What a long chapter this is and I truly hope all of you readers enjoy it. But, I had some time on this Sunday and I came to a decision about when I'd update the stories I promised to keep going. Today is the third, so, on the seventeenth is when all Outerra, The Brothel, and Aftercare will be updated. I can't promise what time they'll be updated on Sundays, so it could be anywhere from early morning to late at night. So, mark your calendars, every two weeks on Sunday.
And, a little quick refresher, if you haven't already seen it, then go check out my new post, 'Unfinished Stories.' They are several chapters of unfinished stories that I've started but don't plan on finishing. They are up for adoption if anyone wants to take them over. Some of them are really cool some are like wtf was I thinking.
Okay, I'm done, enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter Twenty-Six
I can't say that I wasn't nervous about meeting Edward's parent's tonight. Instead of waiting a couple weeks, I decided to get it over with tonight. I was only partially healed, but, I wasn't cleared to go back into work yet.
We decided to meet at Edward's house, a neutral spot. I did feel bad that I wasn't cooking though. I knew it was a sign of respect to cook for your partner's parents, but I couldn't really stand long enough to cook. It was the medicine I was supposed to be on.
"Hey, Edward," I called from the kitchen, sitting at the kitchen table and preparing a salad.
He walked back in with a steaming bag, he threw it on the counter quickly, then blew his fingers.
"Dang, that's hot," He said.
"I told you to use potholders. But you don't listen."
He gave me a look, "What did you want?"
"I wanted to know why the heck I was so tired. I know it's from the pills, but, I'm a little irritated that I can't do anything. And that I'm so tired all the time." I said.
"It's a high dose you're taking on a short prescription time. So, it's normal to feel run down and tired." He said, as he walked over and kissed the top of my head.
"Well, I cannot wait until I'm done taking them. I'm so tired of being tired." I complained.
"Its for the best," He said, "You'll heal quicker."
"I know," I sighed, "Alright, the salad is done."
"So, what exactly is a salad," He asked.
"It's basically some greens mixed together with a little bit of caseus. I poured some of this homemade dressing on top. I hope it's good." I said.
"I bet it's delicious." He said.
There was a soft knock on the door, I knew who it was, and my stomach twisted. I took a deep breath and started smoothing down my hair. He smiled at me.
"You look beautiful," He said.
"Thanks now go let your parents in." I said, as I pulled myself to my feet.
I could hear him greet his parents, then their footsteps as they walked to the kitchen. I put my best smile on my face.
"Hello," I smiled, "I'm Bella."
"Nice to meet you Bella," His father, who was a tall man, said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him. He pressed his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes as I greeted him.
"It's nice to meet you too, Carlisle," I said, using his first name as a sign of respect.
His mother, Esme greeted me in the same manner, her forehead pressed against mine. She leaned back and when I got a good glimpse of her face, I realized I recognized her from somewhere.
"I think I know you from somewhere, Esme," I said.
She cocked her head, "Have you ever been to the temple during praise? I'm the high priestess and I lead the prayer to the goddess."
"No, I haven't been to the temple yet," I said with a blush, "But, I recall when I first landed, you were there when the humans arrived. I can't remember to well, but, I definitely remember you."
"I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing," She said, the corner of her lip lifting.
"A good thing," I said quickly, "I felt very welcomed that day. Especially by the religious party, I thought that humans would not be welcomed."
"Well, I am more than glad that humans are here," She said, "Or else, I fear my son would have never met anyone. I was scared he'd be nulla domus." She laughed.
"Alright, mother," Edward said as he moved the food to the table.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"I'm sure you've noticed that my son is much older than everyone else who's married. He refused to settle, which I'm not complaining about, I'm glad he's really finding someone he can love for the rest of his life. But, I thought I'd never have grandchildren. I hope I can pass my priesthood onto someone."
I nodded, "Well, it'll be a long while before Edward and I have children. I'm sure he told you about the medical emergency I had a week back."
"Oh yes, he told us, so sad," Carlisle said.
Esme nodded, "I'm glad you are okay. I was worried. My son has never shown such interest is someone before. I'm still shocked to find that human females were forced to have their reproductive rights taken away from them. It's awful. I couldn't imagine having to ask permission to have Edward."
I shrugged, "It was a law implemented before my grandmother was born. So, to me it was just normal. I guess now that I've lived on Outerra for almost a year, now it seems wrong."
"It is wrong," Esme said, "Very wrong. No one should ever tell someone else not to have a baby."
I smiled, "It is. So, I hope you like dinner. I'm still getting used to cooking Outerrian style."
"I bet it's delicious," Esme said, "But, if you need tips on cooking, you should really come see me. I'm an excellent cook."
"That she is," Carlisle said, "She always cooking for the temple."
"Why do you cook for the temple?" I asked.
"For offerings to the goddess, but, mostly to feed those who don't have any way of cooking and feeding themselves."
"So, it's like a homeless shelter too?" I asked.
"No, not at all," She said, "There are no homeless on Outerra. Death is the only way you lose your home, then it's passed onto someone else. But, there are some folks, mostly the elderly, who don't have anyone to feed them. So, the temple helps out by giving out food to those in need."
"Who else is in need?"
"Some children who are without families. There's not many, but, the temple does house the children who are alone. The goddess loves her children. And it is our duty to care for the ones who have no one else."
"Your job sounds so wonderful," I smiled, "When did you decide to become a priestess?"
"I never did get to decide. It's not a job one can just chose upon like a doctor or an environmentalist. My mother was a priestess and she passed the job onto me. That's how one becomes the priestess of the temple."
I looked to Edward, "Why isn't Edward a priest, if he is your only child?"
"It can only be passed onto women," Edward said, "She's waiting for me to have a daughter, she could raise her in the priesthood. If I don't have one, then she'd have to pass the torch to Jasper's daughter if he has one."
"What if no one has a daughter? Then what happens?"
"The goddess will choose the next priestess, in a ceremony after I die."
"How does that happen?"
"In a long, long ceremony that takes way too much time to explain," Edward said, "Mom, try some of this salad Bella made. It's somewhat of an earth dish with an Outerrian twist."
Esme reached forward and out a generous amount on her plate. I watched her as she ate a few bites before declaring that she loved the salad.
The dinner went on without a hitch. Esme and Carlisle were really interested to get to know me. They weren't ashamed to ask me anything. And I mean anything. Edward would squelch some questions with a red face as I shared a face as red.
At the end of dinner, we settled in Edward's living room, continuing to talk.
"Bella, you should come to the temple in two days. Make Edward come. For some reason he stopped coming," Esme said as she shot him a look.
"I'm sorry mother, I've told you I've been busy at the office," Edward said.
"But not busy enough to bask in the goddess's gifts hmm?"
"Alright mother, alright I'll come to the next prayer service. Stop twisting my arm." He said with an eye roll.
"I'll join you, it seems very interesting. I'd love to learn more about the religion. On earth, we don't have religions anymore."
"We will be so happy to have you join us," Carlisle smiled, "It's certainly interesting."
"It is uplifting," Esme said with a gentle pat, "If you come pray to the goddess then I'm sure you'll be healed and ready to bare children in no time."
"Mom, please give the baby talk a rest," Edward said, "Bella and I are taking our time. We're not ready to have children yet."
"Can you blame me for being excited? I can't wait until I have little runs filling our lives with excitement."
"I'll promise you this, Esme, the moment we are ready to have children, you'll be the first to know."
She smiled, "Good, I'm glad someone is thinking of me," she shot Edward a pointed look.
"We should get going dear," Carlisle said, "It's getting late."
"You're right," Esme said as she stood, "It was wonderful meeting you Bella. I can't wait to see you again."
"You to, Esme, it was nice meeting you Carlisle." I said.
After they left, Edward grabbed me in a big hug and kissed my cheek.
"Am I the only one who is slightly glad this evening is over?" He said.
"No, I'm glad I met them. They're really sweet." I smiled.
"Ha, they're a little crazy. Well, my mother is," he picked me up in his arms and walked us upstairs, "I hope she didn't make you uncomfortable with all the talk about babies and what not."
"Not at all. She's just overly excited. It's okay."
He laid me on the bed, tossing me my pajamas, "Well, she makes me uncomfortable."
"Eh, she's your mother. She's supposed to make you uncomfortable."
He nodded, "Did your mother ever make you uncomfortable?"
"Sometimes when I was older she'd embarrass me. But, that's what parents are supposed to do," I said, "When you have kids you'll do the same."
He gave me a look, "Enough of the baby talk."
"What? You want kids, don't you?"
"I do, but, not right now," He said, crawling to me on the bed, "Not until you're better and you're ready."
I smiled and rubbed his cheek, "Thank you. I will admit that I did start to feel a little bad when your mom was talking about having kids. It'll be a while before we have any."
He frowned, "Do you want me to say something to her?"
"No, not at all. It's okay. It's not her, it's just that I… I really wish I could have kids."
"What? But you said—,"
"I know what I said. But, now that it's a slim chance of me having kids, I really want them now. And it makes me feel bad that you have to wait."
He shook his head, "It's alright, Bells. Whatever my mom says about me being older, it's a load. It's just not very normal for Outerrian's to wait to have children. Usually, as soon the houses are built, babies are being born. I just decided to wait and dedicate my life to my profession."
I nodded, "Well, one day I hope we do have children. I'd love to have a little one with you."
He looked up, "Goddess please give me a daughter. Get my mother off my back."
I couldn't help but laugh, "Would our daughter really have to be the next priestess?"
He frowned, "Unfortunately, she'd have little choice. But, it is an honor to be the priestess. It's a life of ease. Plus, we'd always be taken care of and her siblings and the children she has. And it is such a noble profession. No other on Outerra is looked to with such respect and nobility."
"I just feel kind of bad," I said, "what if she wanted to be something else?"
He shrugged, "Let's not hope for that. Rejecting the priestess is rejecting the goddess. And if she chose that, she'd be an outcast."
I shuddered, "Now I kind of hope we have a boy."
He chuckled, "Let's go to bed. No more baby talk."
"Agreed. No more baby talk. For now."
Just a little look into Outerra's religion. I'm thinking about posting a chapter that's filled with facts about Outerra. Not sure if that's a good idea or a bad one. What do you think? Leave me a little review lemme know how you feel about this chapter or anything else on your mind. Have a good week! See you in two weeks!