The Whispering Woods
Chapter Twenty-One
Esme Cullen watched as Charles T. Swan parked his cruiser in front of her new home. It wasn't unexpected; it had only been a matter of time. She would've preferred if the control was all in her hands, but the situation was out of them.
The dreams started shortly after Edward had been arrested for assault.
She tried to put herself in Edward's place after learning that someone you once admired and cared for turned out to be the devil in disguise. James had been in her home, before and after he moved into a rival school, a good friend of Edward's since elementary school. One look at the charming blue eyes and dimpled chin, so well mannered, most wouldn't expect him to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. She should've known better.
She would've done the same thing if she allowed her mind to go there. Picturing her fists cracking against James's already broken nose came with ease. It would've taken three people to pull her off, too.
Her beautiful boy aged ten years that night. Then the dreams started for them both. Her sister would visit hers every night to warn her, to help her keep Edward's mind from slipping toward darkness where no one could follow him.
The Whispering Woods were screaming at her—it sounded like a countdown.
.
.
.
Charlie took a deep breath and exited his vehicle, heading up the stone pathway to the front door. It was obvious that Esme and her husband were doing well. Then again, her father, a good friend of his, was a prominent lawyer before his passing. He always had a good eye for investments.
Good for her; Renee would want her sister to be happy despite their falling out.
The large front doors opened to a woman that appeared to have aged little since he'd last seen her. The Platt family was blessed in the gene department—though Renee was all light and soft, Esme was a slightly darker version of his wife.
She cocked a dark caramel eyebrow and said, "Charlie."
"Esme." He cleared his throat. "Is your husband home?"
Her hands settled on her cocked hips, reminding him once again of his wife. They both had a fire within them. "Anything you want to say to him, you can say to me first."
He wanted to roll his eyes, a habit he picked up from his daughter. "I want you to be comfortable, Esme. I thought his presence would ensure that."
She appeared surprised, shaking her head. "He had a meeting at the hospital. Besides, I knew you were coming and asked him to go ahead."
That got Charlie's hair on the back of his neck standing up. "Any chance you have a gun behind that door?" He would never forget the look on her face as she held up a rifle when he visited with Bella shortly after she moved away along with Edward's mother Elizabeth.
She smirked. "Why not come inside and find out?"
Said the spider to the fly, he thought.
"First explain to me how you knew I was coming." He had a feeling what she would say next might change the nature of their relationship.
Looking away, she closed her eyes, as if in pain. "She visits my dreams almost every night… NeeNee told me."
She used Renee's childhood nickname, and he knew right then, something big was happening, and the only way to get through it, with their children intact, was to do it together.
AN: What do you think of Esme? Lol. Remember, you're not going to see EVERY conversation. Sorry for the delay, errands ran longer than usual, but I managed to do ALL I had to do other than being a taxi for the kids, today so free time tomorrow! *dances* Thanks to MC for your encouragement and help. See you Thursday.