The Guardian, Part 3-Always and Forever
Disclaimer: I don't own the Twilight characters. They are the personal property of Stepheine Meyer and the film franchise. I only own Mira Schwartz. Thanks!
Author's note: Sorry this is dragging. I think I may have only one more installment. Please read and review; if I can find ways to compact this series, I'd love to.
11 PM
Cullen Compound
Forks, WA
Alice and Mira entered the house bogged down with shopping bags. It looked like their excursion took them from Seattle all the way up the Peninsula towards home. It also appeared that they had not only shopped at malls and boutiques, but also drove up the yearly earnings for Target by the two of them alone. They were all smiles, high with the joy of shop therapy and girly talk. Esme and Rosalie met them in the hallway.
"Wow, what a haul. You ladies were gone for awhile, I was beginning to worry," said Esme. She stepped forward to take a bag that Alice had in her mouth.
"Thanks, Esme. I know, but believe it or not, this isn't everything we wanted, either. I did call; did Jasper tell you? I called him when we stopped to eat in Bellingham."
"Yes, he did, but that was still an hour ago. I hope you didn't overwhelm Mira. But thank you for remembering to let her eat." The women put the bags in Mira's room and sat down on the bed and in a chair in the room. No one had had time to move things around; it still had a lot of Edward in it. Edward had chosen the armchair; a deep red velvet wingback. Mira and Alice quickly divided the bags; Alice took her packages to her room with the promise to be right back, as it was assumed that Rosalie and Esme wanted to see what they'd bought. Mira had excused herself to the restroom. By the time she was finished, Alice was back, dragging Bella with her.
"I found Bella. Ok, everyone ready for the fashion show?" She was almost glowing with excitement. Mira grimaced; she was tired, and would've rather just shown everything as she pulled it out of the bag and hung it up.
"Alice, can't I just show it off as I hang it up? I mean, it's all going to be packed away in a few days anyway, right?" Alice grimaced, and thought for a minute.
"Ok, I guess that's all right. Besides, some of it you might as well not even put away; just keep it in the tissue paper until it comes time to pack it up."
"Great. Thanks, Alice. Rosalie, can you hand me the Gap bag, please? I think that's stuff I could wear the next week and a half." Alice nodded in agreement as Rose handed her the bag. She reached in and unearthed a deep blue sweater. She held it against her chest so they could see how it looked with her skin.
"That's great with your hair," said Bella.
"Same color as your eyes," said Rosalie. Esme just nodded. Mira had folded it and placed it in the dresser.
"Thanks. I got a few pairs of jeans; it was so hard to find them long at the mall. I only found three pairs that fit well." She unfurled them to show the ladies; two pairs were dark washed, boot-cut jeans, and the third was an acid-washed flare leg. They would both look well on her. "And all three match the sweater." She reached for Macy's bag that was on the floor near her feet. She pulled out something wrapped in tissue.
"Oh, yes. Alice made me get a party dress. She said it might be appropriate for school dances and stuff. It's actually really nice." She had unwrapped the tissue to reveal a white, long Grecian-style dress that could be dressed up or down. She re-wrapped it carefully, put it back in it's bag, and slid the bag under the bed. She turned to Alice. "Can we finish this is the morning? I'm really tired, actually. But I am super-excited to try some of this stuff on tomorrow." Alice furrowed her brow, and then nodded. "Yes, I forgot you actually have to sleep. We'll leave you alone now; tomorrow, let's go to the drugstore since we didn't make it today. We'll go to the one in town."
"Ok. Thanks, Alice. I had a really great time today. It was fun." Mira hugged Alice and then waved as everyone left the room. They could hear the bathroom door open and the sound of the faucet running.
The women trooped downstairs. Carlisle smiled at Alice.
"Did you ladies have fun?"
"Yes. You'll be glad to know that she and I bonded, AND we were super-polite. I think she's going to be just fine.""Thank you, Alice. Can you and Rosalie help her set up a bank account tomorrow? Jasper and Bella are going to get her some paperwork; adoption forms and the like so she can start school when we get to Hanover. Edward asked that you not keep her out all day again; he wants to talk to her about Nessie.""No problem. To all of it. Rose and I will take her out after breakfast; we'll have her home after lunch."
The Next Day
Mira came downstairs dressed in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. She saw Edward playing with Nessie in the backyard and went out to talk to him.
"Hi, Mira. Everyone went hunting; Alice said to ask you to be ready when she got back. Which should be like, one hour." Mira nodded.
"Is Carlisle with them? I wanted to talk to him."
"Yeah. If I had known, I'd have asked him to stay."
"It's OK. Hi, Nessie." She picked up the baby and cuddled her to her face. Nessie cooed.
"Same," said Nessie. She patted Mira's face.
"Alike," replied Mira. She sighed and put the baby back down on the ground.
"I'm hungry; do you want anything? Does Nessie need to eat? I can make something."
"No, Bella feed her earlier." He was looking at her; trying to read her expression. She shrugged at him and went back in the house.
When the others returned, they found Mira in the sitting room, sitting alone in the dark, fully dressed.
"Why are you sitting in the dark? Where's Edward and Nessie?" asked Bella.
"I was just thinking. I think better in the dark. Nessie fell asleep, so Edward took her home. We had a nice chat, though." She sighed and flipped on the light next to the couch.
"How was your hunt?"
"Great." Everyone nodded, they were all looking at her.
"I'm really OK; like I said, just thinking. It's been a crazy past few days. I'm just trying to sort things out in my head." Emmett and Rosalie had disappeared up the stairs, Alice was standing in the middle of the room, Carlisle and Esme had sat on the couch next to her, and Jasper had sat down in an armchair. Bella stood in the doorway, looking concerned. They all nodded. It made sense.
"Um, I'd like to speak with Esme and Carlisle alone, if that's OK, before we all go anywhere."
"Of course, dear." Alice, Bella, and Jasper filed out of the room. They heard Bella leave to go to the cottage.
Mira turned to face the adults.
"Ok. Alice told me that Bella and Jasper were going to see someone about paperwork. I was wondering if we couldn't go ahead and just make it official. Um, I guess what I mean is, can they have my name hyphenated? Can I be, officially, like, a Cullen? Is that OK?" Carlisle and Esme looked at each other for a moment, while processing what she was saying. Esme nodded slightly at Carlisle. He smiled and touched her head.
"Of course. We wouldn't have asked you to do that; are you sure that this is what you want?"
"Yes. That's one of the things I was thinking about. I don't remember my father; so his memory won't feel like it's being stained or whatever. My life as Mira Schwartz has up until now been pretty bad. Maybe life as Mira Cullen could be better. Also, Carlisle. I think I may actually be sick. Can you check me out?""Of course, dear. Esme, can you grab my bag? And ask Jasper to come here. What seems to be the problem?""Just really tired. I have a dull pain in my stomach, too. I have a regular appetite, but it feels kind of like something is sitting on me. I don't have a fever, I don't think. My normal is 97.6." He nodded. Esme returned with his medical bag. She sat at next to her as Carlisle stuck the thermometer under her tongue. He used his stethoscope to listen to her stomach and heart. Jasper came in then.
"Jasper, when you and Bella see your contact, please have Mira's name listed as Schwartz hyphen Cullen. Is that right?" Carlisle looked at her. She shook her head and mumbled around the thermometer. "Dust Cullen." Jasper looked from Carlisle to Esme, who nodded. "Ok, then." He nodded at Jasper, who shrugged and left the room. Alice came in then, looking concerned. "Carlisle, is everything OK?" He sighed. He pulled the thermometer from her mouth and read it.
"I don't know. Your temperature is a little high. You seem to be breathing fine, and I can't find anything wrong with your stomach, at least on the surface. Let me feel your lymph nodes." Mira sat forward while Alice frowned. Carlisle checked her lymph nodes as well as her pulse.
"When did you say your last hunt was? I think you might have some kind of vitamin deficiency.""Over a year." He nodded. He turned to Alice.
"Do we still have any blood product we gave to Nessie and Bella?" Alice looked at Esme.
"I think so. I'll go see what I can find."
"Thanks, Alice. Mira, dear. I understand your feelings about what you eat and your feelings about drinking blood. But you can't forget that you ARE half-vampire, and you need to feed that part of you, too, both in the literal and emotional sense, all right? I think it's a vitamin deficiency, that's all. We had to give Bella and Nessie some blood before and after the birth; I think we still have some in the fridge. I want you to drink a pint. Just a pint, OK? Then, I want you to promise me you'll hunt more often."
"I promise." Alice came back with a Styrofoam cup with a straw; just like the one Bella used. She handed it to Mira, and sat next to her.
"It helps if you hold your nose." Alice put a hand on her shoulder. The girl grimaced and screwed up her face as if she had bitten into a lemon. She brought the straw to her lips and guzzled it in two big gulps. She shuddered, and her eyes fluttered close. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
"That wasn't so bad, I guess," she said. Carlisle looked her over; she instantly seemed to perk up. "Thank you, Alice. I am feeling better, Carlisle. I totally promise to hunt more often; I am sorry to worry everyone. Maybe I should have Edward go with me; he didn't go with you guys this morning. Maybe we can go this evening." Carlisle picked up his supplies and began cleaning them with some rubbing alcohol. From the other room, Jasper called to Alice. "Do I have to leave? I smell human blood." Everyone laughed as he came near the doorway. He saw Mira sitting on the couch with the now-empty cup on the coffee table in front of her. He edged in the room a bit more.
"Is everything OK?" Everyone nodded.
"Yup. Apparently, I had a vitamin deficiency from not consuming blood for over a year. We just remedied that. I'd have saved you sip if I knew you'd wanted it." He chuckled at her.
"No. I just remember from before, when Bella was still human, I'd have problems with the smell of the blood. So I wanted to make sure I didn't need to excuse myself." Mira shook her head.
"Don't think so. But thanks for letting me know. If I ever bleed, I'll remember to steer clear of Jasper." Everyone laughed. Carlisle checked her temperature one more time.
"Back down. I think it helped, thank you." Mira nodded, and stood up. She walked out of the room and rinsed the cup out in the sink and flushed it with bleach. Then she took the cup outside and threw it in the large dumpster. When she came back inside, Alice and Rosalie were waiting for her. Bella was there, too, waiting for Jasper to get his car keys.
"Hey, Bella. How's it going?" She and Bella hadn't spent any time alone yet. She would've liked to have had time to talk to Bella, get to know her, as she the next closest in age, and to pick her brain to find out WHY she had become a vampire by choice. Maybe after the move, when things settled down more. Rosalie was looking impatient.
"Can we go, please?" Rose asked Alice.
"Why the sudden hurry to leave?"
"They just put out the new summer dresses at that boutique in town. If we don't hurry, the pretty one's will be sold."
Alice rolled her eyes. Only Rosalie would think of that.
"Mira, please hurry up and get your stuff so that our dear sister doesn't go into fits." Rose stuck her tongue out at Alice. Mira ran out of the room, flew up the stairs, grabbed the purse she and Alice had bought the day before, smoothed her hair, and ran back downstairs. Rosalie was already in Alice's car, buckled in the front seat. The two others hurried through the garage door and into the car.
"We can't take too long, Rose. I promised Carlisle I'd have Mira back early this afternoon. Apparently, Edward wants to pick her brain about her time with the Volturi. And what's it like to be a half-blood. I think he wants tips on helping Nessie as she grows up."
"Oh."
"So, I am thinking that while Mira and I are at the bank, you can go to the boutique. Then we need to hit the drugstore, and by then, it should be time to come home." Rose nodded.
"Sounds good to me."
"Yep. Rose, can I give you a suggestion? If they have something with reds, it'd look good with your coloring." A smile played at Rose's lips, the new girl was giving HER fashion advice?
"This is your influence, Alice?""No, Mira actually has really good taste on her own. I am just helping her to elevate it.""Okaaayyy," said Rose, as if she didn't really believe it. Alice expertly parked the car in front of a mini-mall, and turned off the engine.
"Is this OK, Rosalie?""I think I can handle walking half a block."
"Just checking. Come on, Mira."
One hour later
The girls returned to the house, laden with packages. As Alice pulled into the garage, she noticed a familiar car sitting in the driveway.
"Mira, Bella's father, Charlie, stopped by. He comes by frequently to see Bella and Nessie. Please remember to be polite, OK?"
"No problem." They trooped into the house where they saw Charlie sitting on the couch, playing with Nessie. He looked up and smiled, regarding Mira with surprise and suspicion.
"Hello, Alice, Rosalie." Both girls smiled,
"Hello, Charlie," they replied in unison. They took the packages and put them in the hall closet as Mira moved toward Charlie. She extended her hand.
"Hello, I am Mira. It's nice to meet you. I understand you're Bella's father?"
"Yes. Who, exactly, are you?""Mira. Dr. Cullen and his wife just adopted me. Hey, Nessie. Hi, Edward."
"Nice to meet you." He turned to Edward.
"Another child?" he inquired.
"Yeah, having Nessie around has excited Esme. Problem is, they never seem to adopt young children. Though Mira is just 14." She nodded. Edward shrugged. Charlie sat down on the armchair Edward indicated, and began to play with the baby. A few minutes later, Bella and Jasper came home. They heard Bella call from the hallway. "Hey, Dad. Let me use the bathroom, and I'll be right out." They heard the bathroom door close. Mira looked questioningly at Alice, who shook her head almost imperceptibly, and whispered "Tell you later." Mira nodded at her. A minute later, Bella came into the living room. Mira noticed her eyes were suddenly an odd shade of brown; must have something to do with her sudden need to use the bathroom. As Bella began chatting with Charlie, Jasper went outside, and Alice and Mira excused themselves upstairs. The two girls holed up in Mira's bathroom. Alice pulled out some makeup she had stocked in Mira's vanity, and began to do her face.
"So, obviously Bella can't tell Charlie that she's now a vampire. So we help her to kind of appear more human like in ways that we can. Hence the brown contact lenses-that's what her bathroom break was for. Thank you for not saying anything."
"No problem. What does Charlie think? I mean, to explain the differences?""Carlisle told him she was really sick. Which is technically true-she was really sick during her pregnancy. It's basically a really long recovery. That's one of the major reasons we need to move; Charlie is getting really suspicious. He knows about Jacob Black, and seems OK with that, so I personally think he could handle more, but I know Carlisle is concerned about the Volturi and what they'd think of a mortal knowing about us."
"Oh, yeah. That'd be problematic." Alice finished her work and stepped back to admire.
"Looking good. You're so cute! I love that you let me do your face. No one else will."
"It's fun. I guess we should go back down. I did promise Edward I'd talk to him."
"Yeah. I'll stay with Bella while you two go talk." The girls headed downstairs. Edward stood up when they got to the living room.
"It was great to see you, Charlie. I'm going outside with Mira and the guys. We're going to teach Mira how to play baseball."
"Yup." When they got outside, Edward and Mira sat on the grass, watching the boys play.
"Is this OK? We can go to the cottage so you don't get grass stains. Alice will shoot me."
"No, it's cool. I'm still a kid; if she can't handle a little dirt, she's in trouble." Edward laughed.
"So, I just wanted to ask you a few questions, while we still have time to talk before the moving craziness begins. We've been moving for several decades now; you'd think we have it figured out. Anyway, my biggest concern is that Nessie is going to be OK? I mean, physically, and emotionally. What can we do to make the lines between vampire and human a little easier to handle?"
"Well, firstly, I think you guys are good parents. And you're lucky to have the support of the family. It's good that you are giving her the oatmeal and stuff; when it comes time for her to start school, it's going to be imperative for her well-being that she has an ability to eat the same foods as everyone else. I mean, at home it's fine if she drinks blood all day, every day after awhile, but she really needs to be able to handle that. Also, try to let her do as many normal, human things as possible, even when she's little-I can help here-things like ballet lessons, swim lessons, Mommy and me, stuff like that. It helps if you can socialize with other's. I mean, I know that's pretty basic, but it seems like her vampire half is stronger right now, and if she's going to make it in the outside world OK, she needs to hone her human half as quickly-and deftly-as possible. Exposing her to all kinds of smells and sights and sounds now is key, I think. School will be tough; if she's anything like me, by the time she's in the third grade, she will basically have the body of an older teenager, and by the time she's in middle school, she'll be the size of a fully grown adult. Um, you might have to talk to Carlisle about what kind of human conditions would mimic that in a child; I understand there are some bone diseases that make human people grow rapidly, or just tell them she has thyroid issues. The kids will be mean; that is when you and Bella will need the coven to love her and just be there for her. I think that's the hardest part; it's tough enough being on the fringe already, and then you have to look differently. I don't know if it's possible, but perhaps Carlisle can find something out about growth stunting hormones. I hear caffeine can stunt your growth; maybe mainline her cappuccino. Totally kidding. She will most likely begin puberty early, also. For me, I was 10, but didn't start menses until this year, so that was a relief. But it might be awkward, but hopefully I'll be around to give her some tips. You can tape your breasts down with dressmakers tape-is that too much information? Sorry." Edward looked horrified. "Sorry, am I dumping all this on you too quickly?""No, no. It's good. Ok, so we've got to start socializing her. Probably should wait until we get settled in New Haven, though."
"Yeah. Edward, what's public school like?""You've never been?""No, the Volturi had some poor woman from the village come in and teach me. They told her I was sick, and that's why I couldn't go to school. That was up until last year; I have no schooling since then. I hope I can handle the course loads."
"Geez. I'm sorry. But I and the others will tutor you."
"Thanks. But, really, what's it like? Is it like on TV, with all the cool kids, and the jocks, and then the nerds off by themselves?"
"Generally. But I am at a disadvantage, see. When I went to school before I was changed, it was 1915. It was really different. Lately, I've been to high school as a vampire. For obvious reasons, I kept a distance from my fellow students."
"Except Bella?"
"Well, she pursued me. And I tried to change her mind away from me, but she was so damned insistent. I don't recommend dating until you find out how you will react to being in close quarters with humans all day, every day. Besides, Esme'll have a heart attack if Bella 2.0 happens." Mira laughed. She stared out at the boys playing in front of them.
"So, the day I came here, what were you all doing in the meadow?"
"Mostly waiting for you. But we were playing baseball."
"I love baseball. Think they'd let me play?""Might not be a good idea. Emmett can get competitive, even with us.""He hasn't seen me play yet. Remember, I can make myself invisible. And I can jump *really* high."
"I say kick his butt. Good luck." Mira stood up and jumped straight into the air. She landed about four inches from Emmett's face.
"I want to play. Need a hand?" He smiled at her and nodded. He motioned for Jasper and Edward to come over.
"If you want to play, we need even numbers. Can you play, too, Edward? You can be on my team, and Jasper and Mira can be on a team." Mira shook her head.
"I want Edward on my team."
"Fair enough. Just a forewarning, though. He's no Cy Cobb." Mira shrugged.
"Where should I go?" she asked Edward.
"Um, can you do the outfield? I'll do infield, and Emmett will pitch. Jasper's at bat."
"Awesome. Ok, boys, get ready to lose to a girl." Emmett snorted, and replied, "Good luck with that. I haven't lost a game yet."
"Well, then. Consider this your physical education." She ran out to the middle of the outfield area. They began the game, and Mira caught the ball and threw it back to Emmett or Jasper every time, faster than anyone else. She could soar high to get the high balls, she would hit the ground to catch the bunts, and could apparently fly when she went invisible. By the time it was her turn to bat, the score was an even 0-0. She let Edward bat first, while Jasper threw the ball. Halfway through their makeshift game, Esme and Carlisle had come out to the yard to watch. By now, Bella, Alice and Nessie joined them. Alice was trying to get Rosalie to come out, too. They clapped and laughed when she caught the ball, and gasped when she threw it back so quickly and deftly. She seemed to be naturally gifted, as if she was born to play baseball. Edward scored a run, although Emmett tried to argue it; a bird had flown over the yard then and distracted him, he claimed. Mira stood her ground.
"Emmett, I didn't miss a single ball. And plenty of birds had to have flown over the lawn. Just be manly and move on. Can I go now, please?"
"Fine." He was sulky, but sighed and trotted back out to the field. Mira took the bat from the ground, tapped it against the base, and got into her position. As Jasper threw the ball, she wound up and hit it with everything she had. It flew well over Emmett's head, higher than even she could jump, and she disappeared as she ran the bases, reappearing as she rounded home. Everyone screamed and clapped; all of a sudden, Jasper called the game. Emmett came out of the forest holding the ball.
"How the hell did you hit the ball that hard? It was close to the river." He looked at her, his mouth practically hanging open.
"Years and years of untapped anger. It's a great motivator." No one had realized that the rest of the family had gathered around.
"I'll say. That was pretty impressive. Remind us when we pick teams next time," said Alice.
"Ha. She can take over for Esme as the umpire," retorted Emmett. He was still shaking his head. He reached over and mussed up her hair. "Good game, little lady. You're right; that was educational. Can you teach me to jump like that?"
"I can try. Thanks, Emmett. I'll try to drop a few next time." Everyone laughed and headed back into the house, Rosalie and Edward holding Nessie's hands in the front, then Bella and Alice, Emmett and Jasper walked and chatted with Carlisle, while Esme and Mira brought up the rear. "I've never seen Emmett lose so humbly before. How did you do it?"
"It must be my charisma. I don't know." Esme laughed.
"So, I guess this makes it official. I can stay."
"Always and forever." Everyone nodded; they'd all been listening, except for Emmett, who was still sulking internally.
"Awesome."