"Is it possible for vampires to hyperventilate?" Esme asked as she wrung her hands nervously, biting her lower lip as she took in a shaky breath.
Carlisle chuckled lightly as he placed his hands on her shoulder, "You'll be just fine."
"But what if...What if I attack a person instead of an animal?" She asked; panic slowly starting to rise in her voice, "Oh good heavens! What if I kill an old lady? An innocent and old and cookie baking old lady?!" She exclaimed loudly.
By now her mind was getting the best of her.
"Esme-"
"No Carlisle, I don't want to kill someone's grandmother! I just want to feed on an animal, that's it."
Carlisle tried to fight back another chuckle.
The panic was starting to make her wry comedic sense of humour come out into the surface.
Esme turned to look at Carlisle.
"This isn't funny! Not at all. I'm going to become an animal killer; I don't want to kill rabbits." She moaned.
"Esme," Carlisle whispered, placating her as he cupped her face softly between his hands, "You're going to be alright, I'll be right there with you."
She closed her eyes for a brief moment at the contact of his cool skin against hers, somehow she was tempted to lean into his touch but her thoughts were brought back down to reality as he spoke once more.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
She took one more deep breath as she slipped off her slippers. Tossing them to the side, letting her bare feet touch the earth, "I'm ready." She answered.
They were facing the forest entrance located not far from the cavernous mansion. It was quite dark with the tall masts of trees swaying idly in the wind, but with their sharp vision there was nothing they would not miss.
The sky was a lovely shade of midnight-blue, with a distinct crescent moon glowing high in the horizon with a sardonic smile. A few murky-grey rain clouds esoterically scattered onto it's plains.
A single pair of stars shone indifferently amidst the blanketed sky that evening, like a pair of silver eyes surreptitiously glancing down at them in delighted curiosity.
Carlisle initiated their run with a gentle tap on her elbow, motioning her to follow him.
They started with a brief jog, Carlisle letting Esme run ahead of him as he kept a close eye on her. They soon started changing paces as they ascended their natural inhuman speed that is too fast for mere mortal eyes to see.
He was right behind her as they ran. Her caramel locks billowing in the air as traces of her scent trailed it's way into his nose, the same sweet aroma that was delicately distinct yet to which words could not describe and could not possibly belong to anyone else but her.
As he continued to keep his watch, he stifled a secret smile as he continued to follow her.
Somehow watching her run through the forest in his dressing shirt, barefooted with her hair in a complete disarray was incredibly endearing, enticing in fact.
The way her hips swayed gently as her slender legs ploughed their way through the forest ground looking every bit of a forest nymph. Somehow his breath slowed to a crawl as her eyes looked back at him every once a moment for reassurance to which he gave generously.
A beauty to which holds the secret desires of his heart.
Esme sails swiftly through the forest as Carlisle looks on at a close distance.
Like two children in the night. In a garden filled with emerald leaves and dark silk, surrounded by earthly creatures that looked on wary eyed at their mysterious visitors.
She was a soul who had died and yet was learning to live again.
In many ways she was like a bird.
A fledgling learning to fly with crystal-wings as she soars over the forest with airy footfalls.
She was alive again.
Her feral instincts were starting to take over as she caught scent of a very large animal, it's beating heart taunting her with it's pulsating rhythm that echoed a few kilometers east from where they were.
Carlisle caught the scent too as they followed it's trail.
She was starting to gain speed at an intensely rapid rate, her throat suddenly going extremely dry and scratchy as they neared the beast. Her feet furiously scraping it's way onto the ground as she lead the chase, kicking dirt behind her as she ran. The ground ruffling at her gracefully yet savage gait.
They both came to a sudden halt, the prey was in sight.
Carlisle and Esme stood behind a large oak tree as they watched the enormous deer pause to nibble on bits of grass.
It was definitely male, judging from it's antlers. It had just reached maturity, the soft coat of fur on it's back, fresh from adolescence.
They both crouched low behind a bush as they continued to watch.
Esme was starting to feel incredibly restless; it was beginning to be unbearable.
She gritted her teeth, grinding them repeatedly to keep herself calm.
But at any moment she knew she would no longer be able to hold the primal urge in.
"Esme," Carlisle whispered as he continued to keep a watchful eye on the prey, "I want you to-"
Carlisle felt a cool wind brush past him.
He turned to find Esme gone from his side, his eyes snapped back to the deer.
Esme was pouncing at the unsuspecting animal at full speed, like a hungry lioness in the wilderness slaking in her thirst in a crimson lake.
Oh dear.
She was definitely hungry.
And dinner was served.
"So? How did I do?" Esme asked as a sheepish smile touched her lips, her eyes found his through the darkness.
They were making their way through the forest in the dark, finding the familiar path that was lighted by the moon, the path that led them back into civilization.
"Quite good," Carlisle replied taking a quick glance at her as he smiled.
Their decision to walk back to the mansion was completely unbidden and unplanned, yet was agreed upon silently in mutual understanding.
"Quite good as in good that I was able to not kill an old lady?" She joked, a crooked smirk tugging on her mouth.
He laughed with such a soft timbre that it was sweet and melodious to the ears, "Yes, tonight a sweet old woman's life is spared."
Esme giggled, "Why thank you kind sir, I believe a reward shall be in order?" She mused.
"Yes, yes indeed." Carlisle replied as he walked over a few meters ahead of her, disappearing for a moment as he was consumed by the darkness.
"Carlisle?" Esme called out.
He re-emerged a few seconds later carrying her white slippers.
"Oh," She said under her breath.
He walked over to her as he smiled.
"I do really think Cinderella's slippers should be returned, don't you think?"
Esme laughed lightly.
Carlisle knelt in front of her as he gently took Esme's ankle and placed the slipper snugly onto her feet, "I'm afraid they are not made of glass." He said with a gentle chuckle as he placed the second slipper on.
"They will do just fine." Esme replied as she smiled down at him.
They continued their walk in comfortable silence, relishing in the enjoyment of each other's company.
The mansion was soon in view as they resurfaced from the dark forest.
The pale moonlight giving their skin a hazed glow as they walked through the open plains.
Esme's senses now fully awakening to their pristine and inhumanly acute prowess. It was as if someone had taken her from a world that was fading with time and brought into a new dimension that seemed to be a constant wonder to her.
The air never more sweeter and clearer.
The sounds of mother nature gently murmuring into her ear with sounds of the earth.
Her eyes to which saw even the smallest of creatures with a single glance.
The world was slowly opening it's secrets to her once more, welcoming her into it's embrace with outstretched arms, the secrets of nature to which she had almost forgotten as a child.
Carlisle watched her in silent amusement as she wandered further ahead of him.
Esme noticed he was far behind her and decided to slow down her pace as she motioned him over to her.
They were now walking side by side, the mansion barely a few meters away from them.
"Carlisle?" She said softly.
"Mmmm?" He replied as he took a sideways glance at her.
"I'd like to apologize for...for what happened the other night...when I..." She gulped as she forced the words out, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you..."
She took a pause as she faced him. Unconsciously placing a hand to his cheek as she examined it.
"I didn't-"
Carlisle's stare had deepened as his eyes glimmered demurely in the dark.
He raised his hand as it covered hers that held his cheek against her delicate palm.
"It's alright, don't apologize," He whispered, "I know you are hurting."
Her lips threatened to quiver under his golden stare as she licked her lips, the aftertaste of the night's kill still in her breath.
He was about to say something when she spoke once more, "Carlisle, who was that strange boy I saw watching me from one of the rooms?"
He chuckled as their contact broke, "Come I'll give you both a proper introduction," He said as he gently took her by the hand and lead her back to the mansion.
"I want you to know first of all he has the gift of telepathy. Privacy will definitely be a challenge."
Esme gave out a little chuckle, "He sounds like fun."
They entered the large home, the house filled with the gentle echoes of a melodic piano.
"He's in the living room," Carlisle said as he closed the door behind them.
They both took a right, past the foyer as they stood behind two large heavy-looking mahogany double doors.
He opened the door for her as she stepped inside.
The living room was definitely larger than she expected, with opulent frescoes and vintage tapestry that must have dated back to the late 1800s at the most, with maroon carpets and lush drapery that kept the large mosiac glass window hidden beneath it's thick cloth.
Her eyes fell upon a handsome young boy no older than 18 with lovely copper hair. A slight frown creased his lovely features as he continued his playing with quiet intensity, coaxing the melody to life with his touch.
Before they had even entered the house, he already heard them.
"Edward," Carlisle called as he came up from behind Esme.
Edward glanced up as he saw the latter entering the room, he stopped his playing and slowly stood up and walked towards them.
His tall-lean frame silhouetted by the chandelier light as he approached them both.
"Edward this is Esme, she will be staying with us from now on." Carlisle said as he nodded at Edward.
"Hello Edward," Esme said as she shook his hand, smiling warmly, "You play beautifully." She said to him.
"Thank you." He says shyly with a smile.
Carlisle slowly took a step back as he silently excused himself. Taking a seat from the farther end of the room as he left the two to get acquainted.
"May I watch you play? Please?" Esme asked.
"Of course, you can sit with me if you like." Edward replied with a bashful smile.
Carlisle looked on with gentle eyes as he watched the two from a distance, folding his well sculpted arms across his torso.
Edward was quite shy when he meets new people, always keeping to himself and never saying much at all.
Which was sort of the opposite combination to the gift he posessed. Since he himself heard even the most private thoughts of others, the thoughts he himself carried remained silent and elusive.
But somehow with Esme's warmth and charm there was little one could do to refuse her.
Edward was the type who wouldn't let strangers hear him play unless he knew them well enough or felt at ease with their presence.
Like him, Edward is too a solitary being.
But as Carlisle watched his adoptive son play for Esme, he knew somehow that she was going to be an important part of their lives.
Esme watched through her newly golden eyes as the young boy skilfully caressed each key with gentle fingers, the music reverberating into her ears as it's melodic notes danced throughout the room.
Edward took a pause as he glanced next to Esme, his eyes silently observing her as he smiled.
"Why did you stop? That was so wonderful Edward, do please continue," She said as she looked at him.
"Well, perhaps there is something you'd like me to play for you?" He said as he waited for her answer.
"Really?" Esme asked as Edward nodded in reply, her smile lighting her face as she thought.
"Do you know Chopin Nocturne number 20?"
"Yes." He replied with a small smirk.
"Play it for me?" She said in her honey-sweet tone.
"I'd love to."
He resumed his position as he proceeded to play once more in perfect motion, each note clear and pure beneath his fingertips as the haunting melody hung over the air like a velvet cloth.
Edward took one more curious look at Esme.
And he knew, as she returned to glance at him with that soft smile.
They were going to get along just fine.
A/N: Hey Guys! Here's chapter 20 just for you :) THANK YOU so much! For all your lovely comments and reviews, you don't know how happy I am just by reading them :)
I love each and every one of you beautiful people and please do keep readin' and reviewin'!
A lovely reviewer of mine requested that I do a more light-hearted chapter so here it is! I hope you enjoy :)
Stay tuned for chapter 21! Weow! and as a treat to all you lovely people out there I shall give you a clue as to what chapter 21 may contain try listening to The Very Thought Of You - Nat King Cole and tell me what you guys think :)
And! A big congratulations and a warm good luck to one of my reviewers who is going to do a piano recital soon, I wish you a lot of luck and love! :) And of course I do care! You are very awesome yourself so go rock it out! :)