p class="MsoNormal"uChapter 7: Carlisle/u/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sleeping was something I missed being able to do. Being able to dream, see worlds of fantasy with vibrant colours and outlandish stories in one's imagination at night. Of course, I could now use that time I would have been sleeping to study, read books, spend time with family or anything I wished. But I felt restless as I waited for the sun to rise that night. I wanted to spend the time with Cassie. I wished I could sleep the hours away, so I didn't have to wait. Instead, after my late shift at the hospital, I started to read the first Harry Potter book. I sat on the sofa next to Bella who was reading Pride and Prejudice- again. Jasper and Edward had gone to hunt, Rosalie was tinkering with her car in the garage, Emmett was also with us in the living room, playing an online shooter game; and Alice was with us also, taking great joy in deciding what I would be wearing for my… date with Cassie./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, no sweaters or work trousers." Alice muttered to herself. "Perhaps jeans and that burgundy shirt…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Or that black shirt you bought him last week." Bella suggested from behind her book./p
p class="MsoNormal""'That black shirt'" Alice mocked. "That black shirt is Burberry and it will look amazing." I chuckled at Alice's obsession with making us all look as fashionable as possible. "So, the shirt and I think dark jeans, with the black Santoni shoes."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Which ones are they?" I finally raised my eyes from the book./p
p class="MsoNormal""The stunning Italian ones that you like." Alice sighed heavily. I nodded, accepting that whatever Alice chose would be best./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's a lot of black." I muttered, teasing Alice. She shot me a look./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, Cassie will like it." She stuck her tongue out./p
p class="MsoNormal"I had finished the Philosopher's stone by the time I had to start getting ready. I could see why Cassie enjoyed the books. They were, quite literally, magical. The world was so vibrant and whole that the book could just take you away to the wizarding world with its description and wonder. I hadn't read something like it for a long time and was looking forward to reading the next. Alice had taken out the selected clothes for me, so I quickly showered before getting changed. I decided to forgo a tie, knowing that Alice wouldn't be happy if I tried to change a single thing about the outfit she'd chosen. Walking downstairs, I rolled my eyes as Alice was bouncing in her seat with excitement./p
p class="MsoNormal""Tell me I'm not the best." She giggled, admiring the outfit. Bella had put down her book and looked over to the doorway where I stood./p
p class="MsoNormal""You are amazing Alice." I indulged her. She clapped her hands together in delight./p
p class="MsoNormal""Looking good dad." Emmett had glanced back from his game to see what all the fuss was about. He winked, and I raised an eyebrow at him; his booming laugh echoed off the walls as he returned to his game./p
p class="MsoNormal""Finally looking like the twenty-three-year-old you are." Alice kept gushing./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm meant to be thirty."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh hush, it doesn't matter with Cassie." Alice scolded./p
p class="MsoNormal""Glad to see there are other humans with no normal sense of danger." Bella smirked./p
p class="MsoNormal"I left after saying goodbye to my children. The weather was warmer than normal but was meant to be overcast, no chance of sun, so I had brought along my coat just in case. Setting it on the backseat of my Mercedes, I got in the drivers' side and started the engine. If my heart could still beat, I was sure it would be racing with nerves as I drove to Cassie's home. I parked outside her house before going to knock on her door./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hey Carlisle!" Cassie greeted as she opened the door. She was dressed in a smart-casual black dress, with a suede black jacket on top and flats./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good morning Cassie." I smiled. "You look lovely." She looked beautiful. There was just a touch of natural makeup on her face, making her eyes stand out more. The way the corners of her mouth rose when she looked at me made my dead heart flutter. The nervous glance down made me want to wrap my arms around her tight and tell her how beautiful she truly was./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thank you," she looked back up. "I didn't know what to wear so thought I'd play it safe with a dress." She grinned./p
p class="MsoNormal"I swallowed back my nerves. It seemed like forever since I had last gone on a date. I genuinely struggled to remember if I had been on one. Ever. How embarrassing! I never knew that vampires could feel jittery, as though there were a million butterflies in my stomach ready to break free. Seeing a woman, who I wished to court, to take her out and make her feel special- it made me both excited and terrified./p
p class="MsoNormal"Did she feel the same way about me? Here I was, over three hundred years old and feeling like a school boy about to go on his first date./p
p class="MsoNormal"But as I saw Cassie's bright smile light up her warm eyes and as I could hear the sweet sound of her beating heart, I knew I was making the right decision in risking it all for her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you ready to go?" I asked her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I am." She nodded, grabbing a handbag before locking her front door. "Wow, is this your car?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Is there something wrong with it?" I chuckled. Inside I was worried, was the flashiness of my car too much for her?/p
p class="MsoNormal""No, I love the AMG Mercedes range." Cassie surprised me with her knowledge. Her calmness about everything made me realise something. It made me realise that I couldn't underestimate her. We hardly knew each other and yet she surprised me in the strangest of ways./p
p class="MsoNormal""My family like fast cars." I mumbled as I opened the passenger door for her- she thanked me as she got in./p
p class="MsoNormal""You look really handsome." She murmured quietly as I got into the drivers' side./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thank you, Alice helped me choose it."/p
p class="MsoNormal""She's got a good eye then."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We all trust her with our clothing choices." I smiled, starting the car up./p
p class="MsoNormal"We drove to Seattle, chatting the whole way. Cassie took great delight in telling me about the PlayStation game Vampyr she played the previous night. I couldn't help but find it amusing as she told me all about the vampire doctor in the game. To be honest, I almost was expecting her to cancel on me, finally deciding to scream and run away in horror. But the horror never came. She raised an eyebrow as she saw how fast we were going, but she shook her head, mumbling about it being a 'vampire thing'. She was funny, sarcastic and lighthearted. It felt strange to be able to just… relax with someone in this way; to have fun with another who wasn't one of my adopted children./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, what are the plans today?" She asked as we arrived near downtown Seattle./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, I was thinking of going to the aquarium and the art museum, if that would interest you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""That sounds amazing to me!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"With her arm looped through mine, we walked the streets together towards the aquarium. I felt a rush of joy, of elation whenever her smaller arm linked with mine; when she didn't flinch as I laid a hand on hers. It had been so long since a human hadn't cringed away from my touch, it made me giddy whenever she closed her hand around mine and smiled up at me through her lashes. I had never experienced falling in love before, I had watched it happened with Bella and Edward and with Rosalie and Emmett, but to experience it was something else. It was like the dawn, when the golden sun broke through the clouds, casting warm glows on the world. It was the crackling of a cozy fire during a cold winters' night at Christmas. It was the steady beat of a heart after a cardiac arrest. It was fire, and I was ice./p
p class="MsoNormal"The aquarium was big and magnificent. Cassie's eyes had widened in awe as we stepped through with our tickets. She had grumbled when I refused to let her pay and had pretended to shove my shoulder good naturedly. But she would not pay for a thing when I was with her; she never had to want for anything as long as she'd let me help her./p
p class="MsoNormal"I had to admit, as Cassie spent her time watching the fish and sea mammals, I spent my time watching her. The fascinating, colorful fish could not distract me from the beauty of the strong woman before me. I studied her movements, every subtle facial expression, every emotion she felt. I loved the way her eyes crinkled a little when she smiled widely at the playful otters. I loved the way her teeth played with her lower lip as she watched the fish swim in tanks full of gently waving coral and sea plants. I loved her laugh as she giggled at the crabs, scuttling along the sand, and her look of wonder as the giant clams breathed. The look of awe and the smile that broke across her face as we entered the underwater dome was a sight to behold. The way her lips quirked up, before her lips parted, revealing her white teeth in a grin made my still heart flutter. The aquarium was beautiful, but it could not compare to Cassie./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh wow, look at that Carlisle!" She whispered pointing at the dogfish shark as it swam close to the window./p
p class="MsoNormal""He's big." I murmured. "But look at that sturgeon over there."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Wow, I didn't realise they could get so big." She smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal"We spent the rest of the morning at the aquarium, when it got to lunch time, we went to the little café inside so that Cassie could eat. Afterwards, we looked around the last few exhibits before heading out./p
p class="MsoNormal""I loved that Carlisle, thank you." Cassie leaned her head on my arm briefly as we walked./p
p class="MsoNormal""My pleasure, I haven't been there before either, so it was nice to go."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I think we'll have to go back again one day, because I'm sure you hardly looked at the fish." Cassie giggled./p
p class="MsoNormal""I looked at the fish." I muttered, feeling a little embarrassed. She was far too observant. Trying to distract her I continued: "It isn't a far walk to the art museum."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I've never been to an art museum." Cassie admitted. "Not even the one in London."/p
p class="MsoNormal""How terrible of you." I scolded her mockingly./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well like I said, if we go to London one day then we'll have to go there." Cassie laughed. She kept joking about us going to London, and every time she mentioned it I became more determined to make that a reality someday./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"As we looked around the art museum, which I had been to before, I told Cassie about the various sculptures, art and pottery we saw. I explained the history of the ones I knew, I told her about the time period in which they were made and the area in which they were made. Cassie listened, fascinated with the art and its history. We took a long time at the museum, there was so much to see- so much beautiful modern and ancient art to be appreciated. Cassie's favourite area was the Mediterranean art, which contained beautiful painted pottery and archaic marble sculptures./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm amazed at your knowledge, but I'm not really surprised." Cassie stated as we sat down to let her feet and legs rest for the moment./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh?" I questioned, unsure of where she was going with this./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, you're so old you were probably there when they made most of it." Cassie grinned cheekily./p
p class="MsoNormal""How dare you, I'm only three hundred and seventy-nine, some of this work is from 2500 BC." I muttered, nudging her gently. Cassie just laughed before resting her head on my shoulder. Tentatively, being careful not to startle her, I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her a little closer. She didn't flinch from me, instead, settling closer, her eyes slipping shut for a moment in contentment./p
p class="MsoNormal""You old man." She mumbled jokingly. "Here I was thinking you were younger than you claim." She opened her eyes and looked at me. "It's a good thing you don't look your age." I couldn't help but laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal""Am I too old for you then?" I jokingly whispered. We were both careful to talk quietly enough so others couldn't hear us./p
p class="MsoNormal""No, not too old." Cassie grinned. She sat up and quickly kissed my cheek. I looked at her, smiling, her face was flushed a little; a soft pink tinted her cheeks and she cast her eyes down./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hand in hand, we walked around the rest of the art museum. We looked at the European art and the ancient American art before heading outside to look at the Olympic sculpture park. We walked slowly together, taking our time to consider the art and choose our favorites and discuss the feelings the art evoked. Cassie was intelligent and had a brilliant mind, although, I got the feeling that she kept a lot of thoughts and emotions to herself./p
p class="MsoNormal"Eventually, we finished in the museum. Darkness had already fallen, bringing the vibrant nightlife with it. Instead of walking straight back to the car, I led Cassie down the streets that were lit up by the streetlights towards the restaurants./p
p class="MsoNormal""Am I walking too slow for you?" Cassie ended up asking./p
p class="MsoNormal""No of course not, why?" I frowned./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, after you quickly caught the glass at mine the other day, I assumed that you are much faster than us humans and was wondering if it bothered you." Cassie explained./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh." I was constantly surprised by her. "Well, yes, I can move very fast and I'm very strong; but I'm so used to walking at your pace. I'm in no rush. I'm just enjoying the walk with you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That's good." Cassie nodded, gripping my hand a little tighter. She just took everything in her stride, no matter what I told her about myself./p
p class="MsoNormal""Here." I murmured as we reached a restaurant. "Is this one okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""The menu looks really good." Cassie nodded. "But it's quite expensive…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""That is not an issue." I told her./p
p class="MsoNormal"We went inside, the waitress immediately served us, finding us a table near the back where it was quiet. She put down a small candle in the middle of the table before giving us menus./p
p class="MsoNormal""If it's not rude, can I ask if you are rich?" Cassie seemed a little awkward. "I just feel bad going to expensive places…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Never feel bad Cassie." I said gently. "But yes, being alive for nearly four hundred years allows a fair bit of wealth to accumulate and…" I paused, thinking of how to reveal more information. "Some of us have special gifts, my daughter Alice can see visions of the future, which helps when investing money in stock."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That explains a lot." Cassie smiled. "I'm not here for your money though." She quickly said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I didn't think you were." I reassured her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Do you or any of the others have a gift?" She asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Edward can read minds." I said. "And Jasper is an empath, he can feel and manipulate emotions. And Bella, we think, is a sort of shield, because Edward cannot read her mind- it's like a mental shield."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That's all…. Well, crazy." Cassie laughed. "But really cool though." She paused. "Do you not have a superpower?" She joked./p
p class="MsoNormal""No." I chuckled. "I have exceptionally good self-control; in that I've never killed a human or tasted human blood- other than to change someone of course."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And you're incredibly kind." Cassie added, making me smile./p
p class="MsoNormal""What can I get for you?" The waitress returned./p
p class="MsoNormal""Umm…" Cassie quickly scanned the menu. "I'll have water to drink and can I have the steak please."span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll have water too please." I murmured. The waitress didn't seem too bothered when I didn't mention food./p
p class="MsoNormal""Could always ask for blood." Cassie snickered./p
p class="MsoNormal""Because that wouldn't be suspicious at all."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sleeping was something I missed being able to do. Being able to dream, see worlds of fantasy with vibrant colours and outlandish stories in one's imagination at night. Of course, I could now use that time I would have been sleeping to study, read books, spend time with family or anything I wished. But I felt restless as I waited for the sun to rise that night. I wanted to spend the time with Cassie. I wished I could sleep the hours away, so I didn't have to wait. Instead, after my late shift at the hospital, I started to read the first Harry Potter book. I sat on the sofa next to Bella who was reading Pride and Prejudice- again. Jasper and Edward had gone to hunt, Rosalie was tinkering with her car in the garage, Emmett was also with us in the living room, playing an online shooter game; and Alice was with us also, taking great joy in deciding what I would be wearing for my… date with Cassie./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, no sweaters or work trousers." Alice muttered to herself. "Perhaps jeans and that burgundy shirt…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Or that black shirt you bought him last week." Bella suggested from behind her book./p
p class="MsoNormal""'That black shirt'" Alice mocked. "That black shirt is Burberry and it will look amazing." I chuckled at Alice's obsession with making us all look as fashionable as possible. "So, the shirt and I think dark jeans, with the black Santoni shoes."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Which ones are they?" I finally raised my eyes from the book./p
p class="MsoNormal""The stunning Italian ones that you like." Alice sighed heavily. I nodded, accepting that whatever Alice chose would be best./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's a lot of black." I muttered, teasing Alice. She shot me a look./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, Cassie will like it." She stuck her tongue out./p
p class="MsoNormal"I had finished the Philosopher's stone by the time I had to start getting ready. I could see why Cassie enjoyed the books. They were, quite literally, magical. The world was so vibrant and whole that the book could just take you away to the wizarding world with its description and wonder. I hadn't read something like it for a long time and was looking forward to reading the next. Alice had taken out the selected clothes for me, so I quickly showered before getting changed. I decided to forgo a tie, knowing that Alice wouldn't be happy if I tried to change a single thing about the outfit she'd chosen. Walking downstairs, I rolled my eyes as Alice was bouncing in her seat with excitement./p
p class="MsoNormal""Tell me I'm not the best." She giggled, admiring the outfit. Bella had put down her book and looked over to the doorway where I stood./p
p class="MsoNormal""You are amazing Alice." I indulged her. She clapped her hands together in delight./p
p class="MsoNormal""Looking good dad." Emmett had glanced back from his game to see what all the fuss was about. He winked, and I raised an eyebrow at him; his booming laugh echoed off the walls as he returned to his game./p
p class="MsoNormal""Finally looking like the twenty-three-year-old you are." Alice kept gushing./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm meant to be thirty."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh hush, it doesn't matter with Cassie." Alice scolded./p
p class="MsoNormal""Glad to see there are other humans with no normal sense of danger." Bella smirked./p
p class="MsoNormal"I left after saying goodbye to my children. The weather was warmer than normal but was meant to be overcast, no chance of sun, so I had brought along my coat just in case. Setting it on the backseat of my Mercedes, I got in the drivers' side and started the engine. If my heart could still beat, I was sure it would be racing with nerves as I drove to Cassie's home. I parked outside her house before going to knock on her door./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hey Carlisle!" Cassie greeted as she opened the door. She was dressed in a smart-casual black dress, with a suede black jacket on top and flats./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good morning Cassie." I smiled. "You look lovely." She looked beautiful. There was just a touch of natural makeup on her face, making her eyes stand out more. The way the corners of her mouth rose when she looked at me made my dead heart flutter. The nervous glance down made me want to wrap my arms around her tight and tell her how beautiful she truly was./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thank you," she looked back up. "I didn't know what to wear so thought I'd play it safe with a dress." She grinned./p
p class="MsoNormal"I swallowed back my nerves. It seemed like forever since I had last gone on a date. I genuinely struggled to remember if I had been on one. Ever. How embarrassing! I never knew that vampires could feel jittery, as though there were a million butterflies in my stomach ready to break free. Seeing a woman, who I wished to court, to take her out and make her feel special- it made me both excited and terrified./p
p class="MsoNormal"Did she feel the same way about me? Here I was, over three hundred years old and feeling like a school boy about to go on his first date./p
p class="MsoNormal"But as I saw Cassie's bright smile light up her warm eyes and as I could hear the sweet sound of her beating heart, I knew I was making the right decision in risking it all for her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you ready to go?" I asked her./p
p class="MsoNormal""I am." She nodded, grabbing a handbag before locking her front door. "Wow, is this your car?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Is there something wrong with it?" I chuckled. Inside I was worried, was the flashiness of my car too much for her?/p
p class="MsoNormal""No, I love the AMG Mercedes range." Cassie surprised me with her knowledge. Her calmness about everything made me realise something. It made me realise that I couldn't underestimate her. We hardly knew each other and yet she surprised me in the strangest of ways./p
p class="MsoNormal""My family like fast cars." I mumbled as I opened the passenger door for her- she thanked me as she got in./p
p class="MsoNormal""You look really handsome." She murmured quietly as I got into the drivers' side./p
p class="MsoNormal""Thank you, Alice helped me choose it."/p
p class="MsoNormal""She's got a good eye then."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We all trust her with our clothing choices." I smiled, starting the car up./p
p class="MsoNormal"We drove to Seattle, chatting the whole way. Cassie took great delight in telling me about the PlayStation game Vampyr she played the previous night. I couldn't help but find it amusing as she told me all about the vampire doctor in the game. To be honest, I almost was expecting her to cancel on me, finally deciding to scream and run away in horror. But the horror never came. She raised an eyebrow as she saw how fast we were going, but she shook her head, mumbling about it being a 'vampire thing'. She was funny, sarcastic and lighthearted. It felt strange to be able to just… relax with someone in this way; to have fun with another who wasn't one of my adopted children./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, what are the plans today?" She asked as we arrived near downtown Seattle./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, I was thinking of going to the aquarium and the art museum, if that would interest you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""That sounds amazing to me!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"With her arm looped through mine, we walked the streets together towards the aquarium. I felt a rush of joy, of elation whenever her smaller arm linked with mine; when she didn't flinch as I laid a hand on hers. It had been so long since a human hadn't cringed away from my touch, it made me giddy whenever she closed her hand around mine and smiled up at me through her lashes. I had never experienced falling in love before, I had watched it happened with Bella and Edward and with Rosalie and Emmett, but to experience it was something else. It was like the dawn, when the golden sun broke through the clouds, casting warm glows on the world. It was the crackling of a cozy fire during a cold winters' night at Christmas. It was the steady beat of a heart after a cardiac arrest. It was fire, and I was ice./p
p class="MsoNormal"The aquarium was big and magnificent. Cassie's eyes had widened in awe as we stepped through with our tickets. She had grumbled when I refused to let her pay and had pretended to shove my shoulder good naturedly. But she would not pay for a thing when I was with her; she never had to want for anything as long as she'd let me help her./p
p class="MsoNormal"I had to admit, as Cassie spent her time watching the fish and sea mammals, I spent my time watching her. The fascinating, colorful fish could not distract me from the beauty of the strong woman before me. I studied her movements, every subtle facial expression, every emotion she felt. I loved the way her eyes crinkled a little when she smiled widely at the playful otters. I loved the way her teeth played with her lower lip as she watched the fish swim in tanks full of gently waving coral and sea plants. I loved her laugh as she giggled at the crabs, scuttling along the sand, and her look of wonder as the giant clams breathed. The look of awe and the smile that broke across her face as we entered the underwater dome was a sight to behold. The way her lips quirked up, before her lips parted, revealing her white teeth in a grin made my still heart flutter. The aquarium was beautiful, but it could not compare to Cassie./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh wow, look at that Carlisle!" She whispered pointing at the dogfish shark as it swam close to the window./p
p class="MsoNormal""He's big." I murmured. "But look at that sturgeon over there."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Wow, I didn't realise they could get so big." She smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal"We spent the rest of the morning at the aquarium, when it got to lunch time, we went to the little café inside so that Cassie could eat. Afterwards, we looked around the last few exhibits before heading out./p
p class="MsoNormal""I loved that Carlisle, thank you." Cassie leaned her head on my arm briefly as we walked./p
p class="MsoNormal""My pleasure, I haven't been there before either, so it was nice to go."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I think we'll have to go back again one day, because I'm sure you hardly looked at the fish." Cassie giggled./p
p class="MsoNormal""I looked at the fish." I muttered, feeling a little embarrassed. She was far too observant. Trying to distract her I continued: "It isn't a far walk to the art museum."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I've never been to an art museum." Cassie admitted. "Not even the one in London."/p
p class="MsoNormal""How terrible of you." I scolded her mockingly./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well like I said, if we go to London one day then we'll have to go there." Cassie laughed. She kept joking about us going to London, and every time she mentioned it I became more determined to make that a reality someday./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"As we looked around the art museum, which I had been to before, I told Cassie about the various sculptures, art and pottery we saw. I explained the history of the ones I knew, I told her about the time period in which they were made and the area in which they were made. Cassie listened, fascinated with the art and its history. We took a long time at the museum, there was so much to see- so much beautiful modern and ancient art to be appreciated. Cassie's favourite area was the Mediterranean art, which contained beautiful painted pottery and archaic marble sculptures./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm amazed at your knowledge, but I'm not really surprised." Cassie stated as we sat down to let her feet and legs rest for the moment./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh?" I questioned, unsure of where she was going with this./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, you're so old you were probably there when they made most of it." Cassie grinned cheekily./p
p class="MsoNormal""How dare you, I'm only three hundred and seventy-nine, some of this work is from 2500 BC." I muttered, nudging her gently. Cassie just laughed before resting her head on my shoulder. Tentatively, being careful not to startle her, I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her a little closer. She didn't flinch from me, instead, settling closer, her eyes slipping shut for a moment in contentment./p
p class="MsoNormal""You old man." She mumbled jokingly. "Here I was thinking you were younger than you claim." She opened her eyes and looked at me. "It's a good thing you don't look your age." I couldn't help but laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal""Am I too old for you then?" I jokingly whispered. We were both careful to talk quietly enough so others couldn't hear us./p
p class="MsoNormal""No, not too old." Cassie grinned. She sat up and quickly kissed my cheek. I looked at her, smiling, her face was flushed a little; a soft pink tinted her cheeks and she cast her eyes down./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hand in hand, we walked around the rest of the art museum. We looked at the European art and the ancient American art before heading outside to look at the Olympic sculpture park. We walked slowly together, taking our time to consider the art and choose our favorites and discuss the feelings the art evoked. Cassie was intelligent and had a brilliant mind, although, I got the feeling that she kept a lot of thoughts and emotions to herself./p
p class="MsoNormal"Eventually, we finished in the museum. Darkness had already fallen, bringing the vibrant nightlife with it. Instead of walking straight back to the car, I led Cassie down the streets that were lit up by the streetlights towards the restaurants./p
p class="MsoNormal""Am I walking too slow for you?" Cassie ended up asking./p
p class="MsoNormal""No of course not, why?" I frowned./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, after you quickly caught the glass at mine the other day, I assumed that you are much faster than us humans and was wondering if it bothered you." Cassie explained./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh." I was constantly surprised by her. "Well, yes, I can move very fast and I'm very strong; but I'm so used to walking at your pace. I'm in no rush. I'm just enjoying the walk with you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That's good." Cassie nodded, gripping my hand a little tighter. She just took everything in her stride, no matter what I told her about myself./p
p class="MsoNormal""Here." I murmured as we reached a restaurant. "Is this one okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""The menu looks really good." Cassie nodded. "But it's quite expensive…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""That is not an issue." I told her./p
p class="MsoNormal"We went inside, the waitress immediately served us, finding us a table near the back where it was quiet. She put down a small candle in the middle of the table before giving us menus./p
p class="MsoNormal""If it's not rude, can I ask if you are rich?" Cassie seemed a little awkward. "I just feel bad going to expensive places…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Never feel bad Cassie." I said gently. "But yes, being alive for nearly four hundred years allows a fair bit of wealth to accumulate and…" I paused, thinking of how to reveal more information. "Some of us have special gifts, my daughter Alice can see visions of the future, which helps when investing money in stock."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That explains a lot." Cassie smiled. "I'm not here for your money though." She quickly said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I didn't think you were." I reassured her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Do you or any of the others have a gift?" She asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Edward can read minds." I said. "And Jasper is an empath, he can feel and manipulate emotions. And Bella, we think, is a sort of shield, because Edward cannot read her mind- it's like a mental shield."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That's all…. Well, crazy." Cassie laughed. "But really cool though." She paused. "Do you not have a superpower?" She joked./p
p class="MsoNormal""No." I chuckled. "I have exceptionally good self-control; in that I've never killed a human or tasted human blood- other than to change someone of course."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And you're incredibly kind." Cassie added, making me smile./p
p class="MsoNormal""What can I get for you?" The waitress returned./p
p class="MsoNormal""Umm…" Cassie quickly scanned the menu. "I'll have water to drink and can I have the steak please."span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'll have water too please." I murmured. The waitress didn't seem too bothered when I didn't mention food./p
p class="MsoNormal""Could always ask for blood." Cassie snickered./p
p class="MsoNormal""Because that wouldn't be suspicious at all."/p