Chapter 8
Bella:
Two days later, I find myself staring out of a bright yellow Porsche, being driven by Alice back to their house in Seattle. The single word that sticks in my mind is 'subtle'. When I look over to Maggie, I see her struggling to keep the grin off her face and immediately know she's thinking the exact same as me.
A couple hours after we left Seattle airport and we're stuck in traffic. Horns blare all around us and I find myself thinking of London. The busy streets aren't too different, only here there are a distinct lack of roundabouts.
"Is it far from here?" I ask Alice.
"Nope! We should be there in about half an hour!" Alice answers cheerfully, turning up the radio.
After what feels like an eternity as opposed to half an hour, Alice turns off the busy main road and pulls into a lavish looking estate. The large drive way perfectly frames the mansion house, which looms ominously over us.
It would seem like the Cullen's do not know the meaning of the word 'subtle'. Maybe that's why Edward left?
Once Alice parks in the garage, a flurry of activity begins. The large, mahogany front door opens and out comes the four vampires I've learnt so much about since leaving London. Alice runs straight for the woman with the darker, more brown coloured hair, whom I know to be Esme. She then moves on to Carlisle. Even without the description, I know I would recognise Carlisle. The way he holds himself gives off an air of importance in a way that isn't forced. The other three vampires all move in response to him, showing easily that he is the man in charge. Many people in a similar position would be cocky, but Carlisle's easy, charming smile makes you want to be his friend and do whatever he asks for you.
Everything about Carlisle is so natural and relaxed.
Maggie and I step out of the Porsche, which immediately brings the focus to us. There are stares and cautious smiles mixed in with a certain level of unease. That is, until, Carlisle calms things down.
"Emmett, how about you help them with their bags?" His words sound like a suggestion but Emmett complies as eagerly as if he'd been ordered to.
The bags are lifted out of the car and taken inside. Everyone follows Emmett, though once inside Carlisle leads us through the rooms of their vast house while Emmett takes our bags elsewhere. When I glance around the walls I see pictures of the family. I quickly avert my eyes to avoid seeing Edward. I'd rather not freak out immediately after stepping foot in their house.
The room we're lead into is a dining room, with a large, oblong shaped table. Carlisle takes the seat at the head of his table while the rest of his family sit around him. Maggie and I take the hint, sitting in seats next to one another.
"I presume Alice has told you about Edward?" Carlisle says, his question directed at me. I give a small nod of my head. "We plan on flying out to Italy in the coming week. Does that work for you?" he asks.
I frown. "Um, without meaning to be rude, I'm not sure I fully understand why we had to fly across the world, in the opposite direction of Italy, if we're just going to be flying back that way. Wouldn't it have been easier to meet up with us in London?"
"That was because we wanted to talk to you about Edward, first. And…" Carlisle trails off, smiling and looking over at Esme.
"I couldn't wait to meet you! Oh, you're so perfect for Edward! I'm just so happy he's finally going to meet his mate," Esme cries.
"Oh, um, thank you, I guess?" I mutter, looking down at the table. If I were human, I know I'd be blushing. Esme is just so…maternal. I'd forgotten what it felt like to have a mother, what it feels like to be a part of a large family instead of just two people. I love Maggie incredibly, but after meeting Edward's family? It looks like something I want to be a part of.
"So, what do you want to know about Edward?"
A/N: Thoughts on the Cullen's?
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