I have now...

"Forgive me, I can't help myself. I'm very pleased to see you so happy, Edward." You've chosen beautifully. She's absolutely perfect. So kind and considerate...

I've chosen nothing. Fate thrust you upon me, and I was shrewd enough to accept the offering.

"Anyway, Bella, Alice tells us that you finished school here before you moved to New York? I'm sorry to say that I didn't realize then that the Police Chief had a daughter, but then again, Carlisle sees so much more of him at the hospital than I do."

"Yes, he often works along side social work with many of my patients, but let's not turn the topic to such unfortunate matters and waste the opportunity to get to know one another now. My son doesn't grace our table very often."

And there's good reason for that, Brutus. These family gatherings always bring out my resentful side. I promise I'm not usually like this.

"Yes, we really would love to know anything about you that you're willing to share with us. Nothing is too inconsequential."

"Now I know where Edward's intensity comes from..."

"Ahem..." Forgive my laughter, but your sarcasm, Bella, is all that is saving this evening. Even without the benefit of hearing their thoughts or experiencing Jasper's mental projection of their surprise, I would chuckle at their expressions alone. Yes, you handle yourself just fine.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We're being too pushy, aren't we?" I never meant to offend her, Edward.

She is rather sensitive...

Pushy is one word for it. Esme's intrigue may be genuine, but she's still with him. I wish there was some less obvious way to warn you. Perhaps we will go for a walk to speak more freely after dinner. With the chaos of Cupid's unexpected assault and the resulting incursion of my love for you, I seem to have overlooked what an invitation to meet the family might accidentally cost us. After giving thought to what happened upstairs with Alice, I'm certainly reconsidering the seemingly innocuous nature of this meal. I know I'm being paranoid, but I can't help it. One meal and it's back to New York for us.

"No, I'm sorry...It's fine. I'm just not used to having so much attention on me."

Well you will have to get used to that. My attention is forever on you.

"Umm...let's see...What do you want to know? ...I was born here, but my Mom moved us to Phoenix after my parents divorced. Then she remarried a few years ago, and I moved back here with my dad to give the newlyweds some, uh, space. Dad's pretty quiet about most things, including me, and I pretty much always hung out with kids on the reservation before except a few friends from here. So that might explain why you never really saw me around town."

"Yeah, we don't have much reason to go near the reservation." Bleh, the stench alone is enough reason to stay away—why does she feel so anxious and wary all of a sudden?

"Wary?" Eye rolls from you too, Jasper? I suppose it's to be expected that your obnoxious mate would rub off on you somehow.

Nice cough, Ed...yeah wary, like she's suspicious or something. I don't know...Probably leftover feeling from her conversation upstairs.

Unlikely. You're quick, my love. What are you thinking?

"It's such a pleasant thought to know that Edward has met someone whose father lives so close. I think it may give him more of a reason to come see his own family more often." I've missed you, Edward. We all have. Please come back.

No, thank you. "If my work will allow it, sure..." All this love and concern really is well played, Esme, but I'll leave the frequency of our visits to Cullen territory up to Bella. She's smart, so I know she'll choose wisely and avoid this place like the dark hole it is.

"Oh my gosh. I just realized that I don't even know what you do for work, Edward. I can't believe that I never asked..."

Actually, you did ask. Twice. I just skillfully evaded the answer. I promise you full disclosure when the time comes, but living in secret the way that our kind must alters the meaning to the phrase 'lying by omission.' Telling you everything now could mean the end of your life. I'm sure you can understand that I have to navigate this relationship carefully. I won't lose you. "I work in Human Resources."

"Hmm. How very vague of you. Which company?"

That glint in your eyes again...You do enjoy teasing me, don't you? I'll file that information away to be used in another aspect of our relationship...the physical aspect. "I'm unable to say...non-disclosure agreement." See? I didn't lie, and you probably think I'm just playfully tossing back what you've thrown. Win-win.

"Hmm, and that secrecy isn't suspicious at all, now is it?"

Nearly nothing can kill me, but your smile may come close, my beautiful Bella.

"Hmph. That's not exactly how I would describe what you do..." Maybe you could have said that you are a mortician? Or undertaker? Hell, even debt collector would be closer to your "job."

"No one asked for your input, Alice. You've already established once tonight that your opinion isn't reliable."

Simmer down or else I'll put that fire out in you so quick you won't know what happened. "And I believe Alice apologized."

Jasper...manipulation of my emotions is still manipulation. This whole family is so corrupt. "So she did." But her apology wasn't sincere, and he, of course, knows that.

"Children!"

"Ahem...Esme, this roast is delicious. What flavor am I tasting? Cinnamon? I see that you've braised it and covered it in some kind of berry reduction. It's so different, but it's delicious."

So you're good at distracting others intentionally too. Isabella Swan, woman of many talents...

"Yes, you're right. It is cinnamon. An old friend shared the recipe with me. Do you cook?"

Your old friend Betty Crocker?

"I love to cook. I just don't have the time lately. It's busy at the publishing house."

"Oh, Edward didn't mention that you work in publishing."

"I'm just an intern. Hopefully I'll be there long enough to work my way up the rungs." I'll add modesty to my list of reasons I'm irrevocably in love with you. Your manager was just telling the director about how she thought you would be the perfect candidate for a promotion to assistant editor, but you didn't mention that at all.

"Well keep your head down and your work ethic up as they say..."

Who says that? Ugh...every time Carlisle speaks I want to shred him to pieces! That wouldn't be proper dinner etiquette to destroy my adoptive father though, would it? Thank God you're so near, love. You keep me...under control.

I told you to cool it. You heard Carlisle earlier. One mishap and you're out.

Oh please, like Jasper could stop me. Go ahead and attack, brother. "Have some more greens, Jasper. I know they're your favorite."

You cocky, Bastard. My southern roots won't allow me to disrespect Esme's house rules or else I'd turn this table over now and—

"Jasper, are you ok? You look like you're in pain."

Hah. My Bella is a force to be reckoned with. Her powers of perception and consciousness may just be what I've been missing.

"I'm just fine. It's just a stomachache..."

"Maybe your dad should look over you. Alice had a headache earlier. I hope you guys aren't sick."

"I'm sure they're both fine, Bella."

"If you say so. You're the doctor."

Don't waste your empathy on him, love. Jasper just hates having to stomach the spoonful of broccoli and disdain I just served him.

"Jasper is writing a book on human psychology!"

"That was random, Alice."

Shut up. Bella is noticing how strangely we're all acting. Yes, I know that's mostly my fault so don't bother with your hypocritical chiding. "No it's not. She said she works at a publishing house. Maybe she could help."

"Umm sure. I could try to help somehow. Do you need an agent, Jasper? I only know a few people, and like I said, I'm just a lowly intern, but I could put the word out."

"I'm not sure that I want to formally publish, but thank you. Alice is just very supportive of my scribbles."

"Oh ok..."

"Bella, more roast, dear?"

"No, I couldn't, but thank you. That was delicious. I can't remember the last time someone else did the cooking."

I've already purchased seven cookbooks and something called a crockpot.

"You poor thing..."

"Don't worry about it. Do you need help cleaning up, Esme?"

"Well, if you don't mind. I believe Carlisle wanted to speak with Edward alon—"

"Actually, Bella, I'd really like to show you the grounds. Esme's landscaping is very impressive."No way am I sending you any deeper into the lion's den. One meal and that's it.

"But we can go after—"

"Please?" I crave your touch...things that wouldn't be suitable in company.

"I...uhh..."

Did I dazzle you..?

"Oh, you kids go ahead and have your fun. We can talk to Edward later."

And I'm sure they will come for me, but I'm no fish out of water. Ok, enough with fishing...unless you like it.

I'm not too proud to fish for compliments. See what I did there? ;) Review and Follow!