Chapter 2
Cassie's POV
There was a knock on the door and I looked at Jacob. He shrugged his shoulders. "Who could that be?" I asked. I opened the door and took in a deep breath. The man I met at the grocery store was standing at my door. I sighed. "Hi." Was all that I could get out. He was seriously handsome. I didn't know what to say. Jacbo came up behind me and smiled. "Hey Carlisle." He said. I smiled. "I'm you landlord." He said. I sighed. "Oh, ok, please come in." I said. Carlisle smiled and took a step into my house.
I smiled and walked into the kitchen, followed by both Carlisle and Jacob. Carlisle spoke. " I didn't mean to scare you." He said. I sighed. "You didn't scare me." I said. Carlisle nodded. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I felt my breathing getting heavy. It was as if I was being drawn to him. I shook myself out of it. I had just met this man and already I was fawning all over him. Jacob looked at me funny. "What?" I asked. Jacob smiled. "Oh nothing." He said. I sighed and turned to look at Carlisle. "What can I do for you?" I asked. Carlisle spoke. "Well, 2 things." He said.
I nodded. "First, I just wanted to let you know that rent is free for the first month." He said. I gasped. "Oh thank you so much! May I ask why?" I asked. Carlisle smiled. "Jacob tells me you have it a little rough. I want to help a bit." He said. I nodded and smiled. "That is a really big help." I said. "So, what was the other thing?" I asked. Carlisle looked at Jacob who stood real still all of a sudden. I looked between the boys. "What?" I asked.
Carlisle coughed and began to speak. "I didn't mean to overhear, but I heard you through the window as I was about to knock. He said. I gasped. "Oh no, I'm sorry, you were not supposed to know." I said. Carlisle nodded. "It's ok, but I want to help." He said. I sighed. "I don't know how you can help." I said. Suddenly, Jacob started to laugh. "Cassie, listen carefully." He said.
I turned to Jacob and looked at him funny. "What?" I asked. Jacob nodded and Carlisle spoke. "I would like to marry you so that you can save your family." He said. I gasped. "Why would you want to do that? What's in it for you?" I asked "Cassie!" yelled Jacob. "Don't be so difficult." He said.
I looked back to Carlisle. "I have nothing to gain, just want to help. As far as the marriage goes. My wife died about 10 years ago. I think it's time to move on and I really think you are a good person, especially with the fact that you want to protect your family. Our marriage would be real, not fake to trick the lawyers. I do want something real, but I feel like it's hard to meet anyone of substance. Jacob vouched for you and I believe him." He said. I sighed.
"I want something real." I said. "I've always wanted my other half." I said. "I don't want to ever get a divorce." I said. "If it does not work out, then we do counseling and try everything to make it work, but I have 9 kids to look after. I don't need another kid or a man who does not accept them or treat them right." I said.
Carlisle looked at me for a moment and spoke. "I agree." He said. I sighed. Was he for real? I thought. If I was going to save my family, this was the only way. I nodded and smiled.
"Ok, I accept your offer, but we need to have rules." I said. Carlisle nodded. "Rule 1. We have to live here. I'm not moving the kids again." I said. Carlisle nodded. "I would expect nothing less." He said. I nodded with a firm head, but my insides were freaking out. "Rule 2: We can't let the kids know that this is of convenience. They need to feel safe and know that we will take care of them as a team." I said Carlisle nodded.
"Of course." He said. I nodded. "That's all I got." I said. Jacob spoke. "I think this is a really good idea." He said. I turned and looked at him. "Why?" I asked. Jacob smiled. "Carlisle is a good guy. His granddaughter is my Imprint. And He takes care of family." He said. Carlisle looked in between the two of us. "Wait, she knows?" he asked. Jacob nodded. I sighed and spoke. "Jacob showed me about a month ago. It's part of the reason that I moved to Forks. I needed protection.
A single woman with 9 kids is a big target. Jacob said he would help me." I said. "Don't worry, She knows that you are a vampire." Said Jacob. "I told her." Said Jacob. Carlisle looked at me in awe. I smiled. "See, open books for a real marriage. No secrets." I Said. Carlisle nodded in shock. It took a couple moments of silence before talking. "And you believe all this?" he asked. I smiled. "When you actually see your best friend turn into a wolf it's kind of hard to not believe. I said. Carlisle turned to me. "Do the kids know?" he asked. I sighed.
"I didn't tell them. They need normal lives. It's not fair to them." I said. Carlisle nodded. "I agree. I will do my best to keep their lives on track. Jacob smiled and looked at me. "So this is really happening?" he asked. Carlisle spoke. "If Cassie agrees then yes." He said. I nodded. "My life is not what I wanted. I thought I would have a life at this age, have a boyfriend with romance and romance, and of course see my parents and siblings. This is not what I wanted, but I've learned to accept it. I said. Carlisle nodded in understanding. "I know.' He said. "I've lost Esme and I felt like I can't love again, but when I met you and smelled you…." He said and I cut him off. "Smelled me?" I asked.
Carlisle blushed. "Yes, I smelled your scent and knew that you were my mate." He said. I gasped. "I'm your mate?" I asked and looked at Jacob. Jacob stood stunned. "I wanted to be open and honest." He said. "I'm drawn to you." He said. I stood not knowing what to say. "Ok." Was all I said. "I need some time to digest this." I said. "Carlisle, why don't you come over tomorrow after your shift at the hospital and we can talk." I said. Carlisle smiled. "I'd like that very much." He said.
I turned to Jacob. I'll see you tomorrow too, cause if you think I'm doing this alone, you are wrong." I said. Jacob nodded. "I'll let you rest tonight." Said Carlisle. Jacob nodded and the two headed for the door. I closed the door behind them and went into the living room. The kids were still watching tv. "OK, kids bedtime." I said. The kids grumbled but complied.
Soon, everyone was in bed and fast asleep except for me. My mind was going a mile a minute. I had a decision to make and I needed some guidance. Soon, I drifted off to sleep and I actually dreamed of Carlisle holding me. I knew this marriage would be real, but what if we never learned to love each other? I sighed as I woke up. Life was about to change big time.
Carlisle's POV
I walked out of the house with Jacob. Jacob turned to me. "You really are her mate?" he asked. I nodded as I walked to my car. "I have to tell my family that I'm moving, but they are going to keep living in the old house." I said Jacob nodded. "Aren't you listening? She is very fragile and needs real love." Said Jacob. I sighed and looked at Jacob.
"I promise that I will protect and care for her all at the same time." I replied. Jacob nodded. "Ok." He said. Jacob turned and got into his truck and drove away. I got into my car and waited till I saw all the lights go out in the house. I listened to hear if Cassie locked the door and when she did, I knew she would be safe. I was surprised that Cassie was ok about the whole werewolf vampire scene.
I knew now that she would have the strength and courage to push through our marriage. I went home and told the family. They were happy for me. "If you need any help, ask" said Bella. I nodded. "I will." I said. I went up to my room and started packing. I knew that I would be sharing a room with Cassie and I knew that the house needed some touches, like a couch for instance. The poof kids needed a couch. And maybe some clothes.
I noticed that the kids had clothes that had holes in them. I knew that Cassie was doing the best that she could. So, I knew that this was going to work out. I knew it because a vampire mated for life, unless their partner died. I had to protect cassie and the kids. And I promised myself I would give it my all.