A/N: Congratulations to Czy4Twilight for being the 500th reviewer for 'Well That Was Unexpected, Really Unexpected' xx Alexis
Eleazar
I can't believe I was so distracted as to get myself covered in blood on a hunt after all these years! Kate found the whole thing highly amusing. My mind was not totally on what I was doing and well, this is the result. I have so many things to do; I need to talk with Carmen and Isabella, of course. Esme wants me to witness their signing of the commitments they drew up. That way they cannot call foul when they don't hold up their end. Because Edward would, without a doubt! Plus if he doesn't sign he's out on his ear, covenless. He would be a nomad, albeit a terrible one and I would guess he'd be scooped up by the Volturi as soon as it happened. I know Esme also intends to tell Marcus of the change so there will be no miscommunication about who is now in charge.
"Esme? Do you have a place I could shower and change? As you can see I had a slight accident!" I say with a little embarrassment,
"Of course, there is a guest room between Carlisle's, no our study and Jasper's!" She replied smiling,
"Dude, I've never seen you all roughed up before!" Emmett quipped as I headed for the stairs,
"I was a little distracted" I mumble, only to hear Rose reply,
"Yes, she has that effect on people!"
It appears others made the leap before me, but this was not what I expected when I came to visit, at all! The guest room was lovely as expected, neither feminine nor masculine, but warm and inviting. Normally we have a suite to stay in when we visit the Cullens, but as Forks was so close to our Alaskan home and this was one of the smallest houses they had, we weren't expecting to stay. The unexpected scent of Isabella was strong in here and quite captivating. She too must use this room on occasion. But it wasn't until I turned the shower on, I realised how often she too used it. I was immediately surrounded by her unique scent, as it swirled around with the steam. I reacted automatically to it with a groan and well, I am a man, a man who's been celibate for many, long years.
When I realised that this guest bathroom was soundproofed, for Isabella's privacy I'm convinced. I just give myself over to the feelings coursing through me. I can honestly say it's been quite some time since I've enjoyed a shower this much. Do I feel guilty for objectifying my little mate like this, no I'm afraid I don't! Given the chance, I'll be doing this for real with her in the very near future. I'm not Edward the prudish child, Isabella is a beautiful woman, why would I deny either of us? Sadly I knew I'd have to return to the real world and was truly grateful that we always brought a change of clothes just in case something untoward happened. After running a towel over myself and drying my hair enough so as not to drip everywhere I threw it in the hamper by the bathroom door.
Stepping out into the bedroom naked, proved to me what the drawbacks of a soundproofed room are. Isabella stood just inside the room looking confused by my set of clothes lying on the bed. Her head shot up as she heard me and she just stared at me for a few moments. Then her embarrassment kicked in and she babbled,
"I'm...; wow you're..., sorry I'm..., shit!"
As she started to turn to leave I couldn't let her go like this.
"Isabella, wait!" I said as I stood behind her now,
I could feel the heat radiating off her and smell her desire for me too. I wrapped my arms around her petite body and pulled it flush with mine. One hand was on her hip and the other covered one of her breasts, which fit perfectly in my palm. I was letting her feel how I too desired her, as I said,
"Never be embarrassed about desiring me, my sweet Isabella. I have never wanted someone as much as I want you now! But this is neither the time nor the place to discuss it or us. But it will be soon 'pequeño cisne' (Little Swan), you have my word on that!"
As I let her go, I felt one small hand stroke down the outside of my thigh. It was the gentlest and most innocent of touches. As if she was making sure I was real, but it made my heart almost beat. I bent and placed a kiss on the top of her head, she was at least a foot shorter than me but perfect in my eyes. I didn't push her to turn, but let her scuttle away; my mate was young and inexperienced. The fact I would be the one to guide and teach her, made me feel like a very lucky man!
Bella
Oh my goodness! He was naked and so glorious, beautiful, magnificent! I have never in real life seen a naked man before, on the TV sure, but I have a feeling not many look like him. He called his sweet Isabella, and I know he called me little swan too. What does that mean? Is this why I feel so drawn to him? I was so flustered when Jasper appeared at the top of the stairs.
"You okay darlin'?" he queried and I nodded dazed,
"Naked! Shower! Stunning!" I said in a stilted manner,
Jasper laughed gently at me and I blush bright red, of course. I still held the bedding I had gone into the room to put on the bed. Jasper took it and laid it down on a small table by the door. He took my hand and led me down the stairs to the kitchen, where Esme handed me a mug of coffee. I know they all heard me, so everyone knows I walked in on Eleazar changing his clothes. The embarrassment was coming off me in waves.
"Don't worry they are all in the study waitin' for Esme and Eleazar. Nobody but Esme and I heard you" he explained and I was relieved,
I really didn't want to be teased endlessly by Emmett or hounded by Edward for whatever crap he makes up. I doubt he'll take it well when he realises I'm moving on and he's not part of my new life. That boy has no concept of how unimportant he is in everyone's life, but especially mine! Esme excused herself quietly and I just stared into my steaming hot coffee.
"Jasper? Does this mean what I think it means? Is, is Eleazar my mate?" I ask cutting to the chase,
"Yes, he is. You both seem to have worked it out today. Just let nature take its course, don't rush in this time. You'll be much happier, Eleazar is not like Edward, your feelings, your wants will be much more important to him!" Jasper says patting my hand,
"Wow, it's been one hell of a day. Who knew that things could change so much in twenty-four hours! What are we going to do about Carmen; she's in danger the longer she stays with them now? She may have gotten herself into this mess, but I understand how easy that is, look at me!" I ask and he's deep in thought,
"We need to find a way of me gettin' inside that illusion; she needs to be changed before the enchantment is broken! Otherwise, she'll die like that guy in that Indiana Jones film!" Jasper replies looking horrified,
Eleazar
I really need to know just who Edward can hear now. Because we all have things to hide at the moment. Not that my mating with Isabella is a dirty little secret, but I don't trust that boy not to try and hurt her. I feel more tranquil than I have in a long time, well 1875 to be precise! Much as I thought I loved Carmen back then it's nothing compared to how I feel at this moment. My very soul is at rest, I would never have believed it if I wasn't feeling it right now. It's very strange, how that innate stiffness of attitude I had before is slipping into something more pliable, more relaxed. Like I'm adjusting to suit my young, modern mate, is she too shifting to be more of a match to me? But I think she already was because she's kind and loving. She's more mature than most and understanding to a fault.
"So Edward, who can you hear now? You seem to have the knack of alienating everyone and Isabella just scoops them under her shield as you do!" I pose as I enter the study,
"She has no right! Only Carlisle and Alice are open to me now! Even Esme is silent to me!" he spits and yes he stamped his foot as well,
"Thank you, Bella, I am forever in your debt," Esme says loudly from the doorway,
"You're welcome" floats up from the kitchen where Isabella and Jasper are, just before Esme closes the door,
I take up a station sitting on the edge of one of the many bookcases in this room. Already Esme had made many changes, it's no longer just Carlisle's study, but both of theirs. Whereas in the past his stuff was more widespread, it's now to one side of the room and hers to the other. She has skilfully lightened the room up with lighter woods and decor. It reflects them both now and it's more comfortable, I believe. The divide in the coven is also more obvious too, Carlisle, Edward and Alice are on his side and Esme, Emmett and Rose are on hers. I am too apparently, but it was not intentional, this was the most accessible place and I just moved there without thought. It was a long and boring two hours, where Edward quibbled over every little thing only to be over-ruled every time. Carlisle's silence spoke volumes, as did Alice's lack of visions.
Edward was most unhappy that Jasper had the deciding vote even though he intends to leave the coven anyway. So in Edward's eyes, it makes it null and void! But he is told repeatedly it was fair and he is still part of the coven at present. He, Jasper is not involved now because the commitments will not apply to him in the future. I was starting to get bored; I wanted to see Isabella before she went home for the evening and Edward was holding us up.
"Dear God boy, just shut up and sign the dame papers or leave the coven! Your choice is easy and I can only stand so much whining before I'll want to burn you where you stand!" I growled and he grabbed the pen and signed at long last,
Everyone else had already done so, so I ripped the pen from his grasp and signed my own name as the witness with a flourish and swept back out the room in search of my little mate. I sighed as I see her leaving the kitchen and although she blushed when she saw me, it was much less than before. I smiled at her and situate myself nearby. Much as I wanted to talk, it would not be here with all these prying ears listening in. Because I know they wouldn't be able to stop themselves from adding their piece, even when it has nothing to do with them. That includes Rose and Emmett too, only Jasper seems able to hold his counsel until asked for it! This is one of the serious drawbacks of living with so many other immortals; they think they have a right to interfere in your business.
I also have to explain to Esme what it is that Edward holds over Carlisle. It's not earth-shattering or anything more than being caught out in his myriad of lies. He told them all that his father was the zealot vampire and witch hunter! That was untrue, Carlisle was the main instigator, and he enjoyed hunting down and torturing poor unfortunate souls as well as his own enemies. Making out it was in the name of his God and not his own petty nastiness! Also, he wasn't changed unintentionally; oh no it was done on purpose! Granted it backfired and he didn't go on a mad rampage killing everyone in sight, but he did hunt humans for many years. He had tried to return to London, thinking now he was immortal himself he could take out any vampires still there.
He got his ass handed to him by way better and older vampires. He couldn't fight to save himself and found he was at the bottom of the vampire hierarchy in his hometown! His visit to Volterra wasn't to learn and embrace his vampire peers or rulers. He went to complain and moan about what had happened to him as if anyone there actually cared. He was thrown out on his ear; he has no friendships within the Volturi. They saw him for what he was a small-minded petty man turned into a small-minded petty vampire. Why might you ask am I friends with him, it's my job nothing more! I was asked to keep tabs on him once he changed his diet and became a human doctor. The brothers wanted to know what his reasons were for this life he chose.
That was simple it fed his God complex, he could play the hero, saving the sick and dying! Though with all the advances in human medicine he's not seen as such an amazing doctor nowadays. It is no longer easy to swoop in and save the day as it was over a hundred years ago, he's just one of many doctors out there and can't be seen as too good or they might investigate him! So as I said nothing world-breaking, just a petty little man hoisted by his own petard. Changing Edward was his greatest mistake, it gave the boy fully autonomy over him. He wanted to be seen as respectable and compassionate now and Edward knew all his dirty little secrets!
Jasper
I had to stop myself sniggerin' when Emmett told me what Eleazar said to Edward. He's beginnin' to lose all patience with the Cullens. I don't think he's said more than two words to Carlisle since he found out about his lies, but he also didn't seem surprised! This doesn't bode well for Carmen at all; I think she should be making plans to leave before it's too late for her. Maybe she could go to Peter and Char's place until we, well I can work out how to help her. Meanwhile, I wonder what Esme's plans are now? I didn't think it was right of me to interfere since I won't be with them anymore after we leave here.
"So Esme what's the plan for your coven now? Where are you goin' next?" I ask and get everyone's attention,
"Well, no more attending high school! It's just asking for trouble and Edward obviously can't be trusted to keep his mouth shut! Also no more free rides either. Anyone who wants money from now on, they have to work for it themself. After all none of them are actually children, so why do they need to be carried.
I don't think anybody needs to be in the human world full-time like we have been in the past. Online and as consultants, these types of jobs are fine, like me, Rose and Emmett have been doing for years. So no more working in close proximity with humans, it just highlights our differences too much" she said clearly,
I could see how shocked they all were, they bein' Carlisle, Alice and Edward. The other's includin' the Denali's are noddin' in agreement with Esme.
"I think that's a very good plan Esme because they were all beyond terrible at blending in or even trying to be human! Alice was the worst with all that designer shit she insisted they all wear. Clothes that are way too classy for a small town like Forks, or any other place you probably lived.
Edward was almost as bad, with his snobbish, I'm better than everyone here attitude and that included the teachers! But nobody really liked him so it didn't matter as much, since he acted like an incomparable prig!" Bella explained as Edward and Alice growled,
"You liked it fine I believe since you dated me!" Edward spat and Bella delivered a well deserved verbal blow to his ego,
"I dated you because you uses vampire glamour on me, both of you did! Otherwise, I wouldn't have given an arrogant asshole like you the time of day and you know it!"
She turned back to Esme and continued, but by now Eleazar was much closer to her blockin' both Edward and Alice access to Bella.
"Did you know everyone at school noticed how they never ate the food they bought? Every single day they wasted it and never once even tried to pretend they'd eaten any of it! Barely even moving it around on their plates. It was even commented on by the dinner ladies, they actually watched them every day to see if any of them would try anything!"
"What! You told us nobody would notice Alice. Edward, you said nobody paid any attention, you both lied to us!" Rose spat angrily
I was as disgusted and stared at Carlisle because I had brought this up to him and he waived it off, sayin' Edward had everythin' under control. I was so annoyed I sent him a flair of excruciatin' pain that dropped him to his knees and Bella smiled at me and winked.
"Then there were the constant days off, which were a bone of contention with other pupils and their parents! How come the Cullens got to be out on sunny days and nobody else did. My dad got so many complaints about it! Probably the Principal did too, I thought you were all meant to keep a low profile because those two made sure you never did" she was no fully smilin', droppin' them in the shit was fun for her,
"Jasper, would you like to deliver that jolt of pain to Carlisle again, please? Because I talked to him about this and he said it was fine. Not to worry myself about coven affairs!" Esme sneered as Carlisle whimpered now,
"Finally, Emmett not playing any sports, but it was obvious to everyone he was strong and fit was a massive red flag and should have been something Edward picked up on. But then I'm betting he knew and never told anyone. Because it wasn't about him, of course!" Bella said floorin' everyone,
"Jeez darlin', is there anythin' you didn't see?" I asked with admiration and she laughed loudly, before collectin' her jacket,
Bella
I really enjoyed that, getting in a few digs and Carlisle got the shock treatment for letting Edward away with doing what he wanted. No more than he deserved, stupid weakling! Time to go home, this has got to have been the longest day of my life so far! Dad is working overnight to cover for one of his deputies, who's about t be a new father. So I'm just going to chill out, have a bath maybe and read or maybe watch a movie. But the best bit is no Edward or Alice to bother me anymore. I grabbed my jacket as I laughed at Jasper's comment. Eleazar was there immediately helping me on with it, I tried not to react to the feel of his hands on my skin. Esme came to my aid this time when she asked Emmett to help Edward pack up his room.
Since he didn't need or deserve the biggest room she said and would be moving into a much smaller one for now. I'm convinced she's going to keep pushing them both, Edward and Alice until they leave of their own accord, very clever.
"I'll walk you out Isabella," Eleazar said, guiding me to the door as we heard Edward having another tantrum,
You'd think he would have got it by now, that he's not that important. I was a little worried that when I left everyone's minds would be open to him again.
"Will he be able to read everyone once I'm gone?" I whisper to Eleazar,
"No, it's like once you shield a mind it stays that way. Maybe with time it would wear off, but overnight it will be just fine 'Mi precioso' (My beautiful one)" he answers quietly, also not wanting anyone to hear what we say,
He bends over my hand which I wasn't aware was in his and kisses the back of it. But before he straightens I feel him catch the skin between his lips and his tongue lightly flicks over it, as he tastes me and it was the most erotic thing I've ever felt. I can't believe something so simple could have such a profound effect on me, but I think it's just him. I don't want to leave him and I think he knows it.
"I will see you very soon Isabella, maybe in an hour if that's alright with you? I have to tell Esme about Carlisle's little lies!" he says opening the door of my truck and I nod happily,
I'm betting those little lies of Carlisle's go back many years. Way further back than Esme has known him and aren't so little! An hour, I should have time for a shower at least and to get a bite to eat, before he arrives. We do need to talk and make a plan, because if he's my future then I want it, I want it so bad. One thing we need to discuss is the Denali's, apart from Kate I don't particularly care for them and I don't think I could live there either!