Warmth, soft, was what I first noticed when I woke, I didn't want to open my eyes, I didn't want to break this illusion. That's all this was, my senses must still be catching up to my drowsy mind. Inhaling I almost groaned at the smell of food, it certainly smelled real, though I knew better. Not wanting to be in this lovely illusion any longer, I opened my eyes.
Staring at the familiar wall before me, everything came rushing back, I wasn't dreaming, huh. Sitting up I looked around the room, everything was still the same, even though a small part of me still thought I was dreaming. Inhaling deeply getting another, stronger, sent of that delicious food gave me enough motivation to leave the warm confines of my blankets.
I'm sure I fell asleep on the couch next to Alice, so how did they move me without waking me? I'm a very light sleeper, on top of being alert there is no way anyone can get near me, let alone touch or pick me up without me realizing it. It simply wasn't possible.
I was pulled from my thoughts when I reached the bottom step.
" Good morning." The man, Carlisle said. Followed by a booming 'Mornin' kid!' from the big one, Emmett.
" Good morning." I parroted back. Nodding in their direction as I made my way towards the kitchen.
Esme smiled when she saw me enter, she was in the middle of chopping some sort of meat, whatever it was smelled amazing.
" Nice to see you, Sweetheart." She greeted, before turning her attention back to the cutting board.
" Likewise, what are you cooking?" I asked.
" Fried chicken, with a side of carrots, peas, and broccoli." She answered, scooping the chopped pieces up with the knife and her hand, tossing it into the skillet.
Whipping her hands on her apron, she turned to look at me again.
" Did you need something Sweetheart?" She asked as she walked around the counter to stand beside me.
" No," I answered as I pulled myself up onto the tall stool.
" Don't you want to go watch tv with Carlisle and Emmett?" Esme asked tilting her head to the side.
They were watching the tv? I didn't even notice, having been so lost in thought, I need to be more aware of my surroundings.
" I'm fine here unless I'm in your way, or a distraction to you?" I said, about to hop off the stool and go back to my room.
" Of course not Sweetheart. You can stay here as long as you want, I just assumed it would be boring to watch me cook." Esme assured as she walked back around the counter to the skillet.
I sat there with my hands on my knees for I don't know how long, Esme would occasionally start a conversation with me, but would stop almost abruptly and flip to another subject, I had no idea why she would do this but I didn't mind.
The intervals of silence between each sentence were filled by the loud sizzling of the chicken, the aroma swirled pleasantly in the air, not becoming a suffocating scent. It was, nice. I was suddenly very aware of this feeling in my midsection, it felt as though there was a very warm stream flowing around that area.
Putting a hand on my stomach, I almost expected that warm flow to come dripping through my fingers. Esme, having noticed my new position came around the counter to stand next to me.
" Are you alright Sweetheart? Does your stomach hurt?" Esme asked as she leaning forwards to get a better look at my face.
" No, nothing hurts, just a strange feeling." This didn't ease any of Esme's concerns, if anything it only heightened them.
Carlisle walked in at that moment, seeing his wife with such a worried expression made him walk over as well.
" What's the matter?" He asked placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
I put my hand back down onto my knee, straightening my posture once more I looked up at Carlisle and answered.
" Nothing, just an odd feeling," He didn't seem convinced, so he pressed on.
" Can you describe this odd feeling?" He asked as he sat down on the stool next to me.
" It felt like, a very warm stream flowing in my stomach," I answered, though this only seemed to confuse him, if not concern him more.
" Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? And if at any time you don't feel comfortable answering you can just say so, okay?" He asked softly.
" Sure, go ahead," I agreed.
" Did anything ever happen to where you received a bad injury?" His face seemed to hold nothing but concern.
" Yes, many times. Why?" I said simply.
I heard Esme gasp, looking over I saw her staring at me with a hand over her mouth. Before rushing around the counter once again, wrapping her arms carefully around me. I stiffened, confused, and cautious of the sudden action before I realized there wasn't any threat.
Not knowing what else to do I sat still as she held me, I glanced over at Carlisle who seemed to be watching my reaction, noticing my stare he coughed into his fist, which seemed to gain his wife's attention.
" Sorry if I startled you Sweatheart," Esme said going back around the counter.
" Would it be alright with you if I talk with you in my office? It's upstairs at the end of the hall." Carlisle asked, already climbing to his feet.
Seeing no harm I climbed off the stool, waiting for him to lead the way, he stared at me a moment longer, as if waiting for something, before he began walking towards the steps. I saw Emmett with concern covering his face but made an effort to give a goofy smile when he saw my staring, giving a wave which I returned as Carlisle and I ascended the stairs.
I trailed behind him as we walked down the hall, his office was at the very end of the hallway, walking inside, I took notice that it was fairly spacious, though not enough to make you think there was more room than needed, on the contrary, there were so many filing cabinets and shelf's filled with neatly stacked books and documents, that it felt, cozy? Maybe.
He sat behind his desk which was near the wall, but there was enough room to maneuver around in his chair. He gestured for me to sit in the equally comfortable chair in front of him, doing as told I climbed into the chair that was as comfortable as it looked. I sat with my hands resting in my lap.
" So, though I still want to ask you a few more questions, be aware that if at any time you are uncomfortable, let me know, okay?" He asked softly, kindness swimming in his caramel eyes.
How is it that one man can emit such security? such support and warmth through his eyes? I was interested in how he did such a thing. I nodded my head, yes, letting him know he could continue, which he did.
" Good, first question. Do you have any family, distant or otherwise?" His arms were folded onto the desk as he leaned forwards on them.
" Not that I'm aware of." Did I have any family left? Would I even want to meet them if I did? Would they even want to see me?
Carlisle nodded his head as if expecting that answer.
" How long have you been living on the streets?" I noted the softening of his voice.
" I don't know, I've never bothered to count," I answered nonchalantly,
I tried to make my voice sound relax, letting him know I wasn't in any distress, though that didn't seem to ease the barely visible tension around his kind eyes. Why did I bother making the effort anyway? This place, these people, were having a weird effect on me, and to my growing irritation, I didn't know how or why.
Nodding his head he continued.
" Were you abused by your previous family?" I heard the split-second hesitation as he watched my reaction closely.
" Yes, and at the Orphanage," I answered simply, failing to see the reason for his caution.
His posture tensed, as did his features, before relaxing. If I had blinked I may have missed it. He nodded once again though this time his brow furrowed in worry or was it concern, it was so easy mixing those two. Perhaps they went hand in hand?
" I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Carlisle said nothing but honesty on his crestfallen face. Nonetheless, it still confused me, his kindness. He must be like this to everyone.
" Why?" I tilted my head to the side, examining his features more closely.
" No child, no matter the circumstances, should ever have to go through what you did." He said with such strong devotion I almost believed him.
How could such a good man, such a bright light in this dark cave that is the world, survive for so long? How has the darkness not come and smother his flame years ago? Is it only recently that he's turned over a new leaf? Or is he a very good actor? No, his kindness appears too genuine to be faked, then how?
" Listen, I know what I'm about to ask is abrupt, and I don't want to overwhelm you so know that you don't have to answer immediately. You've only known us for about a day, so you have no reason to trust us, and the cruelty you've had to endure thus far is beyond unjust. But please, let us show you the beauty and kindness this world holds, let us show you there are kind people all around you. Son." Carlisle's hands were now folded neatly in front of him patiently waiting for a response.
" Are you asking if you can adopt me?" I guessed, if 'son' wasn't a nickname, which it didn't seem to be in this context, I could only think of adoption.
" Yes, like I said you don't have to answer right-" Carlisle's eyes widened as I interrupted him, feeling equally surprised as the words seemed to spill out of their free will.
" Please do." I wasn't against being adopted by the Cullens, but why did I say that?
" Are you sure? If you're worried you'll be kicked out if you don't, know that we would never do such a thing, we would find you another family who would love and care for you just as much as we do. " He told me.
" I'm sure," I answered just as fast as the first time.
My face suddenly had a weird feeling, around my mouth, when I raised my hand to feel said area I was confused to find them curved up. I was smiling, a small smile but a smile nonetheless.
The confusion in my eyes with a small smile on my face must have painted an odd picture, Carlisle smiled warmly, his caramel eyes twinkling in the light.
" What happens now?" I asked curiously, my smile finally fading.
" Now, we tell everyone the good news, the others will have to tell later, seeing as they're not home yet," Carlisle said with a chuckle, I nodded in response.
Getting up Carlisle headed to the door looking back at me expectantly. I got up as well and was once again trailing behind him.
" Emmett? Meet us in the kitchen?" Carlisle said walking by.
Emmett nodded, he had a very wide grin on his face, there must have been something funny on the tv. Entering the kitchen I saw Esme had finished cooking and was filling up only one plate, she smiled when she saw us enter.
" Hey Sweetheart, the food's ready," I liked her smile, I have no clue why.
" Will nobody else be eating?" I asked curiously, tilting my head I just realized I don't remember ever seeing any of them eat, nor have I seen them drink anything. They must eat when they're out I guess.
Esme glanced at Carlisle before answering.
" We ate earlier, the others went to a friend's house today, I'm sure they ate there."
Emmett walked in at that moment.
" So, what did ya need?" He asked hopping down on one of the stools.
" I have great news, he's agreed to let us adopt him," Carlisle said placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
There was a moment of silence before a loud booming voice was heard, just as my feet left the ground.
" Woo! I have a new baby brother!" Emmett shouted as he pulled me up into a hug tossing me up into the air, catching me again with ease. I tensed up again, before relaxing realizing there was no danger.
" Emmett!" Carlisle and Esme shouted, watching me with worry.
"Huh?" He paused, his face contorted in confusion with me firmly on his hip.
I was suddenly aware of another strange feeling, this one different from the last. The look on Emmett's face, how it went from pure joy to utter confusion was so, so, the feeling suddenly shot through me, up my throat, and out of my mouth.
Everyone seemed to freeze, slightly startled by the sound as I brought my hand up to cover my mouth, but it was no use as the sound came back full force bubbling up and out of my mouth.
" Ha, hahaha!" My mouth curved up wide as I kept giggling.
Emmett seemed to be the first to break out of the trance as he smiled wide, tossing me up again causing the sound to grow, Emmett started to chuckle along with me. The smug pride was evident in his smile, glad to be the first to make me laugh, why that would be anyone's goal, I'll never know.
When was the last time I smiled? When was the last time I laughed? I couldn't remember, at the moment at least.
Finally, I was able to get my laughter under control as Emmett lowered me to my feet, but it wasn't long before another pair of arms were wrapped around my shoulders, I knew who it was when she spoke,
" Welcome to the family, Sweetheart," She said softly next to my ear.
I found myself yet again feeling that strange warm stream flowing in my stomach, I think I liked that feeling, even if I wasn't entirely sure what it was, I will eventually figure out what it is, but for right now, I was content with leaning into Esme's embrace.
Goodevening, night, or morning.
Sorry for the wait, I hope this chapter makes up for it. As always sorry for any mistakes you may find and I hope you enjoyed it.