A/N: This chapter is the longest one I've done so far. I'm really happy with the way it turned out.
Read and review, I need to know what my readers think so I can make improvements. Thanks to all the people who reviewed so far.
Okay enough rambling.
Disclaimer: Don't own Twilight.
Chapter 4
Rescued
Edward
Carlisle worked feverishly over the unconscious man. He managed to suck most of the venom form the bites and this eased some of the pain. He healing very quickly, but that fracture to his skull worries me. Carlisle thought as he worked. Bella stood beside me her arm around my waist. I wrapped my arm around her slim shoulders and breathed in her scent.
"He'll be alright," I said trying to soothe her worries. Esme stood on the opposite side of the medical bed in Carlisle's study. Her thoughts were full of maternal concern. Esme had to be the most loving being on the face of the planet and I was thankful she was my mother.
Everyone else in the family was assembled in the living room waiting to hear how our guest was going to be. I felt the worry and questions in their thoughts and was having worries of my own.
The thoughts of the vampire attackers had worried they had let something slip. I feared the worst. I tightened my hold on Bella and wished Renesme was close enough to wrap in a hug. I was afraid our peace we'd had for so long was coming to an end.
"There doesn't appear to be any permanent damage," Carlisle said standing straight. He walked over and put a hand on my shoulder. He looked optimistic at the man's chances. He had hooked him up to some monitors though just in case. He continued out of the room and went downstairs to give the good news to the rest of the family. I smiled at Bella and we turned to follow Carlisle down to the join the discussion that we needed to have.
Everyone was situated around the table by their partners. Carlisle took his usual seat at the head of the table. We were all wondering what to do now. Carlisle broke the silence and answered our question.
"I think we should continue as normal," he began "though we should be more cautious about hunting." We all nodded this appearance of the stranger and his attackers did not feel random to any of us. He looked over at Jacob Black sitting by Renesme.
"Can you ask the pack to be on their guard for strangers," Jacob nodded agreeing with the sentiment. It still amazed me how strong our bond with the Quileute had become. They no longer saw us as enemies but family, despite our being vampires. All of it thanks to the beautiful miracle sitting next to him. Nessie smiled at me and Bella.
"I'll take some time from the hospital until our guest regains consciousness," again I agreed. It would be terrifying enough for him to wake up after what he suffered but it would be magnified when he was in strange place.
"Maybe one of us should stay home too," Emmett offered. His thoughts said that he was worried, ever the protector. Carlisle shook his head though not wanting Emmett to frighten our guest.
"No we need to keep up our routine as much as possible." Again I agreed with Carlisle.
"I'll have one of the pack keep close by in case," Jacob offered also not wanting anything bad to happen. It seemed everything was settled then and everyone went about their business. Rose and Emmett left to their house they had built not far away. An extravagant building but it fit Rosalie and Emmett perfectly. Jasper and Alice went to their room. I moved to where Bella was sitting with Nessie and Jacob.
"Bella we should let Ness and Jacob get home," I hated to take time away from our daughter from Bella. I hated to not give anything to Bella for that matter.
"Yeah I have a big day at school tomorrow," Nessie stated. Renesme had gotten her teaching license and taught at La Push's elementary school. Her gift for explaining things had made her a natural teacher. I swelled with pride that my daughter had found something she enjoyed so much. She got up to leave hugging her mother and I. Jacob gave Bella one of his crushing hugs and shook my hand. Despite our history I had come to care for Jacob. I respected how well he took care of Nessie and brought so much joy to her life. I watched as they left through the kitchen door.
"Shall we go home," I asked. Bella smiled at me and again my still heart surged with love for this beautiful creature that was mine.
"Race you," she challenged as she dashed out the door and I shook my head as I ran out right behind her. I desperately hoped that everything would work out for the best. Mentally I prepared for the worst though.
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Thomas
The soft regular beeping brought me back to the world. The events up to the point the attack flooded back and I sat up quickly. The room I was in was unfamiliar to me the bed I was sitting on was huge and comfortable the walls however were devoid of any pictures. I could smell vampires. It wasn't the ones who had attacked me or my family's killers so I relaxed. Flashes of memories of pain passed through me causing a sharp intake of breath. I looked myself over and saw new healing scars across my bare chest and arms. They were pale raised areas that reminded me of the burn of vampire venom. A shiver ran down my spine.
A soft knock at the door had me quietly slipping out of the bed. Someone had put cotton pajama bottoms on me. I crouched near the floor length window read to leap out of it should there be a need. A blond handsome vampire with kind golden eyes stuck his head in the room. The kind smile on his face seemed sincere.
"Don't be afraid," he said attempting to sooth my tension "you are safe here."
"Who are you," I demanded. He just smiled despite my rude behavior.
"My name is Dr. Carlisle Cullen and you are in my home." I looked around while trying not to take my eyes off of the vampire before me with his head in the door.
"May I come in?" I didn't feel any hostility from this vampire. So I relaxed from my crouch as he entered. He was dressed in a white and blue striped shirt with tan dress pants and a pale blue tie. He was tall like me and he had a kind face and demeanor. He definitely seemed like the doctor he claimed to be.
"How did I get here," I asked in a less severe tone. I tried to smile but the animal in me was still not trusting of this vampire who was clearly not a threat. I pushed him to the back of my mind and locked him there.
"My sons rescued you from an attack," he said bringing back the memories. There had been two of them and they had knocked me off the Ducati. I sat down heavily on the edge of the bed at the thought. The last thing my parents had given me was gone. One of the monsters had destroyed it while the other began to bite and strike me. Carlisle was at my side trying to catch my eyes which were filling with tears. He placed a cool comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Are you alright?" I wiped the tears away and nodded, not sure I could manage words. Thankfully my backpack sat in a corner a little battered but still there. I sighed in relief I did not want to have to replace the documents I needed.
"I'm fine," I said, "just realized something important was gone." He looked confused but I didn't want to share my thoughts on the subject. Carlisle seemed to sense this and did not press.
"Do you have a name?" I realized then that I had not introduced myself sooner and kicked myself mentally for my lapse in manners.
"My name is Thomas." He smiled at my answer and offered his hand. Standing I took his cool hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Thomas." I met his calm gaze and returned his smile. A beautiful woman with hair the color of caramel came into the room. She seemed softer than other vampires less angular. The maternal look I read in her eyes made my heart ache with the memory of my mother. She smiled as she greeted me.
"I'm Esme," she said offering me her hand. I took it and introduced myself.
"I'm Thomas." She smiled pleasantly at me as we shook hands.
"It is a great pleasure to meet you." I felt my cheeks warm and my ears burn at her greeting. I decided I liked these people they were kind even to a stranger.
"Thank you," my voice was thick as I thanked them. They just smiled warmly at me. My stomach took that moment to announce itself. I grinned sheepishly at the gurgling coming from my torso.
"Why don't you get cleaned up and I'll fix something to eat," Esme offered smiling. I walked over to my bag and cursed under my breath when I saw the large hole in the bottom. Perfect all my clothes were gone. Carlisle saw my frown and nodded toward the low dresser with clothing neatly folded and piled on top.
"Some of Jasper's things should fit you," he said smiling at my relief. So I wouldn't have to go naked that was good. I was again astounded by the generosity of these people. Carlisle showed me where the bathroom was and left me there. I entered the spacious room and stunned by how beautiful it looked. I went right to the shower and cleaned up. The hot water felt refreshing as it cascaded down my body relieving tension from my muscles.
After my shower I went back to the room I woke up in and tried to decide what to wear. I finally decided on a pair of jeans and a dark grey shirt. The smell of cooking food wafted up to me and my mouth began to water. This also brought on the burn in the back of my throat. I could live indefinitely without blood but I weakened if I didn't sate my thirst. That was why those two vampires had gotten the better of me. Another shiver at the thought of them ran up and down my back.
I followed the scent down the stairs into the kitchen. Esme stood at the stove and the smell of bacon and cheese made my stomach grumble. I took a seat at the island in the middle of the kitchen. Esme gave me another smile as she set an omelet on a plate in front of me. She also handed me a fork which I thanked her for and dug into my omelet.
"This is really good," I said with gratitude. I felt full but not satisfied, my throat still burned. Esme saw my look and asked what was wrong as Carlisle entered the kitchen.
"I'm thirsty," I began hesitantly "I haven't had blood for longer than normal and I feel weaker than normal." Carlisle nodded and went upstairs. He returned a moment later holding two bags filled with a red liquid. Blood. My throat burned at the sight. It felt like a fire was in my throat and I grimaced at the sensation. Carlisle emptied the contents of one of the pouches into a cup with a straw lid. He handed it to me and it took all my will to not snatch the offered cup and gulp it down. As it was I did take a long pull on the straw, reveling at the feeling of strength that filled my body. I drained the cup and instantly felt better. Carlisle refilled it when I handed it back to him. I drank the second cup more slowly enjoying the feeling of the blood in my throat. The burn subsided and I felt better.
Esme went to answer a knock at the door. I heard her warm greeting of someone called Leah. Curiosity pulled me to the main room. My jaw dropped when I saw the tall exotic beauty standing near Esme. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen and my heart ached again, but in a different way than when I thought of my parents.
She met my stare and her expression changed. Her eyes widened and her jaw went slack and we stood there looking at each other like we had never seen the other before, which in actuality we hadn't. Esme looked between us with a confused expression on her face. Well that made three confused people in the room.