Chapter 5: Cassie
As my excitement for the evening ahead grew, the day seemed to drag more. Carlisle had departed with the promise of meeting me after his shift, and I felt giddy at the thought. He seemed more certain this time about spending more time together. It was endearing to see him look almost too nervous to ask to walk me home. It was old-fashioned and it was sweet, and it was just so Carlisle. I didn't know what it was about me that made him want to spend time with me- I was sure he could get any woman he wanted, but here he was asking to walk me home. The afternoon trudged on at an agonisingly slow pace, the clock ticking by second by second as I served customers. When it grew quiet in the shop, just two customers reading in the chairs, I tried to think about the Cullens.
They were different, there was no doubt about that. And even though everyone knew there was something up with them, they just ended up ignoring it, or pretending the Cullens were normal. Perhaps it was because I was so observant that made me think more about what was going on. I thought back to Carlisle, he was incredibly handsome and youthful- despite claiming to be in his early thirties- but he was pale, incredibly so and also cold. He never ate or even drank when I was with him. And from what I'd heard from local gossip, him and his children always went hiking when it was sunny. Carlisle had unusual- but beautiful- eyes that seemed to change colour. Then I thought back to the incident. How had he heard my screams? I wasn't very loud; I was too weak to be loud. Had he been far away? Or had he been nearby? There was almost something… inhuman about it. I thought all of this through carefully, I was curious. I walked over to the fantasy children's book section and pulled a book of various myths and legends.
By the end of my read, during which I served a few customers, I had several theories. Zombie, ghost, vampire, angel, or incubus. They all seemed unlikely. The Cullens seemed too normal to be a dumb zombie. I had touched Carlisle so he couldn't be a ghost, although it would explain why he was so cold. As for the incubus… well as far as I was aware none of the Cullens had preyed on sleeping males and females for sexual purposes. The angel theory seemed very likely. Carlisle just seemed so inherently good. He was my savior. And he was beautiful, like an angel. But then a part of me thought that he was sometimes very careful, as though he could be potentially dangerous. Vampire I wasn't sure on. He was cold, which worked, and he was inhumanly beautiful which also fit. But he didn't have fangs. I wasn't sure if he was strong or fast, although he looked like he could be. And sometimes… he spoke and acted so old-fashioned it made me wonder if he was from a different time period. And if he only fed on blood, that would explain why I never saw him eat or drink. If the Cullens were vampires, it would also explain why they always took days off to 'hike' when it was sunny.
I sighed. I was getting too deep into this.
The bell chime startled me from my thoughts. I hadn't even noticed the inky black take over the sky. I glanced over to see Carlisle entering the shop, as promised. I quickly moved the myths and legends book behind the counter.
"Hey," I said a little breathlessly.
"Hello." He smiled as he approached, his step always careful. His golden eyes sparkled, and I found myself getting lost in them. I quickly cashed up and locked up the shop. Carlisle waited ever patiently as I locked the front door behind me.
"It's really sweet of you to be here again." I said as we started walking back to my home.
"It's my pleasure." He said. "I was looking forward to spending more time with you." My heart soared at his admission.
"This afternoon went by so slowly after you left." I murmured, feeling my face flush.
"It did." He agreed.
"You sure your kids won't miss you? Two evenings in a row you'll have been out." I asked.
"No, they're old enough to take care of themselves." He smiled. "I think they're just pleased for me that I'm going out rather than spending all of my time indoors."
"It's sweet they think that way."
"They're very mature." Carlisle said. But then he paused. "Most of the time." I laughed at this. Footsteps sounded behind us, they were quick and approaching swiftly. I felt my heart start to race and my breathing increase. Almost instantly, Carlisle noticed this. I had no clue how he noticed it so fast. He took hold of my arm, but I flinched as I remembered the man taking hold of my arm. Carlisle let go but walked closer to me. I walked back on instinct and found myself against a wall. I felt trapped. Carlisle crouched a little to be able to look into my eyes.
"Cassie, breathe with me." Carlisle instructed, "You're safe." I knew I was safe with Carlisle, so I tried my best to copy his breathing. Slow breaths in and out. Slowly, the panic started to fade as my breathing and heart rate started to return to normal. "It's okay Cassie." Carlisle's voice was soothing.
"I'm sorry." I said shakily, once I felt better.
"Nothing to be sorry for." Carlisle murmured. I looked around trying to think whose footsteps I heard. Answering the unspoken question, Carlisle said: "He was a runner, I'm sure he's gone by now." I felt so silly. Silly for flipping out over a runner; silly for flinching from Carlisle and feeling trapped.
"I'm sorry I flinched from you." I said, sad. "I know you don't like it." He looked surprised.
"Please don't apologise, I shouldn't have touched you when you were feeling like that."
"Shall we get going again?" I asked, wanting to get home.
"If you feel okay enough." Carlisle agreed. Unsure whether the gesture would be welcome, he carefully held out his arm. I took it with little hesitation, looping my arm through his. I felt far more calmer being so close to him. It made me feel braver. Despite the chill I could feel from his hand that rested on mine, I felt warm inside.
I unlocked my front door and invited Carlisle inside again. I took off my jacket, hanging it on the hooks, and told Carlisle he was welcome to do the same. He took off his coat and his dark blue scarf, hanging them up. Carlisle was dressed in a light blue shirt with dark trousers again and a tie. He loosened the tie and took it off, putting it in the pocket of his black coat that he hung up. I kicked off my shoes beneath the hooks and after pausing for a moment, Carlisle did the same. I could tell he was very unused to going to other people's houses as he copied what I did with my clothes- as though to ensure he was being socially acceptable. It was then that I realised that I was probably the first person he had properly socialized with outside of his family for a while.
"So, I take it you still don't want anything to eat?" I asked.
"No, I'm fine thank you, but I can help you cook." He offered. I frowned at him.
"I'm not going to make you cook for me, but you're welcome to take a seat and watch me cook."
"That sounds acceptable." He smiled.
"Should I bother to offer you a drink?"
"No, don't bother yourself." Carlisle laughed. I smirked at him as I started up the oven to cook chicken goujons and chips.
"I'm glad, you know," I started carefully, "You seem so much more relaxed."
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean, you don't mind joking about yourself now. Your guard seems to be down." I commented. He looked at me, his eyes bright before admitting:
"I spoke to my daughter Alice last night." He ran a hand through his golden hair, but the strands never fell out of place. "Truthfully, I was worried how my family would…. take to me spending time with someone. And Alice put my worries at ease." I could tell he was leaving something out.
"So, you've decided your secrets are safe with me then." I laughed. Carlisle just grinned, his brilliant white teeth dazzling me slightly. I fixed myself a glass of water, wondering whether I should tell him about my silly theories.
"What's on your mind?" His voice was soft.
"I'm just trying to figure you out." I admitted. "You probably don't want me to though." He sighed, seeming torn.
"You may not like what you figure out." He murmured. My heart ached at this, at the sad look on his face.
"You don't know that." I said quietly.
"True." He nodded.
"Has anyone figured you out before?" I asked, scared of prying too much.
"Yes." He thought for a moment. "Well not me specifically, but my son Edward. His wife Bella… figured him out as you put it."
"That ended well." I pointed out. He smiled then.
"And I'm very glad it did." He seemed so happy for his son that it made me yearn for that kind of familial love, that kind of romantic love. I checked on my food, finding it cooked. Carlisle watched me as I plated my dinner. We moved out of the kitchen to small dining table.
"I have some theories." I finally felt brave enough to whisper as I cut my food. My elbow knocked my glass of water, but before I could even gasp, Carlisle had caught it. He blinked, shocked at his own speed and set it carefully back down on the coaster. "Good catch." I said with a smile. He relaxed slightly but looked a little frustrated at himself. I couldn't tell how quickly he caught the glass. But I was sure it was quicker than most people can move. He looked at me and smiled slightly.
"Hm, I remember Bella made several theories up of Edward. So, tell me your theories."
"You'll laugh." I said. "And I also don't want to offend you."
"Please? I'm curious now." He had relaxed again.
"Well…" I chewed my chicken as I thought. "I managed to narrow down my theories to a few that could be probable. I thought maybe you're a ghost, because you're really cold." Carlisle started to laugh. "See I told you that you would laugh!"
"I'm sorry." He said still laughing. "Please continue." I pouted at him, which only made him chuckle more.
"Well now the ghost theory is definitely ridiculous." I admitted. "Besides I can touch you, you aren't a wispy, spectral being." He chuckled again. "Then I thought that you could be an angel." Carlisle sobered at this and stared at me in surprise. "You are handsome, you seem so inherently good and you have saved me and been there for me when I needed someone the most."
"Cassie…" He seemed so surprised he was at a loss for words.
"It's my favourite theory." I admitted.
"Thank you Cassie." His voice was quiet. "That really means a lot to me." It made me wonder what people normally thought of the Cullens if this got him so choked up. "But I can assure you I'm no angel." He smiled a little sadly.
"Well damn." I sighed, eating more of my dinner. "I thought I had you figured out."
"Not yet." He smiled. "Any more theories for me today?" I paused, there was another theory, but the theory fit so well that I was a bit worried. I hardly knew Carlisle, we hadn't spend hardly any time together. And yet… something inside me felt as though I knew him. As though I knew him better than I knew most of my old friends. I felt drawn to him… did I want to ruin that with my stupid theories?
"Just one more." I murmured decisively, finishing off my chicken. I set my fork down and looked at him. "Well, I was reading through a book earlier, where I got my theories and just tried to fit aspects of you to them." I smiled slightly. "Other than an angel, I felt this one fit the best." I could see in Carlisle's eyes the concern. "You don't eat or drink, at least not around me. You're cold and pale and handsome. I hear from gossip that you and your family always go hiking on sunny days. You're far too young to be in your thirties…" I stopped, feeling uncomfortable with this game now. Just hearing myself say it all out loud made me realise that I was right. Carlisle smiled at me, but underneath he looked distraught, I could tell that he knew what I knew, he sighed slightly as though steeling himself for rejection. I pushed my plate aside and stood up, walking to get closer to him. I always felt safer when he was near. Damn, since when had my feelings for him grown so much? I barely knew him- we were barely more than strangers… and yet, I felt an inexplicable pull to him. I sat down in front of him and took his hands into mine. He froze in shock. I ran my thumb over his cold, smooth skin. His eyes flickered to mine in confusion. He was clearly expecting something different. Perhaps running and screaming? He now looked almost hopeful. Slowly, I leaned forward, feeling brave.
Our lips met. Carlisle froze in surprise once again, and I wondered when he last kissed anyone. Within seconds though, he had relaxed. His lips were harder than mine, but it still felt as though our lips fit together as though they were sculpted for each other. He returned the kiss softly, gently, as though he was afraid of hurting me. We parted; he looked a little ruffled. His pupils had expanded, and he looked a little shocked still. But there was a smile playing at his lips. His breathing was normal though, and mine was just starting to calm down, making me wonder if he even needed to breathe much.
"I didn't expect that." Carlisle murmured honestly.
"What were you expecting?" I asked with a giggle. He cocked his head to the side.
"Well, screaming and running away would tend to be the normal response if your theory is what I think it is." His eyes were questioning.
"Vampire." I said softly. I knew I was right. Carlisle's eyes tightened a little, and he looked like he was waiting for me to run away from him still.
"That didn't take you long at all to figure out." He said, his voice gentle and extremely worried. "Never, in all my years has someone worked out my secret."
"I told you I am exceptionally observant. From what I've heard in town, you have nothing to fear."
"And you aren't scared? At all?" He frowned.
"No. Should I be?" I surprised myself. I wasn't truthfully scared, not of Carlisle anyway.
"Probably." He smirked without humour, but his expression remained gentle. His long fingers reached up and ran through his hair, he looked slightly stressed. "Edward was endlessly frustrated that Bella wasn't scared."
"I don't fear you Carlisle."
"That's nice to hear actually." His smile was genuine.
"I still think you're part angel too." He laughed at this.
"I'm pretty much the opposite."
"You can't be Carlisle, you're too good." I smiled, and he returned the smile. "So, would you prefer I scream and ran away instead?"
"No." He shook his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I didn't expect the kiss at all, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't do it all over again." I was sure if he could, he would be blushing.
"I'm glad," my voice was quiet. "I took a bit of a risk because… well we hardly know each other, and I clearly have a bit of history…"
"That does not bother me." He interrupted, sincerely. And I visibly relaxed, it was a relief to know that what happened to me didn't matter to him. "And as for hardly knowing each other, well, that gives us a perfect excuse to get to know each other better."
"If you are sure." I said. "I mean… won't your family…"
"My family is more than happy for me to get to know you." He reassured me. "I spoke to them last night. And while they may not be happy you know about us, well, it was bound to happen sooner or later if we were to start anything." But he paused. "I just really didn't expect you to find out so soon. Although maybe Alice knew…" He trailed off, shaking his head. Carlisle ran a hand through his impeccable hair, looking at me with amazement.
"You're still waiting for me to run aren't you?"
"You keep surprising me." His voice was full of wonder and I gazed into his soulful eyes. I was lucky to have met Carlisle. "But, I suppose you have a lot of questions."
"I do." I nodded. "If you're up for answering them."
"Go ahead, ask whatever you wish."
"You don't drink human blood." I said before realizing it wasn't a question. I felt my cheeks grow hot and Carlisle chuckled softly at my awkwardness.
"No, we don't." He confirmed. "We survive on the blood of animals." I nodded, deep in thought.
"What happens in the sun?"
"Err." He seemed to not know how to explain it, which seemed like a first. "Well we don't burn or anything like that. We err, well I'll just have to show you some time." I nodded in acceptance.
"Do you have fangs? That was what made me doubt the theory, because your teeth seem normal."
"We don't have fangs as such." Carlisle chuckled. "Our teeth are razor sharp though."
"Were you really born in London?" I hoped the answer was yes. He laughed at this.
"Of all the questions you want to ask me." His smile was dazzling. "Yes, I was born in London, although it is very different now to how it was when I was born."
"When were you born?" I pressed.
"Around the 1640s I think."
"Wow you're much older than you claim to be!" I gasped out, laughing. He joined me. "That's amazing though."
"I may be three-hundred and seventy-nine technically, but I was twenty-three when I was attacked and changed into a vampire."
"Oh, you are the same age as me then!" I was surprised, but glad. I took a breath, this had all been a lot to take in. "I'm going to get some more water." I took my now empty glass into the kitchen.
Alone, I leaned against the counter and let out a heavy breath of air. I winced; Carlisle might have been able to hear that. I filled up my glass. I paused and took a drink. This all felt a little surreal. Suddenly, within a week, I had been brutally attacked and kind of rescued by the incredibly handsome and favourite local doctor before suddenly falling head over heels for him, during which I have suddenly been thrust into a world of fiction. I'd always hoped the supernatural existed, but I had never expected to suddenly be so involved with it. The idea of vampires seemed ludicrous, but it all made so much sense when I thought about it. It was a terrifying thought, but I knew deep down that I was safe with Carlisle. He wouldn't hurt me. I'd had enough for the night of thinking about vampires and the meaning behind it. I realised I'd been standing, thinking for too long when I heard footsteps enter the kitchen. I froze.
"Relax," Carlisle's voice instantly calmed me.
"Sorry." My tense body slowly eased. "I didn't mean to take so long."
"You've been given a lot to think about." How was he so understanding?
"Yeah I think I've just about exhausted my mental capacity for now. A lot has happened very quickly."
"Sorry," he winced almost imperceptibly. "I should have been more careful… I understand if you need some time alone."
"No, don't go." I reached out and took his hand. "Sorry, what I meant was that I was thinking we could maybe play a game or something? We have plenty of time to talk in the future if we want."
"That is perfectly understandable Cassie." Carlisle agreed.
So, we spent the evening playing on my PlayStation. Carlisle had laughed when I suggested it but had seemed eager to learn how to play so that he could beat his sons. We played team racing games, where I initially won most of the matches, but Carlisle was a fast learner who was soon giving me a run for my money. We also played on the Nintendo Switch, playing Mario games together. Carlisle was unsure of the gaming consoles at first, and I teased him for being so old, but he soon found himself getting competitive and enjoying the games. It was easy being with him. It was easy just talking and playing games. I had never gotten on so well with someone before, and it made my heart race to think that maybe we could start something great together. At least, I hoped that was what he wanted in the future.
"So, I want to do this properly." Carlisle said during a round of Mario Party. "I want to take you out for the day."
"That would be nice." I smiled at the thought.
"When do you have a day off?" He asked.
"Well, its Friday tomorrow so I have to work, but I'm free on the weekend."
"We'll do something on the Saturday then." He decided.
We continued playing games until I finally yawned. I hadn't realised how late it was getting.
"I expect I should be heading back to my family, and you need your sleep." Carlisle said, standing up from the sofa.
"And you don't sleep?" I asked, noting his odd wording.
"No, I don't." He smiled. I just nodded as though it was completely normal. We walked out to the hallway where he put on his shoes, coat and scarf. "Thank you for tonight Cassie." He murmured, gazing into my eyes.
"Thank you for coming over."
"Here," Carlisle pulled out a card from his pocket. "This has my mobile number on it." I took the grey card which contained his name, occupation and what appeared to be his number and email address.
"Thank you. I'll give you a text, so you have my number too."
"Also," he hesitated, looking a little worried. "I'm working a later shift tomorrow, so I'm afraid I won't be able to walk you home." His voice was quiet, and he didn't look happy.
"No, it's okay. I need to walk on my own at night at some point anyway." Truthfully, I was going to miss having Carlisle there to support me, but I understood.
"Well, message me when you're leaving work and when you get home. And call or message me if you need anything." He said.
"I will do." I giggled at his concerned face. He smiled at me.
"Goodnight Cassie."
"Goodnight Carlisle." This time, he stepped forward and hugged me carefully. I instantly returned his embrace. He was so gentle, and tentative, I wondered if he was stronger than normal because of what he is. He pulled back, kissing me once on the cheek before smiling at me again and leaving.
As I settled into bed for the night, I created a new contact in my phone and sent a single text:
I enjoyed tonight. Have a great night with your family. Be sure to challenge them to Mario – Cass
I didn't have to wait long for a reply:
As did I. I think I have a chance of winning now. Sweet dreams Cassie - Carlisle
