Chapter 4 Alistair's Story

Esme POV

We arrived at the manor exactly at 3AM as requested. Alistair was a wonderful host. He appeared to be around 38 to 40 years old in human years. He stood 6 feet 6 inches with wavy chestnut hair worn at shoulder length. He had the burly build of a farmer; toned with well defined muscles; attractive and rugged at the same time.

He immediately took us on a tour of the manor and explained all of its benefits as befitting a vampire's needs. He introduced us to his 'family' Peter Harrow and his son Victor we had already met; then there was Karyn his partner and mate; a raven haired beauty who found the idea that Carlisle and I were married more than intriguing. It would be interesting to hear that conversation when we left as Karyn shot her mate a very pointed look at the mention of our marriage.

Finally, we met Andrew a 22 year old former employee of the estate now a part of the family who quietly greeted us and scurried off to a corner. He reminded me of our Jasper in his seemingly forced solitude. We settled in the parlor to allow Alistair Lexington tell us his story. Carlisle and I listened, anxious to hear how something that was a choice for us happen to be the same for this family under different circumstances.

"My story began 150 years ago. I was a farmer not much different than I am now. I was introduced to a widow and her young son. He was a 10 year old scrapping redhead causing all kinds of mischief. I took him under my wing to teach him some skills in farming. He was cooperative at first but after a while lost interest. I did not give up on him however.

His mother was a kind woman who would bake me bread and brought food for me to eat on occasion. One day she proposed we form a union, get married. I could help her raise her son and she could warm my bed at night. She was a dutiful wife and a hard worker on the farm; even sneaking behind my back and doing her sons work for him on occasion. Our life was content however. She even bore me a set of twin girls.

My most horrific regret was losing my daughters Emilene and Amelia. They were 15 and strikingly pretty. Everyone marveled at their beauty. One evening, they asked us to allow some guests that they met to come over for dinner. I consented not knowing the two red-eyed gentlemen were 'travelers'.

They were ruthless in their attack. We never saw it coming. My son and I fought valiantly, but was no match for them. Were it not for Karyn and her friend Andrew, we would not have survived. She was able to save my son and me; as we were fatally injured not bitten. My daughters, however, were drained, as was my poor wife.

Karyn and Andrew were looking for these travelers because of some past atrocities they had committed; and they stayed for a while to help us adjust to this new life. I refused to feed on my neighbors as this was a small farming community and we all knew each other so well; and I would not leave my home to travel aimlessly about the country looking for human prey as the travelers did.

They finally convinced me to feed on my cattle to at least keep myself from becoming too weak and give in to my baser desires. I found it a satisfying and acceptable way to live. I was more capable of running my farm than ever. My speed and strength helped me rebuild and even better my life. Karyn stayed first as a friend and guide; but we eventually found we were drawn to each other as mates.

We have been together for 92 years now and love each other as much now as before. The last member to join our little coven is Peter, a friend my son bit before he realized what he was doing. I offered him a chance to live with us and share in our ways and he accepted. That was 130 years ago for us and we have lived in peace since then."

"Well your home is lovely; I would never call this a farmhouse." I observed glancing around the spacious home.

"Oh we don't live on the farm anymore. I hire people; sometimes families to run the place. I just monitor the cash flow and run things from the background now. I have, since then, branched out into stocks, and overseas trading and some banking." Alistair replied.

"I understand that. We do have to adapt don't we," Carlisle agreed.

"Tell me about yourselves. How many in your family? I like to think of us as a family you know", queried Alistair.

"So do we. As a matter of fact there are eight of us. I have three sons and three daughters," Carlisle answered.

I realized how proud he sounded as he spoke of his family. It was a pleasing feeling to share this with another who could appreciate the magnitude of our family and not jump to conclusions as humans tended to do sometimes.

"My wife and I have been married for over 80 years and our children although quite old in years are basically teenagers," Carlisle continued.

"I still shudder at the teen years of my children. And you get to do it in vampire years. You must be a saint, Carlisle," Alistair laughed.

"There are some days it gets to be trying. But I love them and that makes up for a lot of it," my husband mused.

"Is there anything special about them?" Victor asked. "Do any of them have any kind of special powers to speak of?"

"Victor! That was rude son. Apologize now!" Alistair corrected his impolite inquiry.

"Please forgive my son and his boorish ways. He is sometimes forgetful of the manners he was raised with," our host apologized.

"Predators don't need manners, Alistair, they exist to prey upon the weak," Victor shot back at his father.

"I think my son Edward would have no trouble understanding Victor's thinking at all," Carlisle gave me a knowing smile.

We both understood the double meaning Carlisle had just made. After all, Not only did Edward often refer to himself as a monster and humans as prey; but also he could simply read Victor's mind.

"It is getting late and the sun will be rising soon. I'd better let you and your lovely wife return home to prepare for your activities tomorrow, Alistair commented. "Please you must come again so that we can spend more time together. I do so enjoy good conversation."

"What are your plans tomorrow Dr. Cullen?" Victor asked.

"The seminar I will be attending will last all day. We are coordinating some cancer research and pooling our resources…Oh sorry. Sometimes I just get carried away with my work as my wife often reminds me," he said.

"And what will your lovely wife do while you are busy at this seminar?" he inquired.

I spoke up then, not needing Carlisle to speak for me. "I will be continuing my research on the hotel and its renovations. Why do you ask?"

"I have been made aware that my behavior was a bit forward compared to the customs of your country. In order to make amends, I would offer my services to escort you to see some of our marvelous architecture here to compensate. I promise you I shall be on my honor."

"I really like going over things alone so that I can absorb or contemplate things on my own. Really I don't need an escort," I assured him.

"Perhaps my insult has gone further than I expected. Father, please forgive me, my transgression as it seems have marred your guests opinion of your coven with my boorish behavior," Victor pleaded reverently to his father. I was shocked.

"I didn't mean to imply you were rude in any way," I reconsidered, "perhaps I could use a little help finding some interesting sights to study. As long as you understand that I am looking for certain things that pertain to architectural design and not just a sight seeing day."

"Of course. I will be your willing guide," Victor promised.

"Then it's settled," said Carlisle. "Shall we take our leave Darling?"

"Yes, let's get back to the cottage," I replied.

How did I get myself trapped into a day with Victor Lexington?