FAGEtastic Four
Written for: Cullen Cousin
Chapter Words Minus ANs: 8,643
AN: Unfortunately, I did not create these characters, but thanks to Stephenie Meyer I am allowed to play with them for my enjoyment and mold them to my imagination.
Again, special thanks to and abbymickey24 for their encouragement, support, and pre-reading. An extra special thanks to QuantumFizzx and hlsmith for their beta work.
I would like to thank each one of you who have left a review. Each one tickles me and a few have made me laugh. Many of your questions will be answered. I will say chapter four will be interesting, or at least I hope so. :D
~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter 4 – Separation ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
CPOV
This weekend was a real awakening for me. Not only did I accept the fact Bella is definitely my mate, but I was truly introduced to my pure inner beast, the vampire part I never really knew and fought from the moment I first woke.
A combustible reaction sets off within me and brakes through all the stubborn resistance I have been holding onto. I never allow it to surface, but it emerged with a vengeance for the first time in over three hundred years. Inside I am not the calm, cool, reserved man I have been known to be. In my frozen state, the flickering I have ignored within my long dead heart since meeting her explodes into a blaze and rushes throughout my body.
At this point, I can no longer disregard the facts as I feel the fire within my unbeating heart flow through me like lava exploding and flowing down the mountainside. I never before understood how the theoretical vampire beast could overcome us until this moment. There is no love behind the feelings, just animalistic urges to mark her with my scent from the inside out.
I resist everything telling me to let the monster take over and stake our claim. Knowing it is a very inhuman action, especially with a near stranger. I am not willing to risk losing her by letting the persistent inner demon have control.
Fighting my beast back is somehow easier than the horror stories I have heard, but I have no idea why or how. I do believe the open-air aides me. Once I have control of my vampiric nature, mere seconds to a human, I let my presence be known and am delighted with her perusal of my body as her eyes travel upward. Our eyes meet. We begin an easy conversation leading to my tutoring her on mathematics.
I take the opportunity to tease her by whispering into her ear with a few charming words and delight in her response, but I could not have been more appreciative to have a suit jacket as my subtle cover. I am sure she is too lost and foggy to even notice when I clasp it in front of me to hide my problem.
We end up in a quiet corner leaning toward each other. My body is a continuous buzz of excitement from our closeness and my own Bella bouquet. Once I figure out what helps her grasp the work, she catches on much easier. When her stomach grumbles, we realize the garden is about to close.
My heart clenches when her face falls and eyes lose their sparkle. Her quiet, one-word question reminds me we have not discussed our personal lives with each other. At her question, I quickly, but subtly reassure her of my marital status and am pleased when I see the light return. I reiterate she could call me anytime for anything.
I ask her to meet me at the coffee shop in Forks next weekend rather than paying me for guiding her with the math problems. A feeling of my heart falling into my stomach overcomes me when she informs that she will not be there for another week and a half. Knowing how important the holiday is for humans to spend with family, I check if she would be back for Thanksgiving. She assures me she will be there before turning the tables on me.
When she leans in, my senses are in overdrive from the Bella bouquet. Her hair brushes my cheek, the warmth radiates from her skin toward my own, and her sultry voice floats to my ear. My beast makes a violent attempt to resurface at her torrid whisper of words against my ear. I fight once again against the urge to pick her up to have my way with her. I am a thirsty man trapped in the middle of the desert; she is my mirage.
In this very moment I realize my mate is a bit of a vixen. My beast rattles its cage once more. As I beat him back and get myself back under control, the park attendant notifies us it is closing time. I feel the need to clear my throat as he walks away. "Um", I still cannot process anything and clear my throat once more to help me push away the daze this minx created. I offer to walk her home, or to her car; she accepts.
We chat easily on the way to her car. I learn what happened to her truck and why she is unable to come home next weekend. When we get to her car, I open the door for her as I lean in so my body is as close as possible without actually touching her own.
After creating a wall between the open door and the street behind me, she turns to me in the limited space. I nearly lose it all once again as her sweatshirt sleeve brushes my midsection. I force myself to remain statuesque and vaguely remember our closing words to drive safe.
After shutting her door, I watch her pull out, move to the sidewalk, duck into the alleyway, and run under the shadows back to the Four Seasons Hotel.
~*~*~ WFB ~*~*~
Since Saturday, I have been thinking of her, wanting to be near her, wanting to be with her, and the worst, wanting to claim her. I may be a vampire, but I still hold strong to my morals and values. I will not force myself on a woman, especially when there is no love involved… yet. My father taught us the importance of love while showing us how worthwhile it is to wait until you truly love someone. The love between my parents was palpable and something I want to experience also. Therefore, I will not allow my inner demon to take this away from me.
Bella has the most beautiful blush, pleasing me each time it graces her face and making me want to find ways of recreating it. Her nervous ramblings are just as endearing because these are more of the little clues showing I affect her as much as she does me. However, the scent of her arousal does nothing to help contain the beast within. The memory has been nearly a constant repeat, which only serves to keep him waiting in the wings for me to weaken.
Sitting next to the lower portion of Wolf Creek Falls just 10 miles southwest of Port Angeles I hear someone approach. Without even looking, I already know he has found me. My newfound struggles and feelings make things just as difficult for Jasper. Regardless, he has been very supportive and helpful. Jasper is the best brother I could have ever wanted.
"Howdy, Carlisle!"
"Greetings, Jasper. What brings you here?"
"I could ask ya the same question." He says taking a seat on the rock to my right about six inches lower.
Silence blankets us for the next several minutes. "Jasper, we have talked many times about the period you spent with Maria in the vampire wars, what it was like for you. You have told me about what you referred to as your inner beast, but we have not talked much about how you learned to tame or control the more barbaric part of you."
He remains quiet. I am not sure if he does not know how to answer it, or if he is waiting for me to ask him a question. Just as I am about to go on, he quietly speaks up. "Why do ya ask now?"
"Well, I think I know a little about what you may have been going through and I… well, since Saturday, I have been fighting from acting on these strong, forceful urges, but do not know how to get back to… me."
Glancing from the corner of my eye, I see he is in a similar position to me, legs dangling from the rock's edge, leaning forward on his hands resting next to his thighs, and staring at the lower falls to our left.
"It wasn't easy. My human memories were of war. My vampire life started in war with the added complication of feeling the emotions of everyone around me. The time with Maria made it necessary for the darker part of me to be in charge. I was still aware and knew it wasn't right, but as you know, I didn't know there was anything else, or any other way to live. I didn't know why I felt what we were doin' was wrong then, but being held to the background made it easier for me to get through it.
"When Peter helped me get out of there and introduced me to a different way of life, the vicious part of me no longer had a reason to fight. Gradually I began emergin' to the forefront. By the time I found Alice, the beast was still there and ready to emerge at the slightest sign of trouble. After we found you and yer coven, eventually he no longer expected any threats and took a backseat. Once the beast was tramped down, I understood how to control him. He has rattled the cage many times over the years, especially when we worked on gainin' control over my bloodlust, but by then I was strong enough to keep him from takin' charge."
A few minutes later, he continued. "It is not the same for any of us, but it can be controlled", a brief pause, "Do ya wanna tell me what you are experiencin'?"
I was not sure how to start, but I told him what happened when I felt the other side of me emerge; what I have been going through since.
"Jasper, I do not know what I am supposed to do. In many ways I am worried it will emerge and end up hurting her or scaring her off. It just wants to claim her. There is no love involved, only lust." I pause and see him nod slightly in my peripheral. With a sigh I continue, "I do not want to rush her… or me… into anything, but I know I will do whatever she wants. Even if it means I move to the other side of the world, but I am afraid if it comes down to it, I will not be able to control this other part of me from taking charge and doing exactly what I am working so hard to prevent."
"From what you have told me, I really don't think it is going to be an issue. Think about it… ya have the strongest level of self-control of any vampire I have ever met. Remember, I have been around thousands of our kind, mostly newborns, but I have never known any of them to resist feeding from humans, or try ending their life just to keep from killing.
"In addition, ya work directly with bleeding humans on a daily basis. You worked to overcome our natural tendencies. You had the strength to fight every urge all on your own. No one was there to tell ya it was wrong, or ya had to feed from animals instead. You made the choice and found a way to survive in a more humane manner."
As he speaks, I realize he is right. "Thank you, Jasper. However, it is so much worse when I am near her. When she decided to reciprocate my teasing, it was the hardest fight I have ever had to endure. Do you think there is a way for me to work on it before I see her again? I mean, what helped you when we worked to control your bloodlust?"
"Exposure." He pauses, "knowin' I was doing it to help myself, and…" he stops there.
After several minutes, I decide to help urge him on, "And… what, Jasper?"
"You."
I turn my head toward him in shock. "Me?" He nods. "How did I help?"
He looks me in the eye before continuing, "I wanted ya to be proud of me because I felt as though I had disappointed ya each time I slipped."
I processed his words for a moment.
"I never felt any ill-will toward you when you slipped from our chosen way to feed. Were my emotions telling you something I am not aware of?"
He slowly shakes his head. "No, but I knew you were able to resist human blood and, at the time, I believed ya just found a way to mask your deeper emotions from me. I couldn't understand how you managed to have only positive and encouraging feelings when the rest of the family, especially my own wife, had been throwin' out such negative emotions, nearly to the point of hate. Therefore, I was sure you found a way to mask the less than positive feelings from me."
This disappoints me; his eyes widen slightly. We have discussed, many times, the emotions from the rest of the family during those points throughout the years, but this new information shocks me.
"You already know, as does the rest of the family, how frustrated and cross I was with their reactions, but I thought…" I pause. "Actually, I do not know what I thought, but I was never disappointed in you until this moment, even now it is not deep. I guess… I am more sad than disappointed because you learned early in this life to believe if someone held different emotions than the ones around him or her, they were a potential threat. I understand you really did not know any better, but I do wish you had talked to me about it then."
"I do apologize, but knowin' now does help." He stands up instantly, brushes off his pants, and says with cheer, "Now! Let's figure out how to help ya through this. Since it is twilight now, it is time to initiate Phase One. Follow me."
Ten minutes later, we were in the forest outside Charlie Swan's house with all the lights off. "Jasper, what are we doing here?"
"Are ya able to pick up her scent here?"
"Yes", I nod slightly, "but it is not as strong".
"Good. Now, wait right there."
When he is halfway to her house, I whisper harshly, "What are you doing?"
"Trust me." Then he disappears into the back door. Two minutes later, he emerges from the house standing in front of me the next second with something in his hand.
"Why do you have a bag with… what is that?"
He grins widely, "Pajamas".
"Pajamas? Jasper, really? What is the point of having a pair of pajamas in a plastic bag?"
He shakes his head, "Seven plastic bags, the good ones too, freezer and no little zipper so they seal completely". He smiles.
"Why seven?"
"I figure it is the safest for us. Three bags for the top, and", he winks, "three bags for the bottom. Then a larger one to seal them all together" and he takes off.
I am on his heels in seconds. "Care to explain why we need her pajamas, and why you need both the top and bottom halves?"
He just laughs boisterously.
~*~*~ WFB ~*~*~
Over the course of the next twenty-four hours Jasper and I work on my control. To my amazement, the three baggies really do make a difference. Jasper even keeps them in two tightly sealed glass containers found in the kitchen.
At first he only brings the one containing the pajama top and to my surprise, my beast clamors to get to it once the glass seal loosens. Jasper explains the same thing happened to him when we began this process because we had been away from humans for several weeks after his last slip, so even the hint of blood alerted his inner demon to satisfy the urge.
For hours we play a game of now you smell it, now you do not. It is the most frustrating thing I have endured. The innermost part of me knows all we have to do is bust the glass and overtake Jasper to get to it, but I push it back each time.
It is very much like a human describes going to a gym or exercising. I feel physically drained and slightly exhausted from the efforts. It pleases me to know we made it all the way to removing the last bag by the next morning. I am not only able to hold my demon back, but I can also hold the top in my hands and inhale her sweet scent with little effort. Then Jasper reminds me we still have the bottoms. I give him a questioning look.
"Jasper, how on earth will the bottoms be any different than the top?"
"Um, well, as you know, Bella wore these pajamas recently. They were left lying on the foot of her bed and they were the most current item available containing her scent."
"Okay. What are you not telling me?"
"Well, it would seem…" He pauses.
My impatience gets the best of me, "Yes?"
"It would seem." He mumbles the last part together.
"I am sorry Jasper, but I did not quite catch the last bit."
When it seems he is still not going to elaborate, I begin processing what he said and slow his words down. "Oh. OH! Um, well, okay then." Not ready to tackle that battle, I sigh in relief when I realize my shift at the hospital starts in just a couple hours. "Why not wait to start until after I get home again?"
"Sure. It will give me time to set up Phase Two." He grins mischievously and darts off.
I shake my head, but do not give much thought to what he has planned since the image he put into my head from those eight words creates a new distraction. In order to prepare for my shift and try to get my mind off my current situation, I go for a hunt.
~*~*~ WFB ~*~*~
How can a vampire feel this exhausted and drained after having fed so recently? The entire time I work, my body and mind are constantly revved up. My mind has been fighting my body's constant ache and nothing at work occupies me enough.
I have never regretted our mind's ability to process multiple thoughts simultaneously, until today. I could not help wishing for a major catastrophe throughout the day in hopes of the distraction I so desperately need.
Arriving home, I go straight to my bedroom, change, and collapse onto my bed with my right arm draped over my eyes and legs dangling off the side. I work on letting the world melt away into the background when I suddenly feel a wave of relaxation and calm wash over me.
"Rough day?"
"You could say so."
"I was hoping to get started with the second part of Phase One. You ready?"
I groan. "Jasper, I do not know how I am going to handle my conditioning when I could not even get through twenty-four hours just thinking about this part of her scent."
He pumps a bit more relaxation toward me. "Tell ya what, I'll give ya thirty minutes to refocus and meet in your office."
"Sounds good. Thank you." By the time he leaves, I feel practically comatose. Welcoming the sensation, I spend the time meditating and centering myself.
Half an hour later, I feel the effects disperse, let my determination take over, and head for my office. Jasper and I talk about random things for a bit before getting started. He opens the glass casing and a rumbling builds in my chest, something which had not happened until we got to the last plastic bag with the pajama top.
"Carlisle, are you with me?" I nod. "Do you want to proceed?" After a minute, I nod my head. He pulls it from the container and then begins to open the bag. Instantly, I am in a crouch with a full-blown growl rolling past my lips. Jasper freezes in place and waits an allotted amount of time before putting everything back and setting the airtight seal.
An hour passes before I have calmed down enough to hear anything with no assistance from him. He could have easily broken me of my spell in order to continue, but before starting any of this, we agreed to let me work through everything on my own.
He chuckles. "Well, that was interesting."
Rolling my eyes at him, "I do not know how I am going to get through this. I did not have nearly this strong of a reaction with the top. Yet, you didn't have either in the glass jars last night."
"Yes, but we were in the open air, near her house. By putting these in separate and airtight glass jars, it held the scent inside, causing the scents to fill the small space. Plus, the top was only her scent. It had nothing to do with the smell of her arousal, as you know."
I think about this for a moment. "In all the time I have known her, I admit the toughest moments have been the moment I first saw her in Seattle when the beast decided to take over and when her sexual desire reached my sinuses. Every other moment has been alluring and desirable, but more like walking through a factory filled with only favorable olfactory smells."
"Yes, I would say you are reacting much like a newborn male when they first detect a sexually excited female. However, you still maintain your control better. The fact she is your mate makes the urge to react stronger. I never once saw a vampire, seasoned or newborn, stop from giving in."
When realization set in, I am more than ever ready to work through this. "Okay, Jasper, let's proceed. I need to get through this."
~*~*~ WFB ~*~*~
For the next couple days, I work on my control just as before. However, after I have reached the desired goal, I tell Jasper to get her pajamas back to her house right away because I really do not need the constant temptation to sniff her shorts.
Saturday morning, one week since seeing my Isabella, I am ready to proceed with the next step. After hours of getting up the nerve, I call the Forks Police Station and ask for Chief Swan. They let me know he just left for the day. Then next thing I know my car is parked in the driveway moments before I am knocking on his front door. I hear footsteps inside descending the stairs a few seconds before the door is pulled open.
"Carlisle. What brings you by here?"
For the first time in my life, vampire, or human, I am nervous and place my hands in my trousers. What was I thinking?
"Is there something wrong? Is Bella okay? Did she call you? Did something happen?" His questions rush out.
Raising my hand, I shake my head before I respond. "No! No, nothing is wrong. I was actually hoping I could talk to you though."
He eyes mine for a moment before gesturing to enter. "Sure, come on in. Would you like anything to drink? Water? A beer?"
"No thank you."
"Hmmm. Okay. Something tells me a beer might be a good idea. Make yourself comfortable in the living room."
I hear him enter the kitchen to retrieve his beer and mutter under his breath as he pops it open. "He better not be here for what I think he is. There is no way it is going to happen. I will not allow it. He's too old for her." He sighs, takes a long draw from the bottle before he heads toward the living room, and takes a seat in a well-used recliner.
"What can I do for you, Carlisle?" He asks nonchalantly.
His eyes bore into me, my nerves increasing a hundred fold. Clearing my throat from the anxiousness, rather than a need, I begin. "Um, well, I do not know if you have spoken with Bella, but –"
He cuts me off, "Of course I have spoken with her. I know she ran into you in Seattle last week. And you helped her with her math class. Thank you for that. Was there something else?"
The phrase 'the calm before the storm' comes to mind with Charlie right now and I know I need to get this out, or I will lose my nerve. I will deal with the strike when it comes as I feel every bit the twenty-three year old I physically am.
"Well, Sir, I actually enjoyed spending time with Bella, as she seemed to with me."
His eyes narrow slightly. "Don't call me sir, Son. I may be older than you are, but I am not quite that old."
"Yes, Sir, uh, Chief Swan. Well, I would like to ask your permission to call on your daughter."
"You want to call on my daughter, Carlisle. What on Earth are you talking about?"
"I, uh, um, I am asking for your permission to court Bella, Sir."
Suddenly he bursts into a fit of laughter. "Court my daughter? Seriously, Son, who asks to call on, or court anyone these days," he asks me. "So, you would like to date my daughter, correct?"
I begin fumbling with my slacks, a very human reaction I have witnessed many times, but I am definitely feeling vulnerable right now. "Yes, Chief Swan, I would."
"Don't you think you are too old to be dating a college girl? How old are you?"
I hate this part. I want to reassure him I am not much older than Bella, but I need to keep up with appearances. "Twenty-nine, Sir, uh, Chief."
"Have you ever dated anyone, Son?"
"No, I have not."
His eyebrows raise and eyes widen. "You've got to be kidding me! No offense here, but have you seen yourself? I find it very hard to believe someone of your age and looks has never dated. Then refer to it as courting. Please explain."
I do not want to lie to him, but must stick to my family's current story. Trying desperately to get through this, I answer him. "Well, Chief Swan, my parents often spoke of two people getting to know each other as courting rather than dating. They also taught me the importance of education and establishing yourself before settling down since they were unable to. Therefore, courting, or dating was never a prominent thought for me. Yes, there have been women who have approached me in the interest of getting to know me better, but I never allowed myself to be swayed." Charlie interrupts before I can go on.
"Huh, sounds familiar. Why now, Carlisle? Why my daughter?"
My beast threatens to take this matter into his own hands because he does not like where this is going, or how this is taking so much effort. Her scent being all throughout the house does not help. I push him down and answer.
"Well, I really do not know the whys, Chief Swan," lying since he will not believe, nor understand mating, "but I do know the moment I saw Isabella, it felt like my eyes were opened for the first time in my life. I did not allow anything to come of it. And thought I would not see her again, except for her follow up appointments, of course. Therefore, I did not grant myself permission to pursue it.
"However, when I came across her in Seattle, I just could not walk away without saying hello. After learning we had an easy rapport, not one single day has passed in which she did not cross my thoughts."
"Hmmm", is his response followed by silence. A minute has never felt more like an eternity as it does in this moment. "Most kids date without their parents even being aware. Why come to me?"
Finally, an easy question to answer, "Well, I want to do this the proper way. I want you to know I respect you and your daughter. I have no ill intentions toward her and simply intend to get to know her better. Of course, we will be accompanied by another couple for our first outing and any additional she may grant me until she decides otherwise."
Again, silence engulfs the room. "Though it is unorthodox these days, I guess I can't fault your reasoning. This is highly unusual and unexpected. Of course, you understand it will ultimately be up to Bella, right?"
"Definitely Chief Swan."
"You mentioned another couple joining you, correct?" At my nod, he continues, "Well, in that case, you have my permission to court my daughter as long as she accepts."
"Thank you, Sir. I promise you I intend to treat her with the utmost respect and honor."
Charlie shakes his head and chuckles as he runs his free hand through his hair. "I can't figure out if you are playing me in order to win me over, or if this is really how you are, Son. I truly hope you are being genuine with me."
"You will only ever know by my actions, but I believe your acceptance is based upon the person you have come to know before today; and I thank you."
"You're welcome. I am entrusting you with my daughter, but know this… if you hurt my little girl in any way, I will hunt you down and make you bleed, understood?" The fierceness in his voice and the look on his face leave me no room for doubt he will definitely try, even if it is not possible. If I do end up hurting Bella, I think it would be safest for Charlie if I were to run.
Swallowing hard, I answer, "Understood".
At this, he nods his head and takes a swig from his beer. "Now, tell me a little more about yourself."
For the next hour, I explain to him the current story we are portraying. "I tested out of most of my pre-med classes and many of the medical school classes, allowing me to graduate at the age of twenty. I then spent the next four years as a resident in Philadelphia before my parents died in an automobile accident, leaving in my care my younger brother, Edward, as well as my cousins, Jasper and Rosalie. At age twenty-five, I passed my medical board exams and decided to accept the Attending Physician position for the next three years."
Then I illustrate being one of the chaperones for an overnight school field trip to New York City, which consisted of the sophomore and junior class, when the tornados ripped through the homes of Emmett, Alice, and Esme, killing each of their parents.
"Without any other family the state allowed them to remain in my care. When the job offer from Forks Hospital came about three months after, I decided it was a good time to give the kids a fresh start, but I had to adopt Emmett, Alice, and Esme in order to relocate with them across the country."
Charlie asks how I am able to support them. I explain my parents left Edward and I a large inheritance and a hefty life insurance payment, as did my aunt and uncle for our cousins.
"In addition, Emmett, Alice, and Esme were each left with the money from their parent's estates and insurance claims from the disasters."
Throughout describing my story to Charlie, he would ask random questions. I would answer them, including why I allowed them to date and live under the same roof considering my reason for dropping by in the first place. I explain they are to adhere to my rules and guidelines, which are more relaxed considering their age and what they have been through over the last few years. It is the best I can do without revealing the truth.
When he pushes further, I clarify they have their own perceptions and opinions, but also understand they need to be responsible for their actions. It is not as though I can tell him there is no need to worry about any of them getting pregnant because we are vampires and unable to create new life since we are already dead. After he is satisfied I have answered all his questions, we bid each other good evening before I drive back to the house.
Arriving home, Esme's quiet voice asks me to meet everyone in the dining room. Once there, I am confronted with several questions at once by everyone except Jasper.
I simply shake my head and state, "We agreed two weeks ago you would leave the decisions about Isabella for me to figure out what is best. The only thing I have not told you is I do now believe she is my mate. In addition, I have worked with Jasper to gain control over the urges to claim her. I am confident there will be no issues since we have finished our goal. Thusly, I would like to take her out on a date in the near future."
Once I have finished, the protests to my choice fill the room. Then, Jasper clears his throat, quieting the room with all eyes on him.
"Not quite, Carlisle. We still have Phase Two to get through." I give him a questioning look. He chuckles and pulls out another jar. "Well, we did reach the end game of Phase One, but it was with a week-old scent."
"Jasper, I just came from Charlie's place where Bella's scent was very evident and strong, but I was able to control my reactions." Just then I remember Bella has not been there in two weeks. "Oh. You are right, but what makes you think Phase Two will grant any additional help?"
"I had Alice drop by Bella's place in Seattle first thing this mornin' after she left and acquire a new set of pajama bottoms." He raises his eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner.
Edward groans and stands abruptly, hands on the tabletop and leaning toward Jasper across from him. "Seriously, Jasper, why not just get her top? Do you have to be so debasing of the poor girl? I mean –."
Edward stops mid-sentence. I am sure he is picking up on Jasper's thoughts as to the reasons why. Then he turns to me and raises his eyebrows with wide eyes. "Oh. Oh!" Edward sits down in an almost daze, like a child who just walked in on their parents during intercourse.
Emmett's guffaw echoes throughout the room. "You've got to be kidding me, Eddie boy! I swear your Victorian mind doesn't register anything more than the mechanics of sex. Poor Esme must be craving variety after over eighty-five years of vanilla loving." He laughs again.
Esme glares at Emmett while everyone else snickers. "Not that it is any of your business, Emmett, but Edward is quite satisfying. In fact, the Pile Driver is our favorite position." She finishes in a serious tone.
Dead silence envelopes the room. Emmett's mouth falls open while Edward wears a 'cat who ate the canary' smile looking at his wife. Esme gives him a kiss on the lips, thereby breaking everyone's frozen state.
Emmett slaps Edward on the back, "Well, I'll be. I didn't know you had it in you, Eddie! Way to pound it to your lady!"
Everyone laughs before Jasper speaks up. "Carlisle, the clothin' Alice retrieved also has a recent trace of Bella's blood on it. With this, I think we should be able to get you fully accustomed to yer mate's scents with the exception of a fresh cut. However, I am confident her blood is not an issue to ya since you were able to attend to her injuries when she came to the ER."
"Very true Jasper. Thank you. Are there any further objections, or comments?" I look at each of them and wait for a response. "Very well then, have a good night."
Everyone disperses. "Jasper?" He pauses in the doorway. "I would like to get started immediately after I arrive home tomorrow. Would this be alright?"
"I'll see ya then."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~ WFB ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
BPOV
Waking up the next morning, I have this feeling of emptiness and loneliness. Saturday with the sexy Dr. Cullen was the highlight of my week. Spending time with him, even if it was more of a tutoring session, was the single most enthralling thing.
Sunday seems like the longest day of my life though. All I want to do is crawl into bed and sleep all day, but I can't understand why. I don't feel ill. I'm not tired, but for some reason I just don't see any reason to function. When Rachel calls for a ride to pick her up, I jump at the opportunity and convince her to spend the day with me. Unfortunately with Rachel, it means a day of shopping and trying to doll me up, which I allow just to pass the time.
I am desperate and weak enough that she convinces me to buy a new dress because she swears it is made for me. It is a royal blue, knee-length, chiffon dress with a scoop neckline and halter straps. It has a flared a-line skirt with a midriff waist, pleated and gathered into a left-side bow. I have no idea when, or if I will ever have an occasion to wear something like this, but I have to admit it is a flattering dress. The price is affordable at less than half the original.
By Monday morning, I am eager for the disturbance the day will bring. Regrettably, classes don't offer the distraction I need. The lectures are dull and boring. Even the pop quizzes and calling on me during class aren't enough to keep me focused. My mind feels like it is all over the place. I can't get past the void inside, which worsens with each passing day of the week. I cannot pinpoint the reasons behind it.
Today I look forward to seeing Jacob after my final class. English Literature ends at three. We are meeting at the HUB, otherwise known as the Student Union Building. And then we will start the search for another car.
Since the lots close early on Fridays, we will browse today. Tomorrow morning the real fun begins. I am just thankful to have Jake with me. It takes the pressure of shady dealers selling me a lemon. My personal mechanic will make sure the car is of sound quality. Charlie's text reminds me to ask the salesman for a copy of the vehicle history report.
Heading to the HUB, I spot Jake's tall frame immediately. I swear the boy grew a foot since last month. "Hey, Jake! What are they feeding you on the rez? It seems you grew a foot!" He ducks his head at this, probably trying to hide the blush I'm sure he is sporting.
When I get closer he picks me up into a hug and circles around once. "Hi Bells! It's good to see you. Dad says it's just a growth spurt."
"Hmmm, well, I suppose it is to be expected. You ready?"
"Sure, sure, let's go. So, what are we looking for? Did you and Charlie talk specs?"
I tell him what we agreed to. "Basically, he is worried about the safety features. All I really care about is whether or not I can hook up my MP3 player to the car stereo, it has cruise control for the long drives, keyless entry for the rainy days, and automatic start for the cold winter days." Since talking with dad, a few other features were added to my list.
He throws his head back and laughs. "That doesn't surprise me much, Arizona." His nickname for me anytime I bring up the Pacific Northwest weather. "Let's see what we can find." He wraps his left arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side as we walk to his beloved Rabbit.
For the next couple hours we search the lots for styles, models, and colors based from the list Charlie sent with Jake. I write down the dealership and vehicle specs so we can look them up online tonight. By five-thirty, we have a list of twenty-five cars and decide to pick up supper from Red Mill Burgers before heading back to Rachel's and begin narrowing down our list according to additional information we find online.
After we have narrowed down the list to six cars, I grab some blankets and pillows so we can get comfortable in the living room, even though Rachel will be staying at a friend's place tonight. We enjoy reminiscing by camping out in the living room while catching up. Jake tells me I should take the couch because he won't really fit anyway.
Once we are settled and have a movie playing on the television, we begin our idle chatter. I let him know how classes are going, but leave out my day with the steamy Dr. Cullen. He tells me about the happenings on the reservation with the new protectors. The way he talks about them doesn't leave me with a good feeling. My mother hen instincts kick in.
"Does Billy know about this?"
He scoffs, "Oh yeah. He knows. He tells me they are the good guys and are only interested in keeping everyone on the reservation safe. When I told him they were making me feel uncomfortable, he just told me they want to make sure the direct descendants of Ephraim's line are well protected."
"Hmmmm. Well, if Billy doesn't seem concerned, I would take it at face value. After all, he has never really given you reason to doubt him before, right?"
"No, that's true."
He appears to be deep in thought, so to distract him. I ask to hear about the Quileute tales from the beginning. Billy used to tell us about the different parts of these legends every summer as campfire ghost tales. Of course, Rachel, Rebecca, and Jacob have heard them since they were toddlers, but I have only heard bits and pieces throughout the years.
I hear stories about his ancestors being werewolves and fighting to protect their people from the blood drinkers. When his story gets to the meeting in the woods with the cold ones and making a treaty with them, I feel something familiar within me; the emptiness seems to wash away slightly.
When he mentions cold ones, I feel a flutter across my skin. It seems as though my mind is trying to tell me something, but I cannot grasp what it is. I don't know what is going on with me lately, but I hope it resolves itself soon.
"Bells, are you okay? I lost you there for a minute."
The telltale sign of my blush heats my cheeks, "Oh! Yeah J, I'm fine. Sorry. You are such a good storyteller. I got so lost in your words I felt like I was watching it play out in front of me." I give him my best please believe me smile.
"Sure, sure, B. Well, we better get some sleep if I am to win tomorrow morning." Ever since the television show, Man vs. Food, aired a challenge based in Seattle, Jake has been dying to do this. I agreed to let him try first thing tomorrow morning.
~*~*~ WFB ~*~*~
By seven, we are up and out the door. We head over to Beth's Café so Jake can eat his omelet with hash browns and two slices of toast. The smallest omelet they have is six eggs, so I decide I want to order the Fresh Fruit Medley, but Jake informs me I need to eat an omelet. He orders the twelve-egg, Southwestern Exposure from Man vs. Food. I order a six-egg, The Full House omelet.
Half an hour later, Jacob has cleared his plate, a second order of the unlimited hash browns, and finishes off the other half of my omelet as well as my remaining hash browns.
"Where did you put all of it?" I ask him.
Before he can answer, the owner rushes over and snaps a picture to put on their wall as the 'One to Beat'. Jake is beaming with pride. He sends a text to his father. We bid his newly acquired fans goodbye and begin car shopping.
Our searching is narrowed down to two cars. After a call to Charlie on speakerphone, he is confident in our choices and tells me the final decision is up to me. I decide on the 2009 Chevy Impala LT with an imperial blue metallic exterior and an ebony leather interior. It has all the safety features Charlie requires, as well as a great engine with the flex fuel option according to Jake, whatever that means. It is barely over forty thousand miles and has the requirements I want, along with power seats, mirrors, and many other fun options.
By noon, I am pulling out of the parking lot and heading to Rachel's place with a hungry Jake right behind me. I get out of my new, to me, car and head for the front door as Jake pulls up. He gets out of the car. Suddenly, his whole body is physically shaking. "J, are you okay?"
When he doesn't answer, I walk up to him and reach out to touch him in order to gain his attention. His arm is burning up. I reach up to feel his cheek with the back of my hand; it is just as hot. After five minutes of trying to get a response out of him, I decide to call Billy.
"Hey Bella, how's the car search going? Did you find anything?"
"Yes, but I'm not calling about the car search. There is something wrong with Jacob. After he got out of the car at Rachel's, with the exception of a slight shake running throughout his body, he just froze in place. When I went to get his attention, I noticed his arm is burning up. His face feels the same. I have been trying to gain his attention for the past five minutes, but he won't budge and keeps glaring at the building. I'm scared. He has never acted this way before. Do you think he is sick? What should I do?"
"Bella, listen very carefully." Billy's tone is more serious than I have ever heard. "I need you to slowly back away and get inside the house."
"Billy, I can't just leave him here like this."
"Bella, please, I have every intention to help Jake, but you need to listen to me, sweetie. Okay?"
I feel the hot tears begin falling down my cheeks and try to swallow the lump forming in my throat to no avail. "O-okay, Billy. I-I t-trust you." I begin heading to the house when I hear a low, intense growling noise. I quickly look around for its source before realizing it is coming from my best friend. Billy is suddenly shouting into the phone.
"Bella! What is happening? Bella!" When I don't answer, he changes to a calmer tone. "Little one, I need you to tell me what is going on. What is that noise and where is it coming from?"
I sniffle before answering, tears still streaming down my face. "B-Billy, I think he is growling at me." I try telling him with a constricted throat. "I don't know how else to describe it."
"Tell me where you are."
"I am about halfway between the building and his car."
"Very good, Sweetie. Now, I want you to take two steps toward Jake and tell me what happens."
I take the requested steps. "The noise is quieter now, but I can still hear it."
"Okay. I need you to get into his car and lock the doors. I am going to call someone who can assist him. They are in Seattle today and will be there shortly. Whatever you do, stay in the car. Sam will be there in no time to help Jacob and then he will take him somewhere to cure him. Do you understand?"
I begin following his instructions immediately and am nearly inside the car when I answer through broken breaths. "Y-yes, Billy." I get into the passenger seat and close the door just as the rumbling noise ceases.
"Okay. Wait there for my call." He hangs up. I sit unmoving for the next ten minutes until I see a cab stop next to the Rabbit. A tall man gets out and approaches.
"Bella? My name is Sam. Billy sent me to help Jacob. I need you to get into your car. I'm going to take him with me. Okay?"
I simply nod my head and get out of the Rabbit when the growls pick up again.
"Bella, I want you to wait five minutes until we take off. Then I want you to go to campus."
I nod my head. The rumbling calms again. Once I am in my car, Sam pulls Jake into the backseat while talking with him, gets into the driver's seat, and they take off.
Five minutes later, I am calmer knowing Jake is getting help. As I am getting ready to start the car, my phone rings. I see Billy's name flash on the screen and answer.
"Bella, don't worry about going back to the campus. We just wanted Jake to think you weren't going into the building after his strong reaction earlier. Are you okay?"
"Yes. I am okay, but I am worried about Jake. Will he be all right? What happened?"
"He will be just fine. Sam is taking care of him as we speak. He will bring him back to the reservation, but I'm afraid we may not make it for Thanksgiving next weekend. We've seen this on the reservation before. I have a feeling Jake may be down for at least a couple weeks."
"He's going to get better though, isn't he?"
"Yes, little one, I am sure of it. Just please wait for me to call before you come to see him. I wouldn't want you to get hurt, er, become ill. You weren't exposed for long, so I am sure you will be okay. Thank you for calling me. You were a big help today." After a brief pause, he continues, "How's the new car?"
I tell him everything I can about the car, which really amounts to the superficial aspects and then get quiet. "Jake can tell you more when he is feeling better." A sniffle breaks through as another drop of moisture falls from my left eye.
"He's going to be okay, Sweetie. Take care. Congratulations on the new car. I can't wait to see it. Now, get inside, eat something, and please try to relax."
"Okay, Billy. Thank you. Goodbye." He wishes me a good day and hangs up.
I spend the rest of the afternoon at war with myself. The emptiness and loneliness I have been feeling up until a brief period last night and again following this afternoon's drama increases once again, as if Jake was only a well-served interruption.
In addition, I am now worried about Jake and have a hard time concentrating on my homework. Since one of the subjects is my Quant class, I debate calling Dr. Sexy to help distract me enough with a tutoring lesson. Even though we covered this chapter last week, I can't help wanting to reach out to him for some reason.
Ring, Ring. I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I'm doing this. "Hello…"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~ WFB ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N – Search for a video of The 12-Egg Omelet Challenge, if you are interested.
Do me a favor and thank readingmama (vampmama) and TLCullen132 (Indie). If it weren't for their reaching out and asking me to write a story for FAGEtastic Four, you wouldn't be reading this now.Thank you, ladies. You have both managed to talk me into posting a story, as you know I have been talking about doing for quite a while now. MWAH!
Thank you for reading. Reviews are very much appreciated, so please let me know your thoughts so far.
Posted: 06-11-12