I was grateful that the Sun had decided to stay away after that blisteringly bright Monday, and it was surprisingly easy to fall into a comfortable routine with Bella. There was only the smallest of hurdles in our otherwise exquisite courtship – Bella's father. Or more accurately my instinctual fear of Bella's father. I had only interacted with the man twice, and I desperately wanted to keep it that way. Of course, I knew that was unlikely, not to mention impractical. Bella was incredibly close to her dad, they shared a peculiar bond that seemed to transcend the usual father/daughter relationship. I suspected it had something to do with their otherworldly natures, but since I was doing my best to avoid being in the same room as Charlie Swan, I could not investigate the matter further.
My family didn't understand. My siblings were relentless in their teasing, even Alice had joined in once or twice, and Carlisle couldn't comprehend my apprehension. Carlisle had only met the Chief the one time, and it had been in an open expanse of waterlogged forest with the smell of a rotting human corpse and a rogue vampire clogging up his senses, so I was convinced that Carlisle had not been exposed to the full extent of the Chief's predatory scent. Carlisle was… less convinced. While he had never voiced his opinion aloud, he thought my aversion to Chief Swan stemmed from a much simpler source – the innate apprehension all teenage boys felt towards their girlfriend's father.
When I picked Bella up for school on Thursday, it quickly became clear that Bella had noticed my well timed avoidance of her father.
"Do you just, like wait for Charlie to leave or something?" Bella teased me as we drove to school.
I shot her a bashful half-smile. "Yes. I'm not ashamed to admit that your father does intimidate me a little." What a gross understatement, but I didn't want Bella to know just how much her dad unsettled me. I didn't want her to see me as weak, or frightened.
Bella pouted adorably and rolled her eyes. "It's posturing is what it is." She grumbled petulantly. "He's really nice, I swear. You just gotta get past the whole grumpy werewolf routine first."
I wasn't sure why Charlie Swan felt the need to 'posture' to me, it wasn't like I was a threat. Not only did he have centuries of experience on me, but I had no doubt he could easily end my existence without even breaking a sweat. Physically, I was no match for him. The only reason I could think for his hostility was because I was dating his daughter, and I wished that I had more courage because if I did I could sit down with the Chief and assure him that I would rather throw myself into the burning flames of Hell before I did anything to hurt Bella.
I reached over the centre console of the car and gently took Bella's hand in mine. "I have time, I don't mind waiting." I assured her with a comforting squeeze of her warm hand.
XxXx
In biology class Mr Banner wearily rolled in a TV, completely unwilling, and partly unable, to put the effort into actually teaching his afternoon class. He was hungover, which I felt was a little odd for a Thursday afternoon, but in the depths of his mind I could hear the lingering echoes of the argument he had with his wife the night before, so perhaps his altered state was a little more understandable.
At the sight of the TV and the promise of a lazy afternoon of movie watching, I noticed that Bella slumped down in her chair – clearly she was disappointed at not being offered a more mentally stimulating challenge. Unable to stand the sight of her saddened scowl I quietly whispered in her direction, "Mr Banner is still hung over." In the hope that it would lighten her mood.
My efforts were rewarded with a delightful giggle that Bella quickly stifled behind her hand. My own lips twitched in response to her glee. Bella eyed me conspiratorially. "Really?" She whispered, her words barely a breath of air, before she quickly turned her gaze back to the front of the room and the atrocious excuse for public education that was now flickering on the outdated screen. Turning my own attention to the appalling film – I mean, honestly, I actually lived through the 80's and I was certain that I did not wear such horrendous clothes – as my hand slowly sought out Bella's underneath the cover of our desk. Bella's eager fingers quickly clasped around my own, her blazing heat nullified my chilled touch. Her hand felt so small, so soft and fragile, in comparison to my larger, stone hard hand. I slowly moved my thumb against hers in a soft caress, before I moved it up slightly and ran the pad of my thumb over the pulsating vein in her wrist. As my thumb moved I could feel Bella's pulse speed up, just the tiniest bit, the difference was so tiny, so minuscule that I doubted that even Bella had noticed it, her body's subtle reaction to my touch filled me with a warmth previously unknown. Bella had this remarkable way of making me feel so human, or if not human, at the very least, less monstrous.
I noticed Bella's eyes flicker to me for the shortest of moments before returning back to the front of the class-room, and I realised I hadn't responded. "Oh yeah," I whispered back, I hissed the words between my teeth to avoid detection. I dipped into Mr. Banner's mind for a moment, and quickly retreated, I didn't need to know the intimate details of my teacher's marital issues. "He was late to his first class this morning. He even considered going home, but he needs the paycheck." I quietly reported to Bella, and hoped it was enough to entertain her.
Bella frowned thoughtfully at that before turning her attentions back to the film playing at the front of the room. I couldn't tell if she was suddenly engrossed in the educational content on display, or if she had once again lost herself within the confines of her own mind. Bella was remarkably skilled at that, staring into nothingness as her thoughts whirred silently and unseen behind her eyes. During our down-time we would simply read together, for no other reason than because we were happy to be within each others orbits, and more than once I had glanced up to see Bella staring at her book, but not reading a single word. Off in her own world, entertaining thoughts and ideas that I would never be privy to. I didn't mind, especially because more often than not Bella would eventually let me in on whatever it was she was thinking so diligently about. I lived for those moments.
This time was no different.
"Hey, can vampires get drunk?" Bella suddenly whispered in hushed curiosity.
Her question was so peculiar, so bizarre and out of place I couldn't stop the startled chuckle from erupting from my mouth. How I yearned to read her mind and understand her thought processes, I was sure it would be the most amazing and beautiful mindscape I had ever seen. Alas, I could not, so instead I answered her. "No, as far as I am aware, vampires can not get drunk. What makes you ask such an absurd question?"
Bella glanced at me from the corner of her eye, and I couldn't help but shift slightly in my seat so that I was not only just a little bit closer to her, but also so I could better see into her mahogany gaze. I knew it was useless, extended eye-contact would not miraculously grant me access to her mind, but I couldn't stop myself from trying anyway. "Well…" Bella hummed demurely, suddenly shy and uncertain that she truly wanted to share her thoughts with me. I didn't interrupt, and simply trusted she would continue. "It has come to my attention recently that neither can werewolves. Well not really, not for long." Bella rushed through her words, finishing them off with a halfhearted shrug.
It takes me a second to completely grasp Bella's words. "Bella, have you been drinking?" I tried to make my voice light and teasing, and I wasn't sure if I was entirely successful. I didn't like the idea of Bella becoming intoxicated, it sounded like a recipe for trouble.
As if sensing my hidden displeasure, Bella sat up a little straighter, almost bristling under my stare. "If it makes any difference, Charlie is the one supplying me with the booze." She whispered to me as she glanced around the room to make sure no one was paying attention to our hushed conversation.
"Really?" I whispered back doubtfully. Sure, Charlie Swan wasn't your typical member of law enforcement, but I was surprised to see him break the law so carelessly.
"Yes, really. After the whole broken nose incident he gave me some Monkshood wine. Apparently it's a super special secret werewolf recipe. The effects of it didn't last very long." Bella met my eye and smirked teasingly at me.
"Monkshood is deadly," I hissed back in shock.
"That's what I said!" Bella replied, her increase in volume didn't go unnoticed by our classmates and Bella shrunk down in her seat a little bit and waited for their attentions to wane before continuing. "Apparently that doesn't matter to werewolves." She continued more quietly.
This was brand new information, and what wonderful information it was! Why couldn't werewolves become inebriated from regular alcohol? Was there something in the toxicology of Monkshood that allowed their bodies to better retain the intoxicating properties? "That is very interesting," I managed to quietly mumble. A wayward nugget of knowledge pop up from the back of my mind, the fact that certain strains of Monkshood were sometimes called Wolf's Bane. Was there a connection? I didn't know enough about Bella's anatomy, or werewolves, or the creation of alcohol, to come to any concrete answers. "Do you mind if I tell Carlisle this? He has been very curious about you and your father." I asked innocently.
Bella visibly stiffened at my query. She pressed her lips into a tight line of worry as her eyebrows crinkled, I could see the way her shoulders tensed as she fought against the urge to bring her arms across her chest. I didn't completely understand her reaction, it was almost as if she were afraid of Carlisle. Bella seemed to take notice of her own reaction and I watched as she forced herself to relax. "Sure" She shrugged casually.
I wasn't sure why she reacted the way she had, but I also wasn't sure how to bring up the topic with her. So I didn't speak, and we sat in silence for the rest of Biology.
XxXx
After my last class on Friday afternoon, I walked as quickly as I could to the school gym so I could walk Bella to my car. I stood outside the double doors as the students filed out, and Bella wasn't among them. Frowning to myself in confusion I trudged to my car and decided to wait for her there. Maybe she had left the class early, or had rushed off to the library for some reason. Either way I knew she would eventually migrate to the parking lot so I could drive her home. I lamented the small sliver of time that I would lose, but I knew I couldn't control where Bella went – no matter how much I wanted to.
Slowly, the parking lot began to empty. My siblings directed their worried thoughts my way, but didn't stop to say anything as they got in Emmett's jeep to make the drive home. Eventually, I was the only one left in the student parking lot.
I hastily scanned through the minds of the remaining humans inside the school building, and not a single one held any thoughts about Bella. Where in the world had she gone?
I pulled out my phone and quickly types out a text.
Where are you? Are you okay?- E
It was short, and to the point, but I didn't want to waste time just in case Bella was in need of my help. I didn't have to wait long for Bella's reply.
I'm fine, me and the others are getting an early start on spring break. We're at First Beach if you wanna join us?
A savage snarl rippled out of my throat and made my lips twitch. First Beach, the one place I could not follow her. Obviously Bella didn't know this, or else she wouldn't have invited me to join her. I clenched my cell phone in my hand and had to hold back from crushing it to dust in my fist. It wasn't just Bella's distance – and my inability to close that distance – that angered me. Bella had disappeared without warning, and had just left me waiting here like a god damn fool! Did she not care about me at all? No, I knew that wasn't true, I knew Bella loved me, but I couldn't align that with Bella's current behaviour. Resolve steeled, I pushed off my car and started to stalk towards the closest crop of trees. Treaty be damned I was going to First Beach to talk with Bella in person.
"Edward. Stop." Alice's gentle voice spoke up from behind me and I whirled around to face her.
"What?" I snapped.
"You can't break the treaty." She admonished.
"There's not even any shifters alive at the moment!" I argued as I gesticulated angrily with my hands.
"Okay, well how about this. You can't go running off after Bella because you're angry. She didn't do anything wrong." Alice replied as she walked closer. I glared at her in astonishment and opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off with a raised hand. "I know what you are going to say" because of course she did. "And there's nothing wrong with her going off with her human friends. She's 17, Edward, a kid and sometimes she will get caught up with other things – other people – and forget to tell you. You can't control her every movement, and she doesn't owe you constant live updates on her location, you're her boyfriend not her bodyguard."
Damn. Without even giving me the chance to speak, Alice had effectively dismantled every argument I had sitting on my tongue.
"Do you think she did this on purpose, to hurt you?" Alice carefully asked.
"Of course not!" I spat, immediately jumping to Bella's defence. Bella didn't have a cruel bone in her body. I knew without a doubt that she would never do anything to intentionally hurt me. A small, knowing smile began to slowly curl the edges of Alice's mouth. I narrowed my eyes at her, "Yes, yes. You're very clever. No need to be so smug about it." I grumbled.
"On the contrary, dear brother mine. I feel like there is every reason to be smug." Alice teased as she curled her delicate hand around the crook of my arm so I could escort her to my car. "You'd better text Bella back. As always, she's difficult to see but I get the distinct impression if you make her wait much longer she will be come very distraught." Alice's vision flashed in her mind – well, to call it a vision would be misleading – Alice's original description was much more accurate. It was a very distinct impression, a clear and almost palpable feeling of sadness and worry, centred around an unmoving and slightly blurry image of Bella's face.
I quickly took my cell phone out of my pocket.
Enjoy your time with your friends. I'll see you tomorrow-E
The strange half-vision in Alice's mind disappeared in a cloud of vapour.
"Also, I thought I should warn you. When you get home Esme is going to demand you bring Bella around to officially meet the family." Alice chirped as she slid into my car.
I slumped down in the driver's seat and scrubbed a tired hand down my face. "Really?" I asked with a groan. "Why?" I whined as I pulled out of the empty lot and started the drive home.
"Why not?" Alice chirped happily and I shot her an unhappy scowl. She grinned innocently at me, and then laughed playfully. "Honestly, Edward." She giggled. "Don't you think it's time? You can't keep her to yourself forever, you know." Alice rolled her eyes. "Besides, I already know we are going to be best friends, but I can't do that if you keep her away from the family!" Alice whined.
"Best friends, you say?" I teased her as I pulled onto the long winding drive that lead to our home.
"Yes, actually." Alice scowled, unimpressed with my teasing. "So it'll be a lot easier for everyone involved if you just agree to bring Bella around to the house tomorrow."
I could tell that Alice wasn't going to give in, and once we got to the house I knew Esme would join in, and then I would truly have no hope. "Okay," I relented with a sigh. "Tomorrow."
XxXx
I pulled into Bella's drive-way, relieved to note that the Chief's cruiser wasn't parked in the drive. With more confidence than I had just a moment ago, I casually strolled towards Bella's front door. I rapped my knuckles against the wood and waited for Bella, I heard the soft padding of her bare feet against the floor moments before it swung open.
Bella stood in the doorway, her brown eyes wide with shock as she looked me over. It appeared that Bella had not been expecting company, if her outfit was anything to go by. She was wearing a very large red-flannel shirt that was speckled with various colours of paint and was frayed along the bottom, she also had on a pair of faded jeans that Bella had obviously cut into shorts herself. I couldn't help but smile at her, she looked stunning, utterly beautiful with her messy brown hair all piled on top of her head, even the pink rubber gloves that still covered her hands could not diminish her beauty.
"Hello," I murmured fondly.
"Come in." Bella mumbled back as a red hot blush flashed across her cheeks. Bella sharply turned on her heel and started to march towards the kitchen, I let the door close softly behind me as I trailed after her.
Bella pulled off her rubber gloves and threw them into the sink, as I entered the kitchen I was hit with the sharp smell of cleaning chemicals. Now Bella's attire made a lot more sense. "There is something I want to ask you." I began nervously.
Bella quickly turned on the spot to face me, her eyes wide and excited. "Oh!" She beamed, and her megawatt smile made my dead heart lurch in my chest, as if it were trying to beat again. "Hold that thought! I have something for you." She grinned cheekily as she dashed past me. "Wait there!" She hollered from the stairs and I chuckled and shook my head at her antics. Before I could think about what Bella could have gotten for me, she had returned. "Alright, close your eyes!" Bella demanded jovially from behind me.
"Bella" I huffed out her name in a fond chuckle, but did as I was told.
"Now hold out your hand." She demanded. My affectionate smile broke out into a toothy grin as I held out my hand palm up. I felt something small and hard drop into my waiting hand. "Alright, you can look now."
I opened my eyes and looked down at my hand, in the middle of my palm sat a small piece of sea-glass. It was a vibrant green colour, and the ocean had smoothed over any rough or sharp edges until all that was left was a perfectly smooth piece of glass in the shape of a tear-drop. It was such a small thing, but I loved it. Bella had seen this, and thought of me, wanted to share this tiny treasure she had found with…. me. Even when I wasn't there, this little piece of glass was proof that she still thought of me.
"It's sea-glass." Bella mumbled shyly.
"Yes, I see that." I murmured, unable to take my eyes off the token of Bella's affection.
"I saw it at the beach, and it made me think of you." Bella explained in a quiet voice. "It was stupid. Forget it-" She muttered and she reached up to snatch it out of my palm.
I pulled my hand away in a blur of movement, I carefully curled my hand around the precious offering, being particularly mindful of the fragile nature of Bella's gift as I held my fist protectively against my chest. "Don't you dare." I rumbled, my voice steadily heading towards a possessive purr. "I love it." I assured her and closed the distance between us in a single step. I bent my head and pressed an affectionate kiss to the top of her head.
Bella lifted her head and blinked up at me. "Really?"
I smiled fondly and gently caressed her face, willing all the love I felt for this silly girl to somehow flow through my fingertips and sink into her skin. "Really." I nodded.
"You're not just saying that to make me feel better?" Bella's eyes narrowed as she studied my reaction to her accusation.
I bit back an astonished laugh, and brought up the piece of sea glass and held it between my thumb and forefinger so I could see it clearly. "Bella, this is the most precious thing anyone has ever given me." I replied earnestly.
Bella scoffed. "Well now you're just being dramatic." I looked back to her to see a shy smile on her lips, and a new blush colouring her cheeks. Bella took a deep, stuttering breath before she stepped away from me, putting a small distance between us as she leaned against the counter. Bella cleared her throat. "You had something to ask me before I distracted you."
It was a most welcome distraction, and now that it was over I had to do what I came here to do. I subtly shifted my weight and tried my best to hide just how nervous I was. I had no doubt that my family would love Bella, she was sweet, and kind, and powerful and strong, and I loved her with all of my being. I was more worried about how Bella would react to my family. They could be… a bit much sometimes, and I didn't want them to scare her away.
"I want to you meet my family." I pushed the words out quickly and hoped that she had understood them.
"Your family." Bella replied dryly, giving nothing away. Her face was blank, if not a little bit curious.
I casually shrugged, "Yeah, come to my house today, meet them." I suggested lightly, leaving her plenty of room to say no.
Bella frowned and I watched her reaction like a hawk. While I was incredibly nervous about her finally meeting my family, I also really really wanted to introduce her to Carlisle and Esme. Well… more like show her off. I was disproportionately proud of the fact that Bella had chosen me as her boyfriend, and I wanted everyone I loved to see just how spectacular she was.
Bella eyed me warily. "What if they don't like me?" She sighed.
I chuckled airily and smiled at her. "So you're worried, not because you'll be in a house full of vampires, but because you're worried those vampires won't approve of you?"
Bella's frown deepened and she began to bite at her bottom lip anxiously. Her gaze fell from mine as she began to nervously tug at the edges of her frayed t-shirt. Bella shrugged helplessly. "They have plenty of reasons not to like me." She mumbled sadly.
It broke my heart to see her so sullen, yet again I was struck with more evidence of the fact that Bella did not see herself clearly. I reached over and gently pried her hands away from her shirt. "They are going to love you." I firmly assured her. "Alice has been practically chomping at the bit to finally meet you, it's taken all my powers of persuasion to hold her off for this long."
Bella nodded before pulling her hands out of mine and began to head towards the hall. "Alright. You wait here and I'll go have a shower and get changed."
I turned to watch her leave. "That's not necessary, you look fine."
Bella barked out a sarcastic laugh before she called out from the stairs, "That's a bold faced lie. I'm not meeting your family smelling like chemicals and looking like orphan Annie."
I laughed under my breath and moved to the hallway to wait for her. I listened intently as the shower upstairs was turned on, Bella's heartbeat was calm and even as she went about her ablutions and before long there was the sound a squeaking pipes as Bella shut the water off. I heard the sounds of her soft footfalls as she padded to her room and a clattering noise that I could only assume was her throwing open her closet doors. I could hear the rattle of clothes hangers being moved about as Bella huffed angrily. "What are you supposed to wear when meeting your vampire boyfriend's vampire family?" She muttered bitterly to herself.
I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter. "I don't think there is a dress code for this situation!" I called out playfully. Bella didn't reply, but I wasn't left waiting because only a few moments later Bella was bounding happily down the stairs.
Bella looked radiant in a floral blouse that hung loosely over her slender frame, the material looked soft to the touch but the lack of sleeves and the lightness of the fabric worried me. As Bella approached I raised my hand and caressed her exposed shoulder with the back of my knuckles. "You look lovely, but wont you be cold?"
Bella leaned into my touch. "I don't really get cold."
I nodded thoughtfully and took Bella's hand so I could walk her to my car. I watched her from the corner of my eye as I drove us to my house. Bella didn't speak as she watched the scenery pass us by, and I didn't miss the small inhale of breath that escaped Bella's lips as the house came into view. My lips twitched into a smile – that was a good sign. I parked outside and quickly went over to open Bella's door for her. I could see how tense and nervous Bella was, and although I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for her anxiety I tried my best to soothe her, I took her hand in mine and gave it a comforting squeeze as I walked us towards the house.
"Your house is amazing." Bella whispered in a mixture of awe and soft surprise.
I smirked at her. "What were you expecting? A castle and towers and moats?" I teased with the hope that our lighthearted banter would make Bella relax and feel at home.
"Well, not the moats." Bella teased back as I lead her up the porch steps, the fact that Bella had easily fallen into our casual back-and-forth gave me hope for the coming introductions.
Once we made it to the front door I could physically feel Bella's hesitance to enter. She stopped walking, her shoulders were tensed and there was the slightest tremor in her hands. I gave the one in my hand another gentle squeeze. I pulled Bella closer to my side and bent down until my lips brushed against the shell of her ear. "Take a deep breath and relax, they're going to love you." I whispered lovingly.
My family could hear how nervous Bella was, and in their minds they each made me a silent promise to be on their best behaviour. I knew it wasn't just for my benefit either – Alice had already told the family how important Bella would eventually be to her, and then by extension the rest of the family. Now, don't misunderstand, I knew how much my siblings and parents loved me – how could I not when I had full access to their every thought and feeling?- but they all shuddered at the thought of upsetting Alice. Alice seemed to experience emotions… differently than the rest of us. She would swing between manic highs and depressive lows at the drop of a hat – or at a particularly nasty vision that she could do nothing to prevent – vampiric emotions were stronger, more volatile than human ones and Alice seemed to be destined to endure the worst of it. I think this was one of the reasons Alice and Jasper worked so well together, Jasper was the calm port to Alice's tropical storm – even without the use of his gift, he understood his Mate's mood perfectly, and knew just how to help.
I looked down at Bella to confirm she was ready and she nodded mutely. So, with a warm smile I opened the front door, pulling Bella across the threshold with me.
We walked into the house together, but as I continued into the entryway Bella stopped dead in her tracks. Bella's hand was ripped out of mine as her feet became rooted to the ground as if she were stuck in a fly trap. I turned around, shocked by Bella's abrupt change. She was still standing on the plush door mat that cheerily declared this house a home, her small hands were curled into tight fists at her side. I cocked my head curiously at her, ignoring my family's curiosity in what was happening, I instead observed Bella with an all consuming intensity. Her pupils were blown wide, her chocolate irises were just a small ring around the deep dark void of her pupil and although her wide eyes were looking at me I could tell that Bella wasn't seeing me. I could see the muscles in her jaw twitch as she clenched her teeth, and as she took a deep breath in her nose twitched as her nostrils flared dangerously.
She's panicking. Jasper sent a worried thought directly at me. It's something primal, instinctive. She's gonna bolt.
I wasn't sure what was happening, or how to help her. I yearned to touch her, comfort her, draw her close to me, press her against my chest and run my fingers through her hair in an attempt to alleviate her stress. But I didn't, because I wasn't sure if that would help, if Jasper was right and this was some primal werewolf… thing I didn't think that being caged in by my arms would help.So instead I took a cautious step forward – Bella's words about how she did not have complete control of her lupin nature echoed in my mind, and I didn't want to do anything that would make Bella feel threatened.
"Bella?" I murmured gently. "Are you alright?"
I saw the muscles in Bella's throat move as she swallowed thickly, before opening her mouth to speak. She closed it again with a frown, cleared her throat and tried again. "Yeah, it's just… a lot" She whispered hoarsely. I took another step closer and took her warm hand in mine. "All the scents just hit me at once, it overwhelmed me for a moment," Bella blinked up at me with a smile that looked just a little bit forced. "But I'm alright now." She assured me.
I frowned down at her, I didn't believe that she was alright, but I also didn't want to argue with her. Bella was stubborn, and I knew that any attempt to argue the point would just make things worse. So, I just nodded my head and curled my arm around her waist, pulling her against my side. I hoped that my proximity would offer her some level of comfort against the scents of my family as we moved further into the house. "This way," I urged softly as I steered us towards the parlour.
I felt her warm arm snake around my torso, her small hand was like a brand against my lower back as Bella pressed herself closer to me. "Bella, these are my parents. Carlisle and Esme." I kept my tone casual as I introduced Bella.
Carlisle met my eyes for a brief moment, less than a second, and in that second he sent me a very direct thought – Is she okay? The message was veiled in concern, he had heard what had happened at the front door and didn't want to do anything to upset Bella. Carlisle knew how much Bella meant to me. I nodded my head almost imperceptibly, and Carlisle knew that it was okay to turn his golden gaze to Bella.
"Hello, Bella." Carlisle greeted softly as he glided across the room. His mind was going a mile a minute, and as he got closer he subtly scented the air. His thoughts weren't meant for me, and usually I tried to offer my family the highest level of privacy I could give, but I was awfully curious as to what Bella smelt like to others. Would they smell the pleasant aroma of gentle honey-suckle and fresh strawberries? If she smelt differently to the rest of my family, what did that mean for me? For us? For our relationship?
Carlisle's kind eyes gave nothing away, his expression was warm and welcoming as if he were greeting a loved one, but internally he almost recoiled in surprise – only centuries of practice kept his expression clear and open. To Carlisle, Bella smelt most certainly not human – Bella's scent was sour, like strawberries left to ferment in the sun. From inside Carlisle's mind I could see how Bella's scent needled at his instincts, warning him that this girl was other, to watch her closely, and to not under any circumstancesturn his back to her. Carlisle's eyes met mine at vampire speed, so fast that Bella missed the gesture, but it was clear to me. As was his next thought – If the Chief smells anything like this girl, I owe Edward an apology."It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He continued charmingly. Carlisle used the same practised discipline that allowed him to be a surgeon, to ignore the scent of human blood, and applied it to the task of fighting his vampiric instincts that were telling him to not get any closer to Bella as he came to a stop in front of us.
I was glad that I had insisted on Bella meeting my parents first while the others waited in the living room. They thought I was being dramatic – they had been going to school everyday with Bella and had never reacted poorly to her scent. I had pointed out that that had been in school, when Bella was surrounded by hormonal teenagers who seemed to bathe in perfume and axe body spray. I felt just a little bit vindicated as Bella's scent began to seep through the house and reach my siblings and each of them – other than Alice, naturally – had a similar reaction to Carlisle. At least this way, they would have time to work through their reactions while Bella met Carlisle and Esme.
When Carlisle had been coming towards us, Bella had once again stiffened in my arms, it seemed to be an unconscious, or perhaps instinctive reaction that didn't go unnoticed by Carlisle – who was trying his best to study everything about Bella without seeming like he was doing so. Carlisle's scientific curiosity about Bella irked me somewhat, the way he looked at her as if she were a brand new discovery, an oddity to study and dissect. Naturally, I knew Carlisle meant no harm, he had dedicated his entire existence to helping others – that being said he had always been fascinated with the inner workings of the human body, and as medicine and science progressed it simply added fuel to Carlisle's intellectual fire.
I felt Bella's body shudder softly as she released a shaky breath, she seemed to become aware of the fact she was wound tighter than a spring and slowly she forced herself to relax, one muscle at a time until she was eventually standing calmly next to me once again. "What's up, Doc?" Bella quipped, which earned her a chuckle from Carlisle and a tinkling laugh from Esme.
Esme rose gracefully from her seat. "Hello dear,"
"Oh my god, enough with the pleasantries already." Emmett grumbled under his breath from the living room.
Bella's head whipped towards the noise, and she cocked her head to the side with an adorable frown as if she were trying to find an angle that would better allow her to hear what was being said.
"It seems the others are growing impatient, they are in the living room." Carlisle chuckled fondly as he took Esme's hand and walked through the house to the large living room that faced the back yard. I was quietly impressed with how Carlisle willingly turned his back to Bella, even though I could hear the way his inner vampiric instincts were raging at him not to. From what I could tell from Esme's mind, she too had noticed Bella's peculiar scent, but was too enraptured by the idea of me finally finding a companion that it was easier for her to push it out of her mind – her motherly instincts seemed to win out over any vampiric impulses she may have had.
I steered Bella through the house and she haltingly walked by my side as she looked around at her surroundings. The rest of my family were sitting in the large living room, and when we entered Emmett waved childishly at Bella, who waved demurely in turn. I shot Emmett a warning glare, but he just smirked impishly at me. Calm down, bro. I'm not gonna do anything to scare your girl. I just wanna wrestle with her a little… his thoughts trailed off as he began to picture what wrestling with Bella would look like. Images of them sparring filled his mind like a fog, the images not as crisp and clear as a memory would be. The thoughts then shifted to an image of him fighting a large brown wolf, which from what I could tell was what Emmett assumed Bella's wolf form looked like. His fantasies weren't completely accurate, his mental image of Bella's wolf did not do the reality justice.
"Oh, Bella it's so great to meet you!" Alice trilled as she jumped out of her seat and rushed across the room to pull Bella into a hug. "We're going to be great friends!" She sang happily as the memory of her vision rose to the surface of her mind, unbidden. The vision was similar to all the others Alice had had of Bella, blurry and twisty like watercolours being mixed together, and yet this one was clearer than any of the others I had been witnessed to. Alice was laughing, her head thrown back in delight as Bella hugged Alice around the mid-section, grasped her close and picked her off the ground in a snug bear-hug as Bella spun Alice around, Bella's laughter mixing with Alice's before Bella eventually let Alice go.
I was pulled out of Alice's mind and the promise of a heavenly future by the pungent smell of burnt flesh and the sound of Bella gasping in pain. Bella stepped back, removing herself from Alice's hug and my gentle embrace in one move. Bella twisted her torso in an attempt to look at her bare shoulder, and in doing so exposed it to the room at large. Where Alice had grasped Bella the skin was marred with a bright red burn. Closer to the centre of the wound was a cluster of blisters, and the skin surrounding it looked as if the first few layers of Bella's skin had been flayed from her arm.
Bella looked at the wound and groaned, "Ugh." She huffed as she scratched around the edges of the wound lightly. We were all stunned, unable to move and unsure of what had just happened we all simply looked at the burn on Bella's arm that was already beginning to heal. As if sensing our shock, Bella raised her eyes and looked us over. "Silver." Bella mumbled as a way of an explanation.
The sound of Bella's voice seemed to reanimate all of us and Alice gasped in horror. "Oh! I didn't know! I'm so sorry!"
Carlisle looked at Bella with renewed interest. "That's fascinating, so it's not a myth." He mumbled under his breath as he began to wonder what other pieces of werewolf lore could apply to reality. Personally, I didn't find it fascinating at all. I found it incredibly distressing. Alice's ring was rather small, and had barely touched Bella's skin for more than a second or two, and yet….it had caused such a horrendous wound.
"It's fine, Alice. Don't worry about it. It hardly ever comes up so I didn't think to say anything." Bella smiled kindly at Alice.
I was moving before I had even made the conscious decision to do so. I moved to stand in front of Bella, placing myself between her and my family, shielding her from their gaze. I gingerly took her arm in my hands and carefully looked over her wound. The burn had already decreased in size dramatically, the blisters had disappeared and the circumference of the reddened skin had lessened. "That looks painful." I mumbled sadly. How could I have let the happen? All I had wanted was for Bella to meet my family, for them to get to know her as I did, and instead I had allowed Bella to come to harm.
Bella huffed angrily and lightly slapped at my hands, and not wanting to upset her further I let them drop to my side. "It's fine. I'm already healing." Bella muttered as she scratched at the inflamed skin. Sure enough, Bella was right. The burn that looked so horrifying only moments ago, was now looking more like a particularly nasty rash.
I shifted closer to Bella's side, allowing my family to see her unobstructed again. Jasper was amused by my protective display, noting how I was behaving like a vampire who had just discovered their mate. I wasn't sure what to make of his musings, could Bella be my mate? Was that even possible? I decided that that would have to be something to think about later as I turned my attention back to Bella.
Bella seemed uneasy in the room full of vampires. She was shifting her weight restlessly and her eyes were darting around the room anxiously, as if she were desperately trying to catalogue every detail. I didn't have the same level of experience as Jasper, but even I could recognise someone preparing either to fight or run.
I slipped my hand into Bella's which twitched violently before curling around mine with a crushing intensity. Bella turned her head to look at me, her eyes bright and ablaze with nervous energy. I smiled down at her. "How about we go have that chess match I promised you? You can get to know the family some more later." I calmly suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds nice." Bella agreed weakly, her eyes flickered once more towards where my family was gathered in the living room but before she could focus on them I began to pull her out of the room and towards the stairs. I kept her hand in mine as we walked towards Carlisle's study – Carlisle's chess set was the nicest that we had in the house and Carlisle's large desk and plush chairs would make for a comfortable place for us to relax.
"That's not fair!" Emmett grumbled under his breath. "I wanted to ask Bella if she wanted to wrestle with me!" He whined.
"Now, Emmett, Bella is Edward's guest. Be polite." Carlisle admonished sternly.
"I didn't upset anyone did I?" Bella mumbled as she strained to hear the conversation happening below us.
I rolled my eyes, not at Bella but at Emmett and his childish behaviour. "No, Emmett is just complaining. He wanted the chance to test his strength against a werewolf." I muttered sarcastically. Bella lowered her head with a frown, her brows were knitted together and she began to worry her bottom lip between her teeth. Bella's hand was once again tense in mine, and it was if her body couldn't decide if it wanted to press closer to me or pull away. I paused in front of the doors to Carlisle's study and took both of Bella's hands in mine. "Bella, are you sure you're okay?" I whispered warmly.
Bella heaved out a heavy sigh. "Yes, Edward I'm fine." Bella shuffled closer to me, so close that her chest was almost pressed against my own. I could feel the warmth of her body radiating off her in waves, Bella closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, ducking her head slightly to inhale my scent deep into her lungs. As Bella blinked open her eyes I was overcome with a feeling of pleasure and gratification that Bella seemed to gain so much comfort from my scent – my vampiric instincts were positively purring. "It's just like I said before, there's a lot of stuff coming at me all at once. You're family- I mean- They- You don't" Bella began to talk faster and faster until she began to stumble and fall over her words as if they were physical obstacles in her way. It was adorable, and terribly endearing. I had to bite back a chuckle at the way Bella seemed to be able to wind herself up. I waited calmly as she took another deep breath and tried again. "What I mean is, that you don't smell like a vampire." Bella professed, and was promptly cut off by Emmett's booming laughter echoing up to us. According to him, this was the funniest thing to have happened in decades. Bella shuffled her feet as she frowned down at the floor. "And they can hear everything we are saying, can't they?"
"Just ignore Emmett, the rest of us do." I teased as I gently tucked a strand of Bella's hair behind her ear. I cupped her jaw tenderly and coaxed her face up to me. "So, I don't smell like a vampire… but the rest of my family does?" I guessed.
"They do." Bella confirmed with a hesitant nod. Bella leaned into my touch as she raised her own hand to caress my face. "And I know they aren't going to hurt me. The logical side of me knows that, of course. It was just standing there with all of them staring at me like that, it was like I was fighting against every instinct I had not to launch myself out the closest window." Bella admitted weakly.
In response to Bella's gentle confession, each member of my family became filled with differing levels of guilt – so much so that Jasper was beginning to feel uncomfortable in the middle of it all and instinctively sent a gentle nudge of calm out towards the vampires around him. Even Rosalie was feeling remorseful, although not as much as the others – instead of guilt she was quietly impressed, until now Rose had thought Bella to be naive, too forgiving of our natures, and Rosalie was strangely comforted by the fact that Bella seemed to have a functioning level of self preservation.
I quickly pressed a chaste kiss to her lips and had to hide a smirk at the way she leaned forwards, chasing after my mouth as I pulled away. "I'm so sorry, my love. We can leave if you'd like." I rested my forehead against hers.
"No!" Bella almost shouted as she pulled away to stare at me. Her abrupt reaction garnered a couple of soft chuckles from my family. I tried not to get annoyed at their eavesdropping, I knew that unless they were to vacate the house entirely that they would be privy to our conversation, and I could understand their curiosity. "No," Bella repeated sternly. "This is a me problem, not a you problem. Its probably just lingering trauma from that Grand Canyon trip." I clenched my jaw at the reminder. "Your family is important to you, and you are important to me. I'll get over it." Bella levelled me in her stubborn stare and I knew that pressing the issue wouldn't get me anywhere – I would just have to trust that she knew her own limits.
I opened the double wooden doors that led to Carlisle's office and casually strolled in. I heard Bella follow behind me, so I left her to look around as I searched for Carlisle's chess set. I quickly found it on one of his many book shelves, I tucked the board under one arm while I grabbed the little velvet pouch filled with pieces with my other hand. When I turned around to place the board on Carlisle's desk I saw that Bella had paused in the middle of the room.
It was that moment I noticed Bella's heartbeat – it had increased dramatically, thundering loudly in her chest like a frightened rabbit. Her pale face had lost any of its subtle colouring, turning ashen and grey as she stared wide-eyed and unblinking at the large oil painting behind Carlisle's desk. I glanced over my shoulder at the painting, as if to check it was still the same piece of artwork it had always been. It was unchanged, a simple renaissance era oil painting of Carlisle standing next to the Volturi. I turned and faced Bella, she hadn't moved, and in the last few seconds she had become more distressed, her breathing had become shallow and I was beginning to become concerned.
"Bella?" I asked cautiously, wondering what else could have gone wrong in what I had hoped to be an uneventful, if not enjoyable, day.
Bella didn't take her eyes of the painting. "Could we play somewhere else?" She rasped.
"Of course we can." I was quick to reassure her. "Lets go to my room." I picked up the chess set and went over to Bella, I placed my hand on the small of her back and urged her out of Carlisle's office and down the hall to my bedroom.
The moment we crossed over onto the soft plush carpet of my room, Bella visibly relaxed. I could hear her heartbeat settle and her breath became soft and even. A calm, dreamy smile curled the edges of her mouth as she drifted into the room with ease. I watched her from the corner of my eye as I cleared off space for us on my day bed and placed the chess set down. Bella was looking over my music collection with a critical eye.
"I guess I wont be finding any John Denver in here." Bella teased and I caught her smirking teasingly at me.
"Most certainly not." I scoffed derisively.
Bella chuckled at me and came over to sit cross legged on the other side of the chess board. I began to pull the pieces out of the velvet pouch so I could set up our game. Bella followed suit, and for a while we worked in silence. However, I was burning with curiosity. Why did Bella react so strongly to Carlisle's portrait? I was never the most patient person, and I couldn't hold my tongue for long.
"You didn't like Carlisle's painting." I stated. I didn't want to leave any room for misunderstandings or clever evasions on Bella's part. Bella was truly an enigma – she was so closed off, she kept all her cards close to her chest, and yet… she was so emotional, when she became comfortable she wore her heart on her sleeve and would forget to censor her words. I wanted to know every part of her, know her every secret, every facet of her being – but I knew if I pushed the issue too hard, or too suddenly, that she would close herself off from me in an effort to protect herself. It was a dangerous line to walk, but I knew that once I had fully earned Bella's trust it would all be worth it.
Bella refused to meet my eye, and instead nervously fiddled with one of the chess pieces. "What do you know of the… history between your kind and mine?" She asked meekly.
"Not much. Carlisle spent some time with the Volturi in his early years, he said that their library held a few books on your kind but nothing concrete. When we met the wolves on the reservation all those years ago, he assumed they were what the books mentioned." I chuckled ruefully. "He was wrong."
Bella sighed, the sound was sad, withdrawn as if she held the weight of the world on her shoulders and it was becoming too much to bear. It make my heart ache. "That makes sense I guess." Her words were quiet, part mumble, part whisper, as if she didn't really want to be heard.
I took the chess piece that she had been fiddling with and placed it in it's spot on the board before I took Bella's hand in both of mine. "You can talk to me, Bella. Nothing you tell me will make me love you any less." I vowed.
Bella bit her lip and frowned pensively, her gaze flickered to the wall of windows that faced the backyard. It was clear that she was thinking seriously about something, considering all sides of whatever issue she was mulling over. With another tired sigh she turned her head back to me, eyes flickering between my face and the chess board between us. "There's so few of my kind left." Bella mumbled, and her eyes nervously met mine before they flashed away again. Whatever Bella needed to say, I could see that it wasn't easy for her, and I was determined to sit there for as long as it took for Bella to say her piece. "As I've told you, my dad is old. Like really old, I'm not even sure how old." Bella huffed out a humourless laugh. "When he was almost 20, something changed. No one is really sure what happened, some say that a werewolf nearly killed one of the Three Kings, another said that it was merely an insult to his honour. Whatever it was, it led the Volturi to stage an attack against all the prominent werewolf packs in Europe." Bella glanced up at me again, seemingly to judge my reaction to her story so far. I could tell that my family were still downstairs and were on tenterhooks as they too listened to Bella's tale.
I knew Bella didn't need me to say anything, so I just gently squeezed her hand and smiled fondly at her, silently urging her to continue. I had never heard of what Bella was speaking of, I have never even heard of the Volturi being referred to as 'the Three Kings', and as Carlisle listened he too was shocked and confused. From Carlisle's experience with the Volturi we knew that they didn't do things by halves, if a Coven committed a crime they would strike quickly and absolutely. But during Carlisle's time with them, they had appeared to be fair and just leaders, honourable vampires who ruled our kind with an iron fist.
"My Dad calls it the Great Massacre." Bella continued quietly. "He told me how late at night, an army of vampires stormed his family's estate. They killed everyone inside, even the children who couldn't control the change yet. My Dad managed to escape with some of his siblings and cousins, and they spent the next few decades being hunted throughout the wilds of the continent." Bella paused for a second to take a shaky breath "He was the only one of his pack to survive." Bella whispered.
With only a few words Bella had managed to paint a horrifyingly vivid picture. My family were trying to process Bella's words, just as I was, but they had the benefit of not being in the room with Bella. I didn't want to frighten her, but I was furious. Bella's entire family had been slaughtered, hunted down like rabid dogs. It was no wonder that the Volturi didn't go around sharing this knowledge, it was one thing to be known as ruthless, yet fair, rulers of the vampire race, and another thing entirely to be known as a trio of genocidal maniacs. Everything….everything suddenly made so much sense. Bella's first reaction to me – it was not just because of her dreadful experience at the hands of a rogue nomad, but because Bella knew that her kind were hunted to near extinction by mine. Bella had been… afraid of me, dear god she must have been terrified. And I had the audacity to be hurt by Bella's reluctance to share her secret with me! Bella had told me she was concerned about the Volturi, but this… this was more than I had been expecting. Bella had been afraid not only for her own life, but that of her father. Oh heaven help me! Bella's father, who had always been so standoffish, so hostile towards me, was a survivor of a harrowing atrocity. Charlie Swan had watched as his family were murdered in cold blood by vampires, and then his only daughter brings one home? The Chief was a better man than I was – if the roles were reversed I wouldn't have been so magnanimous.
I could see that Bella was carefully judging my reaction. "I am so sorry." I rasped out, my voice breaking around my words as I tried to keep my emotions in check.
Bella smiled sadly at me. "Their sins are not yours, Edward." My heart broke under the weight of Bella's kindness. She reached over and ghosted her fingertips over my cheekbone before grasping my hands in hers. I had unknowingly clenched my hands into tight fists, and slowly Bella wormed her fingers in between my own until she held my hands in hers. "When I saw their portrait, it shocked me, is all." Bella shrugged, the movement was casual – as if the knowledge that vampires were responsible for the genocide of her peoples meant nothing at all.
"I understand now." I murmured. I brought my hands up and cupped her face, holding her head in my hands, feeling her blistering warmth against my cold skin as I searched her eyes for any ounce of fear or distrust – fear and distrust that I would have rightly earned, simply by being what I was. "I understand why you were so hesitant to tell me. After all that, how could you ever trust me?" I whispered morosely.
I wasn't the only one thinking similar thoughts. Carlisle was still trying to comprehend this new information – he had come to view Aro as a friend, and although he would admit that the elder vampire was just a little bit mad, he never suspected Aro to be capable of such a savage and brutal crime. The others were dealing with a number of conflicting emotions – anger, shock, sadness but the most interesting thought that I could hear from each of my family members were how… proud they were of Bella, proud of how despite having dozens of reasons to fear us, she was brave enough to come to a house full of vampires anyway. I couldn't help but note that by coming here, alone, Bella had shown us a remarkable level of trust.
"Now you stop that." Bella grumbled, moving to pry my hands off her face as she stood up and crossed her arms over her chest. I frowned up at her. "All this happened centuries ago, long before either of us were even born. Yes, I was hesitant to tell you at first, but all that went away once I got to know you. Edward-" Bella sighed and ran a hand through her hair, clearly exasperated by everything. "I love you, it's that simple. I didn't tell you about all that stuff to make you feel bad I did it so you would understand what's at stake for me- and for my Dad- if you or your family ever tell anyone about us."
I hastily got to my feet. "I love you too, Bella." I declared as I slowly placed my hands on her waist, I stared down at her. "I would never betray your trust, I would rather die first." I vowed.
Bella chuckled and rolled her eyes at me. "No need to be so melodramatic." She teased and I couldn't help but smile back. Bella grabbed me by the hand and pulled me back over to the day bed. "Come on, Cullen, you promised me a game of chess." Bella winked at me playfully.
Comforted by Bella's easy-going nature, and ability to settle back into an easy back-and-forth of light teasing mixed with flirtatious glances I happily sat back on the daybed and crossed my legs underneath myself.
"Alright, White or Black?" I returned Bella's easy smile with one of my own.
Bella responded by grabbing each of the kings and hiding them in her hands behind her back. "Pick a hand." She commanded.
"Your left." I replied with a chuckle.
Bella revealed the white king and handed it over. "White goes first." Bella announced, as if the rules of chess were unknown to me.
We played in companionable silence, and as we played my family began to move about downstairs, each beginning their own activity. Esme was brimming with excitement as she began to prepare Bella's lunch at a very methodical, human pace.
I couldn't help but notice that as we played, Bella kept staring at me. She watched with eagle eyes every movement I made, every twitch of my fingers, every shift of my body, even the rise and fall of my chest as I took breaths that I didn't need didn't escape her notice. To be honest, I was silently preening under her attentive analysis.
The match took longer than most – for me anyway. The fact Bella's mind was hidden from me drew the game out. However it wasn't enough to stop me from winning.
"Check-mate." I announced with a smug smile.
"Huh?" Bella blinked in confusion as she looked down at the board. Once she took in the state of the match she frowned at me. "Best two outta three?" Bella suggested meekly.
I laughed as I reset the board at vampire speed. "If you think that will make a difference." I teased, and from the kitchen Esme scolded me for being so rude and patronising.
I knew that Bella wouldn't see it that way though, she would just rise up to the challenge. Bella's eyes narrowed in annoyance, but there was still a glimmer of amusement there. I could hear Jasper's thoughts as he directed them to me with purpose. Damn, she's a competitive one. Gonna give you a run for your money, that's for sure.
I wasn't worried. I hadn't lost a game of chess in over a hundred years.
Since Bella had lost our first game, I had allowed her to play as white, giving her the first opening move. It was the gentlemanly thing to do, after-all. Bella didn't glance up at me once during our second match, she just stared at the board with laser like focus. Each move was fast, but carefully calculated and as she gained control of the centre of the board I had to take more and more time deliberating my move before I made it.
"Ready to concede?" Bella chirped teasingly.
My eyes flashed to hers before looking back to the board. "You haven't won yet," I teasingly reminded her. I carefully made my move and Bella's hand flashed out to make hers.
"Check." She quipped.
My frown deepened as I was forced to protect my king.
"Check-mate." Bella gleefully declared. All movement below us stopped as my family heard the announcement of my first loss in a century.
"Did you let me win the first game?" I accused as I studied the board and replayed the match in my head.
"No," Bella drawled, her voice practically oozing innocence. "I just wasn't trying all that hard, I thought we were having a friendly game of chess, it's you who went all scorched earth first." Bella hastily reset the board with the white pieces on my side, "Come on, we still have to play the decider. You may still save your dignity yet." She jested.
The third game was over much faster than the other two. As if Bella had already gotten a feel for my play-style it didn't take her long to back me into a corner that I couldn't worm my way out of. "Well damn," I breathed as I flicked over my king.
Bella laughed elatedly. "I don't think I have ever heard you swear before, not that 'damn' is much of a swear, but still." She giggled behind her hand.
I didn't mind losing to Bella if it made her this happy – not that I had let her win, dear lord no, Bella's mind was… something else. "You continue to amaze me, Bella." I smiled graciously. "No one has been able to beat me in chess for almost 100 years."
Bella frowned thoughtfully for a moment. "Yeah well the mind-reading thing probably counts as cheating." Bella shrugged.
"That's what I said!" Emmett's booming voice echoed up to us, causing Bella to chuckle.
I began to pack away the chess pieces as I smiled over at Bella. "You're a lot smarter than you let anyone see,"
Bella shrugged dismissively. "It's a werewolf thing. Our brains are better adapted to spotting and recognising patterns and then making predictions, we can also process information a lot quicker than humans."
Once all the chess pieces were packed away, I stood up off the day-bed and pulled Bella up with me. "You always hide away little pieces of yourself, Bella." I murmured as I brought her close. I pulled her into a gentle hug and Bella happily rested her head against my chest. "You never have to hide with me." I whispered assuredly. Bella pressed herself closer to me as she circled her arms around my torso. I bent my head and happily breathed in her scent as I lovingly carded my fingers through her hair. Bella shifted in my grasp as an adorable and happy – if not entirely wolf-like – sounding whine rumbled in her chest. I smiled against the top of her head, pleased that she was so content, here in my home, in my arms.
"Did she just growl!?"Emmett hooted uproariously. My happy, contented smile fell into a scowl and my hand paused it's gentle petting. Trust Emmett to ruin a perfect moment like this. Bella's charming growl abruptly came to a halt, and I could feel the heat of her blush where her cheek was pressed against my chest. I sent a litany of vicious thoughts at my brother as if he were the one who could read minds – Bella had finally relaxed enough to let go, to allow herself to relinquish her human facade that she donned like a suit of armour, and Emmett had to go and ruin it by laughing at her.
Bella untangled herself from my embrace. "He want's to hear a growl, does he?" She muttered bitterly. Bella spared me a glance before she rolled her shoulders and cricked her neck, her muscles and joints popped and creaked as she loosened them. Bella closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, and as she began to slowly release the air from her lungs, a deep thundering growl formed in her chest. A feral smile curled Bella's lips as they twitched over her teeth. The growl rose in volume and ferocity as Bella ran out of breath, but the noise didn't die down as Bella sucked in another lungful of air – like an old idling truck, Bella's growl huffed and heaved as she breathed inwards, all the while the feral lupin noises she was emitting began to rise to a fever-pitch. Then, once Bella had filled her lungs once more, she bared her teeth and released a terrifying roar – a sound so savage, so monstrous that it could not be likened to any living creature.
Silence fell, filling the house entirely, the only sound to be heard was Bella's happy heartbeat and gentle breathing – even my family's minds were silent in their shock and admiration. Bella turned and smiled at me, but all I could do was stare at her in awe. A full minute passed, and Bella's smile began to fall into a confused frown. Before I could rush over and reassure her, my family erupted into a round of applause. As if broken from a spell, my family's minds exploded into a storm of loud and busy thoughts, a mirror to their rambunctious applause. I stifled a pained wince at the sudden noise as Bella blushed a deep red and covered her face with both hands.
I grinned proudly, that was the Bella I wanted my family to see. The terrifyingly powerful girl who could snap bones and take down an elk twice her size without hesitation. The stunning young woman who wasn't completely aware of her own strength, her own power, and yet could wield it with chilling accuracy. Bella was capable of so much death and destruction – within her soft and slender body she kept a vicious beast caged – and yet she was kind, compassionate, so benevolent and good that you couldn't stop yourself from loving her.
I stepped closer to Bella and pulled her into a gentle hug. "I didn't know you could make such a ferocious sound, Bella." I chuckled fondly as I pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
A knock sounded at my door and Bella twisted in my arms to see who it was. Without waiting for an answer, Alice danced into the room with Jasper trailing behind.
"It sounded like you were eating Edward for lunch, we thought we had better come save him." Alice teased.
"My heroes." I snarked with a roll of my eyes.
"If you're hungry, Esme is making you something to eat downstairs. I'd bet it's a lot tastier than Edward." Jasper drawled out, his deep voice coloured with light amusement.
Bella shifted her weight subtly and leaned against me as she spoke. "Some lunch sounds great." Bella replied casually. Jasper's eye met mine for a moment as I lead Bella out of the room, silently communicating to me a discreet update on Bella's emotional state. From what Jasper could tell, Bella no longer felt jittery and on edge – she still was feeling a small measure of apprehension, but overall she was calm, happy and contented. I nodded my thanks to Jasper for his efforts, although it was unnecessary, I could tell from Bella's body language that she was feel more at home in a house full of vampires.
I dutifully lead Bella to the kitchen, and when she paused awkwardly near the island bench I hopped up on one of the stools and patted the one next to me with a welcoming smile. Bella perched herself on the stool next to me and with a shrewd and careful gaze, she watched as Esme put the finishing touches on her lunch. Bella's slightly hysterical giggle broke the silence.
Esme faced Bella with a confused, yet kind smile. "Is something funny, dear?"
"No," Bella giggled again, she brought her hand to her mouth in an attempt to smother the noise. "It's just, who knew vampires could cook?" Bella laughed with a vague gesture towards Esme's apron. "You look down-right domestic. It goes against everything I thought I knew about vampires,"
Esme smoothed her hands over her apron – the baby pink apron with ivory lace frills that took Esme and Alice more than four hours to buy – with a proud smile. Esme had been so excited to finally have someone to cook for, and she was determined to look the part, but even Esme couldn't deny it painted a pretty strange picture. "Yes, I suppose it is odd." Esme laughed airily as she returned to her work.
Carlisle entered the room silently, only his thoughts alerted me to his proximity. Despite his inaudible entrance, Bella appeared to detect Carlisle's presence with an otherworldly intensity. Bella hastily twisted in her chair, straining her torso awkwardly to get her eyes on the new addition to the room. Carlisle didn't miss Bella's odd reaction to his entrance, but generously did not bring any attention to it.
He smiled kindly at Bella before turning his smile to Esme. "I must thank you, Bella. You've given us an excuse to use the kitchen for the first time." Carlisle's smile turned serene and contented as he was captivated by the sight of his Mate in such a pleasant mood. Bella's good for all of us. He thought dreamily to himself, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling at his thoughts.Carlisle knew that Esme found her happiness in caring for her family, and was secretly harbouring hopes that Bella would allow Esme to become something like a surrogate mother. I knew that Bella would more than likely welcome Esme's attentions, since she wasn't very close to her own mother.
Esme placed the finishing touches on Bella's lunch before placing it in front of Bella, her thoughts filled with anxiety over how Bella would react to the meal. "This looks great, thank you." Bella said politely, which caused Esme to break out into a beaming grin. Bella picked up her fork, and took a small, delicate bite of the salad. Apparently pleased at the taste Bella then took a much larger bite, her cheeks bulged adorably as she chewed. "It's really good." Bella mumbled around her food.
Overcome with glee, Esme began to clean up the kitchen, moving at a placid human speed. Bella was so enthralled by her lunch that she didn't notice Jasper joining us in the kitchen with Carlisle's chess set grasped carefully with both hands.
"Bella," Jasper began to speak, but before he could continue he was cut off. Bella had been startled by Jasper's sudden appearance – ignoring the fact he had been standing there for almost 5 minutes – and had jumped in her seat which caused the food on her fork to fly across the island bench. Esme silently cleaned up the mess without complaint as Bella turned to glare at Jasper.
"Jesus Christ!" Bella yelped. "So the whole sneaking up and scaring the crap out of me is a family trait huh?" She grumbled sarcastically.
Jasper lowered his head apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you."I decided to ignore Jasper's laughing thoughts over how endearing he had found Bella's reaction. "I was hopin' you'd have a game of chess with me?" Jasper held out the chess board as if it were an offering.
Bella grinned and quickly stuffed the rest of her lunch in her mouth, chewing quickly she nodded happily. "Alright!" She readily agreed as she pushed her now empty plate away. "I can't believe my luck! After not being able to convince anyone to play chess with me for years, I then happened to run into a group of chess loving vampires."
Having noticed Bella's keen eye regarding his scars, Jasper chose to take a seat furthest away from Bella, on the other side of the island bench. Jasper wasn't insulted by Bella's apprehension, having been used to similar reactions from each vampire he met, but he didn't want to ruin the gentle calm Bella had settled in to. I appreciated his efforts.
"I had to fight Emmett for the privilege of playing you first," Jasper remarked as he began setting up the board.
"Got a second board? I could play you both at the same time." Bella quickly replied.
Ballsy Jasper thought to himself as he raised a questioning eyebrow at Bella. "Really?" He intoned, clearly doubting Bella's abilities.
Bella shrugged dismissively. "I can beat two humans at the same time, how difficult could two vampires be?" She mocked.
"It is on!" Emmett chuckled as his booming laugh echoed through the house as he ran to retrieve another chess board.
I lowered my head to whisper conspiratorially in Bella's ear. "You're playing with fire," I warned, Bella's only reply was to laugh jovially.
Emmett rushed into the kitchen with another chess set, he placed it on the island bench as he sat down next to Jasper. "I think Bella should play white on both games. It's only fair to give her the advantage." Emmett winked playfully at Bella who giggled at his antics. Both boards were set, and without waiting for anyone to say anything, Bella made her opening moves. Emmett and Jasper both underestimated Bella's skill – the fact that she had bested me didn't mean much since the pair of them put my own chess playing abilities down to the fact I could read my opponent's minds. It wasn't until Bella had made about half a dozen moves that they began to take things seriously, but by then it was too late – the damage was done.
"Check." Bella happily declared as she made her move with her game against Emmett. Bella hastily turned her attention to the match against Jasper, made her move and turned back to Emmett again. Bella captured Emmett's rook in a decisive move. "Check." She said again, almost teasingly.
"Oh come on!" Emmett grumbled as he frowned at the board. Bella turned to take in the state of the game against Jasper, and after a moment made her move, and once again faced off against Emmett – who was still thinking through his next move. Emmett made his move cautiously – a new speed for him.
Bella made her move and beamed up at Emmett. "Check-mate." Without waiting for Emmett to respond, Bella returned to the match with Jasper, and seeing the state of the board her lips curled into a devious smirk. "And that's check mate for you too." Bella sighed tiredly and slumped happily against my side.
Jasper's eyes flickered over the board – How did she….? Oh, I see it now."Huh," He mused, turning to look at Bella in a new light.
Bella turned and blinked up at me sleepily and I grinned at her, bursting with pride. "Ready to head home?" I asked as I placed a loving kiss on her forehead.
"Yeah, thanks for lunch Esme." Bella smiled at Esme before turning her smile to my brothers. "And thank you both for the two most stimulating chess games I have had in a long time,"
"You're welcome." Jasper replied with a slow smile.
"I want a rematch," Emmett grumbled as he glared down at the chess board.
As I drove Bella home I noticed the way she seemed to melt into the leather seat as she gazed out the window with a blank stare.
I took one hand off the steering wheel and reached over the centre console to hold Bella's hand in mine. "Are you alright, my love?"
Bella slowly turned her head to look at me. "Better then alright. I forgot how much I enjoyed playing chess," Bella paused and heaved a tired sigh. "The chess club at my old school got tired of me pretty quick, and Rene never wanted to play. Today was the first time in ages that I actually felt challenged."
I laughed under my breath. "You've unleashed a monster, playing chess with those two. You'll never get away from it now." I warned teasingly.
"I don't mind." Bella countered with a casual shrug. Bella lost herself in thought for a moment, but before I could ask what had taken her fancy, she spoke. "Do they play Weichi?"
I cocked my head. "I am not familiar with that game." I admitted.
Bella frowned. "It's sometimes called Go in America? Its an abstract strategy game from China." She explained.
"I believe I had heard of it, but I don't think anyone in my family know how to play. Why do you ask?" I queried.
"Charlie taught me how to play as a kid, and he's the only other person I know who knows how to play. I just figured it could be nice to have some variety in opponents."
"I am sure that Jasper and Emmett would be open to learning, as would I." I raised Bella's hand to my lips and kissed the back of her hand gingerly. "My family adores you, Bella. Just as I said they would." I mumbled against the back of her hand.
Bella didn't respond, she just smiled dreamily and shuffled closer to me so she could rest her head on my shoulder as I drove. I basked in her warmth as I considered the day – after a few initial missteps, it had been a good day, a great day even. If I had my way, everyday would be filled with Bella in my home, with my family, fitting in like a puzzle piece none of us knew were missing.
A/N: Thanks for reading. I hope you guys enjoyed the update!