Now several viles lighter, I felt weary of the attention. I hadn't known Carlisle long, but I could tell that the look on his face was far from satisfied.
"I think if we take anymore, I might lose what's left of the human in me." I joked lightly in Carlisle's direction.
He ducked his head sheepishly, "I do suppose you are right my dear, this should be more than enough to provide some starting answers." He tapped my chin before sealing the last vile and affixing what appeared to be a waterproof bandage to the small pinprick of a hole in the crook of my elbow.
I raised me eyebrows but thought better than to ask. Jasper's head had been in my lap the entirety of the time, cold and unnervingly unmoving.
"Aren't I supposed to be the one that is pale and on the verge of passing out?" I giggled as I bounced my legs to jostle him.
His head raised slow as his face too raised in a smirk.
Carlisle broke the silence between us, " I will be spending what is remaining of my time at home before work analyzing these samples. Hopefully before morning, we will know more." He issued as he moved to transport the viles.
"I am not even going to pretend to be surprised that you have a full-scale laboratory hiding in this castle if it's all the same to everyone." I shook my head with a huff.
Carlisle placed a hand on Jasper's shoulder, "While I would hesitate greatly to call it full-scale, it will accomplish what we need for the time being." He then disappeared through the heavy set of doors with neary a whoosh of air.
"Guess that just leaves you and I…" I broke off into a yawn.
"Before you make it to that fainting spell you mentioned, I do believe that Esme has prepared something of a meal for you. To replenish I suppose." He shrugged as he raised from his kneeling position, offering me his hands on his way up.
I teetered ever so slightly, now grateful for anything that Esme had prepared.
His hands were around me instantly, as he bent closer to me to offer every ounce of support that he physically could.
I felt the strongest urge for a repeat of the forest, but my basic survival instincts were screaming loud enough for me to hear for once.
"Hmm, tempting." I murmured before turning away from him, still in his hands, using minimal effort with no convincing attempt at breaking free.
"My thoughts exactly" he laughed lightly as he guided me to the kitchen, hands firmly on my hips and steps slightly offset outside of my own. He glided easily, like my presence was of no inconvenience to him. Like it was perfectly natural to him.
When we made it back through the narrow-hidden hallway, I attempted to mark the layout of the house as best as I could. Several winding and perfectly polished hallways ranging from a deep dark flooring to the purest and most beautiful marble with ancient veins running through it, we entered into the open space and massive chef like kitchen.
"Still not even shocked, this house is like an architects wet dream that meets dark academia." I plopped ungracefully into the nearest island stool.
"Esme thought you might feel overwhelmed by…everything…tonight so she prepared what she could and went to help Carlisle." He offered as he started pushing random plates towards me.
"She certainly didn't have to, but I do really…really appreciate it." I sighed.
I shoved what I could into my mouth, not paying much attention to what anything was. It all tasted well, but nothing was overly flavorful.
"I hope it is enough. We have all had some experience in cooking for Ness, but none of us ever got very good at it I'm afraid" he laughed as he leaned his elbows on the counter, now supporting his chin on them bent over at the waist.
I let out a laughing sigh as my nose scrunched in an eyes closed smirk. "It's perfect as always. I don't require much flare in simple human things. Parties, fashion, décor…yes. Feeding myself? Not so much." I grabbed the empty plates and moved towards the sink.
Jasper was in front of me before I had even completely turned in the direction of the sink, "Yeah, I don't think so." He bowed his head, looking me up and down through one raised eyebrow.
I rolled my eyes while handing him the plates. "You're never gonna get it are you?" I issued annoyed as he was at the sink and finished cleansing the dinnerware before I had even finished.
As he strutted slowly towards me, head ducked to meet my eye level, that same blasted eyebrow cocked at me, "That, Darlin', no. This, this is chivalry. Something I'm afraid you're just gonna have to get used to." He drawled at me before kissing my forehead.
I shook my head as I yawned.
"Shall I carry you upstairs Darlin'?" he asked with brows furrowed in concern.
I nodded as I held my arms up towards him. He scooped me into his arms easily, tucking my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I nestled my face into the crook of his neck and was asleep before we even made it out of the kitchen.
No matter the dangers he posed against my existence, none of it mattered. Through each and every disappointment in my life, my visions of him promised me that one day, all of my suffering and uncertainty would end…this was that day, it was here. Each vision old and yet to come swirled around my head now in a blur, each indistinguishable from the next. A cohesive story of love, protection, and belonging. Something I had only ever dreamt of. And with the actions of today, the family that I now had, they offered something more than just that. They offered the possibility of answers. A possibility of an escape from the dread that I'd be snatched from a world I didn't belong in. What was it that made me feel that way? What experiences had emblazoned that into my instincts? We'd know soon. I didn't know much of Carlisle or his story, but I could tell he would not leave any of this alone until we knew for sure. Answers were coming.