Chapter 14: Meet the Cullens

I told Charlie that I wanted to meet the Cullens first. So we agreed that I would go there and he and my brothers would come later on.

I ate some cereal before we headed out. It didn't completely satisfy me but it did the trick.

It had been difficult to get into the car with Edward, seeing as though we were joined together and refused to let go of each others hand. I had to crawl through the drivers side to get to the passenger seat; Edward chuckling at me the whole time.

We drove to his place in silence, my nerves taking away my ability to speak. Every once and a while Edward would lean over and kiss me. It helped calm me down and I complained every time he pulled away.

We drove through a long street, trees on both sides of us, until Edward made a sharp turn into a drive way that I hadn't even noticed. It wasn't until we had reached the house did the smell of vampires reach me through the car door.

The house was nestled in a clearing. The first word I thought to describe it with was big. Then beautiful. It had white siding with green shutters around the windows. Flowers of all types were planted all around. It looked like it should be in a fairy tale story.

Without realizing it Edward picked me up and lifted me out of the car through the drivers side. I half expected him to carry me to the door, but he reluctantly put me down and we walked forward.

Sensing my new tension, Edward started rubbing calming circles on my hand. Just breathe, I thought. I wasn't entirely sure why I was nervous, maybe it was just the fact of meeting Edward's parents that put me on edge. Would they like me? Would they approve of me being with their son?

Edward opened the front door and we were met by two people, one I've never seen but new who she was, the other was Dr. Cullen.

I looked at the woman I assumed was Edward's mother Esme. She was very beautiful, with copper hair. I couldn't help but feel calm when she gave me a very motherly smile. No one had smiled to me like that in so long.

"Bella," Edward started his introductions, "this is my mom, Esme and you already know my dad Carlisle."

Feeling confident I walked up and shook Carlisle's hand with my free one. "It's nice to meet you again Dr. Cullen." I couldn't help but smile.

"Please, calm me Carlisle," he insisted, returning my smile.

I turned to Esme and shook her hand as well. "It's nice to meet you."

"And you, dear." There was so much serenity in her voice that for a moment I felt like crying.

"Umm," Carlisle hesitated, looking at the joined bracelets me and Edward were wearing. "what is the significance of the bracelets?" Curiosity laced his voice.

"It's a tradition among the Goras when we meet our meleths." I was met with confused looks.

Edward laughed out loud at something I couldn't hear. I saw Carlisle scowl at him, which made me laugh. Pretty soon all four of us were laughing at something none of us understood.

"What's so funny?" I looked up to see Emmett walk into the room, following behind him was Rosalie. For some reason she was glaring at me.

Before we could answer something attacked me. Edward caught me before I fell to the ground.

"Hi Bella," a chime like voice said, "I'm so happy you're finally here. Edward has been wanting to introduce you to us for a while now. I can't wait to meet your family. Your brothers are very attractive. Can you explain what a Goras is again?"

I looked down to see Alice hugging me. It took me a moment to process what she had said. She had spoken way to fast.

"I think you gave her a seizure Alice," Emmett laughed, making me blush. I heard Edward chuckle beside me.

"Sure, Alice. I'll tell you about Goras." She beamed at me and I couldn't help but smile back.

Edwards family led us into the living room where Jasper was already sitting on a chair. Alice skipped over and sat on his lap, Carlisle sat beside Esme on the love seat and Emmett and Rose took the couch. Edward pulled me to another seat and placed me on his lap, kissing the back of my neck for encouragement.

Taking a deep breathe I retold my story. I saw the shock and curiosity on their faces and the anger when I told them how Goras treated vampires.

"So what?" Rose hissed after I was done. "Are you going to make us slaves now too?"

Edward growled, and I was sure that if the bracelets hadn't been joining us he would have attacked her.

A feeling of calm engulfed the room before Jasper spoke. "Rose did you not hear what Bella said? She and her family were helping the vampires."

"I'm sorry about your mother," Esme whispered before Rose could start arguing.

"Thank you," I whispered back, the feeling of wanting to cry almost taking over me again. Calmness over took me and I smiled at Jasper knowing it was his doing.

"Where do the Goras live?" Emmett asked. I felt Edward stiffen underneath me and I could only guess that Emmett was thinking.

"Sorry," I told him. "I may be exiled but I still have some loyalty." I noted Emmett's disappointed face.

"Loyalty to creatures that killed your mom and threw you out of the only place you knew?" Alice looked at me with pity.

I merely shrugged. "Goras are loyal creatures. To our meleths and families."

"Do you know how the joining process works?" Carlisle asked with scientific curiosity.

"Which one?" I teased. I felt Edward laugh.

Carlisle smiled at me. "The spiritual one," he clarified.

I shook my head. "Sorry. It's to complicated for us to understand."

"Why is it that I don't crave your blood?" Jasper asked. All the Cullens turned to him. "What I mean is that my throat isn't burning with thirst with you here as it does with humans. Why is that?"

"I never noticed that before," Edward sounded like he was talking to himself. I looked down to see him looking at me thoughtfully.

I couldn't help but smile at their blindness. "It's a natural defense." I explained. "Do you think it would be good to have your servants attracted to your blood?" All the Cullens seemed to agree with this while Rose shot daggers at me.

"Would you like to have a tour of the house," Edward whispered in my ear, probably sensing my discomfort starting to grow.

"Be sure to show her your room Edward." Emmet called behind us with a booming laugh as me and Edward headed up the stairs.

I chuckled before wrapping my arms around Edward's waist. "Why don't we make a quick stop to Emmet's room. I'm sure he wont mind if we -"

"Don't you dare!" Me and Edward laughed at how disgusted Emmet sounded.

Edward pointed out every ones room. When we got to Emmet's room I did go inside but only to grab a sock and hang it on the door knob. Emmet will have to learn that I lived with Simon and Mitch. I knew how to play these games.

When we got to the third floor Edward stopped at the last door down the hall.

"My room," he said with a smile and ushered me in. The one side of the room was like a huge window showing the Olympic mountain range and Sol Duc River. It was a beautiful sight. The other side of the room was full of CDs. Hundreds of them. I felt dizzy staring at them all. The only furniture was a black leather sofa. A golden carpet was sprawled on the floor and an amazing sound system was in the corner.

Edward chuckled at my gawking and led me to the couch. He laid down and set me on top of him. I really liked this position. I leaned down and captured his lips in mine. It was only starting to be late afternoon and already so much had happened. I let my relief and frustration out with this kiss.

Edward wound his hands in my hair, securing me to him. He moved his lips against mine slowly, savoringly. When I had to brake the kiss to breathe Edward kissed the front of my neck, licking up and down. I stared at the wall of CDs when I realized I didn't know much about Edward. I knew about Edward the person, from all the questions I had asked him before, but I didn't know much about Edward the vampire.

"How old are you?" I asked, smiling when I felt Edward's lips stop.

He groaned and began kissing up my neck slowly. "Do we need to talk about this now?" he asked almost frustrated. He kissed my face, purposely missing my lips.

I nodded, refusing to back down. Edward pulled away and looked me in the eye. For some reason I could see hesitation. Was he afraid to tell me?

I placed my hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes and leaned into it. "I was born in Chicago on 1901." he said in a rush. He opened his eyes to see my reaction. I kept a blank face. I had known vampires much older than that.

"Why did Carlisle change you?" I wanted him to keep talking. I wanted to know all I could about his past.

Edward sighed. Knowing arguing wasn't going to help him he started his story. "When I was 17 the Spanish Influenza hit. It killed my parents and would have killed me." Not knowing what to say I wrapped my arms around him, trying to comfort him.

"Carlisle was a doctor and was already thinking of making a companion since he hadn't found one. Knowing I was dieing he decided to change me." He stopped obviously not wanting to go into the change process with me.

"Do you remember anything of your human life?" I couldn't help but ask.

Edward shook his head. I felt him start to play with a piece of my hair. "Little glimpses but nothing solid."

I rubbed my hand up and down his arm soothingly. "It must have been hard to go through with Carlisle's way of life." I commented. I had seen how hard it was for a new born to resist blood, any blood.

Edward laughed out loud. "Are you sure you aren't a mind reader too?" I turned to see him looking at me curiously.

I cocked my head to the side. "Not the last time I checked."

Edward chuckled and continued. "It was hard. I kept to Carlisle's diet for ten years. After that I went through a rebellion. I resented Carlisle for curbing my appetite. I started hunting people. Only I used my talent to find the evil. I thought that way I wouldn't be so terrible" He looked down, avoiding my eyes.

I grabbed his face in between my hands and forced him to look me in the eye. "You are not terrible," I said with as much force as I could. "There is no way something that can love another like you do could ever be terrible." I didn't like this side of Edward; the side that thought he was a monster. Didn't he see how beautiful he was? Not only in physical appearance but in personality too.

Edward looked at me with a blank expression. Before I knew it I was on my back and Edward was attacking my lips. His lips moved against mine hungerly; it felt as if he were devouring me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, egging him closer. I wanted him to feel the love and the assurance from my lips.

When I broke away to breathe I kept my lips by his ear. "You're not terrible," I whispered breathlessly. "You are my meleth. Not terrible." I felt Edward's hands reach under my shirt and wander up my body.

I gasped when he reached my breast. Even though I could feel the tension in his body he was gentle as he started rubbing me. I nipped at his ear making him groan. I found myself loving that sound. I arched my back, pressing myself against him. I knew he could smell my arousal. I reached for the hem of his shirt when he stopped.

I looked up at him questionly. He gave me an apologetic smile and lightly kissed my swollen lips. "As much as I wish to continue this," he lips moved against mine, "I'm afraid that your family is about to arrived."

I'm sorry. I thought the Cullens were going to meet the Swans in this chapter, but then I remembered that Edward hadn't gotten a chance to tell his tale. Curses! (shacks fist at the sky). So next chapter will be the celebration. Review please :)