Disclaimer.
Warnings: mentions of rape – very very small mention, much like in Twilight.
Chapter 6:
(6/11)
It took six days before Edward returned and the weather had turned cold.
Harry made sure to remind his children to take their warmer coats; they did have to blend in with the humans after all.
Harry, luckily, had a class or two to teach on Monday so he could also be at school in case anything happened, like Edward losing control.
His schedule for teaching was odd and rather random and Harry preferred that, it wasn't quite a surprise when he was called in but it was still unexpected enough for their usually expected (and occasionally boring) lives. Apparently the other history tutor was a little...eccentric and took time off randomly so he could continue his studies and experiments on aged parchment. Sometimes he was so absorbed he forgot to turn up to teach. Harry really didn't see the appeal of looking at parchment but he was grateful that it gave him such a flexible schedule.
Harry, unfortunately, decided to walk next to Edward when they were leaving the house to get to school and of course this was when Jasper and Emmett decided to pelt Edward with slushy snow.
Harry stood there feeling the snow and wet sink into his clothes before he grinned and sent a return fire back Jasper and Emmett's way. Edward ignored them, his brow furrowed in thought.
It soon turned into a grappling between Emmett and Jasper (like usual), the two liked to fight a lot. Emmett always sulked when he lost.
Harry smiled to himself when he noticed Edward's lips turn up at the corners at Emmett and Jasper's actions before he hastily sent his thoughts in another direction so Edward wouldn't catch them.
So Harry entered his classroom sopping wet and all his papers soggy. His students didn't seem to be much better off and Harry sent a sheepish grin their way as he tried to dry the homework he had graded and was ready to be returned to them.
Harry was sometimes very thankful it was well known in Forks he was gay, while there were a few nasty comments (Harry ignored them, he was over 200 years old after all), mainly it kept the woman he met from attempting to hit on him. He did feel sorry for Edward, being the only single one out of the Cullen's meant he was free game for everyone.
He could do without some of the humans envisioning sexual acts between him and Carlisle however, Harry had not been even remotely amused when his beloved children informed him about some fantasies. Typically Emmett had just laughed at his embarrassment (after waggling his eyebrows).
Harry may have short-circuited all the remote controls for the TV and games station for that...maybe.
Harry had found it you 'accio'ed' electrical appliances they fried. Emmett's annoyance had been worth it.
Harry again finished teaching in fifth period but instead of going home (he drove his own car sometimes, because Edward's seated five people only) he waited in his class room grading essays; he wasn't going to leave early when Edward's control around his blood singer was so tenuous.
Sure enough Harry heard a disturbance from Edward's and Emmett's Spanish class so he followed Edward's scent to the car park and got in Edward's Volvo once again.
"You are doing so well." Harry stated earnestly. Edward grimaced. They lapsed back into companionable silence.
"Sometimes I wonder if we are doing this all wrong." Harry mused out loud. Edward turned a quizzical expression Harry's way; it always frustrated and intrigued Edward when he couldn't hear Harry's thoughts clearly.
"This, college, pretending you are all High School age. Sometimes I think it would be better if we found a house far from people and said you were all home schooled and just live there for a while." Harry expanded his absent comment. Edward frowned thoughtfully then shook his head.
"Jasper and Emmett would murder each other in a month. While school is insufferably dull and teenagers in general inane, it means we can live in close proximity to humans, so have all the electrical equipment etc and every few years we go away separately, Rosalie and Emmett go on another honeymoon, you and Carlisle visit your old friends, Alice and Jasper do what they want and I go round seeking new music." Edward negated Harry's thoughts. Harry smiled wistfully but agreed.
Harry got out of the car and made his way to his one, parked in the teacher's car park.
It would be good for both Carlisle and Edward to hunt together tonight. Carlisle was Edward's role model after all and Carlisle had been agonising over his decision to let Edward leave without trying to persuade him not to the week before. Carlisle thought it showed lack of trust in Edward.
xxx
Harry briskly informed a teacher he was going to make sure his son was alright before leaving the school.
There had been an accident, someone's van, Tyler Crowley's, had hit some ice and nearly crushed Bella Swan apparently and somehow Edward was involved.
Harry didn't know the full story but he rushed to the hospital to find out, to make sure everyone was alright. He knew it was silly worrying about Edward being hurt, he was a vampire after all, but if Bella had been in an accident and was cut...
Harry briefly spared a thankful thought that at least Rosalie and Emmett had managed to drag Jasper away from the scene, Harry had smelt blood on the scene and he knew just how difficult it was for Jasper especially to live on their restricted diet.
Harry closed his eyes in a brief moment of relief when he didn't hear frantic calls, or hushed murmurs in the hospital. It was a small enough hospital that Harry immediately knew no one in the crash had been severely harmed.
Harry met Charlie in the waiting room of the hospital and he spared a moment to try to assuage his worries, Charlie adored his daughter, even if he didn't quite understand her.
Knowing everything was fine Harry only briefly ducked his head into the hospital area where Bella, Tyler and Edward were at the moment.
His worry eased completely as he saw both Bella and Tyler sitting up and coherent and Edward looking fine if slightly irritated. Harry didn't stay long, Tyler's blood was a temptation and hospitals were never really a good place for a vampire to be, well apart from Carlisle.
Harry let them be and went back to the school, he did have to teach.
Harry left as quickly as possible after his third and last class, he went home and found Carlisle in the dining room seated at the head of the table.
The dining room was Carlisle's favourite place to debate changes to the family's life or any potential risks. With such strong and different personalities that everyone possessed it was occasionally necessary to sit down and chat about it.
Harry sat next to Carlisle and laced their hands together.
Harry personally was proud Edward had saved the girl, he had saved a human life and Harry knew how much Bella meant to Charlie.
Also things would have gone terribly if Edward hadn't. If he had let her get crushed and die then her blood would have definitely been spilt and Edward wasn't ready to resist that level of temptation yet.
The others returned swiftly once school was let out and the revelations that followed shocked Harry to his core.
So Edward would eventually love this girl, Bella. Bella would one day be a part of the family.
Harry didn't know whether to run as fast as he could for joy or pester Alice with questions. Harry compromised and just listened as Edward and Alice had a seemingly one sided conversation, obviously Edward was answering Alice's thoughts.
Harry did so hate pestering Alice with questions of the future, he didn't like her to feel like her visions were more useful than herself, Harry occasionally thought Alice placed too much emphasis on her visions. They were useful yes, and had prevented the Cullen's from making mistakes more than once but Harry would rather Alice found happiness and contentment in the now rather than near constantly hunting for the future.
Harry placed a hand on Edward's shoulder when he looked like he was going to leave. Immediately Harry snapped straight and his hand fell to his side as he lost himself in Edward's emotions and thoughts. Edward read his thoughts through Harry's mind and his face twisted with anguish, determination and a hint of longing before he ran out of the room and out of the house.
Carlisle convinced the others not to run after him.
The argument had been close, Carlisle had convinced Rosalie that killing Bella was far too callous and Alice had managed to get Jasper to promise not to kill her too. Both Rosalie and Jasper saw it as far more prudent to squash the potential threat now.
Carlisle gently held Harry as he came back to reality, sometimes feeling another's mental torment, feelings, made Harry lose his thread on reality for a few seconds. Harry didn't often get sucked into another person's psyche but he was more naturally attuned to his family for some reason and it occurred more when emotions were heightened.
Harry breathed in sharply, unnecessarily, and a broad grin swept across his face. His soulful green eyes glittered and happiness seemed to radiate from his form.
"Bella's going to be a wonderful addition." Harry breathed. Jasper seemed shocked by the sheer amount of joy Harry was feeling; even Emmett was surprised out of his jokey nature. Alice was lost to her visions and Rosalie huffed sweeping out of the room dramatically. Carlisle looked hopeful.
xxx
It was more than a month later and much to Alice and Harry's disappointment Edward seemed set on his path to ignore Bella.
Harry didn't care much for Bella beyond her being Charlie's daughter, he didn't know her. But he liked the change Bella cause Edward, the slight shift in his personality. Harry liked the idea of Bella because it was a future where Edward seemed so much happier so much more at peace.
Vampires rarely changed, frozen as they were at the age they had been turned but in one instance their personalities shifted, love (as trite as it sounded, Harry did think Dumbledore was right in saying love was the most powerful force around).
Both Harry and Carlisle had changed slightly when they had met, Rosalie had changed with Emmett and Harry believed Jasper and Alice had changed slightly with each other.
Harry wanted the happiness Bella could give to his son, he wanted Edward to be less miserable (he had occasions when he spent days brooding and Harry knew his thoughts weren't pleasant), he wanted all is children to find their own happiness.
So Harry liked the idea of Bella, he was sure he would like her too when he got to know her.
She watched them, Bella watched the Cullens at times. Harry knew she did when she sat in his history lessons and her gaze was speculative, curious. Bella did not seem to dismiss the oddness of the Cullen family like most other humans did.
Harry knocked for courtesy sake and entered Edward's room eyeing the masses of CDs with amusement.
"So, may I enquire as to your whereabouts these last few nights?" Harry asked leaning against the door jam, it was easier to act human if they cemented habits at home as well. Harry never felt the need to lean against things.
Edward's face showed a mixture of shame and exhilaration. Harry repressed the thrill of hope that maybe he was accepting his future with Bella, finally. Edward rubbed his face with embarrassment.
A dawning suspicion entered Harry's mind but he dismissed it, surely Edward wouldn't...
Edward furrowed his brow as he overheard Harry's thoughts partially. Edward's lips twitched slightly and not in amusement, his father was very perceptive of human (or vampire) actions as long as he knew their emotions.
It was a little odd they managed to pass Harry and Carlisle off as parents, even adopted ones, seeing as Harry was eternally 22 and Carlisle 23. Forks currently thought Harry was 31 and Carlisle 32.
Edward was more than reluctant to voice where he had been at night for a few nights but he could not deny Harry.
"Deciding. Working out how I feel. It is easier to be around Bella if I get used to her scent more." Edward explained vaguely. What remained unsaid was that Edward would never get used to Bella's scent, his control might strengthen but he would never get used to it fully.
Harry frowned lost in dark thoughts for a second.
"Not like that! I would never..." Edward defended himself adamantly feeling a slight prickle of shame and slight hurt Harry would think that. Harry's eyes widened.
"Oh I wasn't comparing you, Edward; I know you are a good person, completely different from him. It might not be best to let Bella know you've been watching her sleep though. I always found it unnerving when I was human and Theodore watched me sleep." Harry said slowly.
Edward was far too good a person to do anything horrific, but watching someone sleep (especially when they didn't know you were there) was considered creepy and Harry felt mild apprehension about it but he supposed Edward wasn't doing it for nefarious reasons. Edward watched Bella to make up his mind, strengthen his resolve against killing her and to get used to the scent of her blood so he wouldn't kill her by accident.
Harry smiled shaking his head to dismiss his thoughts; he wasn't going to think more of it. At least he knew Edward was alright. Emmett seemed to think Edward had lost it.
"So what is she like?" Harry asked curiously. He wanted Edward's thoughts on the girl, not Rosalie's biased uncomplimentary jabs. Harry loved Rosalie he really did but sometimes she was a little...prickly.
xxx
Harry listened enraptured from the top of the stairs as Edward played the piano. He was playing a new piece, composing. He hadn't touched the piano in a while and Harry delighted every time Edward graced them with his melodious playing.
Slowly he finished his mesmerising new piece and started to play the piece he had created for Carlisle and Harry. If Harry was human he would probably feel tears prickle at the corners of his eyes but since he wasn't he let the wonderful encompassing choking feeling swamp him.
Harry surveyed his family eyes bright with warmth, happiness, love.
Jasper and Emmett were playing a complicated chess game, eight chess boards and their own set of rules. Alice sat behind Emmett and mouthed Emmett's planned moves (she saw them in her visions) so Jasper could see what Emmett would do. Edward was at his piano; Rosalie sat on the sofa flicking through channels far too swiftly a frown of annoyance on her pretty face. Carlisle was in his study, reading but he had paused in his turning of the pages when Edward began playing.
Harry gently placed a hand on Edward's shoulder as he drifted past flicking Alice gently on the ear in an amused admonishment.
He drifted into Carlisle's study entering absently and returning the fond smile he received.
"Apparently Peter and Charlotte, Jasper's friends, are coming for a visit." Harry murmured standing behind Carlisle and placing his hands on the blond vampires shoulder.
"Hmmm." Carlisle responded putting down his book and turning his head to place a kiss on Harry's hand.
Harry smiled peaceably.
xxx
Harry tended to use Carlisle's study just as much as Carlisle did; both quite enjoyed working on separate projects or reading different books while in the same room as each other. It was oddly soothing.
So Harry was there absorbed in his book when Edward entered the study looking enraged. Carlisle didn't seem surprised; he had probably heard Edward coming up.
Harry was surprised Edward wasn't with Bella though; he seemed to think Bella needed constant protection from everything and so had been stalking her to make sure she was safe. Edward had been especially protective when Charlotte and Peter visited Jasper. Charlotte and Peter drank from humans and both thought the Cullen lifestyle to be odd but they wouldn't hunt near the Cullens. They were respectful of them and their choices.
Edward had been a little rude during Peter and Charlotte's visit, which honestly wasn't like him, but he was worried, concerned about Bella's welfare. Harry had apologised to Jasper's friends saying that Edward was going through a rough patch. Peter seemed to think Edward had gone mad due to their vegetarian diet; Charlotte's thoughts weren't much different.
"Do you want me to leave?" Harry asked head tilted to one side, Edward might want to just talk to Carlisle after all. Edward paused before realising their conversation could be heard from anywhere in the house and he wouldn't mind Harry's input either.
"No. Did Alice tell you what happened to Bella tonight?" Edward asked hands clenched tightly and a dark expression on his face.
Edward appeared to answer Carlisle's thoughts as he continued.
"Yes, almost happened. I want very much to kill him..." Edward continued speaking to Carlisle but Harry left the room; he would be of no use. Carlisle would sort it so that the serial rapist that had attempted to target Bella tonight would go to jail. Edward was asking Carlisle to do this so 'someone else's Bella' wouldn't be harmed.
Harry ignored his darker emotions for the moment and just focussed on the pride he felt for Edward, that Edward wasn't ripping the man's throat out, he was seeking a non murderous path of justice.
While Harry knew the man probably deserved to be killed he did not think it his place to decide such things, nor did he really like the idea of his son, Edward, murdering.
Bella seemed to be good for Edward.
Despite Harry's morose thoughts he sketched absently, humming an oddly cheerful tune as he drew.
Yes Bella would be a good addition.