Alright my Beauties! Time to meet the Cullens!
Inuyashademons14 - Aww, thanks love! I totally get the aversion to sparkling! Don't worry about the lateness; your reviews are welcome anytime and anywhere ;) No...I don't think T is going to become like Bella and try to 'clumsily' seduce every guy in the book but I mean come on; she's insane and crazy and a goofball; but she's adorable! (Even if I do say so myself!) Don't you think so?
Debbie Hicks - Your review was long...like really long...so Thank you for that but honestly...I have no clue what was in it. I'm sorry but I read it but all I got was a jumbled scene from some twilight fanfic...so...what are you trying to say exactly? Still, Thanks for leaving a long review! Come back for more!
Kat Smith - You won't have to wait long! Hope you like this chapter! Please Review again! Thanks for loving this story!
I woke up sore and dizzy the next morning. "Looks like the head wound, was bad," I said aloud before remembering Edward's promise to be back in the morning. He was clearly running late, a fact I was glad for. I did not want to see him with un-brushed teeth and uncombed hair.
Grabbing an outfit for the day that was decidedly more dressy than I would normally wear I went into the bathroom to start getting ready. Showered, brushed and combed I went down to the kitchen to see Bella grinning at me. "Good Morning, look who popped in to say hello." She waved a hand and I looked at the living room, expecting to see Stephen but no…it was Edward, looking unruffled as ever.
"Oh, hey," I said mindlessly.
"Hey," he said back, looking amused.
"I was just about to come wake you up." Bella said. I nodded, going to sit by him. "When you said you'd be back in the morning, I wasn't expecting you to show up at the doorstep." I said. "I know; surprising you is very amusing to watch." He grinned, making me pout.
"Have you had anything to eat?" he asked. "Nope," I said lightly. "Then you better go get yourself some breakfast." He said, leaning back to show he was staying.
I got up and walked to the kitchen slowly, turning to look at him twice before joining Bella and a chicken sandwich at the table. "So, how did it go?" she asked. "Um," I said.
She raised an eyebrow. "You know, it's usually me who gets tongue tied." She smirked. "I'm not tongue tied." I said.
"No…? I think it's good. Someone should know how to rail you in." she said. "Bella," I said in a warning tone but decided to let it go. "By the way, you have yet to tell me about this Stephen." I said and she blushed. "Would you look at that?" I grinned.
"It was nice. He bought me dinner and walked me to the door." She paused. "And…?" I prompted. "And nothing, he just gave me a kiss, more like a peck on the lips." She blushed even more – if that was possible. "So, you liked it? I mean, you like him?" I asked. "Yeah, I think I do. It's just refreshing, he's so…different."
"Hmm, hmm," I nodded, chugging down milk.
After breakfast, I joined Edward back in the living room. "So, what do you want to do today?" I asked. "I don't know, we could go to Seattle, catch a movie…or, what do you say to meeting my family?" he asked.
I'll tell you what I'd say to that. I'd say wow, go slow buddy, I thought, rolling my shoulders but ah, what the hell…it was written…quite literally. "Ok, I'd like to see Carlisle again." I said. Plus, I was quite interested in his vampire family so…
"Actually, it's Rosalie and Alice who're desperate to meet you." Edward said. I stilled. "Rosalie…I thought she wouldn't like me," I said.
"She had a few qualms about us, but, well, you did say she has a better car than mine." He shrugged.
I smirked. "I think we'll get on just fine." I said.
"I'm sure, and also, I think you should introduce me to your parents." He said.
I was turning on my heel to go upstairs but his words made me freeze mid step. "That's impossible!" I shrieked. Oh god, the last thing I needed was to get him on my case. Besides, my mother didn't even pick up my phone, instead choosing to leave me lame emails.
He looked slightly disappointed. "Then perhaps Charlie, you did tell him that he would know if there was someone." He said. "He already knows you; you met in the hospital, remember?" I asked.
He stood up, his long frame easily towering over me. "I think it's customary to introduce your boyfriend to your guardian. If not your parents, then it's Charlie." He said. "So…it's official, you're my boyfriend?" I asked, playfully.
He tipped my face back with a finger. It felt slightly cooler than it had been yesterday. "Yes, I think I would like to be." He breathed. Um…okay…what was the question again…I thought before shaking myself mentally.
"Don't try to dazzle me…or Persuade me or whatever," I warned, making him chuckle. "So, what should I wear?" I asked. He looked down at my outfit. "I think you look perfect." He said.
I squinted up at him. "You really have never done this before, have you?" He looked confused for a second then sighed, shaking his head. On impulse, I reached up and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, be right back," I said and rushed off, not catching the look on his face.
Edward was still standing exactly where I left him in the living room. He'd made Bella so uncomfortable that she'd retreated upstairs to take a shower while I skipped down. "How do I look?" I asked, twirling on my heel, He better like this outfit. I knew exactly how fashionable his siblings were.
"You look beautiful, you always do," he pulled me to his chest by the hand and I bounced off of him. "Then let's go," I said making him roll his eyes again.
It was in the car when I popped the question. "Edward, you'd tell me if there was a threat around, won't you?" I asked, quietly. He threw me an incredulous look. "Yes, I would, why…is there something bothering you? My family won't hurt you, I promise." He said. "It's not them. I'm just worried about some…visitors." I turned to see him giving me an incredulous look.
"Hasn't Alice seen anything?" I demanded.
"Alice…no, she hasn't, if she did see some rogue vampires I'd know." He said confidently. I frowned at that but nodded. He would tell me. I trusted him enough for that.
When I turned around, Edward had pulled into a sort of trimmed driveway made of grass. In front of us rose a rectangular, three storey house, with out-buildings sprinkled here and there on the vast property.
"Wow, it's beautiful," I breathed. "I'm glad you like it," he stepped out and in a blink he was at my door, opening it for me. "My lady," he said, offering me a hand and I grinned. "Why, thank you, good sir," I said, smoothing out my hair an clothes, trying to fluff out the flowers I'd stopped Edward to grab.
They were truly magnificent.
He paused for me to finish then opened the front door.
The interior was bright. I was expecting something like the inside of the Salvatore House but it wasn't. The furnishings were beige and gold with white walls and mahogany floors and soft carpets. The back wall was replaced with glass and a massive staircase led the way upstairs in the right corner.
What really drew my attention though was the gleaming piano on a slightly raised platform. It was mega huge and I could just feel the true love radiating off of it.
"Carlisle, Esme, this is Tulika," Edward's voice pulled me out of my reverie.
I came to myself and plastered on a demure smile. "You're very welcome, Tulika." Carlisle took a measure step towards me and offered me his hand. "It is very nice to meet you again, Dr. Cullen." I smiled. "Oh please, call me Carlisle." He smiled back. "You have a very gorgeous house, Esme. These are for you." I offered her the bouquet and she delicately hugged it to herself.
"Thank you, Tulika. I must admit, you are quite the young lady. These are amazing." She raised the package to her nose to take a sniff.
"She's here, she's here; she's here!" a loud squeal echoed off of the staircase and even as I started to turn, I was being engulfed in a mega hug. "Oh, wow, ok, hi, nice to see you too!" I gasped, seeing Edward take a quick step towards his exuberant sister. "Alice, you're strangling her." He said.
"Oh right, sorry, by the way, you do smell good." She said, her shiny dark hair tickling me as she held me an arm away. "Alice, are you serious?" Edward asked now closer to me, a hand on my elbow.
"Don't be a mood killer, Ed; we're going to be the best of friends." Alice said, moving away as her blond better half smiled at me shyly. "Hello, Tulika," he said. "Hi, Jasper," I smiled at him.
I sympathised with him. To feel left out, to have something different with, I could understand how it felt. However, he didn't seem like he had a problem with close encounters.
"I noticed how you looked at the piano, do you play?" Esme asked.
"Oh, just a little," I folded my hands smiling.
"Why don't we listen to you play?" Esme asked, now smiling. "Oh, um, I would much rather let Edward play," I said quickly. "Nonsense, please, go ahead," she said.
I hesitated, deliberated, before sliding into the gilded black long stool. I placed my hands on the keys and quickly weaved out one of my favourite tunes, a piece I'd written myself. As I finished, I felt a hand on my shoulder. "That was marvellous, dear." Esme brushed a lock of my hair back.
"Well, then Edward, why don't we hear you play?" I countered.
Edward slid in beside me, giving me an approving look before his own fingers flowed over the ivory keys, much more deft than mine. "Esme's favourite…?" he nodded. "You know, I have not yet let go of the fact that you're keeping something from me," I slid him a sly look but he was already looking at the piano. I turned my attention to the music to see the music changing into something soft and sweet, sometimes alternating between faster, and zestier notes before slipping into a complicated tone. "You inspired this," he whispered.
I stared at him. He'd written me a song. Someone had actually written me music. I smiled softly, leaning my head on this shoulder as he finished the song. "Thank you," I said. He was silent for a bit. "Would you like to see the rest of the house?" he asked. I nodded.
The second floor was panelled in honey toned wood, as he named the rooms. "Rosalie and Emmett's room, Carlisle's office, Jasper and Alice's room," he looked back to see me watching Rosalie's room thoughtfully.
To be honest, I was very interested to meet the enthusiastic and funny Emmett. Plus, I could hear conversation in low voices.
"Tulika," he called warningly but I was already knocking on the door. There was a pause before the door opened and I was looking at the exquisite Rosalie. "Tulika, hello," she said, looking distinctly taken aback.
"I just wanted to tell you that your BMW is the shiniest and most beautiful thing I have ever seen." I said bluntly. "Oh, I see, thank you. I know you said that already," she said and then without warning, she cracked a smile. "Come in," she said.
I shot Edward a triumphant smile and entered Rosalie's room while she promptly shut the door in Edward's face – after pushing Emmett out as well.
*Confetti All Over The Place* Ok, so I may have gone a little over board with the decorations but welcome...
And So...our T meets the Cullens...what did you think? Did I get them right? I know Rosalie and Emmett weren't supposed to be there but I so badly wanted T to get along with Rose, since she feels sorry for the girl and admires how well she's coped with vampirism against her will.
How did you feel about the girls hijacking Edward and T's date? ;) Edward and Emmett's faces were priceless; let me tell you.
I sat on my keyboard and tried to put together a piece that would be 'Tulika's song' by Edward but I came up only with a couple of rifts - nothing concrete. So, a request to my readers...if you come across a piano piece that describes Tulika...her sweet side, her funny side and when she's being complicated...please let me know...thanks!
All Yours
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