Chapter Twenty: Dad, Can We Talk?
A/N: I am way to tired to write tonight, but DobbyWobby said in her review she can't wait.... Oh, and alice? I wrote your story, it is titled Art Imitates Life, I got a favorite story on it from someone, but no review.... Have you seen it? Well as I said I am too tired to write tonight, but since it is my birthday Saturday (43) I am going to Discovery Kingdom, so not going to be writing Saturday. I feel like I need to make an effort during the week for all of the kind people who story alerted, and those most excellent reviewers! So for you......
I found Carlisle sitting in the library. He was alone, and reading Green Eggs And Ham by Dr. Seuss. I did a double take when I saw what he was reading. He looked up and saw me, then he lifted the book up revealing he was really reading another book he held behind it. He was just being funny because he heard me coming.....
"Can we talk?" I asked nervously. "Sure, what is on your mind Bella?" He replied putting his book down.
I began by explaining how I did not know how to go on. He looked concerned, so I quickly explained, no, not on living, but choosing a direction for my life. Edward I was sure about, but what was I going to do about absolutely everything else? I have my human life I left behind, but there are some aspects I want to preserve. I want to know my parents, to see them grow old, and for them to know me during that time. How do I do that? Carlisle interrupted "Well, a few years back we stayed longer than we normally do in one place, for Esme's sake, and Alice learned to do special effects makeup like in Hollywood movies, and with our speed, it is not such a difficult process. Alice can do a cast of your face and age you as need be so you can be in your parents lives and give them the joy of knowing you are happy and safe."
I was really surprised, I hadn't even thought of anything like that, I was going to have to yell at Alice later for not giving me a clue she could do that for me, or show me, so I could do it for myself as needed.
"Well, there is also the matter of my joining the guard. Aro very graciously explained that I was not obligated in any way, but I feel like I am! I really feel like I have a place here, and I have friends, and I don't know if I should stay or if I should run off and follow you and the rest of the family..."
"Well Bella, I understand your confusion. But you are still thinking in a human way. First of all, you will probably get around to doing everything you want, and so many things you never thought of, time is now something you need to see differently, you can do one thing now, and live another completely different lifetime after you are done here, second of all you are family, even before you marry Edward, so if you ever want a place to call home, please consider us first. However, a little piece of advice. If you are happy where you are, stay! Don't leave until you have a reason to. If you are worried about losing the rest of us, well you have some time. They are being much more gracious with catering to our diet than a hundred fifty years ago when I left because they kept trying to get me to feed on humans. Esme has found a villa on the shady side of a hill about two miles from here with an enormous garden, and high stone walls, where she can garden in the sun without being in sight of humans. It is about destroyed, so we are going to be living in the castle here for at least a year while she makes it livable, she really loves restoring architecture you know. So if you are happy, stay happy, if you are unhappy, make a change. But no matter what you choose, know that we will always be your family, and are happy to have you in our lives!"
I hugged him! He was like the dad in one of those 1950's TV shows, who always had the perfect advice!
"Thanks Dad!" I let him go and ran off to find Alice to discuss the makeup, and knock her in the gob for failing to mention it!
As I rounded the corner, at full speed, an arm shot out and caught me right across the shoulders, sending my feet out from under me and I skidded on my butt to the end of the hall where I jumped into a crouch and spun in reflex. Then I saw the movie camera............
Jane and Alice... Waiting for me in ambush! "OH? So it is going to be like that is it?!?" I ran after them as they fled the other direction. Jane I caught easily, but Alice..... she was tough. I finally caught her (while holding onto Jane mind you) by looking behind her and saying "OH! Sorry Caius, did we disturb you?" When Alice spun nervously, I grabbed her! "Genius!" I said proudly. I had newborn strength, so they were both mine, I dragged them back to my room. I answered none of their questions, pleas to be let go, I acted angry. I acted furious!
When we entered my room, I kicked the door closed behind me. And growled.... Then I burst out laughing! "OK, Rewind it! I have to see it! I slid on my butt like what a hundred feet?" We all laughed, it was of course hilarious, but the best part was watching Alice and Jane conspire before I came around the corner. Alice was watching the future, and kept telling Jane to wait, wait, wait then go! They were so cute.... But of course, I had to get them back.........