Author's Note: A special thanks is in order for all my lovely reviewers, amazing story alerters, and awesome favoriters. No, favoriter is not a word, but I love you all in the most non-disturbing way possible. You guys really keep me writing.
Disclaimer: If I owned Twilight, the Volturi would rule the world and I would be a Cullen. Thus, I do not own Twilight. *sob* Forgive me, this chapter is late and short. I had difficulty with it, and I'm not sure why. You can probably expect another chapter this weekend sometime. Hopefully it'll be longer.
oOo
Carlisle left to fetch the guardianship papers while Mallory finished her lunch. He came back with Esme at his side. The three of them filled out the papers together.
"Now it's official. We're your guardians," Carlisle said as he signed the last line.
The Cullen kids entered the kitchen. Emmett scooped Mallory up in his arms and tossed her over his shoulder. "Time for the initiation!"
"Initiation?" Mallory repeated, wide-eyed.
"For you to be a Cullen!" Emmett explained.
"Emmett, don't scare her," Esme chided.
"Alright, fine. No initiation."
"Why don't you guys go outside?" Carlisle suggested.
"Last one out is a rotten egg!" Emmett declared and ran outside.
"I worry about him sometimes," Rosalie muttered as the rest of them followed.
"He is quite eccentric," Mallory commented.
"Eccentric? Where do you get these words from?" Jasper chuckled.
"I read," Mallory said.
"Have you even started kindergarten?" Edward asked in surprise.
"I will this fall," Mallory declared with an mixture of pride and excitement in her voice. But it fell a little as she continued. "Mom used to read to me and point out letters and words. After she…I just sort of taught myself to read."
"Impressive," Rosalie complimented, to Mallory's shock.
"Thanks."
Once outside, the Cullen kids showed Mallory the woods, warning her about certain plants and the occasional animal. There was a little lake farther back, but it was very pretty. Reeds bordered most of it, with a few weeping willows trailing their long branches into the water. The water itself was still and surprisingly clear, reflecting the cloud-obscured sky perfectly. A little dock stretched out onto the water. It was all perfectly tranquil.
Mallory walked out onto the dock. "It's so quiet," she observed aloud. So quiet that when Emmett suddenly came up behind her, it startled her. Everything happened very quickly then, yet in slow motion. Alice gasped, her eyes wide. Mallory felt herself falling, falling towards the clear water. Splash. She was under. Water filled her lungs as she gasped. She didn't know how to swim. Her consciousness was waning. Darkness crept at the corners of her eyes, threatening to overwhelm her. There was another splash beside her and strong arms wrapped around her torso. She was dragged onto the dock. People were talking above her in quick whispers as someone worked to get the water out of her.
"…not breathing…!"
"…get Carlisle…"
Mallory wasn't sure what happened next, for the darkness had indeed overwhelmed her.
oOo
When Mallory opened her eyes, she found she was lying on carpet. Looking around, she realized she was in the Cullens' living room. Carlisle was crouching over a black bag near her. Esme was just behind him. The others were standing by the doorway. Mallory noticed that Edward had towel in his hands that he had been using to dry his messy hair.
"Mallory!" Alice cried joyfully and ran to hug her. Everyone turned to look at her.
"How are you feeling?" Carlisle asked, immediately slipping into doctor mode.
Mallory had to swallow before she could answer. "I'm fine," she rasped. Jasper shot into the kitchen and returned a second later with a glass of water. "Thank you." He merely nodded. She took a few sips of water, then put it down, suddenly feeling tired.
"Rosalie, would you take Mallory to her room? She's had a long day," Carlisle said softly.
Rosalie led Mallory upstairs to her bedroom. She changed quickly and got into bed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
oOo
This time, when Mallory woke, she knew exactly where she was. It was odd how comforting her room in the Cullen house had become. Pale dawn light was seeping in through the windows. Yet she could hear people moving around. Surely no one was awake at this hour? Mallory threw off the bed covers and got dressed. When she went into the hall, all was silent, except for the soft sound of music coming from downstairs. She went downstairs to see what it was.
It was Edward playing the grand piano. Mallory watched, fascinated. His hands flowed over the keys like water, his body swayed gently to the music. It was lovely. The music slowed to a halt gracefully.
"That was beautiful," Mallory whispered.
Edward smiled. "Thank you."
"Actually, I should be thanking you," Mallory said. "For saving my life."
"You're welcome," Edward replied, then asked, "You don't know how to swim?"
Mallory shook her head and looked at the ground. "But I'd like to learn."
"When it's warmer, I'll teach you," Edward promised.
Taking a chance, Mallory asked, "Would you teach me piano too?"
Edward beamed. "If you'd like to learn."
Mallory nodded. "I would."
"Sit down," Edward said, patting the bench next to him.
Grinning, Mallory did. She was beginning to feel at home in the Cullens' house.