Ch. 46 A New Beginning

"Well, this is it." Edward and I were standing on a path at the foot of a large, grass-covered hill which led to a massive, three-story brick home on the outskirts of Rochester, New York, the current residence of Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Edward's expression was apprehensive to say the least. If he were human, I would say he might be about to vomit, but he wasn't human. Vampires don't hurl, right?

He shot me a look. "It's going to be fine." I sighed, taking his hand. "I should be the one who's more nervous. This Carlisle and Esme haven't met me before. They'll most likely think I'm very crude compared to the demure, refined women of this time. Look at me! I'm wearing jeans and an AC/DC t-shirt—not that you'd know who that is, but still. I don't fit in here...I'm still not sure why you even like me." I wasn't doubting that Edward and I were supposed to be together, but I must seem very strange to a man born in 1901 who hasn't yet been eased into the lewdness of twenty-first century life. I'm sure I would be considered very vulgar here. I would have to reign it in...a lot...if I was going to exist here. Fuc—I mean, drat. Yeah, drat. That's much better.

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose with a smile in that all too familiar look of feigned exasperation. "I am enjoying your company very much, thank you. And I must say, you do have a way with words..." he chuckled then looked to me sincerely. "It's going to be fine. Esme will be beyond herself with joy that you've single-handedly convinced her wayward son to come home. Carlisle will always follow Esme's lead. Now as for me? I'm not so sure that I'll receive such a warm welcome. I was horrible to them the last time they saw me..." He visibly shuddered. Oh come on, Cullen. You were even polite to the werewolves while insulting them...

"It couldn't possibly have been that bad." I attempted to reassure him.

"It ended with Esme kicking me out." He said in a monotone. You ticked off Esme bad enough to get kicked out? Damn. I mean, shoot. Shit, I'm going to be really bad at this...Edward was laughing at me again and kissed my forehead. "Self-awareness is the first step to self-improvement." He told me in his smug voice.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah yeah yeah. Let's just get up there and meet the parents already!"

Edward took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, nodding to himself, and led me up the path.

When we reached the front steps, Edward slowed. "It's been a long time..." Go, on. You've got this...He nodded once more, and took the last few steps up to the door.

"Edward? Son, you're here?" Carlisle opened the door just before Edward could knock, his fist still suspended mid air. He looked exactly the same of course. "Esme, come. It's Edward, and he has someone with him." Carlisle's face was arranged in a polite smile, but his brow was raised inquisitively.

"Carlisle, this is Iris, my...mate." Edward beamed over at me.

"Your...?" Carlisle was very obviously noticing my humanness but didn't say anything. "Hello, I'm—"

"Carlisle. Edward's father." I finished for him with a smile. This time would be different. No more lies. I had to do this correctly. "I know all about you guys. It's so fantastic to meet you." I said with genuine excitement. I was so elated to have this second—or was it the third or maybe fourth chance?—with these amazing people.

"Edward?" Esme showed up in the foyer and ran straight to him, embracing him fully. She seemed as wonderfully maternal as always.

"It's so good to see you again, Esme." Edward was hugging her back just as fervidly. They very plainly loved one another. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so widely, but damn—darn—I loved seeing everyone so happy.

When she finally released him, Edward pulled me back to his side. "Esme, I was just telling Carlisle that this is Iris, my mate."

"Mate?" Esme exclaimed with an exuberant grin. "Oh, Edward!" She didn't even seem to care that I was human. She pulled Edward and I into a hug together this time, and I couldn't help the giggle that escaped. Yup, there it was. I might travel through time over again just so I could watch how excited Esme was for him each time he announced this relationship. She was over the moon. Such a mom.

"Come in, both of you." Carlisle clapped Edward on the back, grinning. He ushered us to the sitting room at the front of the house.

"What can I get for you, Iris? I'm sorry to say that I wasn't expecting guests. I'm not sure what I have, but I can run right over to the market—" Esme was beside herself. This must be her worst fear for her son to finally bring home a mate—a human mate to boot—after all this time and worrying for him, and then she didn't have human food. What a catastrophe! Edward smiled down at me, and brushed his thumb across my knuckles.

"It's alright. I'm fine for right now, but I'd love to accompany you to the store in a bit if that would be ok with you." I was actually starving. I hadn't eaten in nearly a day or slept since the day before that. Edward—twenty-first century Edward—had begged me to get some rest, but I was so grieved by the thoughts of what was to come that I couldn't make myself even close my eyes. Now I found myself on the brink of falling over.

A smile returned to her lips as she responded. "Yes, dear, of course. That would be lovely." I loved this woman.

"Esme, Carlisle, I do think that we have some things to discuss, but Iris needs to rest. Is there a room with a bed that she might use?" I frowned at him. I just met them! Don't make me look like a useless bum! He bit back a smile at me. "She is too polite to ask for herself." I held back my sigh as he coughed to cover up a chuckle.

Esme smiled at our silent exchange in fascination. "Yes, come right this way, Iris." She turned to Edward as I stood and spoke aloud for my ears I'm sure. "Where ever did you two travel from? Not too far I hope?"

"Vermont. Just a few hours north of here." Edward answered.

"Edward, you didn't! Did you run with Iris all the way here? Poor girl!" She chastised was she took me under her wing.

"I like it. It didn't bother me in the least." I shrugged with a laugh.

"Liar. You looked ill about half way through." Edward proclaimed in jest.

"Ugh. I was trying to help you out, my love, but if you would like to suffer the wrath of Esme, then by all means, go ahead." Edward's smile turned into a grimace. I just rolled my eyes with a feigned look of pity.

"I think I like her." Carlisle spoke up. Yes! I was two for two in the parent department! Edward shot me a disparaging look, but laughed.

"See you later, darling." I responded cheekily to Edward's playful sneer.

He rushed to me before I could follow Esme up the stairs. "Sleep well, love." He whispered into my ear with a kiss to my temple, and my heart beat sped erratically. My Edward...

He smiled at my dazed state, turning my body to face me in the right direction to follow after Esme. She beamed fondly at us from a few steps up. I couldn't even be embarrassed. I was so beyond happy. No one was coming for us. Edward loved me. Yes, we would have to get to know one another again, but I was one hundred percent sure that he was feeling the same intensity and passion for me that I felt for him, just as we had in the future—or my past? Ugh...this would never get easier to think about. But the point is that we were together, here, unthreatened. Maybe we could have that happy ending after all.

Like, Follow, and Review please and thank you! :)