Hello to you all. Thank you for following this story. I apologise for any errors. Sometimes when I copy and paste the text, some words go missing. Don't know why. If you see a sentence abruptly stop and has no meaning, that is why. As always, enjoy or not. Cheers.

Quote: "Your soul is haunting me and telling me that everything is fine. But I wish I was dead. Every time I close my eyes, it's like a dark paradise." – Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey

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

Chapter 21

Granted to say, I dreaded the approaching date of the dance so much. I wanted to completely erase it from my mind but, alas, Alice took to reminding me about it everyday. She has been pestering me about what I'll be wearing too. When I told her that I would just wear trousers, a sweater and tennis shoes, she looked like she nearly lost her soul.

'What is wrong with wearing that? Carlisle did tell me to dress comfortably after all. And it is not exactly a date for god's sake. I am just repaying him for the favour he did for me…At least that is what I am trying to delude myself with.'

On another note, Edward and Bella were officially dating after all the drama. I don't know when or how it even happened. One thing that Carlisle did tell me, is that she had confronted Edward about their secret and it had all snowballed from there.

So that was why I was at the Cullen house on a cloudy Sunday morning. Edward had invited Bella to his house to introduce her to his family; and dear Alice had to beg me to come help with the cooking. They wanted to prepare food for her to make her feel more welcomed. I really wanted to refuse her but she badgered me so much that I had to acquiesced.

So here I was, standing in their kitchen and looking at the recipe for Carbonara spaghetti with opera music playing in the background.

'Right now, I should be in my room watching anime. Instead I am showing those dunderheads how to cook. I wanted to avoid the good doctor until the dreaded date too.. I am totally ditching them as soon as the cooking is done.' I thought with a sigh.

I looked up as I heard the sound of a knife hitting the board and Rosalie yelling in disgust.

"Emmett! Look what you did! Now I stink of chicken! Ugh!" Rosalie exclaimed before running upstairs.

Emmett shouted sheepishly, "Sorry babe!"

I sighed for the nth time and made my way to Emmett, " what are you even doing with a butcher knife? I told you to cut the chicken into pieces, not butcher it!"

I took another knife from the counter and showed him how to cut the chicken, "here, do it like this. No butchering! Just gently slice it and rinse it under water afterwards. Don't squish it!"

I handed him the knife and he saluted with said knife in his hands with a 'Yes ma'am!'

I snorted at him, "Carlisle, please educate your son. He is saluting with a knife in his hand. He nearly poked his eyeball."

Carlisle looked from the pan where he was mixing the carbonara sauce and indulgently said, "son, gesturing with pointy objects are a 'no no'. Specially near your head."

Emmett let out a big laugh before stopping as Rosalie, who had finished changing her clothes, smacked the back of his head.

I looked at Carlisle blandly, "wow. You explained that really well."

He gave me a smile before coming towards me with a spoon, "thank you. Now, can you please taste the sauce and tell me if it's done?"

I watched as he blew on the spoon to cool the sauce down and pointed it towards my mouth. It was so natural that I casually opened my mouth and tasted it.

I hummed as I licked my lips, "It's nearly done. Just add a little bit more pepper."

His eyes were definitely darker as he thanked me before going back to his pan. I turned my head back to check on Emmett and found both him and Rosalie smirking at me. I rolled me eyes at them before asking, "anyway, where are Alice and Jasper. The hellish pixie woke me at an ungodly hour and dragged me here, only to disappear as soon as I turned my back!"

Rosalie shredded some lettuce into a bowl as she answered, "Jasper wasn't feeling good so she went on a walk with him. But that is not important! Why are we even doing all this?!"

I fished a strand of spaghetti from the boiling water to determine whether it was cooked as I muttered to her, "don't ask me. I already warned them that Bella has most probably already eaten so as not to cause any inconvenience."

Rosalie slammed the bowl on the counter, "see?! Addy says she may have already eaten. We are doing this for nothing!"

'….Since when does she call me Addy?...'

Carlisle turned off the stove and faced Rosalie, "Rose, we are doing this to make her feel welcomed. And we are not cooking just for her, we are cooking for Adaline too. If Bella has already eaten, Adaline can simply take the surplus home. Plus it provides an opportunity to spend time as a family."

'Why am I being included in the family part though?'

I blinked at that before assimilating his previous words, "wait a minute! I was cooking for myself too? Emmett you better treat that chicken well! Rosalie, don't destroy the salad if you get angry! I'll be eating that and I don't want any glass shards in it! Could you, please, add some olives and cheese to the salad whilst you are at it?"

She rolled her eyes and muttered an 'okay' whilst walking to the fridge to fetch said ingredients.

Carlisle looked at me in surprise, "you thought we were going to feed your sister only?"

I paused in the process of draining the pasta, "..uhh I was planning on ditching you all after cooking?"

Emmett: "Hey! Not cool!"

Rosalie: "Good idea. I was planning to do the same."

Carlisle raised an eyebrow at me while drying his hands.

Adaline: "What?! Who wants to be present for the awkward introductions! I am already cringing just thinking about it!"

Carlisle casually took the strained pasta from my hands, "I regret to tell you that no one is 'ditching'. Including you, Adaline."

I looked at him incredulously, "Excuse me! I can ditch if I want to!"

Carlisle approached me with a tender look, "Really? After we put so much effort in making this delicious pasta? I was also planning on inviting you to my study later to show you some interesting books."

He bent down to my height and stared directly in my eyes with a tilt of his head, "Please stay?"

I could only stare dumbly at him with a red face and a racing heart before nodding like a zombie. He gave me a triumphant smile before stepping back and going to check on the Emmett's task.

The latter's snickering broke me from my daze. I squinted at him and menacingly showed him the knife that I picked up. He made a halo above his head before zipping his mouth. Throughout it all, Rosalie leaned against the counter with a small smile on her face.

Carlisle: "Edward and your sister will be here a little later. How about you go refresh yourself Adaline? Your clothes got splattered with cream earlier. Only the chicken remains, so I'll take care of it. I do believe Alice made you pack some clothes before you came? "

I put the knife in the sink and nodded, "Yes she did. A shower sounds good. May I borrow the guest bathroom?"

Rosalie quickly inserted, "The guest bathroom is being renovated. How about you use Carlisle's bathroom?"

I looked at her with big eyes, 'What in merlin's name are you saying Rosalie?'

Adaline: "Uhh it's okay! I can just change my clothes! No need for a shower!"

Carlisle: "Is using my shower so bad? I thought you liked it."

I quickly waved my hand, "no no your shower is amazing…"

Carlisle: "Then you can just shower there, right? Rosalie, how about you accompany Adaline upstairs and show her where the towels and soaps are?"

"Okay. Let's go Addy." Rosalie said while walking towards the stairs.

I had no choice but to follow after her. We arrived at Carlisle's room in silence. Rosalie opened the door and went inside. I took a breath and went after her.

'It's just a shower Adaline. Albeit one where the good doctor showers…naked…yea…Everybody showers naked so get a grip! But why does it feels so…embarassing?'

Fortunately, Rosalie interrupted my inner dialogue, "here are the towels." She said while opening a cabinet situated behind the bathroom door. Inside, white towels were on one side while the other side had black towels. On the last shelf, there was a basket full of products.

Rosalie: "The basket other there has the soaps and shower gels. Pick any you like."

Adaline: "Thank you."

Rosalie gave me smile, "don't be so stiff. It's just a shower. I'll bring your bag and put it on the bed. Have a nice shower."

I returned her smile, "Thank you Rosalie."

"You can just call me Rose. And you're welcome." Was her response as she closed the door behind her.

I wouldn't admit it, but I was a little excited about using that shower. If you saw how magnificent it was, you would too.

'Forget everything else Adaline! This is the shower of your dreams, so enjoy it!'

With a nod to myself, I quickly picked a towel and a bar of soap and deposited them on a shelf conveniently situated beside the cabin. I took off my clothes and got into the cabin with the soap in my hand.

Twenty minutes later I reluctantly exited the shower.

'That shower was even better than I thought. It felt like I was getting a full body a plus, it is so bloody clean!'

I quickly patted myself dry before wrapping myself in the towel. I gathered my dirty clothes in my hand, verified that I didn't leave a mess behind before exiting the bathroom. I made my way, barefooted, towards the bed where Rosalie has put my bag.

My feet sunk into the thick rug as I reached the bed, 'dear merlin, that rug is so soft and fluffy!'

I dropped the towel before quickly getting dressed. I put on a white cowl neck sweater and layered a long, grey camisole dress over it. After I was done, I put my dirty clothes in the bag and let my damp hair down.

I ran my fingers through my hair while muttering, "I should have brought my hair brush."

There was a knock on the door before Rosalie asked, "Adaline are you done? May I enter?"

Adaline: "I am done. You can come in Rosalie."

'It's not even my room…'

Rosalie strutted inside on her heels and went inside the closet. She came out with a white brush with gold rims in her hand. It was absolutely beautiful and looked vintage.

"Here, use this." She said while giving it to me.

I gave her a dubious look, "is that really okay? Isn't that Carlisle's?"

Rosalie:"Don't worry, he said you could use it. He doesn't use this one."

I took it from her, "Okay then. I'll thank him later."

Rosalie said as she left, "Come downstairs when you are finished."

I hummed in acknowledgement before examining the brush in hand.

'That is definitely not a cheap brush! It is so heavy and so intricate!...Definitely a woman's…don't tell me he bought this just for me…Do not be presumptuous Adaline! Just brush your hair and go downstairs.'

I briefly ran the brush through my hair, cleaned it thoroughly and left it on the bed before making my way downstairs. I met Carlisle at the base of the stairs.

"Adaline, you look beautiful as always. Alas, I shall have to leave your side for a few moments to refresh myself. Emmett and Rosalie will entertain you whilst I go take a quick shower." He said as he stopped before me.

I rolled my eyes playfully at him, "you and your compliments. Thank you anyway. Worry not, I shall survive your absence. Oh, and thank you for lending me your shower and for the brush."

He playfully tugged on a strand of my hair, "my pleasure. Won't you at least miss me a little bit? " He then suddenly pulled my hair towards his nose, "Oh, and did I tell you that you smell good?"

I felt my face flush, " You are only going to shower! Not tour the world! What is there to miss?! And stop sniffing my hair! Shoo, get going already! Your son will be here soon. You have to be there to handle the awkward introductions."

He let go of my hair with a laugh before continuing up the stairs, "I'll be quick."

I shook my head at his back before going to join Emmett and Rosalie in the kitchen. The former was sitting on the kitchen counter and looked freshly showered. The opera music was still going strong.

I casually took a seat next to Rosalie, "Emmett, you do realise that there are stools for you to sit?"

He gave me a grin, "yea but this is more comfortable."

Adaline: "For you. I am sure that if that poor counter had a conscience, it would be screaming at you to remove your backside from it."

Emmett: "Hey are you insinuating something?!"

Adaline: "You may take it however you wish."

Rosalie casually flipped a page of the magazine she was reading, "I can certainly hear it creaking. Alice was the one who chose that counter."

Emmett hopped off the counter like it was on fire. I laughed at him as he sat on a stool in front of us.

"Those stools are too small." Emmett complained.

"That is because you are a big teddy bear ~" I teased.

Emmett: "I am not a teddy bear! I am a menacing bear!"

I snorted, " Okay, you are a big bad bear."

Emmett: "Yes! Hey Addy, how about we play some games later?"

Adaline: "Okay but not Mortal Combat or Tekken."

Emmett: "Deal! I got the newest Mario Kart! It's going to be fun! Want to play too Rose?"

Rosalie: "No thank you."

Emmett: "Awww. Let's try to rope Jasper in playing later then."

Carlisle chose that time to reappear. He went to stand next to Emmett and asked, "You haven't drunk anything since earlier Adaline. Would you like some tea?"

I nodded with a smile, "Yes, thank you."

Carlisle busied himself with making the tea when Rosalie suddenly closed her magazine and stood up, "they are here."

I didn't even bother asking how she knew this.

Emmett got up excitedly and rubbed his hands like a villain, "hahha finally! Time to meet Eddie's girlfriend! It's too bad that I lost the bet with Jasper."

Adaline: "What bet?"

Emmett: "On whether Edward was asexual or not. Never thought he would take the initiative to date someone."

Carlisle lightly reprimanded, "Emmett, what have I told you about this."

Emmett: "Yes, yes I know. I already said sorry to him."

Just at this time, I heard Edward's car pull into the driveway. I watched as Emmett cocked his head to the side like an alert dog and Rosalie scrunch her face with disgust.

'I really wonder why she is okay with me but is so antagonistic towards Bella.'

"Here you go Adaline." Carlisle said as he put a mug in front of me. "Be careful, it's hot."

I cupped the mug in my hands, "I will. Thank you Carlisle."

"You're welcome. Emmett, can you cut some bread? Rose, please bring the salad bowl." Carlisle said while washing the utensils he just used.

"The bread knife is the biggest one with the serrated edge Emmett." I said as I saw him taking small knife.

Emmett grinned at me with a 'thanks' before carefully attending to his task. Rosalie came to stand next to me with the salad bowl. It looked like she wanted to throw it at the first sight of Edward and my dear sister.

Just as I was debating on whether to take it from her hands, the people in question appeared in the doorway. Carlisle quickly dried his hands and came to stand behind me with a welcoming smile.

"Hello Bella. Welcome to our home."

'Dear doctor, pray tell why are you standing so close to me?' I asked in my head as I took a sip of tea.

Edward: "Bella, you've already met my father - Carlisle."

Bella shuffled awkwardly, "thank you for having me Dr Cullen."

Carlisle: "You may call me Carlisle. No need to be so formal."

Edward continued the introductions, "the tall one over there is Emmett and the one with the sour face is Rosalie."

The latter immediately sent him a death glare. And for some reason Edward winced.

Emmett chose that time to wave at Bella with the bread knife in his hands. I nearly snorted in my tea.

"You look so welcoming with that knife in your hand Em. You don't look like a madman at all. How about you wave at her with the butcher knife too?" I whispered teasingly; knowing he would hear me clearly.

Rosalie quirked her lips while the others laughed.

Bella smiled hesitantly despite not knowing why the others were laughing, "Nice to meet you Emmett, Rosalie."

Emmett: "Nice to meet you too puny human!"

Edward grimaced at that before quickly asking, "where are Alice and Jasper?"

Carlisle: "Jasper wasn't feeling good so Alice went to take a walk with him. They should be back soon."

Bella took that time to wave at me, "Hey Addy."

I gave her a smile, "hey Bella. Don't mind me. I was dragged here by a hellish pixie to help them in the kitchen. We made Carbonara spaghetti. I had a taste at the sauce and it tastes really good." I tilted my head back and addressed the good doctor, " you did a good job."

"Thank you, I am glad that you like it." Carlisle replied to me with a smile before turning to Bella, "I hope it will suit your taste too Bella."

"She already ate." Edward blurted out.

I winced at his bluntness as Bella's face flushed as bright as a tomato. Rosalie dangerously squeezed the bowl in her hands as she glared at Bella.

Carlisle: "Rose stop squeezing the bowl. And don't throw it. Adaline has been looking forward to eating it."

Bella stammered, "I am so sorry…it's just… you know..food and you…"

Carlisle raised a hand and interrupted her, "it's okay Bella. Adaline has already warned us about that possibility. Do not worry about it. She has not eaten yet, so it won't go to waste."

Dear Alice chose that time to make her appearance via the window while dragging Jasper by the hand. I glanced at the window and Alice alternately before calmly sipping my tea.

'No worries Adaline. It seems like it's common for them to use windows as doors. Treat it as if it's a normal occurrence in your life.'

Jasper stiffly came to stand near me as Alice ran to glomp Bella.

Alice: " I am so glad to finally meet you Bella! Edward kept preventing me from speaking to you! And you smell really good!"

"You going to be okay Jasper?" I asked him in a low voice.

He gave me a pained smile and asked, "can I hold your shoulder?"

I gave him a strange look but nodded. He looked better as soon as his hand touched my shoulder. Carlisle, for some reason, also put his hand on my other shoulder. I glanced at him quizzingly and he just smiled at me.

'This is getting weirder by the minute.'

Edward grudgingly introduced Alice after telling her to let Bella breathe, "this is Alice. She is always a little hyper so don't mind it. The blond man that came with her is Jasper."

Jasper gave a polite nod when Bella gave him a little wave with a 'hey'.

Edward bent down to whisper something to Bella and she whispered something back. It was too low for me to hear.

But Jasper next to me suddenly spoke, "she is a special case. Her scent is not as strong as yours and her presence is calming to me."

'Seems like you are no longer trying hard to hide your secret from me. Worry not, I am good at playing dumb.'

Fortunately, Rosalie interrupted the awkward atmosphere by declaring that she was going into her room and not to bother her. Emmett gave Bella a wave before following after her. Edward took that opportunity to whisk Bella away on the pretext of a house tour.

"We'll be going to our room too. Jasper needs some time-out. See you later Addy." Alice declared while dragging Jasper away.

I blinked at the abrupt departure before getting up to wash the mug, "that was wonderful. Let's not do it again."

'And she dragged me to her house only to ditch me again. Thank you Alice.'

Carlisle chuckled, "it was not that bad. How about I show you the books like I promised. Unless you wish to eat right away?"

I shook my head, "I am not hungry right now. I'll eat later, thank you. I'll go with your suggestion. Lead the way."

L.B

It always surprised me how well I got along with Carlisle. The hours spent in his company was….well it was so comfortable and blissful. I didn't even notice time pass.

I was sitting in the armchair opposite Carlisle's. Outside, the sky was so cloudy that it was dark. The running fireplace kept the room warm and a small lamp illuminated the room with dim, yellow light.

I was still laughing from his witty remark when he suddenly stated, "to be truthful, I thought that you were going to evade me until our promised dinner."

I coughed awkwardly and avoided meeting his eyes, "is that so?"

Carlisle: "…so I was right. Seems like I have to thank Alice."

I 'humphed' before saying, "what else did you expect? I can't even look my father in the eyes these days. Anyway, where are we even going ?"

Carlisle: "I was planning to bring you to a cosy restaurant but your father rejected it. He said that I had to bring you somewhere within his range. So I said I could just organise the dinner at my house and he surprisingly agreed. He said it would be more convenient for him to drop by at any time…. and bury my body without any witnesses if need be."

I buried my face in my hands and groaned while Carlisle just chuckled at me. The sound of thunder had me lift my head towards the window.

Adaline: "Thundershower?"

I couldn't resist it's call and got up from my seat to approach the window. I really loved thunderstorms.

Carlisle: "Seems like the rain is going strong further south."

I jumped from his sudden proximity.

'Could you at least make some noise when you approach someone, please?'

Carlisle: "Sorry for startling you."

"Hmm, at least you would be able to handle it if my heart gives up because of you." I muttered under my breath.

Carlisle's whisper came from right behind me, "Worry not, I shall take good care of your precious little heart."

My heart skipped a beat before starting to race wildly as I finally assimilated his words. I turned my head back and found his face inches from mine. I could only stare dumbly into his eyes as his breath caressed my face.

'Oh…his eyes are dark again..'

I stood petrified as he tilted his face and slowly leaned towards me. My eyes reflexively closed on their own and my breath halted abruptly as his nose brushed against my cheek, before cold lips replaced it with a light kiss.

I sensed him pull back and not a second later, his cold hand cupped my cheek;cooling it down.

Carlisle: "Breathe Adaline."

That's when I realised that I had been holding in my breath. I gasped and quickly opened my eyes. He gently pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly.

"You'll be the death of me, Adaline." He whispered as he lightly kissed the crown of my head.

'You are the one killing me! Merlin, it was only a little peck on the cheek…And you don't have a heartbeat.' I thought dizzily as I rested my head on his chest.

We stayed like this, for merlin knows how long, before a knock on the door interrupted us.

Alice: "Carlisle! It's time to eat. Oh and we were planning on baseball but Peter sent a message saying that it was better to sit that one out."

Carlisle graced my head with one last kiss before letting go of me, "I hope you are hungry now."

'Food is the last thing on my mind right now.' Was my thought as I let him pull me towards the kitchen by the hand.