SM wrote the Twilight saga which and I wrote this.
Since Bella's mind was closed to Edward and she'd only really known him for a few days, she had never really witnessed Edward's mind-reading ability when around others. She found it fascinating that Edward could answer Carlisle's and Esme's unspoken questions; it was like listening to someone talking on the phone and only being able to hear one side of the conversation.
Esme and Carlisle were so intrigued by Edward's ability to read their thoughts. They'd never known a mind-reader and they were enjoying themselves asking him question after question about his life at SPAM. Edward was happy to answer their questions as it did no harm but also afforded him the opportunity to become attuned to their inner voices but then he realised that Bella had not spoken in some time: "Oh my dearest, I am so sorry we've been intolerably rude. Please Carlisle and Esme we need to ensure Bella can hear all the conversation not just my responses."
Esme reached over and patted Bella's hand in a motherly way: "Forgive us Bella, we were enjoying communicating with your mate through our thoughts and it was so much fun, although I am sure it could be a little intrusive. We've actually all been practicing with splitting our thoughts so that we might block Edward's ability, if need be,... especially from our more private thoughts; you understand what I mean of course." She gave Bella a wink and Bella gave her a charming blush in response.
Edward turned in his chair towards Esme: "Oh, I cannot read my dearest's thoughts at all. Bella is the only individual I have come across whom I've been unable to hear at all. She is so remarkable."
He gave Bella such a look of admiration that her soft pink blush now blazed bright red: "I don't know that I am remarkable, perhaps I'm malfunctioning in some way and that's why you cannot hear me."
Carlisle interrupted at that point. "Oh that's not what Eleazar said, have you met him yet Isabella? Eleazar thinks that you may be a 'shield' and even as a human your powers are so strong that you can already block our vampiric abilities. It is quite fascinating, I'd like to run some tests, if you don't mind of course."
Bella was a little disturbed by several of Carlisle's comments. One, who the fudge was Eleazar? And why does everyone she meet speak as though she knows him? Two, 'even as a human', what else would she be? And three, she didn't like the idea of him running tests on her ... at all.
Edward interjected firmly but politely: "Carlisle, I am sure you understand that Isabella and I cannot allow you to run any tests without knowing all the specifics and any possible side-effects." In a softer tone he said, "My Isabella is a very intelligent woman and I am sure if there is anything you want to know you need only ask her."
Bella gave a small smile at Edward's protectiveness and understanding. "Of course," she said softly but sensing her unease Carlisle dropped the subject.
Bella looked at the window and frowned a little as she looked to the dense forest, there was something strangely familiar. She leaned towards the window to look more closely but felt such a strange, cold feeling run through her body, it made her shiver; it was like when you have a snippet of a faded memory or a long-forgotten dream unexpectedly pop into your mind.
"Are you alright Bella?" Esme asked.
Edward turned in his chair to see what was concerning his mate: "Dearest?"
Bella continued to stare intently at the forest but when she felt Esme's cold hand on her shoulder she broke from her thoughts.
"Sorry, everyone. I was just looking at the forest, it is so dense and dark. I felt for a moment... sorry, I'm being silly, I thought I saw something out there… it must've been an animal."
Carlisle chuckled: "These woods are filled with animals. That's one of the reasons we enjoy living in this area, so much wildlife and such wondrous variety. Hunting in this region is exciting and very satisfying."
"Oh really, what sort of wildlife do you enjoy most in this area?" Edward asked quite excited by the prospect of hunting with his new friends. Bella tuned out at that point. She was exceptionally happy that her mate and her new 'family' drank the blood of animals and not humans, however, she was a real vegetarian and all this talk of killing animals was making her a little queasy.
She realised then that she referred to Edward as her mate in her own mind, naturally and without thinking about it. She felt a strong pull to him and felt odd when they'd been apart, even the few times they were separated before they left SPAM HQ. She was surprised to realise that she thought of Edward as her mate... her partner… and that this wasn't displeasing to her at all.
She leaned back into her seat and took the opportunity to admire him while he was busy chatting with Carlisle, discussing their theories on why 'vegetarian' vampires enjoyed the blood of carnivores so much more than the blood of herbivores.
She liked the way his hair looked tousled and a little wild, especially now that she'd thrown away his hair gel to stop him slicking it down. She noticed he'd run his hands through his hair more often now, probably trying to grow more comfortable with his au naturale look. She really liked to watch him run his fingers through his hair, it looked so soft.
She also liked his strong jaw line contrasting with the soft look of his plump lips. She wondered what it would be like to kiss his lips and how he might hold her in his arms while he kissed her. Would he be formal and quaint, given his early upbringing? Or would he be passionate and intense given his over one hundred year's experience? She wriggled in her seat slightly and let out a soft sigh.
Drifting back from her dreamy moment of admiring her mate, Bella noticed that Edward was giving her a strange look and that his eyes were much darker than the usual golden colour.
She gave him a questioning look but before he could speak, Carlisle interrupted their moment, to announce that they had arrived so Edward returned his attention to the front. They drove down a long and winding driveway, finally stopping outside a magnificent multi-level house hidden from the world in its own patch of forest. The house was huge and Bella couldn't help but stare at it. Edward exited the car and walked to the back of the car to remove their bags from the boot.
Esme snapped Bella out of her ogling of the amazing house that was to be her home for the immediate future, when she took her hand and pulled her gently back into the seat so that Bella as facing her.
Esme whispered to avoid embarrassing Bella too much but knowing that Edward could certainly hear what she said to his mate: "You have a lot to learn about Vampires my dear," and then she mumbled so that Bella would not hear her, "and I suspect about men in general."
She spoke again loud enough for Bella's human ears: "Edward may not be able to read your mind Bella but he can read your body."
Bella gave her a quizzical look. Esme gave her a small smile as she leaned in and whispered, "As a vampire our sense of smell and hearing are heightened; for human blood drinkers, these senses help them to sense fear and hear the speed of their victim's heartbeats when hunting.
"We also use our heightened senses to understand other vampires but most especially to understand our mates. Since you are human and are also Edward's mate, he can sense many things about you and will notice any change no matter how subtle."
"So, Bella ... " she hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "The reason he was looking at you in that way just now in the car was that he could sense a change in your heart rate and in your scent. He could smell your ... arousal."
Bella gasped and her blush blossomed bright red the moment she understood Esme's meaning. "Oh no, that's so embarrassing. You mean he knows that I was ... oh, and you know too."
Esme gave a small laugh: "You mustn't be embarrassed, Bella. We are vampires, not humans. Sometimes there are going to be noticeable differences in our behaviour to yours. Although we are very comfortable with our sexuality we are biologically monogamous, which means that we are attuned to the scents of our own mates and not the mates of others... that includes you. Carlisle and I couldn't sense your... excitement. I just recognised the look on Edward's face and the change in his eyes. Our eyes change with our moods; the darker look he was giving you was because he was pleased and aroused by you reacting to him that way."
"He was?"
"Oh yes. We each carry with us some of our human traits but make no mistake we are vampires and not humans. The vampire that is your mate is a sexual creature who will delight in making you happy and in pleasing you.
"Thank you Esme, I know so little about this new world I have found myself in. Will you help me understand it better? I feel like a lost lamb... that sounds so melodramatic, sorry. I am normally so in control of my life and now I am feeling a little out of my depth."
"Look at the way Edward is watching you, I think you'll be just fine." Bella looked out the window of the car to see Edward standing by the front steps watching her intently with an almost worried expression.
Esme chuckled: "I'd love to be your Vampire Guide, that sounds like fun. You just let me know when you need something explained and I'll do my best to help. But right now, it's time to meet your new family and see your new home. Come along, let's go."
Bella took a deep breath, left the shelter of the car and headed over to Edward hoping upon hope that he hadn't heard her conversation with Esme but knowing that he most likely had done.
Edward stood holding all their bags in one hand and reached out to her with his free hand. "Come dearest, it is time to meet our new brothers and sisters," he said rolling his eyes playfully and Bella giggled.
He had heard her conversation with Esme but he was too much of a gentleman to mention it... yet. He would only speak of it when they were alone in their rooms.
Before they entered the room Edward stopped and turned to look into the woods on the other side of the brook which ran along one side of the house.
"Is everything alright Edward?" Bella asked.
"Yes, I thought I heard a voice from the woods but it was only for a moment. Don't worry, it was nothing; let's go in, we've kept our hosts waiting long enough."
He placed their bags down in the foyer and took Bella's hand, following the vampire voices too soft for Bella to hear, he led them to the formal lounge room where six beautiful vampires were waiting for them.
At the sight of the large group Edward stepped in front of Bella out of protective instinct, he was suddenly very uncomfortable with the idea of having her in the same room as six largely unknown vampires. He quickly scanned their thoughts and after a few moments relaxed his posture and stepped to the side, content that their thoughts were completely open to him and that there was no threat to his mate.
Carlisle stepped forward and beckoned them to come further into the room: "Edward Masen, Agent Isabella Swan, please allow me to introduce you to our coven... our family, in human terms."
Carlisle moved to the first couple and gestured to them to come forward: "This is Rosalie McCarty and her mate Emmett."
Emmett moved forward to shake Bella's hand but hesitated when a growl emanated from Edward. Bella, however, stepped forward and took Emmett's hand and shook it before stepping over to Rosalie and shaking her hand: "Lovely to meet you both."
Edward stood very still saying nothing and the atmosphere in the room was tense. Bella was very confused by Edward's behaviour having only seen him be extremely congenial and well-mannered until now.
Then suddenly Emmett laughed and reached out to shake Edward's hand: "Sorry man, I was just testing out the whole mind-reading thing. I didn't mean it. I'm a happily married man and though your little human does smell very sweet, she's not really my type."
Rosalie smacked Emmett upside of his head: "Idiot! They are a newly mated pair; you're lucky he'd didn't take your head off."
"I thought about it," Edward deadpanned.
Carlisle was a little embarrassed that his son would behave so rudely to the new couple but was hardly surprised, Emmett often played the prankster but his heart was good and he was incredibly loyal to the family. Edward heard Carlisle's thoughts about Emmett's true nature so he decided to forgive him and shook his hand after all.
Carlisle then stepped over to the other couple and brought them forward: "Edward and Bella, this is Mary Alice Hale and her mate Jasper."
Alice and Bella shook hands but when Bella stepped towards Jasper, Edward pulled her back.
Alice took Jasper's hand and brought it forward: "It's okay, you won't hurt her."
Bella reached her hand out again with Edward watching carefully. Jasper then shook her hand and then shook Edward's with a relieved look on his face.
Alice explained: "Jasper was worried about touching you. He hasn't much experience touching humans and he was concerned he would hurt you. He's been practicing with wine glasses but he broke most of them."
Carlisle slapped Jasper on the back: "Well done, Jasper. Just remember to always be gentle."
"Bella is this one of those times when I should explain vampire behaviour to you?" Esme asked.
"No, thanks Esme. I read about vampire strength in the SPAM archives, it's pretty cool actually."
Edward took her hand again: "Yes, well I would ask everyone to be careful with my Bella; she is very fragile."
Bella turned to him and put her hands on her hips: "I. Am. Not. Fragile. I am very capable and much stronger than I look."
Edward looked sheepish: "My apologies dearest. Of course you are very strong indeed and most capable."
"That's right. I was top of every one of my classes at the Academy, including self-defence."
The other couples chuckled at the outburst from the little human, she clearly had no idea of how much harm any one of them could do to her just by shaking her hand.
Esme gave a wink to Bella, she admired the little human so much: "Come along you two, I will give you a tour of the house in a short while but first let's get you settled into your rooms shall we?" She spoke in such a motherly tone it made Bella smile and forget for the moment her anger with Edward's over protectiveness.
Esme led them upstairs at what felt like a painfully slow but appropriately human pace: "Now Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper and Alice all share the third floor while Carlisle and I are on the ground floor. I thought you two would enjoy the second floor which is quite spacious; you'll have more privacy on that floor."
As they walked Esme upstairs, pointing out little objets d'art along the way which Bella found fascinating.
When they entered into what were to be their rooms Bella was thrilled to see the floor to ceiling windows all along the front facing wall, she loved natural light in a room. Edward was also pleased given he'd been in subterranean living quarters for so many years.
"This is your private sitting room," Esme said. "You also have a small library which could easily be a work room or office for either of you just through that door; your bedroom is through here with large cupboards and Bella I think you'll enjoy the bathroom - it really is lovely, even if I say so myself. I designed it ... well I designed the whole house actually, it's a little hobby of mine."
Edward took Esme's hand and kissed it whispering to her at a level so only she would hear: "Thank you for this lovely space and thank you for your kind words for my mate down in the car. She will need your help, I am sure, in understanding vampiric manners. You are a very dear lady."
Bella came out of the incredibly luxurious bathroom, effusive in her praise for Esme's designs: "This suite is beautiful Esme thank you so much for putting so much effort into making us feel at home."
Esme walked to the door wanting to give the couple some time alone: "Oh now the Chief of Police will be by in a little while. SPAM notified him that they were sending us another person for the 'witness protection program'," she said using air quotes. "He also knows that they've sent an Agent this time and I'm sure he'll want to discuss Edward's 'case' with you Bella."
Bella nodded. She knew the cover story which SPAM had told the local authorities so she was well prepared.
Esme was almost out the door when she turned: "Oh and Bella, I have food all ready for you downstairs so whenever you're hungry just let me know and I'll prepare you something." With that she left the room shutting the door behind her.
The couple turned to look at each other and Bella let out a small sigh: "Well, let's get unpacked."
"Dearest, why don't you have a short rest while I put these things away?"
Still smarting from the 'fragile' comment, Bella refused his offer: "Let's just unpack together, I'm not sure I want you unpacking my 'unmentionables'." She giggled and they spent the next hour happily unpacking, placing their clothes in the huge walk in closet as well as filling the bathroom with their own toiletries.
"We've only one bed, I notice." Bella said while standing next to the beautiful, king sized bed.
Edward stood beside her, also looking at the large bed. He took her hand and kissed the back of it gently: "The bed is for you, Isabella. I will only join you if you invite me to do so."
"Do you need to be invited? Is that a vampire thing?"
"No, love, that's a loving, respectful partner thing."
She smiled up at him; he really was a gentle man.
"Well," he said. "I don't actually sleep anyway so you can take the bed and I'll take the couch to do some of my 'Assimilate Edward Plan' home-work while you're sleeping the night away." He gave her a half-smirk and she went to hit his ribs with her elbow but he pulled away: "Careful, my strong and capable agent, my ribs will break your elbow."
She rolled her eyes, "Come on, Hercules, it's time to feed the human."
They headed back downstairs, hand in hand, which was a connection that they both seemed to enjoy. Before they could go to the kitchen to get Bella some food, however, the front door bell rang and Edward could hear that the local Chief of Police had arrived as Esme had warned.
Carlisle went to the door and welcomed the Chief into the house and called in a voice only the vampires would hear for the family to assemble in the lounge. It was then Edward heard something very strange from the Chief; he had heard Carlisle even though he spoke in a voice no human should've been able to hear.
Edward leaned down to whisper to Bella that the local law enforcement officer had arrived and that Carlisle wanted them to come meet him. Bella nodded, dropped his hand and strode towards the lounge.
Edward was confused by the Chief's thoughts so he decided to stay to the back of the room and observe rather than participate in the conversation. This was his practice at SPAM when he was brought into an interrogation and they needed him to read the thoughts of the suspect. Edward would observe this policeman who did not seem to be who the Cullens believed him to be.
When they entered the room a very tall, muscular Native American man with a long black ponytail and wearing a local police uniform was talking with Carlisle and Esme. They were making small talk and Edward realised that Carlisle and Esme had no idea that this police man not only knew that they were vampires but even knew that they were vegetarian vampires.
Carlisle saw Edward and Bella enter the room and noticed that Edward was standing to the back of the room, he thought it odd but considered that it was possibly their intention to keep Edward away as part of their cover story.
"Chief Black, may I introduce Agent Isabella Swan and our newest charge for the protection program, Edward Masen."
Chief Black turned and shook Bella's hand: "Agent Swan, a pleasure to meet you." Seemingly calm on the outside, his mind was frantic 'A human? She's human? Does she know they are vampires? I'll have to tell my father immediately. We need to get her out of here, I don't care if they are vegetarian vampires, it's not safe for her to be here.'
"Chief Black, good to meet you too." Bella shook his hand but pulled it back as soon as was polite, slightly repulsed by the heat of his touch; she'd already become accustomed to the cold of Edward's hands. "I believe you've been briefed about my mission to help Edward assimilate into the high school community here in Forks. He's the son of a witness in a corporate embezzlement case and we need to keep him safe, since there were threats on the family." Bella stuck to the cover story perfectly but wondered why Edward was hanging back. She decided to tell the Chief that Edward was simply shy and the Chief just nodded but in his head he noted that Edward was yet another golden-eyed vampire.
He raised his hand to wave to Edward and greet him as would be expected: "Good to meet you Edward, I'm sure the Cullens will look after you well. They are very good citizens of our community and their other 'charges' have all been very well behaved; there's never been any trouble." Edward understood the double meaning in the Chief's words.
The Chief was sizing Edward up; he noted that he was quite tall and lean but his stance was almost rigid. He sensed no equivocation in Edward's manner. Unlike some of the other vampires when he'd met them for the first time this tall bronze haired young man seemed quite cool and calm but his gaze was unnerving. The Chief wondered just how old Edward was, not as old as Carlisle who had a very old manner he surmised but definitely older than the other vampires that were here.
The scent of so many vampires in one room began to make the Chief feel queasy so he decided to leave but he didn't feel right leaving this small human female behind with the seven vampires: "Agent Swan, why don't you come down to the station and meet some of my men and we can discuss your case?"
Edward wasn't going to let that happen and was about to step in but Bella handled it herself: "I don't think that's a good idea Chief, I am undercover for this mission and it wouldn't look too good to the locals for a new high school senior to be in the police station on her first day in town. People might get suspicious or at the very least it would raise some questions and generate some gossip. I'd prefer to keep a low profile as I am here to protect Edward after all. Perhaps you could come back tomorrow to discuss details if you need to leave now." Bella was confused by the Chief's reaction and his sudden desire to leave. It would be normal procedure for her to provide him with the background to the case; she was in his jurisdiction after all.
'This little human to protect that vampire? Is she crazy? She mustn't know what he is? I need to talk to my dad - having a human here changes everything - the elders won't be happy'.
The high-pitched almost bell-like call of an eagle sounded from just outside the house and broke Chief Black from his thoughts. He immediately began his exit from the house: "Well, quite right Agent Swan, you need to keep a low profile. I'll call by the house tomorrow, after school of course and we can discuss details then."
Just then Edward heard another voice, a female, and her thoughts were full of concern for the Chief's safety.
Edward smiled as he realised where the voice was coming from; he walked over to Bella as they watched the almost comical sight of the Chief backing out of the room with Esme trying to keep up the small talk as he made his way to the front door: "Well, I'm sorry you can't stay longer Chief Black but we'll see you tomorrow after the children get back from school."
"Okay Mrs Cullen, see you tomorrow," he called as he quickly exited the house, made his way to his car and sped down the driveway.
Bella turned to Edward and shrugged her shoulders: "Well that was weird." She sniffed her clothing and then her hair. "Do I smell bad or something? He shook my hand and then practically ran out of the house."
They all chuckled but Edward lifted her hand to his lips for a soft kiss. He made a show of sniffing her wrist: "Your scent is sweet and enticing, dearest. It wasn't your scent which upset Jacob, it was ours."
"How did you know his name was Jacob?" Rosalie asked. Edward just tapped the side of his head to remind her of his mind-reading ability.
"But why would our scent upset him?" Carlisle asked. "Humans are attracted to our scent not repelled by it."
Edward was reminded that his new family really had no idea about Jacob so it was time to share but first he needed to look after his mate: "I have some information about the local Chief of Police and I am happy to share this information with all of you, of course. But first Isabella needs to eat."
Esme jumped up: "Oh yes, Isabella come into the kitchen and we'll get you some food. Then we'll sit at the dining table and Edward can share what he's learned about Chief Black." She clapped her hands in excitement: "It's so exciting having a human and a mind reader in the family."
A/N: so I hope you enjoyed the chapter - something amiss with Jacob Black (hah) and school tomorrow (double hah)
I'd love to hear your thoughts
ciao for now...