Chapter 17 – Association

I walked behind Alice, still holding onto her iced hand. She didn't say anything to me as we walked towards the front door, instead she squeezed my fingers again, without looking back at me and I returned the gesture. I couldn't see her face, but I knew she was smiling. Sometimes, actions really did speak louder than words. I could almost feel the encouragement filter from her fingers into my own.

I wasn't worried, merely concerned. Not because I was about to meet a family of vampires, for some reason that didn't seem to cause me any anxiety at all… no, what concerned me was how they would respond to me. I didn't feel an ounce of fear for my life – I was far too busy fretting that they wouldn't like me. Bella Swan, a mere human – so very different to each member of the household…in comparison I was rough around the edges, unrefined, unfashionable, unsophisticated…. And a whole heap of other words that began with 'un'… how could they like me? How could Alice?

"Bella"

Alice's voice broke my thoughts. I looked up guiltily. I'd been staring at my scuffed sneakers…

"I'd like to introduce you to my mother – Esme, this is Bella".

While I had been pondering my probable poor impact, Alice had steered me into the hallway of the house, and now here I stood – Bella Swan, old green cardigan over a white vest and brown jeans, in front of Esme… elegant, and beautiful, just like her daughters.

Esme smiled, and I extended my bandaged hand without thinking, adding "It's very nice to meet you Mrs Cullen".

Esme took my hand in hers before pulling me into an embrace. "The pleasure is all ours Bella" she replied. Releasing me she took a small step back, adding "And please, call me Esme".

I smiled. I had never been that good when it came to meeting new people, but I immediately felt relaxed and calm with Esme.

Carlisle was the next to speak; standing next to his wife he took my bandaged hand in his "Bella, it's nice to see you again, under better circumstances this time".

Carlisle turned to Rosalie, who was still standing by his side. "I believe you have met my other daughter already, Bella?"

I swallowed – "Yes, hello Rosalie". I expected my voice to falter, and was slightly shocked when it came out firm and confident.

"Hello Bella" came her reply. I expected it to drip with venom… it didn't. She continued "I think your hand needs looking at".

Four pairs of eyes moved to my hand.

The dried blood.

Alice was first to speak, "Carlisle, Bella… fell… on her hand. Can you take a look?"

Carlisle was immediately at my side; with the same chilled hands as Alice he took my hand in his. "Come with me Bella, and I'll take a look – the stitches can probably be removed now".

I nodded, "Thank you Dr Cullen".

"Please, call me Carlisle – we don't stand on ceremony here Bella".

Alice linked her arm through mine again, smiling she motioned to an adjacent door with her head, "I'll come too" she replied.

Esme clapped her hands together, "Forgive us Bella – where are our manners! What would you like to drink?"

As I followed Carlisle and Alice down the corridor, one word entered my head.

Surreal.

I felt like I was in a day dream. The house was…magnificent. Stately, almost imperial and noble – just like its occupants. I reached another door and watched as Carlisle opened it to reveal a library or study.

"Alice, why don't you go and see to Bella's drink while I remove her stitches, we won't be long".

I turned and looked at Alice. I didn't want her to leave me, but I suspected Carlisle's suggestion was for her own good. I didn't know if there would be much blood when the bandage was removed. Alice inched closer to me as Carlisle entered the room.

"Are you okay if I leave you Bella" she asked.

Alice – always so considerate and thoughtful, despite the possible distress my very essence could cause her.

Before I could answer, Emmet appeared behind her, his presence almost looming due to his sheer size.

"C'mon little sis – Carlisle needs to check out Bella and her intentions towards you" and with that he winked, and walked towards the room we had left.

I could feel my pallid cheeks burn.

Emmet's voice echoed around the room, "Bella – Scarlett is very becoming on you".

I bit my lip.

Great.

Did the whole household know I had developed feelings for Alice?

"Ignore Emmet, Bella – we all do" was Alice's response as she lent in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. If my cheeks weren't burning before, they certainly were now. I looked quickly at Carlisle, but he was busy moving something on his desk… though I got the distinct impression he had witnessed everything.

"I'll be just fine Alice, thank you" was my rather feeble response.

Alice stepped back and winked.

My cheeks flamed again. This was ridiculous, I felt like an awkward twelve year old who had just admitted their feelings to a latest crush.

I turned to walk into the study as I heard Alice's sweet, melodious voice dance behind me "Emmet is right – red is most flattering my sweet".

My sweet. I immediately felt flattered by her endearment.

Carlisle looked up from the table directly at me and smiled.

"Take a seat Bella, and I'll take a look at your wound".

As Carlisle removed my bandage, I watched him. So in control. Curiosity got the better of me.

"How do you manage?"

I mentally kicked myself for being so abrupt with my question. Did they even know I knew what they were? Had I just made everything harder for Alice?

Carlisle removed the last stitch and rubbed his thumb gently against the small scar that was on my palm. He smiled, and then looked back up at me; his eyes almost sparkled as he spoke.

"I assume you mean this" he gestured towards the old bandage that still had remnants of blood on it.

"I'm so sorry" I stuttered, "Forgive my rudeness, I sometimes speak without thinking… and Alice… you must understand, she didn't tell me, I guessed…."

Carlisle pulled up another chair and sat opposite me.

"Bella – no apology is necessary. We always suspected you would find out. Alice trusts you, we all do".

I laughed then, at that, shaking my head a little. "I appreciate your trust Carlisle, but I think Rosalie would rather I vanish into thin air".

Carlisle sat back and crossed his legs. "Perhaps, before… but not any longer Bella. Family is important to us, Rosalie may seem a little harsh in her persona towards you, but that is merely fear masked. She doesn't want our family placed in danger".

I interrupted immediately, "I would never, ever, tell anyone – you can be assured of my secrecy".

Carlisle nodded and smiled, "I know we can Bella, please, just give Rose a little time".

I nodded, "I will, I don't want to cause any upset for Alice, she… she means a lot to me…"

My voice trailed off. She did mean a lot to me, she meant everything to me, but I wasn't about to admit that to her father when I was still trying to work it all out in my own mind. She was my world, and she would be the first person I told.

"And I believe the feeling is very much mutual" Carlisle replied, "and to answer your previous question… compassion. It has allowed me to perfect my lifestyle as a 'vegetarian', resisting the urge to consume human blood is second nature to me Bella"

He then stood and offered his hand, "and now, Bella – I believe we must now retire to the living room – Edward and Jasper are keen to talk to you and if I don't return you soon, I suspect Alice will come looking".

We both laughed.

As I followed Carlisle out of the study, a painting on the wall caught my attention. Four men standing on a balcony, one looked like Carlisle… though the period seemed…

"Is that... is that you" I asked.

Carlisle nodded, "You have keen eyes Bella".

As he closed the door I stopped.

"May I ask… how long? How long have you been… this way"?

One day I would be able to say vampire, but everything was happening so fast, it felt like the only way to maintain some control was to omit the word from speech…

"A little over three hundred and fifty years Bella"

Three hundred and fifty years.

Surreal indeed.