Disclaimers: All characters of Twilight belong Stephenie Meyer. In no way do I own them. Only the character that I invented, Adaline, belongs to me.

You can visit my ko fi page where I already posted the seventh chapter of my story. Enjoy or not. Cheers.

Chapter 10

The rest of the afternoon was passed with watching movies. They said I could have the first two choices, so I chose the Harry Potter ones. At least I knew that I would enjoy those.

The last movie had just finished, so Alice used this time to drag me to the kitchen to have a quick dinner. Carlisle had been called to the hospital half-way through the first movie, so he was not present. I glanced at the clock while munching on another pasta, it was past six o'clock in the evening.

"It's getting late." I said out loud.

Alice stopped in her chatter, something about a party or a ball. I wasn't really paying attention.

"It's okay. I already asked your dad and he said it was okay if you got home by ten o'clock."

"When in merlin's name did you ask him and since when do you have his number?" I asked her blandly.

'Maybe I should stop eating whenever Alice is present. She is a hazard that has the ability to make me choke on my food.' I thought as I glanced at my now empty plate.

"I got it from Carlisle! They met each other many times via work. Oh and Carlisle talked to your dad too, to ask for permission and reassure him that you will get home safely." She finished with a mysterious smile.

I raised an eyebrow at her, 'That is one suspicious smile… Just what are you up to?'

She just gave me a grin, then took my plate to the sink to wash it.

"Thank you but I can wash it myself, you know?"

"Don't mind it Addy. Now let's go watch the next movie." She said before giddily running to the living.

I followed her dubiously. Jasper, Emmett and Edward all sat together on one side of the sofa with resigned looks on their faces. Rosalie was sitting like a queen and just watching Alice flutter around.

I walked towards the boys with a clear question on my face. They all looked at me like their souls had left their body.

'Why, in merlin's name, do you look like you are preparing yourself for intensive meditation? Is it that bad?'

Emmett exaggeratedly mouthed romance movie to me. I looked at him in horror and turned to look at Rosalie and Alice. Now that I looked at her carefully, Rosalie did have an anticipatory look on her face. I turned back to the guys and gave them looks filled with pity.

'You are on your own. I'm out.'

With that I nonchalantly and discreetly tried to go upstairs. I was not going to find the nearest corner to hide myself in, of course not. I had nearly reached the first floor when the three dunderheads tattled on me.

"Adaline is going to hide upstairs!" They exclaimed together.

I turned my head around to give them a betrayed look and glared at them. I robotically turned to glance at Alice to find her looking at me with a menacing smile.

"Of course not! I was just going to the bathroom! Don't listen to those three dunderheads." I said with a fake incredulous look.

"There is a bathroom downstairs."Emmette said.

"You three shut your big mouths. I prefer the one upstairs okay." I said pompously.

"What difference is there?" Emmett asked confusedly.

"Aesthetics of course." I said self-righteously.

"Oh! Of course you are right! The bathroom downstairs is really not up to par." Alice said. She then turned to her sister, "Rose we really have to redecorate it!"

I looked at her incredulouly. Not up to par? That bathroom was as grand as the one on the first floor! But whatever, she believed me.

I glanced at the boys again and mouthed 'fools' at them. Jasper quickly glanced at Alice then mouthed 'Carlisle' at me. I stared at him blankly then turned to look behind me. No one was behind me.

I looked back at him only for Edward to roll his eyes and mouth 'Carlisle's room or office'. I incredulously looked at them. Emmett then mouthed 'safe' to me with a cautious look at the two still discussing girls.

The horror on my face grew and I incredulously mouthed 'only safe there?!' to them. They nodded like those bobble head dogs then quickly froze when Alice glanced at them. They unfroze when she went back to discuss some type of decoration with Rosalie.

'There goes my idea of hiding in the guest bathroom until she forgets about me.'

Jasper gave his girlfriend a cautious look then quickly mouthed 'they don't go in there without Carlisle being present'.

Edward then mouthed 'not allowed to'.

I just discovered that I had an incredible skill at reading lips. Huh, you discovered something everyday.

'But more importantly, they were not allowed to go inside Carlisle's room/office without him being present?'

I gave them a look that said 'If you are not allowed to then how can I be?!'

Edward gave me an incredulous look then mouthed 'Didn't he give you permission?'

'Well he did say I could go in whenever…' I thought uncomfortably.

Jasper then urgently mouthed 'don't decide now!'

Edward then continued 'decide on the second floor'.

Emmett quickly mouthed 'go quickly! We'll cover for you'.

'Why did you bother tattling on me if you were going to help me afterwards?! You big dunderheads!And there is nothing to decide. I don't feel comfortable going in either rooms. Better to suffer through the movie.'

I came back down the stairs with a resigned look on my face. I indicated Emmett to move a little then stuck myself between him and Jasper. I don't know why, but Jasper always relaxed whenever I was near him. He often looked perplexed and conflicted when it happened. I took notice of it and put in at the back of my mind.

Now you had four desperate dunderheads staring with blank faces at the tv screen. Jasper gave me a look that said 'why didn't you run?'

I gave him one back that said 'Forget about it.'

Alice had finished with her decorating plans and turned to me, "Didn't you want to go to the bathroom?"

"I don't want to anymore. Just start the movie please." I said as Emmett passed me a big cushion that I hugged to myself. I mouthed 'thank you' to him.

It was just as cringy as I thought it would be. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back trying to block out the sugary lines. I dozed off a little in the middle of the film. I felt Jasper get up then come back to cover me with a blanket. He settled back next to me as I slipped into a deeper sleep.

'That buzzing sound is getting annoying.' I thought as I cuddled deeper into the blanket around me.

"Adaline." I heard someone say softly.

A cold hand softly caressed my face before it plunged into the hair at the back of my neck. It scratched softly at my scalp then slid down to gently massaged my neck. I heard someone call my name again as the hand at my neck nearly lulled me back into a deep slumber.

I hummed softly before opening my eyes slightly. I was sleeping on my side on the sofa and the good doctor was crouched in front of me. In fact his face was extremely near.

'Oh that feels good.' I thought sleepily as his hand continued to massage my neck.

My eyes nearly slid closed again but he gently shook me and called my name again.

"Adaline, sorry to wake you up but I promised your father that I would get you home by ten o'clock. It's currently nine twenty."

His soothing voice and comforting smell were not helping in waking me at all. My eyes had closed on their own again and the buzzing sound was back. It continued before I clearly heard Carlisle firmly say 'no Alice'.

'Was that buzzing noise them talking? So annoying.' I thought sleepily to myself. 'Dad…nine twenty… Oh sweet merlin dad!'

The good doctor's words finally penetrated my sleepy brain and I sat up abruptly, " Sorry I fell asleep."

I looked dazedly around only to find that we were alone.

'Wasn't he talking to Alice just now?'

"It's quite alright Adaline. The children already went to sleep so I'll be the one taking you home." He said as he held his hand to me.

I sleepily took the blanket off my lap and put my feet on the floor. My sweater dress had bunched up in my sleep, showing a good portion of my thighs. The good doctor quickly averted his gaze to give me time to adjust it. I didn't fail to notice that his eyes had turned dark. I quickly pulled my dress down then took his offered hand.

"Please excuse me for a minute. I have to fetch something. I'll be back quickly." The good doctor said as I let go of his hand. He then turned and went upstairs.

I took this time to fold the blanket and put my shoes back on. I took my bag then went to the window.

'It's raining. You can't hear it clearly from inside. What type of insulation did they use?' I thought sluggishly as I watched the rain drops.

I turned and walked to the door to wait for the good doctor, 'It's going to be a cold night.'

Carlisle came back a few moments later with a thick black coat folded on his arm. He unfolded it as he reached me.

"Please put this on. The temperature has dropped drastically outside. Wouldn't want you to catch a cold, would we?" He said with a smile as he held the coat open.

"Thank you." I said raspily as he helped me put it on. The coat smelled divine and completely engulfed me. I had to roll the sleeves a few times.

"You are welcome." He responded as he came in front of me to help me button up. "You are still sleepy, aren't you?" he chuckled as he finished adjusting the collar of the coat.

I blinked at him, "just a little."

He smiled at me, turned to grab a black umbrella then opened the door. He indicated for me to go first then followed after cold wind that hit my face as I stepped outside made any sleepiness I had slip away.

Carlisle quickly opened the umbrella then held his arm towards me "May I?"

"Yes."

He put his arm around my waist then tugged me against him.

"Ready?" he asked as glanced down at me.

I just nodded in response.

"Be careful not to slip." He said as we rapidly walked towards his car.

'How in merlin's name can I slip when your arm feel like stone around me?' I thought dully.

He pulled the door open for me and I quickly got in. I pulled on my seat belt then glanced dubiously at the glossy black surfaces inside the car.

'Note to self, avoid touching anything. What if I leave a fingerprint?'

The inside of the car was luxurious. Even the seats were comfortable. You just melted into them.

I watched as the good doctor got in. He put the umbrella in the back then turned the ignition on.

"I hope you are not too cold." He said as he turned the heater on.

"I am okay, thank you. I am sorry that you have to take me home. You must have been tired from work."

He chuckled as he started to drive, " I am not don't worry. Believe me when I say that it is my pleasure to take you home Adaline."

The glance he gave me was full of hidden meanings. I wasn't sure if I wanted to discover them or not.

"Thank you very much then." I replied as I leaned fully into my seat.

'So that is what that mysterious smile meant Alice.'

The interior of the car was now warm, which amplified the smell of the good doctor.

'Bloody hell I am surrounded by his smell. Is that his natural scent or perfume?'

I tugged at the collar of the coat and discreetly sniffed it. It smelled like ink, firewood, wine and slightly musky. The smell made me think of 17th Century England.

'How strange…no perfume smells like this. It sure is intoxicating.' I thought as I looked outside the window only to catch Carlisle glancing at me with an amused smile in the reflection.

I felt my face get a little hot,'Oh sweet merlin! Don't tell me he caught me sniffing his coat!You can ditch that smile mister! I caught you sniffing me many times too!'

"Do you wear perfume? Your coat smells really good." I tried to justify.

He had a self-satisfied expression on his face, "No I don't but I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you Adaline."

I was going to say that it could just be his detergent when I happened to see the dashboard in the corner of my eyes.

'100 km per hour….now that I think about it, the trees seemed to pass by extremely fast when I glanced out earlier…'

I glanced out just to make sure, 'Yes definitely fast.'

"Carlisle?" I called out.

"Yes?" He responded with a glance at me.

"I hope to merlin that you have good coordination and reaction skills at the speed that you are going. On top of that it is raining. I hope that my father never catches you speeding like that, specially with his daughter in the passenger seat. He'll shoot you." I said nonchalantly.

"I apologise, I am used to driving fast." he said as he decelerated a little. "You don't seem afraid."

"Strangely, I am not."

I stared at his profile for a little bit , "May I ask you a question?"

"You may."

"How old are you?"

He seemed a little taken aback by the question at first but then became amused, " Twenty-four years old."

"Why do I detect a point of irony in that answer?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

" Do you?" He asked as he looked at me.

"Eyes on the road please. And yes I do."

He obtemperated to my request and faced the road again, "Quite perceptive, aren't you? Hmm you'll know sooner or later. Allow me a little bit of mystery." He chuckled. "It's my turn to ask a question now."

'So you will allow me to know you better…Good to know.'

"Oh? Are we playing twenty questions?"

" It would seem so. So, may I ask my question?"

"Go ahead. We've nearly arrived anyway." I said as I turned my body towards him and leaned my head against the seat.

In response to my statement, he slowed down even more. Then he turned to look at me with a mischievous look, "Now we can take our time."

I let out a laugh, "Are you really going to drive this slow till we finish the twenty questions? You do know that you can get a ticket for that too, don't you?"

" I won't, don't worry. So my first question. What is your favourite colour?"

"Starting with the very basics huh. I don't have a favourite colour but I do tend to favour dark and neutral colours."

" The basics are important. Now, I believe it is your turn to ask a question."

" That they are. Then I return the question to you. What is your favourite colour?"

"Black and creams." He answered immediately. "Your favourite season?"

"Autumn. Yours?"

"Winter. Favourite type of music?"

"No favourite. I just listen to whatever I like. You?"

"Classics. Mostly instrumentals. Favourite book genre?"

" Thriller and classics. You?"

" No favourites. I read anything I find interesting."

" Bibliophile ~" I teased him gently.

"Someone told me that it was okay and showed that I am a cultured man." He said with a teasing tone.

"That someone is absolutely right."

I looked at him in askance as he parked the car a few kilometres away from my house.

"We still have ten minutes before your curfew. I don't know when we'll get to talk alone again and I still have sixteen questions to ask." He said as he turned the car off.

"What are you going to do if nosy neighbours think you are some suspicious character?"

"Most of them are asleep and I can get out of any situation that arise. Now, my next question. Favourite type of food?" He asked as he turned his body towards me.

"Okay ask all of yours. I'll ask mine at a later time. And I prefer Italian food."

"A dream of yours?"

"To travel to all the places I want."

"What places?"

"Korea, Japan, Greece, Spain, Lithuania, Switzerland are some of the main ones. There are too many."

"Hmm…" He tilted his head and hummed. "A fantasy of yours?"

"To own an island so that I can escape civilisation whenever I want to. Just me and nature." I said laughingly.

"So mountain or beach?"

"Mountain."

"What type of weather do you prefer?"

"Surprisingly, the weather here in Forks is my favourite. Cloudy, rainy and I love thunderstorms. I don't know why but they soothe me."

"Hmm interesting. One word you would describe yourself as?"

"Patient."

"One pet peeve of yours?"

"Rudeness."

"Favourite animal?"

"I like all animals. But I do have a slight preference for raptors."

"Favourite precious stone?"

"Sapphire and opal."

"Would you rather someone always tell the truth or lie to protect your feelings?"

"The truth. I prefer bluntness and honesty."

"Are you afraid of death?"

"No. I have a healthy respect for death. Everyone dies. No exception. Some may die early and it may take longer for others. But eventually death will come. It is the cycle of life. What matters is how you die. You may die naturally or be brutally killed or sadly choose to end everything yourself."

He seemed thoughtful at my answer, "your way of thinking always surprises me. Okay next question. Do you believe in the supernatural?"

I kept my face neutral, "Depends on if I have proof. Legends must have come from somewhere after all."

'Interesting question to ask. Makes my suspicions more credible.'

"What do you value in a person?" He asked looking straight into my eyes.

"Loyalty and honesty."

"What would you value most in a relationship?"

"Respect." I whispered.

"Last question. What do you think about me?" He asked in a low voice.

"Intriguing, generous, charismatic and cunning." I said slowly.

He gently pushed my hair behind my ear and smiled at me, "Thank you for indulging me Adaline. Now let's get you home."

With that said, he turned the car back on and drove to my house. I blinked and glanced outside to find that it was still raining.

" Right on the dot." He said as he parked behind my father's car.

"Thank you again for driving me back." I said as I reached for my bag.

The good doctor got out of the car with the umbrella and opened my door for me like a true gentleman. He offered me his hand to help me out of the car, "like I said, it was my pleasure."

He held me against him to share the umbrella as he accompanied me to the front door. We stopped at the door and I hesitated in opening it. He still had his arm around my waist.

"I am glad to have been able to talk at length with you today Adaline. I have to say that I greatly enjoyed your company. You are always welcome at our house." He said softly.

"Thank you Carlisle. I enjoyed your company too." I said with a smile.

"May I have your phone number?"

"Oh okay."

I was surprised at the sudden question but nodded.

"Then let me borrow your mobile phone for a minute please."

I got it from my bag and handed it to him. He typed in something and a few minutes later his phone rang.

"Here, thank you," he said while giving it back to me. "I entered my number and got yours. You may contact me anytime you wish to."

" Thank you."

'Your arm is still around my waist you know?'

He tilted his head to the door for brief second before taking my hand and kissing the back of it.

"Your father is coming. I bid you good night Adaline. I hope to see you soon." He said lowly with his face near mine.

He then gave me a small grin and let go of waist just as the front door opened.

"Dr Cullen. Good evening. Thank you for bringing her back. Please come in." My father said.

I took that time to get inside and stand beside my dad.

"Good evening Chief Swan. No thank you needed. It was my daughter that invited her after all. I apologise but I have to refuse the invitation at this time. My children are waiting for me at home. Maybe another time."

"I understand. Then I won't delay you more. A good night to you and your children Dr Cullen."

"Thank you. Good night to you too." He then turned to me, "Adaline." He said with a nod and a slight bow.

"Good night Dr Cullen." I said softly.

With that we watched as he walked to his car and drove away. Dad closed the door and asked me how my day was.

"Full of discoveries." I replied as I climbed the stairs. "Good night dad."