Chapter 18: Liberated Cat
Everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I'm just messing with her people, who I happen to love like family. The Cullen Ranch and the babies belong to me. Please do not copy this story.
February14, 2014
Ben's pov:
It was an interesting first day at the Cullen homestead. It really was like a ranch. Only I never thought a ranch would be so noisy. There was a constant stream of people crashing around. Nobody seemed to know how to simply walk from Point A to Point B. They stomped. They leaped. They ran. They slid across floors and down bannisters. It was like living with rhinos on speed. And they called to each other from one end of the place to the other. Rosalie caught me looking a little overwhelmed, and smirked. Now I knew what she meant by life being less than utopian here.
Theo and Ethan were worn out by 3:30 in the afternoon. They didn't often nap anymore, but all the excitement had been enough for them. Alice helped Ang carry the boys upstairs to our room, which was more spacious than we expected it to be. The room contained a comfortable queen-size bed, topped with a thick white duvet, a change table, and a crib for the boys to share.
The floor had a warm, royal blue carpet, and there was a little gas fireplace on the center wall, fronted by two wing chairs upholstered in suede. The room had an adjoining two-piece bathroom, a closet and a dresser. Apparently, the Cullens were always ready for company to make an extended stay.
Alice used her charms to worm her way into our suitcases, and before you could say 'Jiminy Cricket', all our belongings were unpacked and arranged in beautiful order. Alice handed us a cordless baby monitor, and ushered us back downstairs.
"Should you wish for any grown-up time, just let us know, and the boys can go to the nursery and playroom," Alice offered. Alone time. Wow. That rarely happened in our home. Ang and I looked at each other speculatively.
The boys ensconced in their crib, the three of us rejoined Edward and Bella in the great room, pulling up spots next to them on a big couch. Edward was sitting with his arm around Bella, and she had her feet tucked up under her as usual. As much in love as ever, I thought fondly.
A teenage girl was playing the piano at the back of the room. Edward was listening attentively. Ang expressed a desire to see Renesmee. Edward and Alice looked at each other for a few moments without answering Ang. Then, Edward nodded.
"You mustn't be alarmed when you see her," he warned. "The same thing happened to me when I reached her, um, age. She'll be fine ... after. We were really hoping ..." Edward looked downcast. Bella gave him a squeeze, and smiled reassuringly at him. Edward rallied, smiling faintly.
"So your brother had the same health condition as you?" I asked tentatively.
"Half brother. Apparently. Carlisle and I think my mother must have passed it to us when we were born. There's so little known about our condition."
"What's it called?"
"Hmm? It's unpronounceable. I don't even try to remember." Edward shrugged. Weird. He was so intelligent, I couldn't imagine him being unable to pronounce the name. There must be a different reason that he didn't want to tell us.
"So, your brother was...?"
"He was the oldest. I really don't remember either of my half-siblings. Only flashes. I was the youngest. Our mother, Elizabeth, was married to a guy named Bill, and he died in the War." Vietnam, or Afghanistan, I wondered. Edward did not elucidate.
"She married my father, Edward Masen, a few years later. He was a friend of her first husband. She was in her late thirties when I was born. I was six when my parents died. Lizzy was, um, nineteen, I think. And William was about twenty-three. I never saw either of them after my parents passed."
"They never tried to see you?" I asked incredulously. They were adults. They could have taken him in. How could they have been so cold?
"They resented my mother's remarriage. They didn't want me." Edward must have seen how shocked I was.
"I'm so sorry."
"It's alright, Ben. It all happened a long time ago. I remember my mother fairly well, and she was a lovely person. And then Carlisle and Esme adopted me, and they've been marvellous parents. I've had a wonderful life. Much better than most kids can hope for. And now, I have Bella and this huge family."
"Bet you didn't expect to have grandkids at 27, did you man?" I said wryly.
"I didn't expect to have a kid, never mind grandkids. Had I been a hundred and ten, I would not have expected grandkids. But God works in mysterious ways, my friend."
"That He does. And you took Nessie, even though her father never took an interest in you?"
"Aw, Ben, how could I not? It wasn't her fault he wasn't there for me. Besides, when I saw her, I kinda fell in love with her."
"How old is Nessie, exactly?" I asked curiously.
"She'll be seventeen on November 20th." Edward smiled and sighed ruefully.
It didn't add up.
If Nessie was 16, then Jacob, who was 24 or 25, had gotten her pregnant at 15. And Edward hadn't murdered him. And laws being laws, whether in Canada or the US of A, Nessie was a minor. And she was not, to my knowledge, emancipated.
If Nessie was 16, then Edward and Bella had gotten her when she was ... nine. And the pictures they had of her, on the wall, showed a much younger child. And Bella had told Angela that they got her when she was three, which fit with the pictures I'd seen.
Nothing added up. Edward was lying. And Edward was a good man. A godly man. At least, I had always believed that he was. He'd done me nothing but good, and his advice had always been sound.
Nothing added up. And there were other things. The mysterious health condition that plagued the Cullens and their spouses. The lack of ageing. The move to Canada. The Quileutes.
A thrill of fear crept up my neck. What had I unearthed? I couldn't help myself. I stared at my friend, the man who had been such a central part of my life, like he was the devil himself.
Edward pinched his nose, sighing. Then, he chuckled softly. He looked at his sister, and she nodded. He nodded back, decisively. Alice got up and walked away.
Edward folded his hands and rested his elbows on his knees, looking at me warmly. He glanced at Angela and Bella, and then focused on me again. "Ben? I'm sorry for everything. Truly. Don't blame Angela. It isn't her fault. We lied to protect you, and Ang, and our families. We meant no harm, and we will never harm you, no matter what. Please have faith that we are not evil, and we really do love you."
What, could he read minds?
"Yes, actually, I can."
I flinched. He wasn't ... normal. Nor was anyone in his ... family. Not ... Christians.
Edward chuckled, "Oh, we most certainly are Christians. Never doubt that, my friend."
I gaped. Edward really could read my mind.
"I told you so," he smirked. "I have hated myself for lying to you. I'm glad it's over. I hope you won't ... freak out. I hope you won't harm us. And I hope you will come to understand why we had to lie. The secret must be kept. It's for your own protection. My government would wipe out all of us if this becomes known."
His government? Were they aliens?
"We're not aliens, Ben."
But everything he and Bella, and apparently my wife, had told me about them was a lie.
"No, most of what I've told you is true. But some of it is out of context. I lie as little as possible. It makes me feel so awful. But you're right, Ben. I have told you enormous lies. And I have regretted every minute of it."
"Me, too, Ben," Bella added solemnly.
"And you, Angela?" I glared.
"It was not my secret to tell, sweetheart. And keeping you in the dark was for everyone's protection, including yours. I love you, Ben, and I could never bring myself to tell you and put you and the babies in danger," my wife said softly.
I raised angry eyes to Edward. "The truth. Now."
"Angela found out about us inadvertently, Tuesday, August 11th, 2009. I visited you in your dorm on August 1st, do you remember?"
"How could I forget?" I said acerbically. "I thought you were going to pound me."
"Well, to be honest, I did consider it. But your thoughts gave you a reprieve," Edward admitted.
"A reprieve? Which thoughts exactly?"
"Your regret. Your feelings for Angela. You softened me up, you sappy date. I just couldn't kill you after that." Edward smiled crookedly. Angela looked alarmed. Edward chuckled and glanced at her. "Oh, I'm only joshing, Little Angel. I never would have hurt him. Much."
"Get to the point," I ordered.
"She was present when I got injured. And she found out that we aren't ... human."
I folded my arms. "You're not human."
"Not anymore."
"And you aren't aliens." This couldn't be real. They were putting me on. I had fallen down a rabbit hole or something.
"No. Welcome to Wonderland, Ben."
"This is like pulling teeth. Spit it out!"
"You must promise me first that you will never let word of this cross your lips to anyone. It is vital to keep the secret."
"I'll decide that when I hear it!" I snarled hotly. "You've lied to me for years. My wife has lied to me for your sake. Why should I keep faith with you?"
"Because I love you like a brother, Ben. And it's an ultimatum. I require your word. And I trust it."
I glared into Edward's certain eyes, considering.
"Please, Ben?" Angela begged huskily, looking down at her feet.
I stared, considering. Edward and Bella had been a force for good in our lives. They had behaved themselves in a mature, Christian fashion. They had an excellent marriage. They had gone over the top to show kindness to me and Angela. And they had always told us how much we were loved. The tension seemed to go out of Edward. Damned mind reader. He smiled self-deprecatingly at me.
"I really hope not," he said. "I really hope God will forgive me my sins. And I hope you will, too. I'm asking, humbly, for your forgiveness."
Forgive others, so that God will also forgive you. Edward was obviously sorry, but was he repentant, or would he lie to me again? "Well, since you've always demonstrated kindness to me and my family, and I've never witnessed you doing any harm, I am going to go out on a limb and give you a second chance. But I don't want any more lies, ever again, Edward. Not from you, or any of your family members. And particularly not from my wife. You don't know how much this has ... hurt me."
"I think I do. And I am most desperately sorry. I do repent, Ben. I told you, I have hated lying to you. All of us will be so much happier if you know."
I nodded, and stared my friend in the eye. " I promise to keep your secret, for the safety of everyone I love. Including you."
Edward nodded in return. "Thank you, Ben. I love you too. I accept your word. And I give you mine in return. We will always act with your welfare in mind, and we will never lie to you again."
That sounded like a loophole. "Even if a lie seems to be in my best interests?"
"Even then. No more lies."
"Excellent. Now, tell me."
Edward and Bella exchanged a look, and she nodded at him.
"Vampires."
He was joking. It was all a colossal joke. It was nonsense. It was infuriating. It was ... plausible.
"I'm not lying, Ben. We're 'vegetarian' vampires." Edward used his fingers to make little quote marks. "We drink the blood of animals to survive. We don't harm people. Most vampires are wicked. Sometimes, we have harmed wicked ones. But mostly, we just try to not judge others. We try to give them a shot at redemption."
The Cullens looked the same now as they'd looked 10 years ago. I'd rarely seen Edward eat or drink, even when we'd travelled together.
"I've seen you eat," I protested.
Edward barked a laugh. "Yeah, but you've never seen me digest it. I have to chuck it up."
I had never once seen him head for a washroom. And they had a daughter whose true age could not be logically explained.
"You're not kidding me. You are really vampires," I said numbly.
"I'm not kidding. We really are. And knowing about us puts every single person here, and many more in Forks, at risk of annihilation. My government will never let our existence become known. Do you understand why we've lied, now?"
I swallowed dryly. "I understand. And Nessie?"
Bella answered me. "Ren is our biological daughter. I bore her before Edward changed me. She was born November 20th, 2005, just as I told you. She is seven and a half human years old. Because Carlisle hypothesized that she would go sterile when she is fully mature, in about six months, she and Jacob decided to take their lives into their own hands and create our granddaughters. Since we understood their point of view, we decided not to kill him. And Renesmee is now changing into one of us. Early."
"And that's how you became a vampire, too? You had a human mother and a vampire father, and when you grew up, you changed into what you are, now?" I demanded of Edward.
"No. My daughter is very rare. There are hardly any hybrids as far as we know. Every once in a while we stumble across one, thanks to an evil coven we found and defeated in the Amazon. Although we fear there will be more children since our kind discovered the possibility. We are dreading that they will misuse the ability of males to conceive with humans. Female vampires are sterile."
"And you chose this, Bella? Freely?"
"I chose Edward, who is good and selfless. Nothing else mattered." Bella corrected.
"How were you made?" I asked Edward crossly.
"I was dying. Carlisle turned me."
I turned back to Edward again. He was already shaking his head at me, answering an unvoiced question, which was annoying. "So you never had a brother and sister? And your parents didn't die, you did? That was a load of bull, to get my sympathy?"
"Not at all, Ben. I did have an older half-brother and half-sister. And they didn't like me. And after my 'death' I never saw them again. For which, mostly, I was glad. Only, I was seventeen when I died, not six. They had long since moved out on their own. The story of how my parents met is true. And my father was a lawyer. He was in school and never went to war. And my parents both passed away before I did."
That was a weird thing to hear. Passed away. "You aren't dead, though, are you?" I wanted a definite answer.
"I'm undead. My system is totally different to yours. My heart does not beat. Blood does not zip through my veins. As far as we can tell, since nobody will volunteer to submit to a living autopsy, whatever we drink is absorbed directly from our stomachs into our tissues. I am strong, fast and durable, I have perfect recall, I don't sleep or eat food, and for years I hated what I was. We are always thirsty for blood. We are always resisting temptation.
"Now, I try to do good. I try to take care of others, human or otherwise. And I'm thankful to God for the opportunity, Ben. But I won't likely be meeting Him soon. Unless He decides my time's up. And death with your name in God's good book is a worthy goal. I hope to be ready to meet Him someday."
"I can't believe I just heard the Testimony of a mythical creature," I intoned dully. "You are unbelievable." I wished somebody would pinch me.
Edward reached over and pinched me, grinning crookedly.
"Ow! Not so rough, Blade!"
"Sorry," he chuckled, eyes glinting with humour.
"Liar. Why the Quileutes? Why Canada?" I wondered.
"The Quileute males morph into wolves in order to protect humans from vampires."
I gaped at him. "They live with you. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?" I demanded.
"They are killing machines, Ben. I've seen it. We've had a war with evil newborn vampires and we've had a war with that evil coven I mentioned, and we've had a near war with our own leaders. The Quileutes are a force for good. Ask Bella."
"And they are here because?" I prompted.
"Jacob bonded with our baby. And since he's a pack leader, half of LaPush wanted to come here with us. The shape-shifters are all male, except one. They all seem to find their mates by what they call 'imprinting'. They see somebody and just instantly bond with her. Claire has someone imprinted on her. Trust me, there is no paedophilia going on or Jacob would be dead. Claire's admirer, too. The men just are really dedicated to the girls, and then life either shifts in their favour and the girl returns their feelings when she reaches maturity, or the girl rejects the young man and he is totally up the creek in the romance department."
"And you came to Canada because?" I asked.
"We look inhuman in the sun. We needed someplace cloudy. And we're getting a little too easy to notice in the States, since we've been moving around from cloudy place to cloudy place for many years. Carlisle was offered the opportunity to work up here, and it seemed like a good place to try. And it's worked out very nicely so far, although the lack of privacy sometimes drives us raving mad."
"Do all vampires read minds?" I wondered.
"No, but some of us have other special talents. Bella is a Shield. She protects herself and others from mental attack. I can only hear her thoughts if she wants me to. Renesmee can make others see and hear her thoughts, and nobody can prevent it. Alice has visions of possible futures. Jasper is an empath."
"The Denalis!" I exclaimed.
"They are family friends. Cousins, if you like. They are vegetarians, but they are also succubi. We don't have much in common morally, but we still count them as family. There are so few of us, we need to stick together."
"Fascinating," I decided. "So. We're going to visit Nessie?"
"My, oh, my. Aren't you taking this well!" Edward said with an eye roll. "We're taking you, if you still want to go. But be warned: she is an unknown quantity right now. Don't get close enough to her to be grabbed, because we don't know what reaction your scent will provoke. It might be nothing, it might be deadly. So if you want to change your mind, now, you can."
"You'll protect us?"
Edward nodded. Alice and Rosalie vaulted over the railing on the third floor, and fluttered down gently in front of us. "I don't see the merit in this idea, Edward," Rosalie growled.
"Well, I do," Alice stated. Oh, yeah. Psychic.
"I never bet against Alice. Sorry, Rose."
"What else is new," she said with an eye roll. "At least take us with you, in case our niece decides human is on the menu."
"Okay, thank you Rosalie. That's reassuring."
"Sure, sure." Another eye roll from the Amazon princess.
"Actually, the Amazons look nothing like Rosalie," Edward whispered in my ear. I nearly swallowed my tongue. He chuckled and put his arm around my shoulders. I tensed.
"Oh, come on, pal. You're not going to start treating us differently now that you know, are you? We're not gonna eat you. We don't bite. Much." Edward slapped my shoulder and I nearly fell over. He steadied me. "Sorry, chum. Let's go see Ren."
"Hold on," I said hesitantly. "Angela stays outside until we see if it's safe."
"Ben!" Ang protested.
"Do as I tell you!" I ordered nervously.
"Alright, Ben. Just relax. Jasper? Emmett?" Edward called softly. His brothers immediately rushed through the front door to join us.
"Yes, Edward?" Jasper asked.
"The cat's out of the bag," Edward smirked. "Ben and Ang want to see Ren. Will you be back-up? Just in case?"
"Sure, bro. Think that little hum-pire is a threat?" Emmett asked.
"Emmett! Stop calling her that before I rip your head off."
Emmett chuckled. Edward sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose again. Guess he never had broken the habit.
"Habits are hard for us to break. For that reason, we are careful how we behave." Edward turned back to his brother. "Ren's behaviour is an unknown right now, Em. Better safe than sorry."
"She's in a lot of pain, Edward. She's feeling very clingy right now," Jasper stated.
"Awake, Jazz?"
"Semi-awake. Sort of drifting. Jacob is weary."
"I'll relieve him for awhile, then. She'll be getting into the worst stage, now." Edward mashed his lips together fretfully. Then, indicating that I and his women folk should follow, he pushed open the door to the infirmary.
Jacob Black was lounging in a recliner beside a hospital bed, holding hands with Renesmee. He looked exhausted. The room was dark, save for a soft lamp on the bedside table in the far corner of the room. Stainless steel cabinetry and a small refrigerator lined the wall behind Jake. I turned my attention to the bed.
As we approached, Nessie writhed and then stilled, her legs bent at awkward angles. Bella brushed the matted hair out of her daughter's eyes, and kissed her cheeks. Nessie whimpered. Bella took hold of her ankles and pulled her legs straight, smoothing the bedclothes. Edward slipped behind Bella to kiss his daughter's forehead.
Jacob sat up with a start. "Sorry. Must have drifted off," he said gruffly.
"It's okay. We brought Ben to see Ren."
"Hey, Ben," he groaned, ironing his face and stretching.
"Hi, Jacob."
"How is it going?" Bella asked.
"You tell me." Jake looked at Edward.
Edward seemed to be taking an inventory of his daughter's symptoms. "She's really hot. We should pack her in ice, soon. She's not smelling human anymore. You notice that, Jake?"
"Yeah." Jacob rubbed his eyes and regarded Edward quietly.
"That bother you?"
"No. I'm used to it now."
"We used to hurt your nose."
"Not anymore."
"Well, that's good news. Would have sucked if you couldn't stand her new scent." Edward pulled down the comforter and palpated Nessie's abdomen through her flannelette pyjamas. It was flat as a board. He pulled the covers up again.
"Yeah. Not a problem." Jake yawned and his head dropped back onto his chair.
"Good. Her heart rate is regular. There's still a long way to go." Edward grimaced. Nessie whimpered.
"Hey, honey? Ren? Dad and Mom are here. And you have visitors. Ben's here. Can you open your eyes for me?" Edward asked softly.
"Daddy?" Nessie cried softly.
"I'm here."
"My eyes sting."
"I know, lovey. You're getting there, I promise." Edward stroked her hair.
"It burns."
"I'm sorry. I know. We'll pack you in ice, soon. It will help speed things along, but it will still hurt."
"Who else is here? I smell a human."
"It's Ben."
"Uncle Ben?"
"Yes."
Nessie reached a hand out for me. I approached cautiously, flanked by Alice and Rose. "Hi squirt," I said. Nessie smiled a little. I took her hand, and the vampire bodyguards braced themselves. Nessie smiled through gritted teeth.
"Hi. Is Little Aunt Angel here too?"
"She's in the hall. She'll come in with the next shift of visitors."
"Cool. You meet my babies, yet?"
"No. We haven't been here very long. Just long enough to catch me up to speed."
"Oh. Good."
Suddenly, an onslaught of images crashed into my mind. I tried to back up, but Nessie wouldn't release my hand. In my head, I saw Carlisle and Jacob looking worried. I heard Nessie screaming through a red haze. I saw two little slimy, squalling red bodies. And then, everything disappeared behind a wall of searing, black pain.
I gasped, and panted. Edward was holding me up. I tried again to pull my hand away. Nessie sat up suddenly, opening her eyes to transfix me.
I quailed and froze. Her eyes were red. Blood red.
The vampires blurred into motion. Alice and Rosalie grasped Renesmee by the shoulders and pushed her back down to the bed. Wailing, Renesmee fought them, while they ordered her to lie back and let me be.
Meanwhile, I felt a whoosh of cold air. Blinking, I found myself in the bright light outside the room. I seemed to be clutching Edward around the waist. He was shaking. Oh. No, that was me. Edward pushed me back to look at me calmly. He half carried me to the nearest chair and pushed me down into it. Angela hurried over and put her arm over me.
I noticed Emmett and Jasper in the background. Jasper was holding a large metal rectangular bar, and Emmett was screwing a pair of steel fence board hangers into the door-frame. Jasper dropped the bar into the hangers. Alice, Rosalie, Jacob and Renesmee were now trapped inside.
Several Quileutes were in the great room, gawping at the barred door.
"Well, well. That didn't exactly go smoothly. Angela? We will be delaying your visit with Renesmee. She's a little ... delirious right now." Furious screams now issued from behind the door. Jasper looked at it nervously.
"Alice, you okay?" he asked. I heard no response, but apparently the mythical creatures in the room did, because they all relaxed.
"Thank you Alice, Rose. I will relieve you when Jake's done calming her down." Edward said to the door. Edward turned to the assembled Quileutes.
"Tell everybody to stay away from Renesmee until we know what we're dealing with," he ordered. "For now, everything's under control."
Was Edward delusional? "She was going to kill me," I gasped.
"No, no. She just got irritated when you tried to take your hand back. Newborns are highly emotional. She'll be rational soon, don't worry. All I detected from her was a rather overwhelming need to display her affection and share her emotions with you. There was no intent to do harm."
I was under-impressed. She could hurt someone by accident. "You've imprisoned people with her." I said, horrified.
"They can handle her, Ben. Jake will calm her down, and then the men will trade places with them. Jake needs some sleep."
"She could drain their blood," I insisted. Edward huffed a laugh.
"Mind reader. Remember? Ren's not thirsty yet, Ben. And Rose and Alice are not edible. Jake would not be palatable, either, since he has the wolf gene. Even if she were thirsty, we have blood in the fridge in there. Plenty to sustain her caretakers, if need be. And enough to satiate her, before we attempt to open the door in a few days. She's not going to hurt you, or anyone else. I promise."
The front door opened, and Carlisle and Esme strolled in, removing their woollen scarves.
"Hey, Ben! Angela! How lovely to see you," Carlisle smiled. Esme came over and kissed my wife. Carlisle seemed to take hold of the atmosphere in the room. He looked at Edward questioningly.
"Ren was a little adamant about holding Ben's hand. Scared him half to death," Edward informed his father. "We've decided it's necessary to restrain her until things settle down."
"How's the transformation going?" Carlisle asked clinically. He handed his coat to Jasper, who took it, and Esme's, to hang up in the coat room.
"Pretty smoothly. She's got a long way to go yet, though. Strange, considering what a short time it took Bella. Considering Renesmee carries my DNA, I would have expected her to be through the process sooner."
"Ice bath?"
"Oh. We were just planning to wrap her up when she freaked out. When we change shifts, I should take in ice with me."
"Symptoms?" Carlisle crossed his arms.
"Elevated temp, regular heartbeat, rapid shallow breathing, altered scent, accented musculature, and volatile mood. Her loose skin is gone. Oh, and I don't understand it. Her eyes are red. Nahuel's weren't."
"Nahuel is a male. We never asked about his sisters. Perhaps they had red eyes when they transformed."
"So much for having Bella's eyes," Edward mused.
"She probably will look more like Bella than ever," Carlisle smiled. "Well, Ben? Do I need to give you something for your nerves? You've had quite the shocking afternoon. Alice called me and explained."
"Uh, no, I think I'm okay," I said softly.
"Angela?"
"I'm fine. Thanks, Carlisle."
"Edward? You have great taste in friends. Ben? Angela? I'm very impressed with the trust you've exhibited in us. Reminds me of you, Bella."
"Edward used to say I had no sense of self-preservation," she laughed.
"Ang and Ben are smarter than you, Minx. They're happy being human."
"Naturally. They're both normal. We never were. I could only be happy with you, Beautiful. And that meant embracing your quirky lifestyle."
"Ouch."
"No regrets, Mocha-chino." Oh! That's what he smelled like. Of course.
"No regrets, Minx."
"Who is he, and what has he done with our son?" Esme joked. "You are awfully calm for someone whose baby is burning in there."
"Serenity Prayer. On mental loop. Besides, I did the majority of my fretting when she was an infant. I'm sure I drove Bella mad."
"Bella knew how to get you out of your funks," claimed Bella.
"You're calm, too, Bella," Esme marvelled.
"Serene husband. Loves me like a rock," she smirked, poking Edward in the side.
"Great song!" Emmett exclaimed.
"Minx. No tickling!" Edward growled. Then, he took a good look at me. "I think we need to feed the humans. They're looking a little peaked. We've got Coke, right?"
"Always. You know the Kwali love it." Esme confirmed.
"Come on, kids. Let's get you fed. Edward grabbed my arm and hauled me off my chair. He slung one arm around me, and the other around Angela, and marched us into the kitchen.
It was a huge, commercial looking affair, and wonderful smells were coming from simmering pots. "What are you feeding our people tonight, Bella?"
"Roast venison with red pepper jelly, corn chowder and cornbread with honey."
"Lucky humans. Jake will be happy."
"Hopefully. Alice and Rose were supposed to be helping me serve tonight."
"I'll help!" Emmett exclaimed.
"Oh, um, no thank you, Emmett."
"Aw, come on! You're holding a grudge because of the kitchen back home," Emmett crossed his arms and pouted. He looked like he might cry.
"Oh, alright Em. You can help serve. Gently. But no cooking. Understand?"
"Thank you, Bella! I won't disappoint you, I promise." Emmett was bouncing on his toes. Edward barked a laugh and disguised it as a cough.
"How 'bout using your new-found status to get some Coke for Ang and Ben?" Edward suggested.
"In a jiffy. I'm on it!" Emmett bounced away.
"I could help serve, too, Bella, if you'd like," Ang suggested shyly.
"Girlfriend, we don't exactly operate at human speed around here. I think it would be safest if you just sit down and watch the show," Bella chuckled. She pointed to a door, and Edward grasped me and my wife again and steered us out.
We were surprised to find a small dining room, capable of holding about 30 people. The inside wall, adjoining the kitchen, had a pass-through window. It was painted pale blue. The other walls were logs, and the exterior wall was full of French doors. Edward gestured to some chairs, and we sat down gratefully.
Emmett appeared, brandishing two big glasses of icy Coke, which he set in front of us. We drank it down thirstily. I was rather shocked to look down and find my glass empty. Emmett produced two fresh cans of pop with a flourish, grinning. Edward chuckled and watched him pour refills.
Claire poked her head into the room. "How much longer 'til supper?" she whined.
"Emmett is just going to set the tables. Then, we'll call everyone," Edward promised.
"Yay!" Claire looked up expectantly. A white blur moved past us, ruffling Claire's hair. I looked down in surprise. There were 8 sets of dishes and cutlery neatly laid out on our table, like magic. Edward chuckled as Ang gaped at him. There was another whoosh, and glass wear and mugs joined the dishes.
"Supper!" bellowed Claire, ringing a large, old-fashioned dinner bell on a rope.
Seven adults, Claire and two babies entered the room, chattering cheerfully. Sam stopped to greet Carlisle and ask about Renesmee. Parents grabbed highchairs and dragged them over to their tables.
Esme came in, carrying my sleepy sons. She handed one each to Angela and me, and left. Jasper brought over highchairs to us. We slipped the boys into them. Esme appeared with cheerios, which she spilled in front of the kids.
Leah, Quill and Embry came and sat at our table and were introduced. Leah spoke to Edward. "Hey, Leech? There's a big grizzly near the edge of the property, to the northeast. It's the one that's been walking into front yards and scaring homeowners in Bracebridge."
"Thanks, Fluffy. I'll inform Emmett."
Esme walked to the front of the room, clinking a glass for attention. "For what we have been given, let the Lord make us truly thankful, and ever mindful of the needs of others. Thanks be for the presence of our friends Ben and Angela Cheney, and their boys Theo and Ethan. Bless those whose hands prepared this food, and bless those who serve in our home."
"Amen." All those planning to eat picked up their spoons, chattering again.
"Tell him to save the hide." Leah continued as though there had been no interruption.
"Got plans?" Edward asked with a glint in his eye.
"Yup."
"Do I want to know about these plans?"
"Nope. Not unless you enjoy talking to Customs."
"Not." Edward smirked as Emmett and Bella came in the room, carrying huge trays laden with bowls of chowder. Jasper helped to set a bowl in front of each person. He gave plastic bowls to Theo and Ethan, and informed us that the chowder in them had been laced with milk to cool it. We thanked him, and started spooning chowder into the boys' mouths. Mercifully, they liked it.
Emmett came back with a platter full of sliced venison, a pepper grinder and a pot of red pepper jelly. The Quileutes growled appreciatively and tucked in. Emmett made another pass at the table, dropping off buns, butter, and cloth napkins. Then, he brought tea and coffee for the adults and milk for the boys. He stopped at our table and beamed at Edward.
"Good job, Em. I'm sure Bella will let you help again. Now, Leah tells me there's a rogue grizzly hanging around the northeast perimeter."
"Can I go now, bro?"
"How long will you be?"
"'Bout an hour, if I find it right away."
"I need you to help me with Renesmee tonight, but if you promise to be quick I don't see why you can't go now."
"Thanks, boss."
"Anytime, big guy. Oh, Em? Leah wants the skin." Edward turned to me and Ang. "I hope you'll forgive me, but I think I'd better go and relieve Jacob. He'll need his energy tomorrow. Bella will be out soon, to keep you company."
"What are we, chopped liver?" Leah said with an eye roll.
"I didn't want to impose on your free time, Smurfette," Edward said sarcastically.
"I'm used to it. We can fill them in on life at Leech Farm."
"Knock yourself out. Have a nice evening, Ben, Angel. I'll see you in the morning." Edward shook my hand and kissed Ang on the forehead. He patted the boys and moved around the table.
"Night, night, Fluffy." Edward bent over and kissed the top of Leah's head. She wrinkled her nose, then laughed, swatting him away. Edward's chuckle floated back to us as he sauntered out, snagging Jasper on his way.
So everything's out on the table. No more lying to Ben. Merry Christmas, and God Bless you and yours. Look for the next chapter to post this week. I have more story to tell you.
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