A/N:
A huge thank you to everyone of you who follows, reads and reviews this story! You guys are making the journey of creating this story so much fun.
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Esme's POV
Standing at the bottom of the stairs with my keys and purse in my hand, I wait for Alice and Edward. When Alice asked me to take them to the market I assumed they would be ready, but no, they are not. He can't find his iPod and I have no idea what she's doing. Excitedly running around upstairs, would be my first guess, since I hear the pitter patter of her feet running around on the second floor.
"Esme," Jasper sheepishly calls my name as he walks down the stairs.
"Yes?" I eye him suspiciously.
What could he be up to now? After manipulating my emotions, just so he and Emmett could throw that ridiculous party for Edward without me putting a stop to it, he knows he's in trouble and should be in his room doing his homework. The same goes for Emmett. There was no need for them to embarrass their little brother like that, it was all uncalled for. And because of that, both of them have consequences.
"I'm sorry for earlier." He says, sampling my emotions. "I was told you're taking a trip to the store. And I was wondering..." He lets his voice trail off.
"Yes, I'm going to the store." I answer, nodding my head. "I'm just waiting on Alice and Edward. Is there anything you need from the market?"
"Goo Gone." He answers in his quiet voice.
Curiously, I look at my middle son. I just bought a large bottle of Goo Gone last week. We can't be out just yet.
Before another word is spoken between us, he hands me an empty bottle of the product that he was holding behind his back. Proving to me that we are already out and need more of it.
I stare at the empty bottle, dumbfounded.
"As you can see, we need more." He says, sounding a bit embarrassed.
"I just bought some last week. Where does this stuff go?" I sigh, rubbing my hand over my face.
"We need it to remove sticky gooey stuff, just like the label says. Though they don't make the bottles big enough." Emmett calls from upstairs. "We really need a whole case."
Jasper laughs but doesn't say anything.
My oldest son's statement makes no sense to me. I can't figure out why my boys use so much of this liquid product that I got for the purpose to remove sticky stuff, like stickers from doors when they outgrow the images and I'm left to peel the stickers off. Or to get colorful Slime off of household surfaces that it has melted too. That dreaded toy has become popular in my house recently. It drives me nuts because my children - especially my boys - have the tendency to not put away the Slime. Instead they just leave it on countertops, coffee tables and even the floor for me to clean. Which is why I bought Goo Gone in the first place, yet every time I need it we are usually out.
"Of course, Jazz. Thanks for telling me we need more. I'll be sure to get a few bottles." I reassure him, handing the empty bottle back to him.
Jasper happily walks off in the direction of the kitchen. I suppose he's going to throw the empty bottle away. I still can't imagine where all the Goo Gone goes. I have no idea what these boys could be using it for.
Suddenly I hear the footsteps of my youngest son. I look and see him walking down the stairs very slowly. He seems a little awkward and embarrassed. For a quick second he looks at me then adverts his eyes to the floor, looking at his shoes. I can only guess his self-conscious behavior has to do with his new experiences and the fact that he accidentally revealed his teenage boy fantasies to his father, and I happened to overhear. That was mortifying but there's no need to bring it up. I plan to forget all about it to ease his anxiety. After all, there's no reason to bring attention to it.
"Ready to go?" I ask and quickly add. "Where's Alice?"
Reaching the bottom of the steps, Edward nods his head. "I'm ready but she's not. I have no idea what she's doing," He explains, his eyes still on his shoes. "She keeps running back and forth from her and Jazz's room to Em and Rose's room."
With the sound of his voice, the horrible memories of him saying he thought about fondling the girl's breast that he's infatuated with while he played with himself, attack my brain. That's not something I want to acknowledge about my baby boy. Immediately, I block my thoughts from him and think about my flowers, my chrysanthemums I recently planted in the backyard. I surely don't want him to feel ashamed of anything or self conscious around me.
With flowers on my mind and my son beside me I wonder where my daughter is and why she is taking so long. I open my mouth to call out to her and ask her if she still wants to go to the market or not. Regardless of her answer I still need to go get more Goo Gone. But before I can even speak a word, she answers.
"Yes, mom." Alice calls sweetly from upstairs. "I'll be down in a few minutes. I'll meet you in the garage."
"Okay." I say, guessing that she already "saw" what I was going to ask her.
I start walking to the front door with Edward not far behind me.
"I'm sure she already knew what you were going to ask her." Edward says as we walk outside. He's next to me now.
His statement sparks my curiosity. "She's blocking her thoughts from you?" I wonder, looking at him.
He shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know if she's doing it intentionally. However, she's so excited she's not thinking clearly and her mind is all over the place."
I nod my head.
Keeping my mind focused on my flowers as he and I talk while we make the short walk from our house to our detached garage. I notice that he ho longer seems embarrassed and I am glad.
Edward politely opens the door for me. I enter our garage where five vehicles rest: Carlisle's Mercedes, Rose's M3, Emmett's massive Jeep, Jasper's Ducati and my van. Everyone in our family that's playing a role of sixteen or older has a vehicle. My two children that are pretending to be fifteen do not have a vehicle, other than bicycles that are rarely ridden. Those are more or less just props.
"Can I drive?" Edward hopefully asks as the garage door closes behind him.
"Not right now." I gently answer.
Not taking that for my final answer he asks again as he and I walk over to my sky blue van - my Mommy Mobile as my children call it. On the back window, courtesy of Emmett, there are decals with the words Mommy Mobile along with a family of seven bats - he found it too funny and couldn't resist adding the bats. It was kind of funny and a nice gift from him so I just left it there.
Once more Edward asks if he can drive. I look at my son who now stands in front of me. This has been an unusual day for him but did he forget the age of the role is playing?
During the summer when we moved here and were passing him off as a fourteen-year-old, Carlisle and I made it clear that he wasn't allowed to drive any of the vehicles until next year. Neither is Alice, who's pretending to be a few months older than him. But we don't usually have problems with her trying to drive before the age she is supposed to, like we do with him. That is also the reason why we didn't allow him to buy the kind of car he wanted when Emmett, Jasper and Rose bought the vehicles they chose. Because we know that he'll be too tempted to take the car out for a joy ride and someone in the small town might see him and question why he is driving illegally. Which has happened before in the 1960's.
"Please, Mom?" He's almost begging now. "Please."
"Edward," I close my eyes. Sometimes it's difficult to not give in when I know how bad my children want something. This is one of those times.
"Please? You know I wont get caught. I have extra hearing, after all." He presses, taping two fingers to his temple. "Besides, you'll be with me. Please, Mom?"
Opening my eyes, I don't answer.
I sigh as memories throughout the years of my youngest son play out in my mind the way pictures in a flipbook would. Edward has come a long way, progressed so much since Carlisle and I became his parents in 1918. It was all by chance, nothing was planned at all.
Carlisle was the doctor in the hospital on the night shift in Chicago during the Spanish Flu pandemic when their paths crossed. Before that time we already knew we wanted to be parents and talked about adopting but didn't want to take a young person's life away from them if it wasn't necessary. We also were not looking for a child at the time the pandemic hit. Then coincidentally, Edward fell into our laps, so to speak.
We had been married for three years at the time Carlisle brought a dying Edward home, explaining how the boy's biological mother asked him to do everything to save her son right before she passed. I could tell how much he was haunted by that and I was supportive and sympathetic to him. He went on to say that if he didn't act fast, the boy, who lay sleeping in his arms, struggling to breathe with his dark red hair damp from sweat, would be dead within the hour. No doubt only worry was heard in his voice as he spoke those words. Of course I didn't object to him saving the innocent boy, whose features looked so young. He was still human and already I knew that this helpless, fragile human boy would always have a home in my heart. Not wanting to smell the blood I left the house while Carlisle bit him. When I came back that night it was clear that the transformation had begun. The boy, my boy, laid on our bed screaming and thrashing in agony. Carlisle and I stayed by his side for three whole days, holding his hands and speaking comforting words to him.
When Edward had awakened to his new life he had absolutely no memory of his past. Maybe that was one of the reasons why he immediately and effortlessly fell into the role of our son, I'm not sure but whatever it was had Carlisle and I easily falling into the role of his parents. Even as an unruly, temperamental newborn vampire, he was very easy to love. He also began calling me mom almost immediately.
He's our first and youngest child, the one that made us parents. He's also my only child that constantly calls me mom and never by my first name. Though, right now I can tell he's saying 'mom' to try to get his way. He knows very well how to tug at my heartstrings.
"When you turn sixteen." I jokingly say, patting his cheek.
"That's unfair." He complains. "You know I can drive."
I nod my head in agreement. 'That is true. But you're not going to drive without a license and that's final.' I directly think to him, putting an end to this conversation. 'Now, you can either ride up front or in the back. Take your pick.'
With his arms crossed over his chest he presses his mouth into a hard line as the garage door opens and Alice flies in, holding a shopping list that she's waving around in the air. I can tell from his expression, that he won't continue to ask me and try my patience, even though he wants to drive. He's aware that I'm not going to give in.
"I got Em and Rose's shopping list. I'm ready to go!" Alice jumps in the passenger seat.
Inwardly I cringe at the thought of the items that might be on that shopping list and what they will use those items for. Since I accidentally walked into the dining room and saw Emmett and Rosalie completely naked spreading hummus all over each other, one July evening, their shopping list has a whole different meaning. Where I used to assume the items they wanted from the grocery store was for luring bears to make the attack more fun on a hunt for my oldest son, I now know what they really use food for, unfortunately. Food Play. Yes, foreplay with food. I find it disgusting and really wish I could forget the knowledge I hold about them in my photographic mind. But of course, vampires can't forget anything, though I really wish I could.
Reading my thoughts, Edward chuckles as he slides the back door open and hops in, closing the door and taking a seat in the last roll. Not wasting another minute I get in the driver's seat, turn the engine on and with the push of a button, I open up the garage door.
"Everyone ready?" I ask my two children.
"Sure." Edward responds, his voice is a bit unhappy.
"Yes!" Alice answers more loudly than necessary. She's very excited. "This is the best day ever!"
Edward groans in irritation but otherwise doesn't respond.
"Yes, sweetie. Today's a good day." I agree with Alice as I drive out of our large garage and down the dirt road.
No sooner than the words left my mouth I begin to reflect on my day while blocking my thoughts from my mind-reading son. Everything that played out today couldn't happen to anyone else but me. That I'm sure of. Though my day began like any other with seeing my kids off to school while my husband was already at work, it didn't stay very typical for long.
Once I had the house to myself I began cleaning as I normally do since it's easier to clean when my family isn't home. I began sweeping, mopping, doing laundry, just the usual housework and everything was fine until I opened the kitchen window that's right above the sink. That was a bad idea. As soon as the window opened, this giant alien bug - as big as my palm - flew into the kitchen.
It was a cicada. It had to be a cicada. In my first life I was terrified of them and in my second life, not much has changed. I may be a vampire but I'm still scared of those bugs.
Upon seeing the cicada I screamed which only led it to attack my face. Each time I tried to swat it away, the huge alien bug would not leave me alone. Everywhere I went the massive critter was sure to follow. I could not seem to escape the darn thing. Worst of all, two more of those bugs flew into my house when I was in a battle with their friend and they started attacking me too! It was really terrifying.
Not wanting to kill the creatures, but wanting to be rid of them, I lured the big ugly bugs to the front door, opened it and set the darn things free. At that point, I was feeling relieved and closed the door and every window in the house. No sooner than I did that, the front door burst open. That's when a terrified Edward flew in the hose like a bat out of hell. He did not look well. His breathing was rapid, he was shaking, wouldn't speak and he was wearing his Gym clothes while clutching his backpack and holding it just beneath his abdomen.
He was so high strung, his behavior scared me half to death. Not sure what was the matter with him, of course I automatically feared for the worst as he darted to the couch and sat down. He had a wild expression on his face and a math book in his lap at that point. That's when he finally spoke, asking me to call his father.
I felt so confused and immediately asked him what was the matter. When he said he couldn't tell me, right away I assumed he had a slip-up and drank a human, which he's never done before. He's one of the few of our family members that has never tasted human blood. Quickly he put my fears at ease, regarding bloodlust when he confirmed that he hadn't. I should have known, after all his eyes were still their usual shade of gold. In a shaky voice he explained that this was a personal problem and that he needed to speak to his father about it. He wouldn't tell me what was going on and I sensed his embarrassment as I noticed what part of him the book was covering and put it all together.
Who would have predicted that his body reacting that way would lead to him having a panic attack and later, an embarrassing talk with his father, that led him to reveal certain things I wish I wouldn't have ever heard? And I can't forget about calling my husband at work and him not understanding what I was trying to say. That was rather frustrating. Then my oldest boys came home from school to create a little party with the oddest decorations they could find. How and where they found those things, lord only knows. And why my girls were in on the...um...celebration. Well, I can't even begin to explain that as I visualize adding a patch of poppies to the front walkway.
"Mom," Edward says from the back seat.
Still thinking about flowers, I look at the rear view mirror and see his reflection. With his messy hair and an earbud in one ear, the other one in his right hand. He sits there looking every bit like a teenage boy. Of course, he's been a teenage boy for the last eighty four years, yet he didn't necessarily act like one, his behavior has always been a bit younger due to the loss of memories from his human life. Looking at him, I can't help the warm feeling that wraps around my heart that hasn't beat in eighty seven years, that my youngest child is growing up in a way. I sense that there are big changes on the horizon for my baby boy.
"Yes, my sweet boy." I say to him while I look at the road, making the turn to go into town.
"You keep thinking about flowers. Are we going to buy flowers today?" He asks, sounding puzzled.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." I reply, thinking about buying more flowers to plant along the walkway that leads to our front porch. "After our trip to the market we'll go to the nursery."
I look at the rear view mirror to see him. He nods his head in agreement and puts his ear bud back in.
"Yay! Flower shopping!" Alice squeals in excitement, bouncing up and down in her seat.
I glance at my bright-eyed and bushy-tailed daughter and wonder why she is so hyper today. She smiles at me but doesn't stop bouncing, she can't sit still. Turning my eyes back to the road, I begin to wonder why she's so jittery. All I can hope is that she didn't drink a bear or a deer that somehow got into an unhealthy amount of sugar and left her with an overexcited rush that has her acting as energetic as a toddler on steroids while she insists on a spare of the moment shopping spree. As strange as that sounds, it's actually happened to her before. On a few occasions she drank an animal that ate too much sugary foods, which left her unbelievably hyper. Her sugar rush left her hyper for days on end that ended with a sugar crash that made her very moody.
There was also a time where she drank a black bear that had meth in it's system. She was unbelievably hyper then too and also jumpy and on edge to the extreme. Her mood affected Jasper who unwillingly projected that restless feeling to our whole family. That was a very interesting seventy-eight hours while we all acted on Alice's mood and behaved like a family of meth heads. All of us were paranoid and taking apart toasters, TV's and other household appliances and whatnot. It was a very crazy time that I do not wish to repeat.
I quickly shake the memory as I hear childish laughter slip from Edward's lips and know he's seeing the images from my memory. Alice, who's still as jumpy as a kangaroo rat, looks at me with her head cocked to the side, then back at him. She's trying to figure out what she's missing. Immediately, Edward is quiet.
With my mind back on followers and Alice next to me in the passenger seat, who is as excited as can be. While Edward quietly sits in the backseat, staring out the window with his ear buds in. I can't help but feel like I'm missing something while I drive into town. Normally Alice is not this thrilled to go food shopping, none of my children are. Well, with the exception of Emmett and Rosalie. But that's a whole different story about why they enjoy shopping for food they aren't capable of eating.
Not wanting to think about what Emmett and Rosalie will do with the food that is on the list Alice has. I switch my thoughts to my daughter that sits beside me, bouncing up and down like a pogo stick.
"You're very animated." I say to her. "Anxious to get to the grocery store?"
"Yes! This is so exciting!" Alice squeals, bounces in the passenger seat. "This is going to be so great."
"Alice, we're only going to the grocery store then flower shopping. Nothing really fun. You know that right?" Edward, questions from the backseat. His tone is annoyed.
Alice twists around in her seat. "I know, dear brother. This will be spectacular. Just wait and see." She says in a dreamy voice.
"Sure." Edward replies, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I'm not sure why, but I sense that there are more to her words than she's letting on. I'm just not sure what. Through the rear view mirror I glance at Edward. By the curious and slightly irritated look he is giving his sister, I can tell she's still blocking her thoughts from him. I can't imagine why.
"Seven minutes till we enter the parking lot." Alice squeaks in excitement.
Turning onto the highway I glance at my very happy daughter. "Alice, would you like to share what you are anticipating?" I ask, wondering what we are going to find at the grocery store.
"And spoil the surprise?" Alice giggles. "Never."
"Okay." I sigh. I know it's pointless to press any further when she doesn't plan on giving information.
Gazing at the rear view mirror again, I see Edward roll his eyes at her. At the very same time Alice begins counting down, out loud, until we reach our destination. I just keep driving, wondering what has gotten into Alice.
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Thank you for reading. :))
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was my first time writing from Esme's POV.
I understand that in canon Carlisle turned Edward into a vampire three years before he turned Esme. But in this fic, it's the other way around.
Please leave a pleasant review. :)))