Saving Grace, Chap. 6
Summary: The continuing story of Grace and her loves. I think this may be the last one, we'll see. Esme and Grace bond, Carlisle and Grace come to an agreement, and she makes up her mind about matters of the heart.
Her siblings are giving her hell; she can sense their disgust and discomfort as she says Goodbye and climbs uncertainly into Jacque's old truck. She gives him directions, and they drive in silence for a bit; she notices that Alice, who is driving today, is well ahead of them in the line of cars that fill the highway near the high school. She was highly annoyed, and Grace saw her pick up her cell phone as soon as she and Jasper were in the car.
Jacques turns to her and speaks.
"Grace, why are your brothers and sisters so upset all of a sudden?" She sighs.
"I don't know. You have to understand something: We're an unconventional family."
"Aren't they all?"
"Yes, but ours is different in many ways. One thing-when you meet my parents, try not to dwell on the fact that they're both still young, OK? Just trust it." He raises an eyebrow, but nods.
"Ok. What are your parents' names? Just so there's no surprises."
"Carlisle and Esme. You'll meet Mom first; she's great."
"It's so weird that you call them Mom and Dad already; most adopted kids usually wait awhile or never do."
"Yeah, well, I've actually been with them for about 6 months or so, so I am comfortable Plus, I love them already." He nods, serious.
"That's good. Tell me about your life before." She swallows.
"What do you want to know?" He grins, and touches her hand.
"Everything."
"Oh, my. That's a LOT. Ok, well, my parents were not married when I was born, and my father was in the Army. He was killed in combat during the first Gulf War, and my mother was a little on the crazy side, and had some substance abuse problems. She was so gorgeous, though, but really unfit to be a mother. She killed herself not long after my father died, and then I got sick. I used to have a heart problem. But anyway, after she died, I was sent to live with my grandfather, who raised me until his own death four years ago. He was the one who taught me piano. But then, the state put me permanently into the hospital; my body wasn't responding to treatments, and I was sick a lot. Then, I met Dr. Cullen, and later, Alice, and then Mrs. Cullen, and they offered to take me when I was granted emancipation. I've been there ever since, and lately, my body has been responding to treatment, so I am pretty much cured." She stops, and sighs, and he looks at her as he pulls into their driveway.
"Wow. Kind of tragic. Thank you for sharing, but I am sorry you lost your parents so young; that must be horrible. What are the Cullen's like?" He kills the engine, and settles back in his seat, unbuckling his belt. From her vantage point, Grace sees the curtains in Rosalie and Emmett's bedroom move, and Emmett glance out. She turns to him and smiles.
"They're great. I am very lucky to have found them. Are you ready? Two things: ignore my brothers, and my niece is giggly, so be aware of that, too." She opens the door, and slides out, grabbing her bags as she does. He follows suit, and she lets them into the house, and find Esme standing near the door. Grace smiles tightly, and speaks.
"Mom, this is Jacques Deveraux. Jacques, this is my mother, Esme." Grace grimaces lightly as Esme regards the boy, trying not to appear disdainful. He extends his hand, and she shakes it.
"Nice to meet you." There is awkward silence for a moment, until Grace cleared her throat and speaks.
"We'll study in the kitchen, ok?" Esme nods, and smiles.
"I put some fresh veggies out for you two, and there's some juice and soda in the fridge."
"Thanks, Mom." She nods, sighs, and turns to fly upstairs. It is silent in the house, and Grace sends calming vibes to the household, and turns to Jacques.
"Um, the kitchen is this way. Sorry it's so awkward. You're just the first boy I've brought home."
"Especially one with pink hair?" Grace giggles.
"Yes. So, Calculus, then." He nods. They work steadily, and fairly quietly for a little while, until Grace stretches. She can feel him watching her, his eyes on her body, and she smiles a little. She glances at the clock on the stove and is surprised to see that it is later than she expected, and that Carlisle would be home soon, and she could see Alistair later, which caused a twinge of guilt to course through her body.
"Um, did you want something to drink?" She is trying to avoid sounding route, but it is an odd feeling to her. He shrugs.
"Sure, if it's no problem."
"Soda or juice? Water, of course. There's some tea somewhere."
"Juice is fine." She nods, stands, and opens the fridge, removing the carton of orange juice and some bottled water. She finds some glasses in a cupboard that she realizes she's never opened, and pours juice in one, and the water in another. She hands the glass of juice to him.
"I hope orange is OK. It's the pulpy kind." He nods, and glances at her glass.
"Water again?"
"Yeah, I hate orange juice. It's just so…orange." He chuckles, and she sits back down. They study some more and make light conversation.
"So, how are you liking school so far?"
"Well, most of the people are vile, but some are OK. I like Tom Robertson and Nate Garofani, from Math club. And Larry Toyamoto, who plays piano, too, is nice." He nods.
"Yes, most of them are vile. It's funny that all the people you've mentioned are boys."
"I didn't realize that. Most of the girls haven't said a word to me. The only one is Anna Guzman, who's in both homeroom and French. I figure most of the girls don't like me, but I don't know why." He smiles at her.
"They're jealous because you're so gorgeous. And oblivious to that fact." She looks as embarrassed as possible, and lowers her gaze to her paper.
"Thanks." Just then, a familiar scent comes into the room, and Carlisle enters from the garage. He takes in the two teenagers, sitting at the table, one in pink hair and punk eyeliner, and the other blonde and clean-cut, and almost busts up laughing. But he keeps his composure as Grace stands, and smiles at him.
"Dad, this is Jacques, the boy I was telling you and Mom about. Jacques, this is Carlisle." She nods in awkward silence, and the two males regard each other. Finally, Jacques speaks.
"Well, thank you for allowing me to come over. You have a lovely home, and your wife is so nice. Grace is great, too." He nods.
"Of course, son. It's nice to meet you. Grace, where is Esme?"
"Upstairs. I think she's doing laundry."
"Thank you. Please, excuse me." The children nod as he exit's the room, and Grace sighs inwardly.
"Well, that was awkward."
"Your parents seem nice. It's so odd that you resemble your mother, but you're not technically related."
"I know. It's almost like she could be my actual mother. Or like my aunt or sister or something." They sit in more silence until Grace glances at the clock and notices that it's getting late. Jacques notices her checking the time.
"Got a hot date?"
"No, but we usually have dinner after Dad gets home."
"Actually, I should be getting on home. I have to pick up my sister from her softball practice." Grace smiles.
"That's so nice of you. I wish you could've formally met the rest of the family, but maybe some other time."
"Maybe. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, Grace Cullen"
"Likewise." She shows him out, and waves as he backs down the driveway and onto the adjacent highway. She sighs loudly as she returns inside, and comes face to face with Esme and Carlisle.
"Hi." They both smile at the same time. It is Esme who speaks.
"Hello, dear. He seemed like a nice boy despite his pink hair."
"He is, but I don't think I'll see him anymore."
"Why not?"
"I felt the thirst thing again. He makes me uncomfortable." Esme and Carlisle exchange a look, and Carlisle speaks.
"Well, I guess it's good that you realize that. Say, Grace. Is this the first time you've experienced the thirst?"
"No, when I met him in gym class the other day, it happened, too. Does that mean something?" He shrugs.
"Perhaps. Something occurred to me earlier; Esme and Edward overheard a part of your conversation with this young man, and apparently, you rattled off a list of people who were interesting to you. They were all male, except this Anna, and I remembered that you talked about the Math club meeting and your music class. Does anyone from those classes cause the same feeling?" Grace looks confused as she answers.
"Not yet. I know it's supposed to, but not yet. Just with him."
"I see. When is Alistair arriving, dear?"
"Soon. I was just going to call him and see if he's ready."
"Ok, I'd like to speak with him before you two get cozy, OK?"
"Is something wrong?"
"I don't know. It's a little odd that this late into the game, you've never felt the thirst, even given your special circumstances. I just want to get his opinion."
"Ok. I'll send him upstairs, then. We are still planning to spend time down here, OK?"
"Thank you. I know it's a bother for you, but Esme and I appreciate it."
"I know. It's fine." Carlisle looks at Esme, who smiles.
"One more thing. I was wondering if you'd like to miss school on Friday, and you and I can spend the whole day together. We can go to the mall, or wherever you'd like. You just seem like you could use some alone time." She is relieved when Grace smiles.
"Really? That would be so much fun. But wait, who's going to watch Nessie?"
"Edward and Bella are home all day on Fridays, so we can spend the whole day out. Then, Carlisle and I will take you for a hunt, and then you can spend the weekend with the others. We're going on a hunt ourselves, alone." Grace nods.
"Ok. Sounds great. Thanks! Will you please excuse me so that I can go call Alistair?"
"Of course." She bounds up the stairs, radiating happiness, and Esme smiles at Carlisle, and pulls him into her embrace.
"I love it when the kids are happy. I just hope that Grace and Jasper never get into a fight; the emotions thing just would make it terrible." Carlisle chuckles, and kisses her forehead.
"Me, too. But I AM concerned about this mortal thing."
"Well, Grace is special. Is it really that troubling?"
"No, but I want to monitor it."
"What are you thinking?" She is suddenly serious; afraid for her daughter.
"I am just wondering if her venom levels are low. She doesn't hunt a lot, but when she does, it really affects her."
"Are you suggesting that she may not be a vampire anymore?" Carlisle shakes his head.
"No. I'm thinking that maybe her Stregoni side is becoming more dominant, and that may or may not be a problem in the future. It will get harder for her to control her powers as the switch-over happens." Esme sighs.
"How will you tell?"
"Venom samples. Which is why I want to speak with Alistair; he still some vials so I don't have to take them myself." She nods.
"Ok. How soon can you know?" He leans into her, and hugs her.
"Hopefully by tomorrow, but definitely by the weekend. I know you're worried, but try not to dwell, OK?" She nods.
"OK." She sighs, but tries to push the worries out of her head. She busies herself tidying the kitchen, smiling to herself that Grace was polite enough to cover the vegetables and return them to the fridge, and to wash both glasses. She mused that her daughter even had the nerve to drink and eat mortal foods, but then reminded herself that girls do a lot of silly things for boys. She was turning this around in her head as she wiped down the counters and then straightened the throw pillows on the couch. She realized that even Edward, who so dearly loved Bella, was pretty much unable to partake of human food when he was with her, and the few times he did, it had made him very ill very quickly. She remembered a time when Bella was giving him a hard time, and he'd taken a bite of her pizza, just to prove he could, and he'd been sick almost instantly, and for the entire evening. The others had laughed at him, Carlisle had been amused, but she had worried. He'd seemed fine the next day, though, and continued to pursue her, so she had written it off. But Grace had said that she'd tried pizza, and, while it had been "gross," it hadn't made her ill, and neither had the vegetables now. She went upstairs to relay her worries to Carlisle, and found Grace in the hallway, smiling, Alistair at her side. They had their heads down and Esme found herself smiling at her daughter's happiness. Grace picked up her scent just then, and looked up, giggling.
"Hi, I was just telling Alistair about Jacques, and-are you OK?" She noticed the look on Esme's face. Esme shook her head lightly.
"I'm alright. Hello, Alistair. Sweetheart, is Carlisle in his study, do you know?" She nods.
"Yes, I was just about to send Alistair in."
"Great. Actually, I need to speak to the both of them. Would you excuse us, please, Grace?"
"Yes, of course." She grimaced, but stepped aside as Esme led Alistair down the hallway, and knocked softly at the door to the study. She lets them in, and Grace enters her bedroom, and flops down on her bed, staring at her wall. A feeling of unease comes over her, but she can't put a finger on why. So she allows her thoughts to wander as the adults talk.
In the study, Carlisle looks surprised to see his wife alongside Alistair. He looks up at them, questioningly.
"Hello, Alistair. Sweetie, what's the matter? You look like you just saw a ghost. Here, sit down, both of you," he stands and indicates a chair for his wife and scoots a bench close to the desk for Alistair. It is a moment before Esme speaks.
"I was cleaning up downstairs, and something came to me. But why don't you fill in Alistair first?" Carlisle nods, still looking concerned. He turns to his old friend, and speaks.
"It's about Grace. Esme and I have been watching her, of course, and how she interacts with the mortals and, of course, her siblings. I am wondering if it is possible that her Stregoni side is becoming more dominant, and if so, how does that change the game? Do you still have her venom samples from the change?" The man furrows his brow, but nods.
"Yes, of course. But why do think this is happening? I mean, what symptoms does she show?"
"Well, up until now, she's never really felt the thirst, or so she claims, and I believe her. Then, there were her incredible powers. I know that our family is kind of the exception to the rule, but Stregoni's are generally NOT powerful vampires. Besides, Jasper isn't technically a Stregoni, and neither is Alice. Nessie is just a whole other story, but my the thing I am getting at here is that now her powers seem to have lessened a little-I think the conjuring is strong only because she likes it and therefore uses it-but she did say she felt the thirst with that boy she'd brought home this afternoon." Alistair stands, and begins to pace, and then answers him.
"But the venom samples I have were from the change, and her Fifolette or whatever bit was dominant. We'll need a new one for comparison. Esme, what did you want to share?" Esme looks up hesitantly, now unsure if she should share her thoughts, but Carlisle nods encouragingly, and so she sighs, but speaks.
"Ok. Honey, do you remember that time that Edward ate the pizza at school because Bella asked him to, and then he got sick?" Carlisle nods, looking a little confused, and she continues, "not to mention that every time Emmett eats a cookie, he's ill for days? Well, didn't Grace say that they had a pizza lunch at the Math meeting on Tuesday? And she was eating vegetables downstairs with the boy; I know because she doesn't like the carrots, and there were half-nibbled ones in the compost bin. But neither of those times has made HER sick, and Rosalie complained a few weeks ago because Grace had eaten a poppy seed muffin or bagel or something in the car and there were seeds everywhere. Again, she wasn't sick." He looks surprised, and it is silent for a moment, and then Alistair mutters lightly.
"Bollocks." Esme grins at the floor a little, but Carlisle chuckles outright.
"Yes. My sentiments exactly. Let me see if your theory is correct, Es." He stands and opens the door, and exits, returning a moment later with Grace in tow. He sits her down, and explains that he needs to ask her a few questions. She looks at him, sensing his fear, and tries to calm them all. He begins by telling her that they are concerned about some things they've noticed, and she appears upset.
"Grace, it's OK. We're not upset, just a little confused. When you were downstairs earlier with the young man, did you eat some of the carrots?" She looks a little nervous, but nods.
"Yes, I thought it would look odd if I didn't. Besides, Esme had gone through all the trouble to prepare them." He nods.
"That's a nice sentiment. Ok, so how do you feel now?"
"Fine, generally, but this," she indicates the room with her hands, "makes me a little tense." Esme nods, and Carlisle continues.
"No, I was actually trying to determine if you felt ill or sick or not well in anyway." She shakes her head.
"Nope, I'm OK."
"Did you have any adverse reactions when you ate the pizza earlier this week? Or the poppy seeds in your sister's car?"
"No. Mortal food doesn't bother me for some reason. The smell of pepperoni is gross, though. Why?"
"No particular reason, it's just that usually, when a full-blooded vampire eats mortal foods, it makes them ill."
"Really?"
"Yes. So it's a little strange that the opposite is true for you. It's just something that Esme and I have noticed."
"Ok, well, if it happens, I'll let you know." He smiles at her, and nods.
"Great. Um, can I please have a few more minutes with Alistair, and then I'll send him downstairs, OK?"
"Sure." She lets herself out, and heads downstairs, and settles herself into a big wing backed chair, and sinks into the fabric. It is dark, but she prefers it that way. She is unsure as to why her eating habits have her parents on edge, but she is now certain that something is wrong.
Back in the study, Carlisle speaks to Esme and Alistair.
"That is not good news. Now I don't know what is happening. I think it's a good idea to get a venom sample as soon as possible, just to check." Alistair nods, but speaks to him.
"But Gracie won't willingly give one up without an explanation. She is too smart for that." He sighs.
"I know. I have to think of something. Maybe something to do with the thirst." Esme sighs, and interjects.
"Why don't we just tell her, Carlisle?"
"I don't want her to be frightened. Especially until we know for sure. It's not ideal, but I don't want her to be scared and hurting with no consolation in sight. The last time that happened, she didn't come out of that bedroom for a week." They nod, remembering the sadness and apathy that had radiated off of her after the forest incident. It was not a fun time for any member of the household, and no one was particularly keen on having it recur. So Esme sighed, and agreed.
"What if we tell her that the thirst has us worried, and we just want to check her venom to see if her Fifolette thing isn't going to appear when she's around this boy?" Carlisle nods, and Alistair grins. Carlisle speaks to her.
"Good thinking, my dear. That could work. Ok, let's speak to her this evening, because I have a feeling that if Alistair doesn't show up down there soon, World War Three will take place in our hallway." The three laugh as Alistair shows himself out and hurries down the stairs, following the familiar scent of Grace to find her sitting in a large armchair in the dark, her blue eyes blazing a brilliant periwinkle. He stands quietly in the doorway, waiting for her to speak to him. She looks up at him, and gestures him in. He smiles lightly, and arranges himself on the armchair next to her.
"Hi."
"Hello. Why are my parent worried about my dietary habits?"
"I'm not sure, something to do with the thirst." She looks at him, and rolls her eyes.
"Are you really not sure, or do you just not want to tell me?" He grins, and taps the end of her nose with his finger.
"Ahh, observant, isn't she? Alas, my darling, I will not say."
"I hate it when you use flowery words to skirt around the point. It drives me crazy." He grins slyly, and pulls her closer to him.
"You drive ME crazy, my dear. Especially those blue eyes; I love how they change color based on your mood." She smiles back at him, and puts her face up for his kiss. He kisses her deeply, but breaks away after a moment. She touches his face, and whispers to him.
"God, I miss you when I'm at school."
"And while you're studying with boys in your parent's kitchen, no doubt. Have you snogged one yet?" He struggles to keep the annoyance out of his voice, but is sorry to have mentioned it when she turns stormy.
"No, I haven't kissed anyone but you. I am not some…I don't know a word for it yet. But yes, if you must know, I DID miss you when I was studying with Jacques. He's kind of boring, and you never are." Alistair laughs.
"Well, at least I keep you entertained."
"You could entertain me better if you'd shut up and kiss me." He smiles, but obliges, and soon, they are wrapped up in each other, forgetting all about the boy with pink hair and half-eaten carrots. Halfway through a particularly steamy kiss, a low giggle snaps the out of their cocoon. Grace scrambles up to find Nessie standing in the doorway.
"Have you seen my watercolors?" Grace shakes her head as Alistair begins to chuckle, and then speaks to the girl.
"No, sweetie, I haven't. Alistair?" The man shakes his head, and Nessie shrugs, and turns around. Grace buries her head in her hands for a moment, but then begins to laugh.
"Oh, man. Edward is going to kill me when she projects THAT." Alistair shifts in the chair, but stands up next to her.
"Not to mention that your father will kill ME. Anyway, dear, don't worry about it; it was just a kiss." She turns to him, her blue eyes twinkling a bit.
"Just a kiss where your hands were up my shirt." She giggled, and leans into him. "But I guess it's better than if it were Esme or Carlisle. Or worse, like Emmett." He chuckles, and leans down to kiss her again.
"Well, thank bloody Christ it wasn't that, then." He kisses her again, this time, moving his mouth to her neck as her eyes close. Just as Alistair has his lips on her bite mark, and they're about to turn things up, a loud "Ahem" interrupts. Grace groans lightly, and turns to give Nessie a piece of her mind, but turns sheepish when she discovers that it is, instead, Carlisle. He looks strained, as if he's about to hit a wall, or her, and she immediately tries to calm him.
"Well, I guess that idea didn't work. I need both of you to come upstairs; I wanted to expand on what we'd discussed earlier a little bit." She sighs as they follow him upstairs, prepared for a deep conversation and a likely lecture on appropriate behavior. They settle into chairs in the study, and Grace is surprised when Carlisle shuts the door. He sits quietly in his chair behind the behemoth desk, and sighs deeply. He speaks then, his tone serious, and Grace is immediately scared.
"Grace, um, there's been some things that Esme and I have noticed lately, and we wanted to discuss them with you. So, earlier, when we were asking about your eating habits, and your tolerance for mortal foods, we were asking because we noticed that you don't seem to get ill when you ingest them, and that is very, very odd for a vampire. And it is odd that you have only felt the thirst with the young man who was here earlier, and that you only hunt once a month or so and feel just fine. What I think is that your Fifolette side is waning, for whatever reason, and your Stregoni side is becoming more dominant. Alistair and I can check, and then we'll know for sure, OK?…" He falls silent as he watches her face change from fear to sadness and then to uncertain. He took in her actions when she reached out for Esme, and when Alistair took her hand in his. He could feel her fear, but knew that she would put on her brave face when she spoke. Finally, she arranged her face, sat back calmly in her chair, and spoke with a strong, even tone.
"I understand what is going on. Can I ask some questions?" He nods.
"Will this change my powers, or my…abilities? I mean, will I still be able to conjure things, and will I still be able to eat mortal foods?" He sighs, hating to tell her that he didn't know.
"I don't honestly know. I don't imagine so; I think that once you are given powers, they stay with you. But maybe the accuracy or intensity of them will wane. It's kind of a wait and see thing." She nods, then speaks again, in a whisper, staring at the floor.
"What about having children? Can I still do that?" It is Esme that sighs this time; Carlisle was aware that Esme took Grace's ability to have children as a sign, since Esme had been the one to change her. He shakes his head.
"Again, I don't know. Stregoni's generally can't, as most vampires can't, but I don't know, honestly. Can we discuss that when we get the tests back?" She nods, looking up at him, her blue eyes purple with unexpressed emotion. But she nods, and smiles lightly at them, and tries to calm the room.
"Ok. When can you do it?" Carlisle looks at Alistair, who nods once. He turns back to Grace.
"Right now, if you wish. Or we can wait some more and see what happens. It's up to you."
"No, let's do it now; I want to know some things." He nods, knowing that she is referring to her ability to procreate, but he pretends that she is worried about her powers, because he is frightened by the prospect of a forced pregnancy. Not that he would, but he sensed that Grace would try it, and it scared him. He stood, and asked Alistair to follow him as they left the study to go to the garage and gather the needed implements. While they were gone. Grace turned to Esme.
"Can I tell you something? Promise you won't tell anyone." She nods, sure that whatever her daughter would tell her wasn't serious; Grace was precocious but was still a good girl.
"I'm very scared. Even more scared than when Carlisle first told me that I would die sooner than expected, and certainly more than when Alice first brought me here." Esme nods.
"I think that's to be expected."
"I want Alice here while Carlisle does this. I want her to be informed." Esme nods again, aware of the tight bond between the two girls.
"Do you want me to go get her?" Grace shakes her head.
"No, thank you. I will. Is she home?" Esme replies.
"Yes; her and Jasper are in their bedroom. I think they're studying."
'Thanks." With that, she stood and flew out of the room. A few moments later, she is dragging a worried-looking Alice and Jasper behind her. She speaks to Esme as she enters the study, finding Carlisle and Alistair returned from the garage.
"I found them. Jasper wanted to come along, too. Carlisle, can you re-explain things? I think I might bungle it up." He nods, and fills in the two others as Alistair arranges the medical supplies on the desk. He waits quietly, standing off to the side, and watching. Grace looks up at him, and he nods to her, smiling when she smiles at him. A moment later, Carlisle is finished explaining things to Alice and Jasper, who are now murmuring at Grace, and Alice is standing next to her, a hand on her shoulder. Carlisle turns to Grace.
"Are you ready? Jasper, you should be OK right now; no blood this time." He nods, and Grace extends an arm, but giggles. Carlisle raises an eyebrow at her, and stops before inserting the needle.
"What is funny?"
"It's kind of like when I was sick, is all. We'd all come in here, and you'd pull my blood, and Jasper would be holding his breath, trying not to scream, and then we'd all be waiting anxiously. It's just sort of…ironic, I guess." He nods.
"I suppose it is. Now, are you ready?" She looks solemnly at him, and nods.
"Yes, sorry." He shakes his head lightly, but gets three vials of venom in a short moment. He notices that her venom runs a slightly bluer shade of purple than most vampires, and makes a mental note to relay this information to Alistair. As he finishes, he turns to Alistair.
"Ok, be sure to take a vial when you leave, whenever that is. I will try to process this through tonight; I have rounds at seven, and will see if I can swing by the lab. Otherwise, it will have to be done in the morning." Alistair nods.
"I won't be able to get to work on it until tomorrow morning at earliest. I am a little backed up with patients; it seems that every teenager fell ill over winter Bank holiday."
"Yes, it seems to be that way, here, as well."
"I will contact you as soon as I have a chance, though. You too, Gracie." Grace, who had been in a three-way conversation with Esme and Alice, smiled and nodded at him, but didn't look up. He sighed, filled with an overwhelming urge to embrace her, but unsure how it would be received. He fought his first instinct, but she seemed to sense his sudden unease, because she spoke then.
"Ok, well, since we can't know anything until at least early tomorrow afternoon, would you all mind excusing Alistair and me? I want to see him before he goes." The family nods, and the two exit the den, and close themselves into Grace's bedroom, where she turns to him, saddened, and begins to sob. He pulls her to him, and they settle onto her bed, and he lets her sob for a little while before speaking to her.
"Oh, Gracie, what are you so upset about, honey? Is it the change?" She shook her head, and sobbed harder. He sighs, and asks her the question that he hadn't wanted to.
"Is this about your ability to have a child?" She stops for a moment, nods, and then starts again, speaking in a jumbled manner.
"Its. I just. It's not OK. I want. I don't know." He holds her for a minute longer before pulling her to the bed. He kisses her head, and speaks to her in a low tone, handing her a tissue from the box near her bed, but which she mostly used to fix her makeup.
"Oh, Gracie, it'll be ok. We'll figure it out. Your father and I will do the tests, and we'll let you know." She looks up at him, having calmed down a little, and he can immediately read the question in her eyes. But she opens her mouth anyway.
"If I am changing, can we do it? Have a child, I mean. We wouldn't have to marry or anything, just help me." He looks at her, dumbfounded.
"I don't know. That is a lot to ask, Gracie." She nods, and swipes at her nose with her Kleenex.
"I know. I'm sorry. It's just that I don't think it's fair that none of the others could have one. We could have, like, three, and give one to Rosalie and one to Alice." He chuckles.
"I love the fact that you're so miserable but can instantly think of your sisters' happiness." She nods again, but shrugs and looks pointedly at him.
"So will you?"
"I am sorry, but I really DO need to think about it. It's not as easy as you propose, Gracie. I WILL think about it, but you should really talk to your parents about what you are considering." She nods.
"Ok, I promise to talk to them if you swear to think about it." He looks at her, and realizes that she is dead serious, but nods.
"I promise to think about it."
"Good. Now, can you kiss me again before I send you home with my venom?" He smiles and embraces her again, this time, allowing his mouth to trail along her neck, kissing the perimeter of her chest. They fall into their regular pattern of kisses and embraces, and they separate before it can go too far. Grace leans against him, whispering.
"Thank you for listening earlier. I don't know if I actually meant what I said, but I do want you to think about it, OK?" He nods.
"And I will, my dear."
"Good. Now, do you have my venom, or do I need to send you to the study before you go?" He pats his pocket, and she smiles.
"Home, then?"
"Yes, please." She raised her hand, and he was gone. She sighed deeply, but stood and left the room. She knocked quickly on Alice's door, and she answered, looking as miserable as Grace. Grace looked at the person she considered her closest friend and favorite sister, and spoke in a murmur.
"Come snuggle with me." Alice nods, and they tuck themselves into Grace's bed, as they had done many times before. It was their favorite way to interact, and it worked well for them. Once they were tucked in and settled, with the blankets pulled tightly around them and over their heads, they began to talk.
"Oh, Alice. This is just the worst, isn't it?"
"It's pretty serious, I think. I have never seen Carlisle that shaken, not even when Edward and Bella told him about Nessie."
"Really?"
"Yes. He cares about you more than you know, but like most men, he has trouble expressing it. But more than that, he sees the joy you bring for Esme, and that makes him happier."
"I'm glad. I never wanted anything but to be a good vampire and not cause too many problems." Alice turned over on her side, and looked at Grace. She marveled at how far the girl had come in five short months; gone was the sick little girl who needed Alice's help, and here was a headstrong woman who needed Alice's reassurances.
"You are a good vampire, no matter what happens. Even the change won't make you "bad", although we shy away from using those words. But you'll be fantastic, I know it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought you here all those months ago."
"Yeah, I guess. Why did you do it, Alice?"
"I've told you. I felt something-a connection, and I knew it work." Grace nods, looking sad again.
"Have we lost that, Alice? I feel like I don't see you as much as before. I miss you." Alice smiles at the ceiling.
"I miss you, too. But you've been so busy blossoming that I didn't want to interrupt." Grace is silent as she considers, but then smiles big.
"You want to have a baby?" Alice's eyes went wide as she looked at Grace.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ok, so, if you get to get have crazy ideas, then so do I. I think that if I am actually changing, I want to have a child while I still can. And then one for you and Jasper and one for Rosalie. Esme already passed; I offered it to her a long time ago. But let me do this for you. You gave me this gift that has brought me so much, it's the least I could do." Alice splutters for a moment.
"Wha-Grace. You cannot be serious."
"I am, though. I want to do this, and I understand the risks. But I love you, and I want to show you that. I love Alistair, and I want to have his child. And, as weird as it is, I love Rosalie, too, and I know the joy it would bring her."
"It will kill you is what it will do."
"We don't know that for sure." Alice sits up suddenly.
"It's far too dangerous. A sweet offer, the best anyone could think of, but no, I cannot let you put your life at risk for this. Besides, Carlisle and Esme would never, ever allow it." Grace sits up, too, the deep blue of her eyes indicating her annoyance.
"Well, last time I checked, it's my body and my life, and I think it's my choice to make."
"Well, whatever you and Alistair decide is between you two, but I want no part of it. Look, Grace, when I chose to defy my family and fight for the option to bring you here, I did it knowing that it might have negative consequences. But I still made the choice. I am not telling you what to do or what not to do, but just know that you must be accountable for those choices." Grace nods.
"I know that, Alice. I'm sorry. I just thought it might be a way to make everyone happy, and that at least some good could come from me interrupting your guy's lives and being, like, the weirdest vampire ever." Alice laughed a little.
"Grace, you are never a burden, you've got to STOP thinking that. And you really need to worry about your own happiness, and no one else's, OK?" Grace nods again.
"Ok. Then, would you support me if I wanted to have my own child soon if the change is happening?" Alice nods.
"Of course. But only if you name it after me." Grace giggled.
"Sure thing. I like Alice, anyway. It's a good name for a cute little baby vampire. It'll be small, like you." Alice poked her in the side.
"Ow!" With that, they collapsed into giggles, and the whole house responded to their happiness.
"What're you wearing to school today?" Grace groaned.
"Do I hafta go? I mean, if I am changing, isn't safer if I stay here?" Alice rolled her eyes.
"Two weeks ago, you were begging Esme and Carlisle to let you go, and now you want a day off?"
"Well, I've been through a trauma. Besides, I hate that place. All those stupid kids. I can HEAR them, and I can't stand it."
"What do you mean?"
"Their voices are so loud all the time. And, once in a VERY great while, I can kind of read their minds, or at least their intentions. Most of the people in that school are either awed by us, or scared of us. Most of the girls don't talk to us because they're jealous, though mostly towards Rose. The boys are generally unaware, but a few are uneasy, and a smaller few are brave enough to let their words out. Why do you think all my new friends are male? Yeah, they like the way I look, but also, they're the only ones who don't feel insecure. Particularly Tom Robertson, who thinks that he's such a geek that everyone is superior, even though he's actually really nice and not at all dweeby." Alice is looking at her with her eyebrows raised.
"How do you know all this?" Grace sighs, and repeats herself slowly, as if Alice was dumb and couldn't understand.
" I said. I hear things." Alice hit her with the pillow lightly.
"I heard that part. I just didn't realize that you felt these things quite this deeply." Grace nods.
"Well, I do. So, I guess I will go tomorrow, just to go to Music. What about my green sweater? The off-the-shoulder one?" Alice nods.
"Yes. Wear it with your denim skirt."
"I know. And my green Uggs." Alice smiled.
"You got my fashion sense. I love you."
"I love you, too, Alice." Alice sighs then, and sits up.
"I have to go. I haven't finished French homework."
"Want me to help? I finished it already."
"How do you get your work done so fast?"
"Two reasons: one, we're vampires. Duh. Second, it's the only way Carlisle and Esme let me see Alistair, because I finish my homework and do well at school. Well, so far."
"Oh. Well, I am almost done, but thanks. I'll come to get you when it's time to go." Grace nods as Alice leaves, and begins to prepare for school. She gathers her books and music, and makes sure that everything is organized in her binders and that she has enough pens and pencils to make it through the day, because Emmett borrows them and loses them. Then, she arranges her outfit on the bed, and dresses quickly. She pulls her blonder hair back with a velvet headband that Bella had given her that was the same color green as her sweater, and applies a tiny bit of makeup. She then hurries into the bathroom, brushes her teeth, and heads down stairs to find her place in the chaos that is weekday mornings in the Cullen home.
She giggles as she comes down the stairs to find Nessie in the living room, twirling around to show whoever would stop to watch how her new dress billowed out when she spun around. Grace stopped to clap, and then went into the kitchen, where Esme and Carlisle were talking to Bella and Emmett.
"So this weekend, we expect you all to be fine, but keep on eye on the girls, OK?" Emmett raised his eyebrows at Esme and pointed his chin in her direction. The others turned around, and Esme lowered her gaze.
"Good morning, Grace."
"Hello. Why do Bella and Emmett need to keep an eye on me and Ness?" Esme wet her lips and raised her gaze.
"Carlisle and I are going for a weekend-long hunt, after our hunt together on Friday."
"Oh, I remember. OK. Can I have an orange in my lunch today?' Esme nods as Bella and Emmett excuse themselves.
"Of course, dear. How about half a sandwich, too?" Grace shrugs.
"Ok. Am I going to catch hell for it later, though?" Carlisle chuckles, but speaks to her.
"Please watch your language, OK? But no. I promise we won't ask you about your dietary preferences anymore."
"I'm sorry. Thank you." Esme nods, and hands her a brown bag, and kisses her head.
"It's OK. I am sorry if you felt picked on last night; I was really worried, and I spoke with Carlisle and Alistair." Grace nods.
"It's OK, I understand. Don't forget that I'll be late; today is the Math club practice after school." They nod, and Carlisle smiles.
"I can pick you up on my way home if it runs late. Do you have my cell number?" Grace nods.
"Thanks, but I don't think that's necessary; Tom Robertson offered me a ride home already, if that's OK." Carlisle and Esme exchange a glance.
"Of course, dear. But do call Carlisle if anything changes."
"I will. Thanks." Just then, they heard Alice's voice trilling down the stairs.
"Grace? Are you ready?" Grace turned to Esme and Carlisle.
"Oh, I gotta go get my bag. I'll see you guys tonight, Ok?" They nod, and she kisses them on their heads and leaves the room. A few moments later, they hear her and Alice hurrying down the stairs followed by Jasper, and then the garage door slam. Carlisle turned to his wife.
"I think she's coming along well, don't you think?" She smiles and nods.
"Absolutely. Have a good day, honey." He nods, and kisses her head.
"You, too. See you tonight. I'll call you as soon as I can get to the lab." She nods, and waves as he leaves through the garage, but sighs and turns back to the lunches, handing them out as each Cullen child leaves for the day. Soon, it is silent, and she is alone with a now-sleeping Nessie. Her rapid growth made the child tired, and she usually napped for an hour after the children left.
At school, Grace prepared herself for a long day. Her day before had taught her to prepare for two and a half hour class sessions, except homeroom, which was always a half-hour. She smiled as she shut her locker, and found the smiling face of Larry come into view.
"Hey, Larry."
"Hey, Grace. What's your first class?"
"English."
"Do you have Fisher or Jones?"
"Neither. I am in the advanced class. I have Chen." He raises an eyebrow as they start walking down the hallway.
"Wow. I am impressed. I didn't realize you were in the advanced classes. What kind of foster care home were you in, anyway?" She grimaced.
"How do you know that?"
"Jacques Deveraux and I have zero period together."
"Damn it. I can't believe he said anything. I should bite him." Larry raised his eyebrows again as she realized her slip up instantly. She smiled quickly.
"I tend to act like a three-year-old when I'm annoyed." He laughs.
"Good to know."
"Anyway, I wasn't in a foster home. But I am really smart on my own."
"I know, I was just harassing you."
"OH." They stop in front of a classroom, and he steps back.
"Well, I'll see you in music, then. And try not to bite anyone or stick their hair in glue, OK?" Grace laughs.
"I promise. See you." She enters the classroom to find her brothers snickering.
"Grace has a boyfriend," said Emmett, in a singsong. She grimaces as Rosalie kicks him under the table. They mess around for a few seconds until the teacher walks in and they settled down for class.
Soon, it was lunchtime, and as Grace entered the cafeteria from her Math class, she smiled and waved to her siblings as she headed for their table. She was stopped halfway there, though, by Tom Robertson and Larry.
"Hey, Grace. Come sit with us." She glanced over at their table and noticed several people from her music class gathered around. She nods, and shrugs to Alice, mouthing "sorry," and places her lunch bag on the table with the other students as Tom and Larry make room for her. She takes a place between the two boys, and across from Jacques and a girl she remembered was called Julie. She smiles at them, and opens her lunch, discovering that Esme had sent her with a peanut butter sandwich along with her orange. She giggles lightly when she finds the cookies, with a suspicious, Emmett-sized bite taken out of one. She talks to the group throughout the lunch period, aware of a rift between the three boys giving her the most attention. Finally, the bell rings, and Grace prepares for Music class. It is Tom who speaks first.
"Grace, can I walk you to class?" She nods.
"Ok. But really, it's so close."
"I know, but it's still only your third day." She shrugs, stands, and tosses the empty bag into a nearby garbage can and grabs her water bottle.
"Ok, then. Thank you." Larry stares after her as they leave, laughing back and forth at what the other had to say. He noticed that she left her notebook behind, and he scoops it up, triumphantly, as Jacques looks on, defeated.
Grace hadn't meant to be cold to Jacques, she just found that it was harder to control herself when he was so close, and without the support of her family. She was half-listening as Tom was rattling on about something, until he asked her a question and she couldn't answer.
"Earth to Grace."
"Sorry. I was thinking about class, Larry has me hopping with these piano pieces." Tom nods, but looks unconvinced.
"Anyway, I was just saying that a few of us from Math Club are going to have a little get-together at the mall on Sunday afternoon. Would you like to come? I can give you a ride if you need it." She smiles lightly.
"That sounds fun. I will have check with my parents, because they're going out of town for the weekend, but I will let you know? I'll send you an email because I won't be here tomorrow." He nods, and they stop in front of the Orchestra classroom.
"Oh, really? Why?"
"Doctor's appointment. Then my mom is taking me out to lunch."
"Oh, that sounds nice. Well, email is cool, then. Are you on Facebook?"
"What is that?" He laughs.
"I forgot that you haven't led a normal teenaged life. I will show you if you come on Sunday."
"Ok. Well, thank you for walking me, I guess. I'll see you in an hour in Mr. Morgan's room?"
"Of course. Bye." She shakes her head as she enters the classroom. Music goes by fast; it is quickly becoming Grace's favorite because it is less of a class and more of an excuse to sit around and play. Larry had given her the notebook that he'd rescued from the cafeteria, and he, too, asked her to the Sunday get-together. She gave him the same answer as she'd given Tom, and luckily, he seemed satisfied. She was happy when the period ended, and she took a moment to duck into the girl's bathroom to call home.
"Esme? Has Carlisle or Alistair phoned yet?" The older woman could sense Grace's panic.
"Calm down, sweetheart. Neither one has been able to run a test yet, but we've been talking all day, and they are both staying on after their shifts to run the tests, OK?"
"Ok, thanks. I will call after Math club."
"Ok. We'll see you later, dear."
"Bye." She hung up and hurried down the hallway and across the quad, where she spotted her siblings. Alice followed her as she hurried to Mr. Morgan's classroom.
"Grace, what happened at lunch?"
"Tom Robertson insisted I join them. I don't have so many friends that I can afford to be rude."
"What about me?"
"I'm sorry, Alice. I will see you tonight. We're going shopping all day Saturday, remember? And you're my favorite sister." She stops and looks at Alice. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that it was so important that I eat lunch with you. On Monday, I will, definitely, OK?" Alice nods.
"I'm sorry. It's just odd, I guess. None of us has ever been invited to eat lunch with any of the others."
"You're my sister, so you can sit anywhere that I do."
"It's OK. Like I said, just weird. Do you want me and Jasper to pick you up?"
"That would be nice. I will tell Tom Robertson. He was going to bring me home since he lives near us."
"I see."
"But I want you to come instead. Just tell Esme; I am to call Carlisle, too." She nods.
"Ok, we'll be here by 4:30."
"Thanks, Alice." She hurries across the quad, and arrives at Mr. Morgan's classroom with a few moments to spare, so she refreshes her lip gloss and arranges her notebook and pen to take notes for the meeting. She had read over the dress code and code of conduct the night before and had noted that she'd need some more professional-style attire, as the things that she and Alice had liked for school would be inappropriate in this setting. She had also noted that she would need a new calculator, and planned to pick one up the following day. The others filed in after her, and a few had already been there, and a little while later, the meeting began. Mr. Morgan conducted it like a TV Jeopardy match, asking the students questions from four categories-general math, Money math, scientific applications, and miscellaneous. She did well, though not as well as she'd hoped; science wasn't her best area, and for some reason, she had been paired with a team that liked the science questions. Her points had mostly come from the other categories, but Mr. Morgan still praised her at the end of the practice.
"Grace, you're doing well for someone with so little formal schooling. All of your instructors say that you're doing well enough in your classes that you can come to the next match on the 13th." She nods.
"Do you think I can do it?"
"Yes, of course. Since it is two weeks away, we will hold a vote on Tuesday on who gets to go; you will go automatically since you're the only girl, but usually it's Tom, Nate, John Buckley, and Josh Shapiro. We can take four total and one alternate."
"Ok. I will talk to my parents, but I don't think they'll have any objections."
"Great. Well, we'll see you on Tuesday, then."
"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Morgan." He shook his head lightly as she left the classroom and headed for the parking lot. A moment later, both Nate and Tom were at her side.
"Hey, Grace. Am I still giving you a ride home? I usually take Nate, too, he lives near me." Grace shook her head.
"Oh. I'm sorry I forgot to tell you, but my sister Alice is picking me up, and then we have to go run some errands. I am sorry. But maybe next time?" He looks a little let-down, but nods.
"Yeah, next time. I will be expecting my email, though."
"Ok. I'll email you by 8 PM, OK?"
"Cool." Just then, they arrived at the parking lot, and Grace spotted Alice and waved goodbye to the boys and climbed in next to her sister.
"How was it?"
"You wouldn't have enjoyed it, but I liked it. I think I might do it. I'm a little bad at science, but the rest is OK."
"Carlisle can help you with the science stuff."
"I know. I was going to ask him later. Where are we going?" Alice was driving in the opposite direction of the house.
"The hospital. He needs the other venom sample he took last night. Then we're going to Target."
"Oh, good. I need some things." Alice giggled.
"What do you need?"
"A calculator, for one. And I want to try a plum lipstick. I think it might look good."
"No. Esme tried one once. It doesn't suit your coloring. But maybe a rose."
"Ok. Can we get some water, though?" Alice looks at her over the rim of her sunglasses as they park in front of the hospital, and she dials Carlisle.
"Are you thirsty?"
"No. I just like it, OK?" Grace tossed her head at her sister as Alice giggled and then spoke down the line.
"Carlisle? Yes. We're out front. Ok. See you in a sec." Alice snaps her phone shut as Grace turns to her.
"Why aren't we going in?"
"Firstly, as far as most people know, you checked yourself out of here against medical advice. It would be really awkward. Secondly, when he stays late, Carlisle likes to walk around the perimeter of the campus. I guess a British architect designed the school, and he knew him or his father did or something. Anyway, he tells his colleagues that he is exercising, which as a cardiologist, is believable. Oh, there he is. The vial is in the glove compartment in a manila envelope. Can you get it?" Grace nods and reaches into the glove box, pulling out the yellow envelope and handing it to Alice, who hands it off to Carlisle.
"Thanks, Alice. I'll see you girls later."
"Bye." They pull out of the parking lot, and continue on to the Target. They let themselves out, and begin their shop. It is Alice who speaks first, gently.
"Are you afraid?" Grace, who is engrossed in jewelry, looks up.
"Of what?"
"The tests, silly."
"OH. Yes, a little. But I have a plan, so either way, I'm OK with whatever happens."
"Good." They shop for an hour before Grace's phone rings. It is Esme, who requests that the girls return home immediately. They quickly check out and hurry home, leaving their wares in the hallway. It is quiet as they enter, and Grace and Alice spot Esme, Carlisle and Jasper in the living room. Grace sighs as Alice settles herself onto the loveseat next to Jasper.
"Wait, is this about the tests?" Esme nods lightly.
"Can I get Alistair?"
"Yes." Grace nods, raises her hand, and the man appears, his visage as serious as her family's. He sits down quietly in a chair near the loveseat, and Grace settles herself on the floor. She looks up at Carlisle then, and nods.
"Ok, I'm ready."
"Well, I have good news, and some bad news. Which one first?"
"The good news."
"Ok. It seems that you're not changing after all. So that's good, for you, I suppose." Grace remained stone-faced, and replies.
"So what's the bad news?"
"The bad news is that your Stregoni side seems to be waning. I don't know why, and what the implications will be." Grace sighs, and looks upset.
"But I don't want to be just a Fifollette. Can't you just give me more venom?"
"It doesn't work like that, I'm sorry. Alistair and I will monitor you, though."
"Ok. Can you all excuse me, please?" They nod, and she leaves the room quietly, heading upstairs for her bedroom. She can hear the hushed conversations of her family downstairs, but ignores them as she stares at her wall, her mind running wild with thoughts, the main one being if the Cullen's would still allow her to stay with them if she was different, and perhaps dangerous.
End of Part 6-Looks like we'll need one more. Sorry it's so long!