AN: I'm so sorry it's literally taken a year for me to update this story. I've been focusing on my other story His North Star, and time slipped away. I hope this long chapter makes up for it. Also, note: there is a part in this chapter where Carlisle is fascinated with the FALSE legends of of the Quileute. I wanted to keep him in character like he is in the books, but I wanted to clarify that these do not portray my views on the legends shown in the books. I think its abhorrent that SMeyer did this to real people. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox. I'm kind of unsure of the second half of this chapter, with the house tour. Let me know if it's too much, too detailed and I'll edit it. I'm going to try to update more often from now on, but my motivation comes and goes at irregular times so I make no real promises. I really hope you enjoy this chapter, and please check out the tumblr that I have for this story called .com! Especially if you want to see the pictures that I have used to inspire the Cullen House interiors. Again I hope you enjoy! (I am not SMeyer and therefore do not own anything involving the Twilight Saga. The only thing I own is Faye Davis.)
Chapter Two
The next day as he took my blood pressure, Carlisle informed me that they had put it to a vote, and the majority ruled that the plan would move forward. The whole situation was just so absurd that I let out a bit of a hysterical giggle. Carlisle looked up at me, confused.
"This is just too bizarre," I explained. Understanding bloomed in his eyes, and he chuckled as well, before returning to his task.
So, here I was a week later – identity created, forms falsified, and being rolled out of Forks General Hospital in a wheelchair by Carlisle. They told me it was standard procedure, but I grumbled the entire time nonetheless. My legs still worked fine, thanks.
I could feel all eyes on me as Carlisle occasionally nodded to patients and coworkers alike. I knew word traveled fast in Forks, and already it must have gotten around that the Cullen's were taking in the girl whose family had perished in that crash on Highway 101. I hated every second of it.
We eventually made our way to Carlisle's Mercedes. Just as luxe as I'd imagined, it was shiny black, with dark-tinted windows and a sleek yet understated style. I thought it represented his personality very well. I settled into the passenger's seat, and while he returned the wheelchair to the hospital, I felt anxiety begin to take hold in my chest.
While I was in the hospital, Carlisle and I talked extensively about what to do with the books. I didn't tell him what they were about, or what was in them, but he knew they were about The Cullens' future. Alice had retrieved them from the police station after our first introduction for safety reasons, but no one had touched them since. We discussed them from every angle, and I eventually convinced him that reading them together was the best option. But I insisted that I was present when they did. He agreed that that was fair. They were my books after all.
Now, as I sat in Carlisle's car, I desperately hoped things would go over well. Of course I was worried about Edward's reaction – he had visited occasionally while I was in the hospital waiting to be discharged into the Cullen household, curious about me and my presence in this new world. But I was also concerned about Alice's reception of her human history. Already we'd become very close.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Carlisle's honeyed voice asked. I jumped slightly. I had been so consumed with my concerns that I hadn't even realized that we were now speeding through Forks. I smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry. I guess I'm just worried," I confessed.
It was easy to be honest with Carlisle. I never felt like I would be judged, which was rare with people. His eyebrows furrowed.
"Why worried?" he asked. I sighed.
"I don't think these books will be what you expect them to be. And I think you'll be blindsided by them. I'm worried about your reactions," I expressed. Carlisle nodded thoughtfully.
"You're probably right. We don't know what to expect. But I trust you, Faye. If you truly believe that these books can benefit our future, then we should move forward with reading them." I smiled a little, but my nerves weren't completely settled.
Soon enough, we made a turn into the forest onto a hidden pathway. My breath hitched and my heart started to work at double-time, now knowing that I was mere seconds away from seeing The Cullen's home for the first time. I tried to avoid the thought that it was my new home as well. Then, the hidden driveway opened up into a clearing that beheld the most stunning house I had ever seen.
The beautiful homes you see on renovation shows could not hold a candle to this one. The three story colonial-style house was astonishingly elegant. It was pure white, with a dark charcoal roof. It was mostly square in design, except for the wrap-around porch that distended from the center of the building. It was nothing like I'd thought it would be, but even better. I immediately adored it on sight. I puffed out a little gasp, and Carlisle chuckled at my wide-eyed reaction.
We slowed to a crawl along the outer edge of the lawn, close to the giant old trees whose branches arched over the house. As we pulled around and into the garage behind it, I couldn't help but chuckle lightly despite myself. With its concrete walls and sleek cars, the garage gave me Tony Stark vibes. Carlisle raised his eyebrow as we exited the car, silently asking me what was so funny.
"It's a future thing, really. The first Iron Man movie comes out in a couple of years, and your garage reminds me of the one in the movie." He laughed openly at my thought process, and commented that Emmett would like that idea.
Before I was even fully out of the car, though, Alice was in front of me. I was startled at her sudden appearance, but quickly relaxed and laughed softly.
"Hello, Alice," I greeted her. She was practically vibrating with excitement as she grabbed my hand and proceeded to drag me out of the car.
"Come on! Everyone's dying to meet you!" she grinned gleefully, and I couldn't help but giggle at her unintentional pun. She wrinkled her nose at my bad humor. "You have terrible taste in jokes. Emmett will be pleased," she scoffed. I shrugged, trying to ignore the growing nerves in my stomach. But Alice heard my increased heartbeat with every step and softened.
"You'll be fine. They'll love you," she assured me kindly. I smiled slightly at her in thanks.
Alice and I had gotten close while I was waiting to be discharged in the hospital. Since I was in a private room in a ward where there weren't really any bloody injuries or surgeries, she felt confident in her visits to me. She would keep me company for most of the day, and would stay until they asked her to leave. She would often offer to sneak back in later, but I always declined, knowing she needed her evenings with Jasper. I felt bad enough hogging all her attention as it was.
Carlisle patted my shoulder as he sidestepped us and into the house. Alice waited for me to take a deep breath, then nod my assurance that I was ready.
As we entered the side door from the garage into the kitchen, I couldn't help the way my jaw dropped a bit. It was timeless and modern all at once, with bright white cabinets and light cream marble backsplash. Gold pendant lighting hung above a giant island in the middle of the room, which perfectly matched the hardware. If this is what Esme could do with a kitchen, then I couldn't wait to see the rest of the house.
Carlisle had already disappeared behind another set of doors when we entered, and was nowhere in sight. Alice let go of my hand and twirled in a complete circle, arms raised above her head.
"Well? What do you think?" she asked as she gestured to the room mid-spin. I laughed at her enthusiasm.
"It's absolutely divine, Alice, but you knew that. Esme is truly a master at her craft!" I gushed, knowing the matriarch could hear me from whatever room she was in. But I wasn't quite ready to shatter the illusion of privacy yet.
Alice clapped happily, a big grin on her sprite-like face. "Yay! Oh, I'm glad it'll do. I was pretty sure, anyway! Now, are you ready?" She had a determined glint in her eye, like if I said 'no' she'd still drag me in by force. I couldn't help but laugh at that imagery. I heard Edward's deeper chuckle from somewhere, too. But I nodded, let her link our hands and followed her through another door to the left.
As my eyes landed on the large oval dining room table I couldn't help but gasp. But it wasn't the beautiful mahogany table that had made me let out the sound. It was the six vampires sitting around it, staring straight at me. In the middle of the table sat five books of different sizes and thickness.
I couldn't help it; I froze like a deer in headlights. Alice squeezed my hand in reassurance when she looked back and saw my face, which was probably full of terror. I looked at her, unsure. She nodded back, silently encouraging me. So I took a deep breath and stepped into the room.
"Everyone, this is Faye!" Alice announced as I took them in, one by one. Edward was lounging near the head of the table, staring at the ceiling with legs propped up on its glossy surface. He gave me a small half smile when he saw my gaze. I returned it weakly.
A blonde man who I could only assume was Jasper sat next to him. He was looking at me curiously, arms crossed over his chest. He didn't seem outwardly hostile at least, so that was something. I felt a wave of reassurance wash over me, and my shoulders relaxed from their tense posture. I looked over at him questioningly, but he just sent me a gentle smile and nod from where he sat. I decided I wouldn't complain.
Across from Jasper sat a woman so stunning it could only be Rosalie Hale. Her blonde hair shimmered in the dim light and thick lashes framed her citrine eyes, which were currently narrowed in my direction. It was only the remainders of Jasper's influence that kept me calm under her stare.
I quickly turned to the man next to her. Emmett Cullen was a behemoth of a man, with muscles like the bear that had brought him into his second life. His wide grin was anything but menacing in my eyes, though, and he raised the hand that wasn't on Rose's thigh in greeting. I gave him a small, shy smile in return.
Finally, I caught sight of Carlisle again. He stood near the head of the table, arm around the waist of a beautiful woman with soft, graceful features of a bygone era. She was truly lovely, and the kind smile on her face when she saw me looking made her moreso.
She flitted across the room just a tad too fast to be human and took both my hands in hers. As she passed Edward, she gave his feet a pointed glance – the universal look of a mother telling her son to get his feet off the table. I nearly laughed out loud at the sheepish look that crossed Edward's face from this quick interaction. I already liked Esme very much, I decided.
"We are so very happy to have you with us, my dear," she exulted. I couldn't help but smile shyly back at her.
"Thank you. You have such a beautiful home," I complimented. Her smile widened.
"Don't be afraid to see it as your own," she offered. My smile dipped a bit, but I nodded. She seemed to understand, though, and squeezed my hands gently.
"Come." She guided me to the seat at the other end of the table and pulled it out for me, letting me sit before floating over between Carlisle and Rosalie. Alice came up from behind me and sat to my left, next to Jasper. She immediately grabbed my hand under the table. Carlisle cleared his throat. We turned our attention to him.
"I believe we all know why we're here," he started, but clarified anyway. "These books will play a pivotal role in our futures. Faye suggested we read them together. Faye, if you please." He gestured my way, leaving the floor to me.
I considered where to start. Finally, I spoke.
"These books were published in 2005 – six months from now." I slid the books across the table until they sat in front of me.
"That's when the story starts. I bought them off Amazon on a whim a couple of years ago – oh, Amazon is an online retailer. You can buy just about anything off it," I clarified after several confused looks. I returned to my point.
"I bought them off Amazon because the series had a bit of a renaissance and I was curious. They were a pop culture phenomenon when I was really, really little but I was much too young to understand. I decided to give it a try."
"I ended up liking the basic premise of vampires living in a small town, and I sort of fell in love with all of you as characters," I admitted shyly. I steadfastly avoided eye contact with everyone after that last comment and cleared my throat.
"I wasn't a big fan of the plotline," I admitted, to several raised eyebrows. Rosalie finally spoke up.
"Then why did you read it?" Her voice was as sharp as a knife, but there was a hint of curiosity there as well. I shrugged.
"Your world fascinated me." I could practically hear her grinding her teeth together at that response, and saw Edward frown. But I had more pressing worries than their concerns.
"These will come as a shock," I warned, grim-faced. "At multiple points. But – please – don't leave until the last book has been read," I implored. Then, I sighed.
"That specifically applies to you, Edward." He looked surprised at my address, but agreed anyway. He obviously had no idea what he was getting into.
Carlisle leaned forward in his seat at the head of the table, Esme at his side, gripping his hand tightly.
"What do you suggest, Faye?" he asked. I shrugged.
"Maybe just try to read them through without any interruptions? I don't know how possible that would be, but we could try. You don't need to include me, go at your speed. I've already read them," I reminded the room.
"There are six books," Jasper observed. "In what order do you suggest we read?"
I thought for a moment. Then I laid them out, left to right. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, and The Complete Illustrated Guide. I considered for a moment where to put Midnight Sun, before deciding on placing it between Breaking Dawn and The Illustrated Guide. I nodded in self-satisfaction. Then, I slid them over, one by one, to Carlisle at the opposite end of the table.
Carlisle looked around at everyone, eyes settling on each family member before he spoke.
"Shall we begin?" Everyone looked wary, but no objections rose. He spoke the first title chapter of Twilight clearly and slowly.
"Chapter One, First Sight."
I didn't understand much from then on. It was only that strange humming from Carlisle that let me know he was talking at all. Emotions flitted across their faces so fast that I could barely catch them. I could see Esme's joy, though. And Rosalie's fury.
All in all, it probably took less than five minutes for them to finish the first book. When they were done, Carlisle set it heavily on the table, and sighed. A long silence preceded the final words. Finally, Edward started to speak.
"I–," But I immediately shut him down.
"Oh, don't even try, Edward," I snapped. I had no patience for his melodramatics.
He glared at me, half taken aback, and half furious.
"It's the only way to protect her!" I couldn't help but soften when I realized he already loved her.
"Edward, it's literally the worst idea in the world, and if we continue to read, you'll find out why," I half pleaded. He stared at me for a long moment, contemplating what I had said. Finally, he slowly nodded.
I let out a relieved exhale and turned to Carlisle. "Then I think we're ready for New Moon."
Carlisle let out a deep sigh, but picked up the second book in the saga. He opened it up, and stated the first chapter's title for all to hear. "Party."
I watched Edward's face closely as Carlisle read at vampire speed. First, the horror. Then, pain. Then, anger. Then, jealousy. More horror. It was only at the end I saw something somewhat resembling hope. But nobody seemed to know what to say when it was over, so they moved on swiftly.
Eclipse came next. I had always liked this book least, mostly due to Jacob. Not only could he just not take a hint and accept that she would always choose Edward, but he had assaulted her. Twice.
This time, I focused less on Edward's reactions, and more on Jasper and Rosalie's. Their stories were pivotal in this book. Only a couple seconds into the book, Rosalie whipped her head toward me, a fierce look on her face, but vulnerability in her eyes. I knew exactly why.
"I'm so sorry!" I blurted out, interrupting the reading of Rosalie's backstory. Carlisle paused and tilted his head to let me continue.
I turned to face the girl whose life had ended so horrifically. Her face transformed into one of skepticality, and she raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow without saying anything. I took this as encouragement to continue.
"You didn't give any consent whatsoever for me to read this and it's extremely private. I didn't know, but honestly that's no excuse. I'm sorry," I repeated earnestly.
Rosalie scrutinized me for a long moment, searching my face for any signs of insincerity. Finally, she spoke.
"I understand. It's…fine," she said slowly. I shook my head.
"It's really not. But thanks," I replied, grateful for her forgiveness. She nodded once, and turned back to Carlisle, clearly ready to put this behind us. We continued on.
A few more seconds in, Carlisle's nose was practically buried in the book, eyes alight with a sort of joyous curiosity. I figured they were on the legends chapter, because only the Quileute Wolves' origins could elicit that reaction from him. I wanted to giggle, but held back. I imagined he was a bit of a mad scientist in his off hours. At this thought, Edward caught my eye and grinned. It was the first time I'd seen him really smile since we'd started reading.
However the mood quickly turned grim soon after. I figured that Jasper's story had to be coming up soon. I frowned. I had always felt conflicted about Jasper. I wanted to feel a connection to him, with us both being from Texas, but I couldn't reconcile a bond with his character being an unrepentant Confederate Soldier. While his immortal life was a horrifically tragic one, I couldn't get behind his human upbringing. Shouldn't an empath have more sympathy for those who lived in slavery? I thought so. I was so lost in my thoughts I nearly missed Jasper himself speak.
"That's not right," he interrupted. He was frowning, and I could tell he was very upset. The rest of the Cullens looked confused by what was in the book, and Alice looked livid. I looked around, confused.
"What? What's wrong?" I asked. Jasper looked at me then, topaz eyes studying me.
"You were distrustful of me when you walked in. It's because you thought I was a Confederate, wasn't it?" He said it as a fact. I crossed my arms and jerked my chin up defiantly.
"Yes. And?" I stated boldly. He shook his head, the corners of his mouth curling into a slight smile.
"Faye, I may have been a Major for the Confederate Army, but I was a spy for the Union," he informed me. Edward turned to me then.
"You're absolutely right, Faye. Jasper was very empathetic, even as a human and especially towards slaves. In the books he clearly doesn't tell Bella the full story – probably due to time constraints," he agreed.
I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face at this revelation. This is what I had always wanted Jasper to be, but couldn't put into words. Jasper smiled back at me and I felt the sense of comradeship with him that I had always desired. I suddenly couldn't wait to get to know him better. But I knew that would have to wait.
"Thank you for clarifying. But we really should get back to the books. This part's important," I told them. Carlisle nodded and returned to his reading, lips vibrating once more.
There were only a few more interruptions until the end of the book, most notably from Alice. ("THAT was how he proposed?" she asked, appalled.) And, of course there was Emmett's good-natured teasing about Bella trying to seduce Edward, and partially succeeding. Edward looked torn between being mortified and concerned about his and Bella's "compromise".
When Eclipse was finally done, I took in the faces of the vampires around me. Emmett seemed as easygoing as ever, but Rosalie seemed resigned. Jasper looked relieved and Alice, excited. Esme was hopeful and Carlisle was contemplative. But when I turned to Edward, he seemed conflicted. I didn't know what about, but there was only one piece of advice I could give him at the moment.
Edward, I called in my mind, absently thinking that this was beyond weird. He looked up at me, making eye contact to let me know he was listening.
I know you're probably going through a lot, and feeling a lot of things right now, but just wait until at least Breaking Dawn ends to make any decisions. It'll be worth it. He considered me for a moment, then nodded. I sighed in relief, then took a breath to speak.
"Breaking Dawn might be the hardest to read. But everything does work out. I promise," I swore. They all turned wary once more, but Carlisle just heaved a sigh and picked up the largest book yet and cracked it open to page one.
"Chapter One, Engaged."
I watched Edward carefully throughout the first half of the book. In the beginning, he was so happy he was practically glowing from within. I smiled – it was so sweet that even now the thought of Bella becoming his wife brought about that reaction from him.
Quickly though his expression turned to embarrassment. He hid his face behind his hands as Carlisle read on calmly, and Emmett laughed uproariously with Jasper chuckling along. I felt bad for him, with the books airing out something so private. I couldn't imagine how grateful he was that it was a fade-to-black scene.
I could feel his shift in mood, though, when he didn't raise his face from his hands. I knew he was devastated now that he had bruised her, and I tried to comfort him.
"Edward, even for humans it's easy to accidentally hurt each other during sex, and honestly Bella seems like an easy bruiser in general. She was clearly enjoying herself, and that's all that matters in the end," I tried to soothe. He peeked through his fingers at me, scowling.
"I never should have agreed to it," he insisted. I rolled my eyes.
"You're being dramatic." I told him. He narrowed his eyes at me, but seemed to drop it.
Carlisle continued on, and only a moment later they all froze. In a stunned whisper, Edward spoke again.
"Carlisle, are you sure that's what it says," he asked desperately. Carlisle perused the paragraph again – though I knew he had perfect recall – then nodded. Edward moaned in horror and ran his fingers through his hair, gripping it at the ends and pulling. I had a feeling I'd be seeing a version of the Edward from the books right here in this room for a while.
Rosalie, on the other hand, was beaming. You could clearly tell she was overjoyed at this revelation. I wondered if this would be enough for Rosalie to like Bella straight away this time around.
As they continued to read, Edward deteriorated quickly. Hearing the condition that Bella was in was destroying him from the inside. His eyes were empty shells, and he would bury his face in his hands often. Esme was quickly behind him, rubbing his back and running her fingers through his copper locks. He didn't even acknowledge her.
Suddenly he looked up hopefully, and I realized they had finally reached the part where they learn what sustenance the baby needed. Across the table, Rosalie was clearly thrilled at this development as well.
Not much later, I started to see Edward soften, eyes growing round with wonder as – I assumed – he discovered he could hear the baby's thoughts. And I knew Edward could never condemn something that loved Bella so much. The look on his face told me so clearly – he wanted this baby. I couldn't help but smile softly, and hoped he got his wish.
Then someone gasped in horror – I thought it was Esme. Edward's face was no longer hopeful, or wide with wonder, but once more utterly horrified and tortured. There was only one scene in the book that could elicit this sort of reaction. I hoped it would be over quickly for them.
As Carlisle continued on while following Bella's first few days as a vampire, I took in more faces around me. Jasper was clearly surprised and confused, but I had expected that. Emmett seemed excited for the addition to the family. I had noticed throughout the books he seemed to warm to Bella significantly. Alice was beaming, and I knew she already loved Bella, as well. Esme had venom pooling in her eyes, and though I knew the tears would never fall, she would be crying of happiness if she could. Carlisle had a soft smile on his face as he read, eyes gentle. And Edward was practically glowing from within once more, pride and joy radiating from him. I smiled at the emotional climate in the room.
And then the bomb dropped. Gasps were heard around the room and glances of terror were exchanged. Carlisle pushed on, though. Alice interrupted soon after, panicked.
"I wouldn't– ! I mean, we wouldn't– !" she exclaimed desperately. Jasper wrapped an arm around Alice's shoulders, trying to soothe her distress, and I took her stone hand in mine. She looked at me, silently asking me why she left. I smiled at her gently and tried to communicate with my eyes that she had a valid reason. She stared at me for a long moment, then slumped in her seat, turning back to Carlisle and nodding. I squeezed her marble hand in comfort.
As he read on, I could see the immense gratitude in Carlisle's eyes for his friends' support as witnesses and allies, and it reflected in Edward's eyes as well. I absently wondered if there could be a way Garrett and Kate could be introduced without this situation coming to fruition. At my thought, Edward raised a single eyebrow and smirked. I could practically hear him scheming, as if I was the mind reader instead. He chuckled, but waved Carlisle on when he paused.
The room was tense as the book came to a close, but like the flick of a switch the mood changed into one of tentative hope. And then Alice let out a sudden cheer, a beaming smile spreading across her face. The room was absorbed with Carlisle's next words as he hummed the ending of the book, before finally closing it and placing it on the table gently.
If I had to guess, it had been about thirty minutes since we'd begun reading, and I was emotionally drained just from watching them. One more, I thought wearily. Just one more.
"Hmm," Carlisle mused, turning Midnight Sun around to read the back cover, "This one is from Edward's point of view." Edward's dreamy smile dipped considerably.
"What?" he asked, looking at me for confirmation. I nodded.
"It's your point of view of Twilight. It was the companion novel I mentioned in the hospital. Last one. We can take the Illustrated Guide as we talk – it might work better that way," I explained.
"So we actually get to hear Edward's thoughts for a change?" Emmett asked gleefully. Edward groaned and hung his head back towards the ceiling. Then he let out a long-suffering sigh and waved Carlisle forward with a vague hand gesture. His father chuckled at his melodramatic tendencies and cracked open the book, beginning to hum again.
This reading went by fairly quickly. Instead of watching Edward this time, I mostly watched Carlisle and Esme's reactions. They fluctuated between sympathetic, disapproving, and concerned throughout the reading. But there was also an overjoyed undercurrent coming from Esme, and a proud one from Carlisle.
And then it was over. As Carlisle closed the book, I heaved out a relieved sigh – grateful the reading was finally over. I scanned the faces around me, and it seemed I was not the only one. Esme in particular seemed grateful her family had survived the books alive and whole.
It was quiet for a moment as we absorbed the past forty-five minutes. Finally, I spoke.
"Well, how are we all feeling? I can't imagine how this must be for you," I entreated softly. Carlisle chuckled a little.
"Well, Faye, you were right. We really didn't expect that." There were some murmurs of agreement. "There is much to discuss," Carlisle continued.
I observed Edward, who had a faraway look in his eyes. I grew concerned.
"Edward, are you okay?" I asked gently. He seemed to snap back to the present, and looked at me, a slightly sad smile touching his lips.
"Is it ridiculous to miss someone you've never even met?" he asked softly. I smiled at him sadly, thinking of the father I'd never had but always wanted. His eyes lightened in understanding.
"Not at all," I reassured. He smiled gently at me in thanks. Jasper placed a hand on Edward's shoulder, and he seemed to relax. I absently wondered if he was using his powers on him, or simply comforting his brother in any way he knew how.
"Well," Alice spoke up, "Bella hasn't made the decision to move here yet, so I can't really see her. Once that decision is made, though, things will become much clearer," she announced. I nodded.
"The books say that her mom gets married sometime in September, so after that but before January, when she arrives in Forks. I'd say sometime from October to early December at the latest," I estimated.
Emmett nodded along before simply stating, "We need a Game Plan." I smiled in his direction at the simple but accurate words. He returned my grin, dimples showing.
Carlisle frowned. "I'm most concerned about her scent. We need to acclimatize Edward before she arrives to avoid any complications like in the books." I leaned forward in my seat, invested.
"I was thinking about that. What if someone takes a trip down to her house in Phoenix and gets a few things with her scent on it? We could give it to Edward so he has an idea of what to expect, so he's not so caught off guard. The combination of his feelings for her, too, should help," I finished.
Carlisle nodded thoughtfully, then turned to the dark-haired vampire next to me.
"Alice, could it work?" Alice gazed off into the distance for a moment before smiling.
"Well, it seems promising. Like I said, it's still pretty fuzzy since Bella hasn't decided to move yet, but I was able to see around that well enough. I think it will work," she beamed, winking at me. I grinned back.
Jasper's eyes narrowed in thought, then. "That's one problem down, at least. But what are we going to do about James, Victoria, and Laurent?"
A low hiss echoed through the room, and I turned to see Edward's face twisted in rage.
"They'll never get near her," he swore. Emmett was uncharacteristically serious, too. The thick bands of muscles around his arms flexed as he nodded once. I could tell he already saw Bella as a sister.
Carlisle sighed. "Do you think there's any way we can avoid this without bloodshed?" he asked sadly, turning to me. I shook my head.
"I don't think you have a choice. They all have to be destroyed. Remember, if Irina had never met Laurent, she never would have had a vendetta against the wolves, which made her miss the wedding, which ultimately led to her being killed by the Volturi. And they were never truly mates anyway," I reminded them.
Jasper looked impressed at my deduction. "She's right. The only way is to take them out once they get in the vicinity of Forks. Seattle, maybe. Alice will keep an eye out for them and alert us when the time is here." Then I remembered something.
"Can I see that?" I asked, pointing across the table to the Illustrated Guide. Carlisle nodded and slid it along the table so it was back in front of me. I flipped through its pages, finally finding what I was looking for.
"March. They'll be in the area in March. But Alice will need to give us an exact time and place." It wasn't until then that I realized I'd been grouping myself together with the Cullens already, and it gave me a jolt. I shook myself, deciding to dissect that later.
Jasper nodded. "Sounds good."
"I also think we should warn Irina about Laurent. I don't think they'll ever cross paths, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," I expressed. Carlisle looked at me, concerned.
"You do realize that would mean telling them your story, Faye. Are you sure you're comfortable with that?" he asked. I took a deep breath, thinking for a moment.
"I trust Kate and Tanya, and I really like Carmen too. I understand Irina's motivations in the book as well. She was in pain, and pain makes you desperate. I don't want that for her, and I really don't want Tanya and Kate to lose their sister, especially after what happened to their mother. They're your family, and if you think I can trust them, then I'm all for it," I ended.
Carlisle's eyes were soft as he nodded.
"Alright. We'll find a reason to meet with them soon. Perhaps Christmas?" he mused to himself. Rosalie spoke next.
"Since we're on the topic of Irina, what are we going to do about the wolves?" She spat the last word. I flipped a few pages of the Guide.
"It doesn't say here, but I'm sure that Sam Uley at least has already phased. Possibly Paul and Jared, too." I estimated.
"I doubt if we reached out we would be received well, especially with Faye," Carlisle said sadly. I caught Edward's expression, which was contemplative.
"No, I agree. But if we try to establish relationships with wolves who have yet to phase, we might have a chance at a better alliance. I was specifically thinking of Seth Clearwater," he said, smiling slightly at the young boy's name.
I frowned. That felt a little manipulative to me. Edward turned to me, defensive.
"Would you rather us be at each other's throats for eternity? And what about when Bella needs to be changed?" I made a face – he had a point. I sighed.
"Okay, I'm in. Do you think I'd be allowed on the Reservation?" I asked Carlisle. He looked thoughtful, then slowly nodded.
"You are human, so I would think so. What were you thinking?" he asked.
"I could always casually 'run into' Seth on First Beach? I don't think it'd take much to strike up a friendship with him. I've always liked Seth – he's such a sweetheart," I complimented, smiling. Emmett let out a booming laugh and started making kissing noises in my direction. I blushed, which caused him to laugh harder.
"Shut up! I said he's sweet, not that I had a crush on him. And he should be thirteen right now – I'm fifteen. That would be weird," I defended. Emmett's laughter slowly calmed, and he winked at me cheekily, letting me know it was all in good fun. I couldn't help the slight upturn of my lips. Emmett could be a great big brother, and I knew Allison would have loved him. My smile suddenly disappeared.
"And what of Jacob Black?" came Esme's soft voice. Both Edward and I made a face.
"Saying 'I don't like Jacob Black' is putting it lightly," I said, scoffing. Rosalie glanced at me, an approving smile on her face. I pretended not to notice – I didn't want to push her. Edward was scowling.
"While I'm grateful for him in the end, I don't want him near Bella. For multiple reasons." He mumbled the last part so low I almost didn't catch it. I sighed.
"We can't choose who Bella hangs out with, Edward. But we can control our own actions. I say we postpone the whole Jacob conversation until Bella is in the know. Let her have her own say."
Edward looked mutinous, but Carlisle agreed with me so he kept his mouth shut.
Rosalie was drumming her nails against the woodgrain impatiently.
"And when are we going to talk about the baby?" she asked. Her silky voice wrapped dreamily around the word 'baby'. Edward sighed.
"I think that's a conversation Bella and I need to have privately. Now that it's not guaranteed that Renesmee will be born because we're changing our future, Bella and I need to decide together if having a baby is what we want." I could see in his eyes it was what he wanted though. I had a feeling the only thing holding him back was Bella's autonomy and the pregnancy itself. Carlisle seemed to sense it, too.
"Edward, if you're worried about the pregnancy, I think we can significantly decrease the risk now that we have a guideline of what to expect. Especially when it comes to the baby's needs and milestones," he comforted. Edward smiled gratefully at his father.
"Thank you, Carlisle. But Bella would still be at risk no matter what. It needs to be her decision, ultimately."
I glanced at Rosalie to see her reaction to the conversation. Her mouth was twisted, looking for an angle to argue. It seemed she couldn't find one, though, and her face eventually fell in disappointment.
I took a deep breath.
"I think it's time to face the elephant in the room and discuss the Volturi," I suggested. Several hisses were heard throughout the room. Carlisle shook his head sadly.
"It's still so hard for me to believe that Aro was capable of that," he admitted. Esme took his hand in comfort and I could see him squeeze it.
"He's been power hungry from the very beginning, Carlisle. He was the one who killed Didyme. She and Marcus were thinking of walking away together, and Aro obviously didn't like that. He uses Chelsea to make sure Marcus won't commit suicide," I revealed. Esme gasped in horror and Carlisle shook his head in sorrow. Edward made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. I thought they were all valid responses.
"As long as none of us ever come into contact with him," I gave Edward a pointed look, who looked slightly sheepish under my gaze, "I don't think we have anything to worry about for a long, long time."
"Should we warn our friends?" Esme asked, concerned. I chewed on my lower lip, thinking.
"It's something to think about," I finally said. Carlisle nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"One more thing," I interrupted as everyone started to stand. I looked to Alice, who was still sitting next to me, waiting.
"Do you want an audience for this, or just Jasper?" I asked. I knew she would understand. Quietly, she spoke.
"I would want nothing more than my family surrounding me for this," she told me, taking Jasper's hand. I smiled and uttered an 'okay'.
"I know some of this was revealed in Twilight and New Moon, but there's a more in-depth explanation in the Guide. I know you know about Cynthia and that you lived in Biloxi, so I'll skip that. You could see the future, even as a little girl but it got stronger as you got older. At first it manifested itself as just feelings, rather than visions. When you were young, your parents thought it was funny. But as you got older, people started to talk, and your mother – who really, really loved you – told you to keep them to yourself. By the time you turned eighteen, you had mostly learned to ignore your gift, but sometimes couldn't help yourself in extreme cases. When people ignored you and it turned out badly, they blamed you instead. They called you witch and changeling.
Then you saw your mother being murdered, and warned her. She listened. But your father was furious with you when he came home and demanded you go about your normal routine. He was often away, and when he was, your mother followed your warnings as closely as possible. But as time passed and no threat presented itself, your mother let her guard down. Then, too late, you saw your mother being run off the road and off a cliff. It was declared an accident, despite your protests. Your father remarried a woman only six months later. Her father was a jeweler he had sold jewels to in the past, and she was only ten years older than you.
You began to have suspicions that she had something to do with your mother's death, and went to your father with them. He got angry at you and dismissed them. But that night you realized that you'd made a mistake confiding in him when you had a vision of him paying off the man who killed your mother to kill you too. You tried to run, but in the end no one listened and they had you put into an asylum.
There was a typhoid outbreak there, so they shaved your head – that's the reason your hair is so short, it was growing out. You had to go through electroshock therapy, which made you lose your memory. And, of course, they kept you in the dark.
There was a vampire working as a groundskeeper at the asylum. He became your friend, and tried to protect you from all the horrific treatments. Eventually he learned about your gift because you always knew when he would visit and he would bring hidden objects for you to guess – which you always got right, of course. Then you had a vision of James." I barely paused as both Edward and Jasper growled low in their chest.
"You were his singer, and he caught your faded scent from two counties away. You told the vampire – who was your only friend – and of course he knew what you said was true. He wanted to run away with you, but you saw James catching up every time. The groundskeeper finally decided to change you, and you saw it would be close but might work. The transformation might not progress far enough for James to lose interest. But your friend took that chance, bit you immediately, and took you away to hide you. He went to delay James, knowing he would die in the process. He did it to save you," I said, tears in my eyes as I paused again, looking at Alice. She had venom pooling in her eyes as well. I continued on.
"The pain of the transformation worked like the electroshocks – that's why you have no memory of your past. And then you woke up alone. I think you know the rest," I finished softly.
Esme let out a choked sob and was immediately behind Alice's chair, wrapping her arms around her from behind and petting her hair. Alice reached the one hand that she wasn't using to grip Jasper's to place on Esme's arm. The tiny vampire turned to me.
"Thank you, Faye. For the closure," she expressed earnestly. I smiled slightly, still sad for her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, concerned. She looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I think so. I think…I think I'm glad that I don't remember. I'd always wondered if I left behind a family who loved me or if someone looked for me, but knowing the truth – I'm actually kind of relieved. I only wish I knew my creator's name," she admitted wistfully, sadly. I understood completely.
She looked at me and grinned, then.
"Okay, I've had enough depressing discussions for today. Do you want to see the rest of the house?" she asked.
I was still worried about Alice, but if she was ready to change the subject I would respect that. I nodded my consent, and we both stood from our seats. Esme immediately pulled Alice into a hug, which she returned earnestly. That seemed to be everyone's que to adjourn.
As they all left, one by one, the family made the effort to pass by Alice and offer support in one way or another. Before long, only Jasper, Esme, and Alice were left with me. Alice turned to her mate and laid a hand on his cheek.
"Really, I'm good. Go relax, this was a lot for you too," she insisted. His tawny eyes studied her face, probably tasting her emotions as well to authenticate her words. Finally he nodded, let Esme hug him, and was gone as well.
Esme and Alice turned to me, Esme smiling shyly.
"Would you mind if I joined you?" she asked in her soft voice. I smiled at the motherly vampire.
"I'd love that," I agreed. She gave me a gleaming smile, her dimples showing, and I followed them out of the room.
As we entered the main living space I took in my surroundings with awe. The back wall of glass was there, as I expected – the majesty of the Olympic Peninsula stretched beyond with a clear view of the Sol Duc River. The high ceilings had light-colored wooden beams stretched across them that matched the wooden floors perfectly. On the far left wall was a large flat-screen television that Emmett was playing some sort of video game on. The white, cream, and ivory color scheme was elegant and modern. Sophisticated in design, the couches and armchairs looked plush and comfy.
Towards the front of the room, I could see the raised platform that a stunning walnut grand piano was placed upon. Edward was sitting at it, his fingers flowing across the keys and a serene expression on his face. I didn't recognize the piece, but I was only really familiar with Tchaikovsky's ballets, so that wasn't surprising. The grand staircase was to the right of the platform, dominating the entryway. Behind the sweep of the stairs were two doors, side by side. I wondered what they led to.
I let out a low breath and turned to Esme, who was waiting for my verdict. I could tell she really wanted me to like it, as I would be living here for the foreseeable future. She was playing with her fingers, a hopeful look on her face. I beamed.
"This is exquisite, Esme! I love the slight french country influence in the furniture!" I gushed. Esme's face lit up, practically glowing.
"You like interior design?" she asked, thrilled. I blushed, and shrugged one shoulder.
"I like to browse pictures on the internet, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert," I told her bashfully.
She laughed sweetly.
"I'm sure you're understating things. But, if you ever are interested in learning more, I'd be happy to help," she expressed. I smiled back at her, thinking that could be fun. Alice stepped up next to us, then.
"Bathroom is behind that door," she told me gesturing to one of the doors under the staircase, "and that's the office for C.E.E. Inc.," she informed me, pointing to the one beside it. I thought for a moment.
"Carlisle, Esme, and Edward?" I asked, wondering out loud if that's what C.E.E. stands for. Esme laughed.
"Yes, we established it when it was only the three of us, so it seemed fitting," she explained. I smiled and nodded in understanding. Esme clapped her hands gently.
"Well, you've seen the kitchen and dining room, of course. Shall we move upstairs?" she asked. I nodded, grinning.
Alice and Esme moved at my pace, which I appreciated. I trailed my hand up the light wooden banister, which was smooth as satin.
When we reached the top of the stairs, I took note of the change in color scheme. The floors were still wood, but in a honey sort of color rather than the lighter white oak. The walls were paneled with the same color, as well. When I caught sight of the giant cross at the end of the hall, my eyes widened. Next to me, Alice giggled at my reaction.
We began to walk down the hall, Esme gesturing to doors as we went.
"This is Emmett and Rose's room. And then there's Alice's room –"
"Oh! I want to show her!" Alice interrupted excitedly. Esme laughed indulgently, and squeezed Alice into her side for a moment.
"Well then, by all means," she agreed. Alice threw open the door and practically dragged me into the room. I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm.
It was duck-egg blue with wall molding, and abstract art hung throughout. A funky light fixture with a ceiling medallion added fashionista charm. The upholstered headboard was tan and curved, contrasting nicely with the white bedding. There were animal print accents on the pillows, as well as the rug. Several colorful chairs were placed in empty spaces throughout the room. I also noted two doors on the far side of the room that led to the unknown.
"I love it, Alice. It's very 'you'," I told her. She beamed at me, pleased at my approval. But I had to ask.
"Why is it just your room, though? Didn't Jasper want to help decorate?" Alice suddenly looked sheepish.
"I kind of took over. And Jasper doesn't mind – he has his study, so he's happy," she explained. I nodded in understanding. I wasn't judging – honestly if I had a partner, I might do the same thing.
Alice danced towards the two doors across the room. She threw open the one on the left and beckoned me forwards. I complied, making my way to her side. My jaw dropped as I peeked inside.
It was a bedroom sized closet. Just as eclectic as her bedroom, it had rows upon rows of clothes on racks, shoes organized from floor to ceiling, and countless shelves of bags. I was in love. When I turned to look at her, Alice looked slightly smug.
"Alice, I would kill for a closet like this," I admitted, gripping her forearm. She laughed her twinkling laugh, eyes sparkling. Esme joined along, and together it sounded like a symphony. They exchanged a knowing glance that I didn't understand.
"You're welcome to it any time," Alice offered. I couldn't help the beaming smile that stretched across my face.
"You're the best!" I told her, quickly pulling her into a hug, to more infectious laughter. She took my hand then and led me back out into the hallway.
"The other door leads to Jasper's study, but he's in there right now and I don't want to disturb him. I'm sure you'll see it eventually," she informed me as we exited her room, Esme trailing behind us. I nodded in understanding.
We wandered down the hallway once more, pausing at a door on the left. Esme didn't hesitate to open it, and Alice and I followed her in. I immediately knew which room this was – Carlisle's office. It was exactly as I imagined it, with its dark wood paneled walls, bookcases, and desk. Said bookcases towered from floor to ceiling throughout the room and as I slowly turned in a circle to see the wall behind me, I took in the artwork that Carlisle had collected over the centuries. Each piece was so different from the next, yet they all fit cohesively together. It was awe inspiring.
It was then that Carlisle entered the room from a hidden door behind a bookcase, which I thought was extremely cool. I'd always loved hidden doorways – they always seemed so magical to me. His face softened into a sweet smile as he caught sight of his mate. He strode forward and wrapped his arms around Esme's waist, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. I averted my eyes slightly, the gesture was filled with so much love that it felt invasive to look. Alice giggled next to me.
"Hello, darling. And what are you girls up to?" he asked after he had greeted his wife, a kind smile on his face. I smiled back.
"Esme and Alice are giving me a tour. Esme's done a fantastic job on your home," I complimented, glancing at said vampire, who looked like she would be blushing if she could. Carlisle chuckled at the expression on his wife's face and pulled her tighter into his side while she buried her face in his chest.
"I continue to tell her that her talent is unmatched, but does she listen? Thank you, Faye. You're too kind," he smiled. I couldn't help the blush that spread up my cheeks at the compliment, but shook my head nonetheless.
"It's the truth," I insisted. His smile was gentle as he looked at me, but he didn't argue. Esme seemed to recover and took a step away from Carlisle to compose herself and straighten her clothes.
"You are both too much," she smiled. She kissed Carlisle once more and then turned to me.
"Come see my study, then. If you decide you want to ever learn about architecture or design, you're welcome here whenever you please," she offered as she guided me into another room attached to Carlisle's office.
Esme's study was in her typical style of ivory and white. It was a relatively small room, with a built-in bookcase and desk combo on the far wall. A plush couch was pushed towards the right of the room, the perfect place to relax and sketch, I imagined. There was a side table with a pretty eucalyptus plant in an ivory pot next to it. I could see many pictures of the Cullens from different decades around the room, and several sets of blueprints on the desk. It was classic and elegant – perfectly Esme.
"It's lovely, Esme. I'd love to hang out with you in here, sometime," I told her with a smile. The matronly vampire before me beamed with pleasure.
"I'd love nothing more, Faye. I'll have to show you some of my designs at some point. But for now, let us move upstairs," she suggested. Alice and I followed her out of her study, and back through Carlisle's office. As we passed by him, he looked up from the book he was immersed in, smiling in farewell.
We made our way back down the hall and to the stairs, where I followed Alice and Esme up another level. It, too, was paneled in honey-colored wood with matching wood floors. Esme guided us to the first door on the left and opened it to reveal another bedroom.
It was clearly Carlisle and Esme's room. The color scheme matched Esme's preferences perfectly, but it was in brighter whites this time rather than soft ivories like her office. In the center of the room was the bed – the headboard was square-shaped and tufted, a few shades darker than the white ruched bedding. Nightstands in the same shade of the headboard stood on each side of it with more pictures of the Cullens hanging above on the wall to add personality. Hanging from the ceiling was a large, beautiful light fixture that appeared to be made of light wood.
Esme smiled at me, her expression earnest. "If you ever need me, or Carlisle for that matter, don't be afraid to knock. Our door is always open," she told me.
The wave of gratitude that surged over me was so great it formed a knot in my throat. I nodded, knowing that I wouldn't be able to speak without my voice breaking. Alice took my hand and briefly squeezed it before letting go. We moved on after that, Esme closing the door to the room behind us.
We continued down the hallway once more, and I was surprised when we passed by a door without them acknowledging it. My curiosity got the best of me, and I pointed to it.
"What's that one?" I asked. Alice looked back at it without breaking stride.
"Oh, that's the Library," she explained. I raised an eyebrow playfully.
"How many books does Carlisle have?" I asked, slightly giggling. Esme and Alice laughed as well.
"No, no. I suppose Alice should have said we call it the Library instead. It's not for books, but rather where we work on projects to help us stay under the radar – computer hacking, forgeries, and the like," Esme explained. I nodded in understanding.
We had reached the end of the hall, but instead of only one door, there were two. That confused me, and I opened my mouth to ask about it, but before I could get the words out Esme opened one of them. Immediately, I knew that this was the room I was most curious to see – Edward's bedroom.
Like the living area downstairs, the back wall was entirely glass. I couldn't see what color the walls were because they were draped with a thick fabric in dark gold, and one entire wall was filled with rows upon rows of CDs. I absently wondered where he put his vinyls. The carpet was plush, in a gold that was a few shades lighter than the draped walls. Up against the glass wall was a black leather sofa, and there was also a complicated-looking sound system that I had a feeling if I tried to touch, I'd screw up immediately.
"We'll have to get a bed for Bella soon enough," Esme spoke from next to me, and when I looked over at her, her eyes were twinkling with utter joy. Alice and I exchanged a glance and giggled.
"I like this room," I said thoughtfully. "I may have to pull an Alice and steal it," I teased my pixie friend. Alice burst out laughing, and Esme joined in.
"Oh, there's no need," Esme chuckled as she ushered us out of the room. My humor quickly turned to confusion and curiosity, though.
Esme guided us back out, and stopped outside the second door at the end of the hall. She opened it up to reveal a steep staircase behind it that was in the shape of an upside-down 'L'. I watched my step carefully as I took the stairs, and when I finally reached the top and looked up from my feet, my jaw dropped slightly.
The room had clearly once been an attic, but had been transformed into a bedroom. The walls were wallpapered in a beautiful bright pink chinoiserie pattern. The bed had a beige upholstered headboard and bright pink bedding with colorful stripes near the top of the duvet. What looked like an antique wood nightstand stood next to it on one side, and a floor lamp with a lampshade that matched the bedding perfectly on the other. There were two doors on the right side of the room that I assumed led to a closet and bathroom. It was sophisticated, yet youthful.
I turned to Esme, utterly speechless. Her face was hopeful, and beside her Alice was practically vibrating with excitement. Tears welled in my eyes, slowly spilling over.
"How?" I croaked, hoping they understood my question. Esme smiled gently.
"We ordered the raw materials as soon as we knew you'd be staying. You'd be surprised how fast Jasper and Emmett can work when they make it a competition!" she laughed. I gave a watery chuckle, then took a shaky breath.
"Thank you. I don't think I can express how grateful I am," I choked out.
They had gone above and beyond to try and make me feel at home. Ever since I'd gotten here, I'd had a constant ache in my chest that longed for the small house that I'd grown up in the past ten years with my mom and sister. Sometimes I still wasn't sure how I was going to cope without them – with having my entire life snatched away from me. As Alice and I bonded in the hospital I had started to believe that maybe I had one person to rely on. Now I realized I had at least two.
With that revelation, I threw my arms around Esme, tears streaming down my face at a steady pace now. She immediately reciprocated, and the hug was warm despite her cold skin. She stroked my hair softly in comfort, and I nearly started sobbing. For a brief moment, it felt like I was hugging my mom again.
"Thank you. I love it," I whispered in her hair. She moved from caressing my hair to gently rubbing my back in soothing circles.
"It's our pleasure, dear. I'm so glad you like it," she murmured.
I sniffed a few times and pulled away, trying to compose myself. I looked over at Alice, who was gazing at us with a gentle smile on her face, slightly swaying back and forth. I stepped closer to her and wrapped my arms around her as well, which she happily returned.
"Thank you, Alice. For everything," I told her, my voice still stuffy from crying. She kissed my cheek briefly, to my surprise.
"It's not a problem, Faye. We want you to be happy here. I know it's hard now, but I promise it will get better," she swore. I trusted her, but in this moment I couldn't see how. I tried to smile, but it came out half-hearted.
Then I let out a wide yawn. I hadn't realized how weary my mind and body had become since the reading had started. Alice smiled sweetly and pulled me into another quick hug.
"You're tired, and it's been a long day so far. Why don't you take a nap? I think you deserve it," she offered. I nodded, suddenly too tired to speak. Esme hugged me, too, before they both left me to get some rest, the door closing with a soft 'click' behind them.
I slowly made my way to the plush looking bed, and when I reached it I trailed my hand across the fabric of the duvet. It was soft, and even my light touch stirred up the scent of fresh linen. I kicked off my shoes and climbed under the covers, savoring the feeling of laying on an actual mattress after a week of sleeping in an uncomfortable hospital bed. As I snuggled into the pillows and adjusted them to my liking, my mind began to drift off into unconsciousness quickly. Before I succumbed, my last thought was of my mother, and I knew wherever she was, she was grateful for Esme.