I do not own nor do I make profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to it's author Stephanie Meyer.
Alright, Alright, I know this chapter was suppose to up Sunday night, but two things happened. Number 1 this chapter is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY longer than I thought it would be and honestly I couldn't bare to split this into two parts sooo it took way longer to edit. Number 2, It ended up being a crazy weekend and I went out after work on night and didn't get back till late and ended up just falling asleep, buttttt I felt bad soo I'm really happy this chapter ended up so long. Hopefully that makes up for it a bit, if not I'm sorry! P.S this took my 6 hours to edit and I did it between the hours of 12am-6am, so if you find a mistake don't tell me becasue I will quite literally cry ToT. Just kidding!
Reviews:
Magicbobagirl-HEY YOU! Thank you so much lol I actually was really worried about that chapter so I'm glad you enjoyed it! I promise lol all things will be revealed at some point, it just takes time and planning to so please bare with me! Stapppp, you're making my cheeks hurt I couldn't stop smiling at your comment! I really appreciate your kind words and once again thank you for being so sweet and wwonderfulll!
livvixxx-AHHHHHHHHH I share your sentiment and really hope you stick around to see happen!
Ooshnish-BESTI I'M SORRY! please read above to see what delayed this chapter so much, but your wish is my command and here is this EXTRA long chapter for you! Esme and Carlisle are here in spirt and on the phone so I hope you enjoy it!
24michael- They sure are my friend.
Gretchennia-OMG! It looks like you didn'tget locked out of your account and that makes me soooo happy ahhhhh. You're not alone when you picture the scenes in your head, I do that with all the book I read too lol! Please stoppppp you are way tooooo sweet, honestly I couldn't stop smiling after reading your review! I was actually on lunch when I saw it and looked like and absolute crazy person with how big my lips stretched. Tandy is actually loosely based off of my own high school bully, (She was the worst) so I understand your comment about "girls like Tandy in school." I WOULD NEVER think you weird, I honestly think your're tooooo sweet to me...I have a really hard time accept praise so to read your reviews always makes me so happy and i find myself rereading them when I'm stuck on a chapter or a hard bit and it always gets me through, so in a way, your helping me write these chapter and you deserve a big THANK YOU! LOL if I ever end up getting an agent and selling my work, you will be the first one I message all though please dont hold your breath, (my last rejection letter called me Samantha...that's not the name lol) This story is not going any where and not even close to being finished, were not even in Twilight yet so I'm happy to inform you that there is many many more chapters to come and as long as you're willing to keep reading, I'm willing to keep writing! I'm so happy to help you, but please understand that you too are helping me and I can't thank you enough! Thank you for being so kind and sweet! Words can not express how grateful I really, truly am!
TranquilitysSecrets210- I'm so sorry, I honestly laughed out loud when I read, "I hope theres not to much drama staying home with the Denali sisters" because honestly...well you read it here, but spoiler it's not all the Denalis fault :I I beg you Tranquility please share your writing with the world! I ws honestly terrified and am still terrified with ever chapter I post, but you have to get it out and I would love to leave reviews on your stories! becasue you my friend are also remarkable and amzaing and beautiful and talented and I'm glad to have you as my internet fanfic buddyyyy! You are always sooooo kind to me and I can't thank you enough, it honestly really makes my day and I love seeing your name pop up! Thank you luv for being a smile to my face and commenting on this little old story of me. Theirs not enough words to show my appreciation other than THANK YOU!
Boxessssss- unfortunately the "won't make your coworkers think your going insane" ship has sailed lol. I have a bad habit of posting, going to bed, going to work and then checking reviews on my lunch and then smiling like an idiot after haha. I get not being able to read chapters because of work because I'm in the same boat lol, but I do hope you have a quiet moment to read this one, because it super long, but understand if you have to break it up into parts. Thank you for reassuring me on some of these chapters that I have a hard time with, it honestly puts my mind at ease reading hat you like them and they're an interglacial part of the story. I"m sorry for sending you down the hurt and comfort rabbit hole, although I'm also not sorry because I myself am also down that same rabbit hole lol and I will DEFIANTLY have to check out that fan-fiction and am going to google straight after this! THANK YOU so much for leaving yet another review! It was honestly wayy to kind and I can't thank you enough for how sweet you re to me, it really honestly makes my week! please let me know when you need that defibrillator and I will send it over right away! Thank you again..honestly their are not enough words to show my grate-fullness and I hopeyou understand how appreciative I am for you!
QueenSherica14-HEY QUEEN! I absolutely love writing Emmett and Mare sibling scenes and have found that along with Carlisle and Esme parent scenes I'm writing a lot more of them! Fun Fact-I don't have any siblings so I've always enjoyed writing them in my own original works and fanfics! It's taken 30 chapters but I think it's time for some healing and for Mare to settle down and get comfortable with her new found family...or is it ;) I totally get what you said with the whole eating in front of people and hating it because honestly SAME! Your very right when it comes to the fact that the Volturi don't know about her, but you find out what's going through Carlisle's head when it comes to telling them in this chapter and because I like to be honest if you're dying to know you can just skip to the end lol. Mom and Dad are gone...but...I'm sorry I'm a little evil in this chapter...I hope you like it..maybe? Let me know. Thank you for reading and thank you for you AMAZING WORDS! I honestly woke up yesterday morning to your reviews and read them all with a smile on my face! I'm so grateful for your sweet words and hope you like this extra long chapter!
Cullen123-Sorry these chapters are kind of late, but here you go! This one is the longest I've ever posted..I just couldn't bare to separate them..it felt too mean. I really hope you like it and thank you for reading and leaving a review my friend! You're too sweet to me and I appreciate it SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!
xoxoxo8123-I'M BACK! I honestly couldn't stay away for long...although it was a couple months...you know what ignore that! I'm so happy YOUR BACK! and I hope you stick around to read this chapter and hope you tell me what you think of it!
Weekend Fun?
"Good morning," Rosalie calls from the kitchen as soon as my socked feet hit the main floor, I rub my eyes and reluctantly trudge towards her voice. After waking me to tell me they were leaving, Carlisle insisted I go back to sleep and reluctantly I did, although it wasn't hard. I'm still so tired. Edward woke me up again this morning, it was only 9:30, but he said Rose had a surprise for me. With great difficulty, I got out of bed and headed straight down the stairs. With Alice also gone, heading to Italy with Carlisle, Esme, Carmen, and Eleazar I don't bother changing out of my pajamas and I don't think I will all day.
"Morning," I tell Rosalie heading to my normal bar stool, she's standing in front of the stove, and surprisingly, whatever she's cooking... smells good. More than one vampire knows how to cook in this house?!
"Did you sleep well?" She asks turning to look over her shoulder at me,
"It was good," I tell her turning to look out the window. There's a fresh layer of pure white snow covering everything,
"I know Carlisle and Esme talked to you last night. Until they get back, I'll be doing the cooking."
"Or I could just cook for myself," I tell her with a shrug, this earns her full attention,
"Can you cook?"
"I can pour milk into cereal, and hot water into freeze-dried noodles." Rose wrinkles her nose at me,
"Absolutely not." She turns back to the stove flipping something onto a plate before turning to set it in front of me.
"This...looks good," I tell her reaching for a fork. In front of me is a beautiful omelet, stuffed with spinach, tomatoes...and peppers I think.
"You sound surprised."
"Where did you learn to cook?"
"I'm not as old as I look, Mare." She smirks, flipping her blond locks off her shoulder. I take a bite...she's put cheese in here too...this is amazing. "Orange juice or milk?"
"Orange Juice please." She quickly pours me some and sets the glass next to my plate. I take a second to look at her,
"You look 17?" I guess. She smirks,
"Close, 18."
"Something smells terrible!" Emmett exclaims sliding into the kitchen, stopping next to Rose to place a kiss on her cheek.
"Lies," I tell him, mouth full of omelet,
"Don't talk with your mouth full," She chides me, before turning to Emmett, "Also she's right, if you were human, you'd love my food." She flicks his ear, turning to clean up her mess around the stove, Emmett rubs furiously at his ear, before jumping up to sit on the counter. I find that this is his favorite place to sit in the kitchen,
"Did you hear, it's just us this weekend, we are going to have the best time!" I raise a brow, skewering a tomato,
"I'm not playing video games with you all weekend," I tell him with a frown,
"Of course not, we can build a snowman, and then a fort, watch a horror movie, and have a tea party, girls like tea parties right?"
"For god sake, she's not four Emmett." Tanya's voice enters the kitchen,
"Rose really must not hate you, if she's willing to cook for you," Kate comments, coming to stand behind me. When did she get here?
"Knock it off, Kate," Rose says cleaning up the last of her mess and placing a pan in the dishwasher,
"Just an observation." Kate smiles.
"Observe it somewhere else." She tells her cooly, before slamming the dishwasher and grabbing my empty plate.
"Finish your juice." She demands and I down the whole glass before passing it over,
"Is every meal going to be like this?" Edward asks entering the kitchen with a smirk, Rose glares at him,
"I see why Esme kicks you all out." She sighs. I jump off the barstool and head towards the living room,
"Don't have to tell me twice," My goal is to get to the TV before Emmett, however by the sound of heavy footsteps I hear behind me, he's close by. I stop and turn, and sure enough Emmetts there and he has a smirk on his face. I turn towards the window and gasp, "Is that an elk?" When he turns to look, I run. I get to the remote just as Emmett does and unfortunately, he pulls it away just before I can grab it,
"You snooze you lo- ompf" I jump on his back startling him unexpectedly and dragging him down to the couch, he recovers quickly however, and gently tosses me off,
"Give me the remote," I pick up one of Esme's decorative coffee table books and throw it,
"Rules are rules, I got to it first so I ge- Ouch, hey!" It hits him square in the chest and I can't help but smile,
"Give. Me. The. Remote." Emmett smiles and holds it above his head,
"Come get it." I can't help it, days of Super Mario and game controller clicking is driving me nuts and so when he says come and get it, I do. I know I can't win against Emmett, not only is he larger than me but he's also kinda indestructible, but at this point, I don't care. I grab his arm, but he keeps it high above his head. I pull at his bicep trying harder and harder to bring him down, all the while he laughs at me. I let go, stepping onto the coffee table and jump, I almost reach his hand when he drops to the ground, trying to pull me off,
"What are you doing!?" A shout has us both stopping and turning towards the voice. Rose has her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face,
"Mare attacked me."
"Emmett's a TV hog," We both say at the same time,
"Are you kidding me, Emmett you're a grown Man, Mare you can't just attack people when you don't get what you want." Both Emmett and I turn to each other,
"He/She started it." We yell,
"I don't care, go outside." Tanya steps into the living room with a smile on her face,
"God, It's like siblings." Rose smiles, before quickly wiping it off her face,
"Out. Side." Emmett gets to his feet pulling me up with him by my bicep,
"Isn't it a little cold for her?" He jabs a finger in my direction, I reach forward to slap it away, but he moves out of the way catching me off balance, quickly he grabs me setting me back on my feet,
"Esme left a new coat, hat, and gloves by the door, Emmett you're immortal, go out and build a snowman or something, just get out of the house," I raise my hand, Rose sighs, "Yes Mare."
"Can I just go to my room and read, or nap?"
"No, you're looking peaky, fresh air will do you good," I groan, but Emmett is already pushing me towards the door,
"Come on Eddie, snowman, snowballs, sledding, and icicle lightsaber battle, in that order."
"Emmett no," Edward sighs, but surprisingly he follows us,
"Mare, put on a pair of fleece jeggings and a sweater first," Rose calls out. I groan,
"Esme's coming back when?" I whisper to Edward,
"I heard that!"
…
I take my time getting dressed and heading back to the front door, by the time I do, Edward and Emmett are already waiting, Emmett looks downright giddy, while Edward looks like he'd rather eat glass, I'm on his side, but I suck it up and get dressed in the new winter coat, hat and gloves, that Edward holds out. I keep my comment about money in my head although by the way Edward shakes his head, he's heard it.
"Boots." Edward holds out a pair of new black snow boots, to my surprise he bends down taping my foot to lift it before tugging it onto my foot and then doing the same to the other.
"Alright, I've got the legs, Eddie you have the torso, Mare, you get the head." Emmett smiles, reaching forward to pull my hat over my eyes, before opening the door and racing outside. I pull it back up and turn to Edward,
"You said fire kills vampires?"
"Mare, NO!" Rose calls from somewhere in the house, but Edward lightly pushes me out the door and shuts it,
"We can wait until he wants to play Star Wars to contemplate killing him," I sigh, carefully shuffling down to the lawn where Emmetts already rolling a ball of snow,
"That's too long."I take a deep breath before turning to Edward, "I don't have a good feeling today."
"Come on you two, hurry!" Emmett calls after both Edward and I, and I take the opportunity to turn to Edward who stops watching Emmett, and then turns to me,
"Maybe before the snowballs." I can't help but smile and when we finally reach the lawn, I roll my eyes and bend down beginning to roll the head for the snowman.
…
"I think this is the best snowman I've ever made," Emmett comments with a smile on his face,
"We helped too Emmett." Edward sighs with a roll of his eyes,
"Ya, but I found the rocks for his eyes,"
"I got the sticks for his arms!" I argue,
"One's shorter than the other."
"I'll show you shorter than the other." I step forward only to be pulled back by the hood of my coat,
"Down Mare." Edward drops my hood and looks up at Emmett, "One eye is bigger than the other." Emmett looks back at the snowman,
"Huh? You're right." Suddenly he reaches down and when he stands, snow hits my face,
"EMMETT!" I scream flinging the cold from my face to rub my eyes, by the time it's clear he's already running away, a stupid giggle coming out of his mouth, I turn to Edward, who's also smiling. I bend down packing snow between my gloves, but when I stand he's gone.
"Come get me!" Emmett shouts, he sounds like he's in front of the house and I can't help it. I take off running. I'm going to get him, I get to the front of the house, but he's not there.
"I'm here!" He calls out, but I can't tell where it's coming from. I take careful steps down to the driveway,
"Where are y-" My foot slips and I hit the ground, hard. I feel the ice beneath me and start sliding down, guess sledding starts early. I keep my eyes closed until I hit something sharp, coming to a complete stop. I feel something hot trickle down my leg and open my eyes to gasp.
"Mare-"
"STOP!" I roll over, my eyes finding Edwards, he's about 10 feet away. I find his eyes, and silently plead,
"Mare, it's okay-"
"PLEASE" I cut him off, "Don't come any closer!" I beg, feeling the warm stream of blood trickle onto my boot.
"Mare, we can't smell your blood, but we can hear it, let me come closer."
"NO!" I can't let him near me, he may not smell it, but if he sees it...no.
"Mare, I promise I'm under control. It won't tempt me." I swallow, shaking my head.
"Please go inside." I feel hot tears in my eyes. How could this happen? I take a breath and turn to look at the sight before me. The sharp thing I hit was one of Carlisle and Esme's large decorative rocks they have lining the driveway. A large gash sits from my knee to a little below the middle of my calf, bright red blood flowing freely, soaking my jeans and dripping down to stain the pure white snow beneath me.
"Mare, I need to look." I turn as he's moving towards me at a human pace. I let the tears fall and again look into his eyes silently pleading,
"Please no!" This time it sounds like a sob,
"Edward, Emmett," Rose calls opening the door,
"Stay back Rosalie." Edward calls to her, "Mare, I'm coming closer to you, alright."
"Edward please," I beg, but he doesn't stop until he's next to me and holds his hands out,
"I'm going to look, alright? I'm fully fed and I'm not going to hurt you."
"I'm not worried about that." I cry, reaching up to wipe the tears away. I haven't let anyone see me cry yet and I don't want that to start now.
"Mare," Edward says gently bending down,
"Eddie." My voice cracks and this stops him. This is the first time I've called him that, a right usually reserved for Emmett only. Slowly he rests his hands on my injured leg,
"It's okay, Mare." Gently he rotates my leg, till he can see the gash. He's silent for a moment,
"Please get away," I whisper. Edward takes a second before looking up at me,
"Mare," He starts slowly, "We have to get this stitched." I know that, I've had stitches before, it's too big to close on its own, but the blood, hospitals. Carlisle's not here, I won't go alone and no one can go with me,
"Mare." Edward catches my attention against my racing thoughts, "It's okay, do you see me?" I nod, "You're blood is on my hands and I'm not tempted. Do you feel my hands?" He squeezes to remind me where they are. I nod, "I'm not shaking am I?" I shake my head, "I'm in control and I'm here and you're going to be okay."
"Edward!" Rosalie calls again,
"It's okay." He calls back, "Call Carlisle, I'm taking Mare to Forks General." He doesn't even ask if I can walk, he just carefully sets my leg down, quickly shimmy's out of his coat and wraps it around my leg, using the sleeves to tie it off. He picks me up, holding me close with one hand and then reaches forward disturbing the puddle of blood-soaked snow,
"Please." I whisper again, "Don't." Edward ignores me. We're silent all the way to the garage and then again when he places me in the passenger side of the Volvo and shuts the door. He's in the driver's side quickly and backing out all before I can truly comprehend what is going on. I bite my cheeks,
"Stop that," Edward scolds,
"Take me back."
"Marceline," full name, "it's okay, do you forget where we met for the first time?"
"The woods," I mumble, Edward smiles at this,
"It will be okay, I and everyone will appreciate you thinking of us first, but it's okay. I wouldn't be taking you if I wasn't the most in control at the moment." I take a breath reaching up to wipe the sticky streaks on my cheeks. I don't feel good about this,
"Edward?"
"Yes."
"I think I'm going to be sick." He reaches behind the seat and grabs a plastic bag just before I lose my breakfast all over the car.
…
"Damn Cullen, that's some rock you have on your property." Dr. Grady comments tying off the last of the 25 stitches I need on my leg to close the gaping wound sitting there. I've kept my eyes on the wall this whole time, remembering the last time I saw a needle. I woke up on the doctor's office floor with Carlisle hovering over me, I don't want to repeat that.
"It's not on the property anymore," Edward comments from the corner of the small room in the emergency room department. Did they move the rock...wait...did they move all of them?
"Probably a good idea." Dr Grady sighs gently rubbing something up and down the wound and placing a large bandage over it. He smooths it carefully although it doesn't matter. I can't feel anything on that leg from the knee down. "There," he declares "Good as new." He smiles at me, but I can't smile back,
"Thank you," I mumble,
"Alright, I'm going to send you home with a prescription for an antibiotic ointment that is to be rubbed on the area twice a day, I usually recommend once in the morning before any activities and once at night before bed. There's probably going to be some swelling, that's normal. An ice pack wrapped in a towel will be just fine and for any pain, an extra strength Tylenol should be enough, understand." He turns to look between both Edward and I,
"I understand." Edward steps forward, "Is there anything you need from us." Dr. Grady shakes his head,
"Nope, Carlisle called before you got here, so everything has been billed and taken care of, so you're both good to go. I asked your father if he wanted a follow-up appointment or a scheduled time to take the stitches out, but he said he'd take care of it. Considering his sutures are even cleaner than mine, I didn't see anything wrong with it." He smiles at Edward, who smiles back.
"Thank you, we appreciate this."
"Ahh think nothing of it." Dr. Grady turns to me, "Don't come back Mare, you here?" I nod, "Good, I'll have a nurse come in with your paperwork and final assessment along with a wheelchair to help you guys out." I wait till he's shuts the door to speak,
"I don't need a wheelchair," I grunt reaching down to poke my numb leg,
"Play along." Edward says coming closer to sit next to me, "How are you feeling?"
"I don't feel anything," I answer, keeping my eyes on the floor.
"Mare, you know these things happen right? People fall." I know he's trying to comfort me, but it isn't going to work. How could I be so stupid to fall and bleed so much in a house full of...vampires,
"Please don't-"
"No," Edward argues back, "You fell, you bleed, you needed stitches, it's alright okay?" He reaches forward grabbing my chin and forces me to look at him, "Do you understand me, Marceline? This is pretty normal for humans and it's okay, no one's mad at you and no one was tempted, repeat back to me that you understand!" His voice is so forceful it almost scares me,
"I..."
"You understand?" He demands again, this time I get the words out,
"I understand." He lets go of my face and leans back,
"I'm glad we're on the same page." He smirks raising a brow at me and I can't help it, I smile back. Then I remember one detail,
"My blood is still on the property." Edward shakes his head,
"I promise you, no one in the house will be tempted by it,"
"It didn't smell?" Edward shakes his head,
"No, the sight of it wasn't even appetizing enough to send anyone in the house into a blood fury." I feel a bit better about it, but still,
"What about Carlisle and Esm-" Right then his cell phone goes off and slowly he reaches into his pocket and pulls it out,
"Speaking off," He mumbles, before pressing answer and bringing the phone to his ear, "Yes?... We're here, everything went well...25...she's fine...I don't think so ...no...no... It's taken care of...yes... no it didn't...okay, hold on-" Edward pulls the phone away from his ear and holds it out towards me, "Your turn." I take a breath before grabbing the phone and bringing it to my ear,
"Hello?"
"Hello sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Damn, hearing Carlisle's voice has sent the tears back into my eyes. I quickly wipe them away before Edward can see,
"I'm okay." I push out, my voice cracks giving me away,
"Aw my sweet girl, I'm sorry this happened and I'm sorry I'm not there." I pull the phone away clearing my throat and ignore Edwards concerned gaze,
"No, no I'm fine, it didn't really hurt at all."
"I know you can put on a brave face Mare, and I'm proud of you for holding yourself together during all of this, I understand that it was probably very scary for you and I wish I could have been there for you." I swallow a lump in my throat, I'm not going to cry on this phone call,
"I just didn't want to tempt anyone," I admit in a whisper,
"Marceline sweet girl-"
"I didn't mean to do it." I say quickly into the phone,
"From my understanding, it was a complete accident. Marceline, it's very important to me right now that you understand that. You didn't do this on purpose, and you most certainly didn't hurt anyone or tempt them as an end goal. It happens and, unfortunately it did and it happened to be while Esme and I are away, but once again accidents happen." I nod, forgetting he can't see me,
"Marceline..."
"I'm here."
"Talk to me sweetheart, I'm worried."
"P..please don't be." I stutter out quickly, "I'm okay...I'm just upset with myself."
"I know, I know. But you being angry at yourself for getting injured is like me being upset I'm over 1000 miles away from you."
"It's not your fault you're so far away."
"Ahhh do you see now?" Damn him,
"I don't like when you do that." I can hear him softly chuckle on the other line before another voice begins speaking in the background,
"Is that Mare, give me the phone...Sweetheart, it's Esme."
"Hi," I smile imagining her taking the phone right out of Carlisle's hand,
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," She pauses,
"Are you really?" I turn to Edward who's smiling next to me. I know we're thinking the same thing, she's mothering again.
"Ya, it doesn't hurt I promise."
"Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry about this, Emmett's moved all those rocks off the property. I can't believe I didn't even think of how sharp and dangerous they could be-"
"Esme." I cut her off, "it was an accident." I say it slowly, letting the words sink in as I say them..it was an accident, no one is to blame, and no one should feel bad.Edward gently bumps my shoulder, a smile on his face,
"I'm proud of you." Esme's voice is soft, "You're not hurting?" I look down at my injured leg. Dr Grady had to cut the lower half of my jeans off to get to the gash, and now 25 pretty little stitches sit underneath a long white bandage...and I can't feel a thing, the lidocaine numbing everything from the knee down.
"No, it doesn't hurt." Later when the numbing is gone...maybe, but for now, I can give her this. I hear Esme sigh on the other line,
"That makes me feel better," She says relief evident in her voice. "Can I speak to Edward for a moment?" I hand the phone back, reluctantly he takes it,
"Hello...yes, I understand...Esme I think that's a little much...no?...no I get it...yes..alright...Esme I have to go the nurse just came back in.." I turn to the still-closed door before turning back to him, "Okay...yes..okay, bye Esme." He hangs up the phone and places it back into his pocket.
"What was that?" Edward turns and frowns,
"She wants updates every hour..." I furrow my brows and turn away,
"What's their business in Italy." It's a question that's been on my mind all day. I turn to Edward when he doesn't say anything. After another second of silence, he opens his mouth,
"I don't know how much you know Mare, but like everyone, there is always someone you have to answer to." He looks like he's silently searching for the right words to say, "Carlisle has to answer to those people." I scrunch my brows together,
"Like a vampire government?" Edward nods,
"Almost exactly like that." I really wish I could have read more of these stupid books before I got here, I feel so...in the dark.
"Is it because of me?" I turn away looking down at the floor,
"A bit," Edward says cautiously as if knowing already that I would feel bad..I don't want to cause Carlisle and Esme any more trouble than I already do.
"They can afford to do this, they want to do this, it's okay to feel the way you do, learning to accept these things takes time," Edward repeats the four lines I've been saying in my head the last two days. He smirks when he notices me staring. "It's like you forget I can read your mind." I sigh,
"Do they know about me?" Edward looks at me carefully,
"No, Carlisle believes it would be better if he told them in person versus them finding out about you on their own."
"How would they even find out about me?"
"There's ways Mare, and since you know about us combined with the fact you can't be turned there's really only one thing that can really be done with you, if they found out about you and no one said anything." I feel goosebumps pop up on my skin,
"Kill me," I whisper,
"Not if Carlisle has anything to say about it, not to mention the rest of us. Eleazar went to stand for you too."
"I don't think Eleazar likes me, he kept staring at me." Edward lifts a brow, something is on his mind and I suddenly wish I was the mind reader,
"I wouldn't worry about it."
"That's what Carlisle said." Edward slings his arms across my shoulders.
"Then obviously it's true." I sigh,
"I wish you all wouldn't care so much." I swallow hard, "What happens if I just vanish tomorrow." I whisper so quietly I know only Edward would hear it in this room.
"Then I would be happy to have gotten to know you." He answers without a second thought, "And it would have been worth it." I take a large breath once again forcing the tears away,
"I feel bad for hating your character."
"Wait what?"
"What's that? The nurse is here." This time she is, the door opening to reveal a kind-looking woman in blue scrubs. Edward scoffs,
"Lucky."
…
Rose and Emmett are already waiting inside the garage when Edward and I pull in. Not surprisingly I noticed all the large rocks around the property have disappeared, having been moved in the two hours Edward and I were gone. Rose has the hood of her jeep up and looks to be tinkering with it or something, while Emmett sits on the work bench playing with his hands. Both stop what they're doing and head to the car when Edward puts it in park. Rose opens the passenger door and looks me over,
"Mare-"
"I'm okay." I cut her off. Behind her Emmett has his eyes down, I know he's looking at the large white bandage on my leg,
"How many?" He asks as Rose turns around to smack him,
"25." He smirks,
"Badass." I try to cover the smile on my lips, but it doesn't work,
"Mare, I lit the fireplace in your room, Emmetts going to help you upstairs, so you can watch TV and rest."
"I don't need to rest Rose." I roll my eyes, but she's not having it,
"I don't want to hear it, understand?" She moves to the side and Emmett wastes no time scooping me up,
"I can walk." Emmett looks from me to Edward who's also stepping out of the car,
"Can she?" Now it's Edward's turn to roll his eyes,
"Yes, but it's recommended she not if she doesn't have to."
"She's right here." I groan, but Emmetts already turning to bring me upstairs. I take this moment to apologize,
"I'm sorry Emmett."
"What?" He laughs, "You did nothing wrong."
"You had to move all those rocks." Emmett laughs,
"Barely a workout honestly. They were only there for decoration, I like them being gone, no big deal." Why does he have to be practically perfect at this moment,
"Thanks, Emmett." He smiles placing me down on my bed, Rose's already pulled back the covers. She's followed behind the whole way up here and now she's shoeing Emmett out.
"Wait bab-" She shuts the door in his face turning to quickly make her way back over to me. She bends down gently grabbing my leg to assess the bandage there.
"I'm sorry Rose," I whisper, feeling my stomach turn to ice. She looks up towards me her eyes softening, "I didn't mean-"
"Don't Mare." She stops me, her voice soft, her face patient, "Don't blame yourself for things that aren't your fault, it will only haunt you if you do." She carefully places my leg back down and reaches behind me. I got you some sweatpants and a t-shirt to change into, can I help you?" I take a breath and nod,
"Please."
…
"Rose made you dinner." Edward says knocking on my door. I've been in and out of sleep since Rose helped me change and left me alone. The TV across from me is currently playing a History's Greatest Mystery's marathon, I haven't been able to catch a whole episode, just bits and pieces. I sit up wincing at the hot pain in my leg, it's clear the lidocaine has worn off.
"Is it really that late?" I ask, reaching forward to rub my eyes,
"You were napping during lunch, so we let you be, but Rose was feeling a bit bad so she made you something special." I stretch, careful to only stretch my arms,
"You don't tell Rose no once she has something on her mind." I know you don't. I swing my legs over the bed and take a breath,
"I can-"
"If you say carry me, I'm going to punch you." I cut him off with a glare. Edward smiles and lifts both arms in a surrendering motion. I look down to the floor and slowly lower myself onto it, keeping a majority of my weight on my left leg. It's not painful, it feels more like the skin is pulling and it's more uncomfortable than anything else. I make my way over to Edward a clear limp in my step.
"See," I tell Edward once I make my way over to him,
"I sure do." He smirks. I roll my eyes and take the lead, quickening my gait and taking the stairs slowly. When I hit the bottom step, Edward close behind me, I hear Rosalie shout from the kitchen,
"Edward, I told you to bring her down." Edward pushes me forward and together we make our way into the kitchen,
"She wouldn't let me." He says when we're inside. Everything smells amazing,
"Mare." Rose sighs, I shrug heading over to my barstool, Emmett sits at his normal spot on the counter and Tanya stands next to Rose, who's putting something on a plate,
"How are you feeling?" Tanya asks, Kate, Tanya, and Irina have been scares since breakfast,
"I'm fine," I shrug, I'll never tell them the fear of my blood hurting them was worse than any pain.
"25 stitches." Kate comes up behind me, her lips turned into a half smile,
"Can we please stop talking about it?" I beg, Rose nods,
"Yes," She shares a look with Kate before carefully setting a plate in front of me.
"What is this?" Whatever it is, it smells amazing,
"Lobster Rockefeller." Rosalie states, "It was the number one thing for the rich and elite when I was young. If you had money you ate lobster in the summer, served with a side of roasted potatoes. Oysters were always served first, but I never cared for them the few times I had them, and their harder to get. Lobster tails are a bit easier " It smells amazing, the lobster tail is cracked open and smothered in butter and a bread coat seasoning, the potatoes are fluffy little morsels covered in seasoning...how can I not cook, but Rose and Esme can. I spear a potato with my fork and take a bite. It's hot, but it's good..it's soo good,
"Rose this is amazing, don't tell Esme." She winks,
"Our secret,"
"Maybe someday I could make you one of my favorites, squirrel gumbo," Emmett adds a large goofy smile on his face,
"Eww," I say quickly,
"Absolutely not," Rose adds,
"Squirrel?" Kate's brows turn up in disgust, "I don't even drink them."
"Emmett, how poor were you?" Tanya asks,
"You all could have just said no." Emmett holds his hands out, I pick out some of the meat from the lobster and study it, it looks good. I've never had lobster before but I'll never be able to say that again after this. I just hope I don't like it. If Esme finds out, she'll add it to the dinner rotation, and seafood is always expensive. I take a bite savoring the light buttery taste, it's chewier than chicken or beef, but damn it...I like it and quickly take another bite, not caring about the burn in my mouth.
"Is it good?" Edward asks, I nod.
"Squirrel's just as good," Emmett mutters from his countertop,
"Number one, you don't eat anymore and number two shut up with the rodents," Kate states sounding annoyed,
"You gonna let her talk to me like that babe?" Emmett turns to Rose for help. She sets a glass of milk in front of me and quickly I reach for it, the burning turning to a weird itch,
"Yes," I take a gulp swallowing the milk quickly along with the excess saliva. Lobster really is good, if my mouth is salivating this bad with only two bites, I quickly take a third hoping to stop it,
"Why?' Emmett whines,
"Cause you're comparing an average rodent meat, to lobster Rockefeller." I chew and swallow, finding I have to keep swallowing just to get the bite down, and oddly enough it kinda hurts,
"Mare?" Edward questions taking a step closer to me,
"The Rockefeller's weren't even that great, besides didn't one of them get eaten by cannibals?" Emmett argues, I feel a hand on my shoulder and quickly shrug it off suddenly feeling claustrophobic,
"Don't even start." Rosalie chides. I reach for the milk again, my throat kinda hurts almost like a soar throat and I feel a thin layer of perspiration on my forehead,
"Mare?" Edward questions again, I grab the glass to lift it only to drop it, spilling the contents everywhere, catching everyone's attention, but I don't care, because suddenly my blood begins to boil and my throat closes off completely.
"Marceline!"
"What's happening?"
"Mare can you hear me?" Voices gather around me, but I'm only focused on the fact that I can't get any air...The last time I felt like this was when my mother was strangling me, but no one's touching me. I claw at my neck, hoping it would help get any little bit of oxygen I can..am I going to die...I don't want to die, that's what landed me here. If I die will I go somewhere else?! Please god don't let me die, I don't want to. What about Carlisle and Esme?! Alice and Jasper?! Please...I feel darkness creeping in when something stabs into my leg and almost in slow motion, my airway opens and I gulp down oxygen quickly, gasping all while trying to calm myself down and then the quiet around me opens to frantic voices and motion. The first thing I register is Edward kneeling in front of me, I'm on the floor, my back to the kitchen Island, and my legs out in front of me. Edward has something orange in his hand that he's currently pressing into my left thigh...
"What.." I scratch out, my throat feels like sandpaper, Edward reaches out with his free hand to grasp the back of my neck,
"Breathe Mare, you're okay." Behind him is Kate, Rose, and Tanya. Emmett stands farther back, his eyes wide,
"Are you okay?" I ask him, but it comes out in a whisper and Edward shushes me,
"What do we do?" Rosalie asks, her voice shaky. Edward studies me carefully, before speaking,
"Call Carlisle."
…
This is bullshit.
"So, did you just not listen when I told you not to come back?" Dr Grady sighs,
"Apparently not," I mumble angrily,
"Stop scratching." Dr. Grady demands writing something on his clipboard. I grumble but stop. Turns out I'm severely allergic to lobster and the hives that have been popping up all over my body are a side effect.
"It's a good thing you had that Epi," Dr. Grady says turning to Edward, who's been permanently brooding in the corner since we got here,
"Jaspers allergic to peanuts." Edward lies effortlessly. Why did you have that Epi-pen?I scream in my mind. Everything's still pretty hazy from dinner, but I guess when I stopped breathing, Edward grabbed an Epi-pen from Carlisle's office and stabbed my thigh, pretty much saving my life...Ass.Now I feel like I owe him.
"Pretty big allergies in this family." Dr. Grady comments before turning to me, "And you're telling me you never knew?" I shake my head, "Never had any kind of shellfish before?"
"No, my mom was alle-" I stop mid-sentence...are you &*%$ing kidding me?!
"Allergies such as these can be passed down in families." Dr Grady explains, "She never got you tested?" I shake my head, too angry to speak...how did I not put two and two together? "Stop scratching."
"Gawd!" I didn't even realize I was doing it that time. I cross my arms and slump back against the stupid gurney,
"The steroid shot should help with the hives here, until then we'll get you moved to a room for the night and-"
"What?!" I sit up quickly, Dr. Grady lifts an eyebrow,
"You didn't think you could go home did you?" I look at both him and Edward before glancing down at the IV...I could rip it out.
"I think she was hoping too, but she'll be fine." Edward steps in,
"Anaphylaxis is serious and symptoms can continue to appear 24 hours after the first injection. Your uncle already called and he agrees you need to stay for monitoring, sorry kid." I glare at both men, before reaching up to scratch my shoulder in defiance, this itches like hell.
"Keep it up, I'll restrain you." I'd scream if I could, instead I grunt and throw my hands down on the bed, he watches me for a second and then smirks, "Are we good now?" When I don't answer, Edward once again steps forward,
"I'll watch her."
"Make sure you do." Dr Grady heads to the door to open it but stops to turn back towards me to make an I'm watching you gesture, with his hands and closes the door,
"You've got a mouth on you," Edward says once we are alone,
"Not if I thought it," I mumble. I look down at my hands, they only stopped shaking 20 minutes ago, and now my body feels sore, not to mention the hot pain in my leg "I'm tired." I whisper.
"Rest, I'll wake you when they come to move you." I take a breath. I don't think I'll ever take breathing for granted again,
"I want to go home." Edward sits on the gurney next to me,
"I know, I'm sorry." A tear escapes, I don't reach up to wipe it away, I just let it drip down my cheek. If Carlisle was here he would wipe it away, but because he can't Edward does it instead.
"I really didn't know."
"I know, I don't think you'd put yourself in danger like that if you did." I bite my cheeks, how could I be so stupid...how could I let this happen?
"Why did you have that Epi-pen?"
"Carlisle got it just in case." Edward shrugs, "You couldn't remember if you had a flu shot, so who's to say you didn't have a life-threatening allergy you didn't know about."
"You all are so sneaky." Edwards lips twitch upward in a half-smirk.
"You're alive."
"For who knows how much longer," I mumble. Being back in almost the same room we were in earlier, reminds me of our previous conversation. Edward purses his lips,
"Everything will work out, Mare." I lift and swallow hard, my throat still hurts,
"Promise?" Edward holds out his hand, pinky up. I reach forward clamping my pinky around his. Edward squeezes lightly,
"Promise."
…
It takes an hour but eventually I'm settled in a room upstairs, hooked up to several different things. Edward is allowed to stay and settles himself in the corner where a couch is set up for him. It's 9:23 and as tired as I am lately it takes me a while to fall asleep. The sheets are too scratchy, the blood pressure cuff too tight, and the smell of the room too clean, it's just too everything. I peek at the clock around 11:24 and fall asleep sometime after that. The sound of Edward's cell phone wakes me sometime later,
"Hello." Edwards's voice whispers. I'm careful not to move, keeping up appearances that I'm still asleep.
"No, she's asleep...she wasn't happy, but she'll get over it...I'm sure it's not just Esme...I'll tell her in the morning...I haven't talked to Rose yet, but Emmett texted, she's pretty upset...I think that would be a good idea...no, just the rash...have you talked to them yet...great." By the sound of his voice, it doesn't sound great."When...so that will be over winter break...they couldn't just take Alice's word...of course not...I understand, I still wasn't team "tell them"...I know...I promise you Carlisle, I understand...If you're asking me about my control I'm fine...I don't either...it's not a problem I promise you...I let her know that later...I will, bye." Edward shuts the phone,
"Esme said she loves you."Damn mind reader,
"I love her too," I mumble,
"Go back to sleep."
…
I drift in and out never really finding good sleep, at some point I hear the door to my room open,
"I'm sorry I didn't know you were awake." A soft voice whispers, I hear Edward shift next to me on the small couch,
"It's not a problem," Edward yawns...fake ass!
"I know these couches aren't exactly comfortable, but I brought you an extra blanket." The woman comes closer, "thank you."
"I'm the pediatric nurse on duty tonight, I'm here for a vitals check, but I should be able to do that without waking her."
"That would be appreciated, she hasn't really slept well tonight." I feel the blood pressure cuff tighten, it's been doing that on and off since I got up here, this time I feel something cold being pressed into my inner elbow,
"Blood pressure still a tad high, but that's normal," Edward hmpfs at this. Unexpectedly I feel fingers push my bangs back in a soothing manner. "I actually came in here first because I think, your sister and my daughter are friends. Cullen correct?"
"You're daughter's Dakota Gordon right?"
"She is."
"Your daughter has been a very good friend of Mare's, she's very kind and I really appreciate it."
"Honestly Cody's been very happy since becoming friends with one of the "Cullen's" her words, not mine." She laughs, "Anaphylaxis," I feel her run her fingers up my arm and I know she's studying the ugly rash there. It's worst on my arms and chest,
"Lobster," Edward tells her, "Shame, she really liked it." Oh my god, I did.
"I'm going to see if the doctor can get her something stronger than the antihistamines he's giving her."
"I'm sure she'd really like them gone by Monday." The nurse chuckles,
"To be a teen in high school again. I'm going to sneak out, but don't hesitate to push the call button if you need anything."
"I won't thank you." I hear her shoes squeak across the floor and then open and close the door. I wait for Edward to say something, when he doesn't I open my eyes,
"So, that's Cody's mom." I muse, Edward looks at me with angry eyes,
"Were you awake that whole time?" I furrow my brows,
"Didn't you hear me call you an ass when you fake yawned?" Edward doesn't say anything, instead, he sucks in his lower lip and frowns,
"Go. To. Sleep."
Phone Conversations:
Edward and Carlisle
"Yes."
"Edward, are you at the hospital?"
"We're here, everything went well."
"How many stitches?"
"25"
"That's more than I expected, how is she?"
"She's fine."
"She wasn't afraid during the suturing process?"
"I don't think so."
"She didn't lose consciousness?"
"No"
"Cry?"
"No."
"The rocks on the driveway?"
"It's taken care of."
"Did Emmett put them on the edge of the property?"
"Yes."
"The Blood, it didn't bother you right?"
"No, it didn't."
"Alright, please put Mare on."
….
Edward and Esme
"Hello?"
"Make sure when you get her home she goes straight to bed, leg propped you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"I want you to make sure she eats and to check on her every hour."
"Esme, I think that's a little much."
"Are you telling me no?"
"No?"
"Then you must understand what I'm telling you to do right?"
"No, I get it."
"Then I want you to update me every hour, understand?"
"Yes, alright."
"and-"
"Esme, I have to go the nurse just came back in."
"Don't let her walk on that leg?"
"Okay."
"Drive slowly with her in the car!"
"Yes."
"I need you to repeat me verbatim-"
"Okay, bye Esme."
…
Edward and Carlisle
"Hello?"
"How's everything? Is she awake can I speak with her?"
"No, she's asleep."
"That's good, I didn't know what time George would get you moved. How is she?"
"She wasn't happy, but she'll get over it."
"Esme's been pacing since you called."
"I'm sure it's not just Esme."
"That would be a fair statement...wait...Tell Mare Esme sends her love."
"I'll tell her in the morning."
"Speaking off telling people things. We haven't been able to get ahold of the house, have you talked to Rose?"
"I haven't talked to Rose yet, but Emmett texted, she's pretty upset."
"Eleazar's going to get ahold of Tanya, we're hoping to speak with Rose through her."
"I think that would be a good idea."
"Has there been any delayed reactions?"
"No, just the rash."
"We can manage that, I-"
"Have you talked to them yet?"
"We have. It went..as expected. They're not happy."
"Great."
"We explained the situation, Aro wants to meet her."
"When?"
"They've given us five weeks, Aro was very specific, that it is to be before the new year."
"So that would be over winter break?"
"Unfortunately."
"They couldn't just take Alice's word?"
"We knew they wouldn't."
"Of course not."
"We knew this would be a possibility."
"I understand. I still wasn't team "tell them.""
"It's better we did, less they find out on their own. With both Eleazar and I here, Aro was more willing to hear us out."
"I know."
"I understand your feelings son, and I'm so very grateful you're there with her. I'm trying to do what's best for this family and with the Volturi's blessing it just strengthens our situation."
"I promise you Carlisle, I understand."
"Thank you, Edward. Are you okay over there?"
"If you're asking about me about my control, I'm fine."
"I'm grateful, I don't want her there alone."
"I don't either."
"Just hold tight, I talked to George 20 minutes ago, he said more than likely he'll release her tomorrow afternoon."
"It's not a problem, I promise you."
"Thank you, son, Esme, and I send your love. We're going to stop by them once more tomorrow and then we're going to come home. We should be there early Sunday morning, a little earlier than expected, but we both agree that it's appropriate."
"I'll let her know that later."
"Thank you, please call if you need anything."
"I will, bye."
"Bye."