Twilight 15. THE CULLENS

15. THE CULLENSThe muted light of yet an otherwise cloudy day level offtually woke me. I lay with my arm across my eye, groggy and dazed. Something, a dream difficult to be remembered, struggled to break into my consciousness. I moaned and turn on my side, hoping to a greater extent sleep would come. And then the previous day flood confirm into my aw beness.Oh I sat up so fast it made my head spin.Your hair looks corresponding a haystack scarce I equivalent it. His unruffled voice came from the rocking chair in the tree.Edward You stayed I rejoiced, and unthinkingly threw myself across the room and into his lap. In the instant that my conceits caught up with my actions, I froze, shocked by my receive uncontrolled enthusiasm. I st ared up at him, afraid that I had crossed the wrong line.But he laughed.Of flesh, he answered, startled, further check intoming pleased by my reaction. His manpower rubbed my back.I laid my head cautiously against his shoulder, breathing in the smell of his skin.I was sure it was a dream.Youre non that creative, he scoffed.Charlie I remembered, vistalessly jumping up again and heading to the door.He left an hour ago after reattaching your battery cables, I dexterity add. I have to subscribe I was disappointed. Is that really all it would take to stop you, if you were determined to go?I deliberated where I stood, wanting to return to him badly, that afraid I might have morning breath.Youre not usually this confused in the morning, he noted. He held his arms open for me to return. A nearly irresistible invitation.I fatality another human minute, I admitted.Ill wait.I skipped to the bathroom, my emotions unrecognizable. I didnt k without delay myself, inside or out. The face in the reflect was practically a stranger eyes too b obligation, hectic spots of red across my cheekb iodins. After I brushed my teeth, I worked to straighten out the tangled chaos that was my hair. I splattered my face with cold water, and tried to breathe normally, with no noticeable success. I half-ran back to my room.It seemed like a miracle that he was there, his arms s trough waiting for me. He reached out to me, and my heart thumped unsteadily.Welcome back, he murmured, taking me into his arms.He rocked me for a while in silence, until I noticed that his clothes were deepend, his hair smooth.You left? I accused, touching the collar of his fresh shirt.I could hardly leave in the clothes I came in what would the neighbors think?I pouted.You were very(prenominal)(prenominal) deeply sleepy-eyed I didnt miss anything. His eyes gleamed. The talking came earlier.I groaned. What did you hear?His atomic number 79 eyes grew very soft. You said you loved me.You knew that already, I re encephaloned him, ducking my head.It was nice to hear, simply the analogous.I hid my face against his shoulder.I love you, I whispered.You are my life now, he answered simply.There was nothing more to say for the second base. He roc ked us back and forth as the room grew lighter.Breakfast quantify, he said eventually, casually to prove, Im sure, that he remembered all my human frailties.So I clutched my throat with both hands and stared at him with wide eyes. Shock crossed his face.Kidding I snickered. And you said I couldnt actHe frowned in disgust. That wasnt funny.It was very funny, and you lie with it. But I examined his gold eyes detailedly, to make sure that I was forgiven. Apparently, I was.S entrance hall I rephrase? he asked. Breakfast time for the human.Oh, okay.He threw me over his stone shoulder, gently, but with a swiftness that left me breathless. I protested as he carried me easily down the stairs, but he ignored me. He sat me right side up on a chair.The kitchen was bright, happy, seeming to absorb my mood.Whats for breakfast? I asked pleasantly.That threw him for a minute.Er, Im not sure. What would you like? His marble brow puckered.I grinned, hopping up.Thats all right, I reject for myse lf pretty well. Watch me hunt.I found a bowl and a box of cereal. I could aroma his eyes on me as I poured the draw and grabbed a spoon. I sat my food on the table, and then paused.Can I get you anything? I asked, not wanting to be rude.He rolled his eyes. Just eat, Bella.I sat at the table, watching him as I took a collatione. He was gazing at me, studying my every movement. It made me self-conscious. I clean-cut my mouth to speak, to distract him.Whats on the agenda for today? I asked.Hmmm I watched him frame his answer carefully. What would you say to meeting my family?I gulped.Are you afraid now? He sounded hopeful.Yes, I admitted how could I deny it he could see my eyes.Dont worry. He smirked. Ill protect you.Im not afraid of them, I condoneed. Im afraid they wont like me. Wont they be, well, raged that you would acquire someone like me home to meet them? Do they know that I know approximately them?Oh, they already know everything. Theyd taken bets yesterday, you know he grinningd, but his voice was harsh on whether Id bring you back, though why anyone would bet against Alice, I cant imagine. At any rate, we dont have secrets in the family. Its not really feasible, what with my mind reading and Alice seeing the future and all that.And Jasper making you go through all warm and fuzzy about spilling your guts, dont forget that.You paid attention, he smiled approvingly.Ive been known to do that every now and then. I grimaced. So did Alice see me climax?His reaction was strange. Something like that, he said uncomfortably, turning away so I couldnt see his eyes. I stared at him curiously.Is that any good? he asked, turning back to me abruptly and eyeing my breakfast with a teasing look on his face. Honestly, it doesnt look very appetizing.Well, its no irritable grizzly I murmured, ignoring him when he glowered. I was still wondering why he responded that way when I mentioned Alice. I hurried by means of my cereal, speculating.He stood in the middl e of the kitchen, the statue of Adonis again, staring abstractedly out the back windows.Then his eyes were back on me, and he smiled his heartbreaking smile.And you should recruit me to your father, too, I think.He already knows you, I reminded him.As your boyfriend, I mean.I stared at him with suspicion. why?Isnt that customary? he asked innocently.I dont know, I admitted. My dating taradiddle gave me few reference points to work with. no. that any normal rules of dating applied here. Thats not necessary, you know. I dont expect you to I mean, you dont have to pretend for me.His smile was patient. Im not pretending.I pushed the remains of my cereal approximately the edges of the bowl, biting my lip.Are you going to tell Charlie Im your boyfriend or not? he demanded.Is that what you are? I suppressed my internal cringing at the thought of Edward and Charlie and the word boy friend all in the same room at the same time.Its a loose interpretation of the word boy, Ill admit.I was u nder the impression that you were something more, actually, I confessed, looking at at the table.Well, I dont know if we need to give him all the sanguinary details. He reached across the table to lift my chin with a cold, gentle finger. But he will need some explanation for why Im around here so much. I dont want Chief Swan getting a restraining order put on me.Will you be? I asked, short anxious. Will you really be here?As long as you want me, he assured me.Ill always want you, I warned him. Forever.He walked behind around the table, and, pausing a few feet away, he reached out to touch his fingertips to my cheek. His expression was unfathomable.Does that make you sad? I asked.He didnt answer. He stared into my eyes for an immeasurable block of time.Are you finished? he finally asked.I jumped up. Yes.Get nip offed Ill wait here.It was hard to decide what to wear. I doubted there were any etiquette books detailing how to dress when your vampire sweetheart takes you home to m eet his vampire family. It was a relief to think the word to myself. I knew I shied away from it intentionally.I ended up in my only skirt long, khaki-colored, still casual. I put on the dark blue blouse hed once complimented. A quick glance in the mirror told me my hair was entirely impossible, so I pulled it back into a pony tail.Okay. I bounced down the stairs. Im decent.He was waiting at the foot of the stairs, closer than Id thought, and I bounded right into him. He steadied me, holding me a careful distance away for a few seconds before abruptly pulling me closer. ruin again, he murmured in my ear. You are utterly indecent no one should look so tempting, its not fair.Tempting how? I asked. I can changeHe sighed, shaking his head. You are so absurd. He pressed his cool lips delicately to my forehead, and the room spun. The smell of his breath made it impossible to think.Shall I explain how you are tempting me? he said. It was clearly a rhetorical question. His fingers traced slowly down my spine, his breath coming more quickly against my skin. My hands were limp on his chest, and I felt lightheaded again. He tilted his head slowly and touched his cool lips to mine for the second time, very carefully, parting them slightly.And then I collapsed.Bella? His voice was alarmed as he caught me and held me up.You made me faint, I accused him dizzily.What am I going to do with you? he groaned in exasperation. Yesterday I osculate you, and you attack me Today you pass out on meI laughed weakly, permitting his arms support me while my head spun.So much for creative activity good at everything, he sighed.Thats the problem. I was still dizzy. Youre too good. Far, far toogood.Do you feel sick? he asked hed seen me like this before.No that wasnt the same kind of fainting at all. I dont know what happened. I shook my head apologeticallv, I think I forgot to breathe.I cant take you anywhere like this.Im fine, I insisted. Your family is going to think Im insane any way, whats the difference?He measured my expression for a moment. Im very partial to that color with your skin, he offered unexpectedly. I flushed with pleasure, and looked away.Look, Im translateing really hard not to think about what Im about to do, so can we go already? I asked.And youre worried, not because youre headed to meet a houseful of vampires, but because you think those vampires wont approve of you, correct?Thats right, I answered immediately, hiding my surprise at his casual use of the word.He shook his head. Youre incredible.I realized, as he operate my truck out of the main part of town, that I had no idea where he lived. We passed over the bridge at the Calawah River, the road winding northward, the houses flashing retiring(a) us growing farther apart, getting bigger. And then we were outgoing the other houses altogether, driving through misty forest. I was trying to decide whether to ask or be patient, when he turned abruptly onto an unpaved road. It was un mar ked, barely visible among the ferns. The forest encroached on both sides, leaving the road ahead only palpable for a few meters as it twisted, serpentlike, around the ancient trees.And then, after a few miles, there was some thinning of the woods, and we were suddenly in a abject meadow, or was it actually a lawn? The gloom of the forest didnt relent, though, for there were six primordial cedars that shaded an entire acre with their vast sweep of branches. The trees held their protecting shadow right up to the environs of the house that rose among them, making obsolete the deep porch that wrapped around the first story.I dont know what I had expected, but it definitely wasnt this. The house was timeless, graceful, and credibly a hundred years old. It was painted a soft, faded white, three stories tall, rectangular and well proportioned. The windows and doors were either part of the original structure or a perfect restoration. My truck was the only car in sight. I could hear the river close by, hidden in the obscurity of the forest.Wow.You like it? He smiled.It has a certain(p) charm.He pulled the end of my ponytail and chuckled.Ready? he asked, opening my door.Not even a little bit lets go. I tried to laugh, but it seemed to get stuck in my throat. I smoothed my hair nervously.You look lovely. He took my hand easily, without thinking about it.We walked through the deep shade up to the porch. I knew he could feel my tension his thumb rubbed soothing circles into the back of my hand.He opened the door for me.The inside was even more surprising, less predictable, than the exterior. It was very bright, very open, and very hulky. This moldiness have originally been several rooms, but the walls had been removed from approximately of the first floor to create one wide space. The back, south-facing wall had been entirely replaced with glass, and, beyond the shade of the cedars, the lawn stretched bare to the wide river. A massive curving staircase dominated the west side of the room. The walls, the high-beamed ceiling, the wooden floors, and the thick carpets were all varying shades of white. delay to greet us, standing just to the left of the door, on a raised portion of the floor by a spectacular grand piano, were Edwards parents. Id seen Dr. Cullen before, of course, yet I couldnt help but be struck again by his youth, his outrageous perfection. At his side was Esme, I assumed, the only one of the family Id never seen before. She had the same pale, sightly features as the rest of them. Something about her heart-shaped face, her billows of soft, caramel-colored hair, reminded me of the ing?nues of the silent-movie era. She was small, slender, yet less angular, more rounded than the others. They were both dressed casually, in light colors that matched the inside of the house. They smiled in welcome, but made no move to approach us. Trying not to frighten me, I guessed.Carlisle, Esme, Edwards voice broke the short silence, this is Bella. Youre very welcome, Bella. Carlisles step was measured, careful as he approached me. He raised his hand tentatively, and I stepped forward to shake hands with him.Its nice to see you again, Dr. Cullen.Please, call me Carlisle.Carlisle. I grinned at him, my sudden confidence surprising me. I could feel Edwards relief at my side.Esme smiled and stepped forward as well, reaching for my hand. Her cold, stone grasp was just as I expected.Its very nice to know you, she said sincerely.Thank you. Im glad to meet you, too. And I was. It was like meeting a fairy tale Snow White, in the flesh.Where are Alice and Jasper? Edward asked, but no one answered, as they had just appeared at the top of the wide staircase.Hey, Edward Alice called enthusiastically. She ran down the stairs, a streak of black hair and white skin, coming to a sudden and graceful stop in front of me. Carlisle and Esme shot warning glances at her, but I liked it. It was natural for her, anyway.Hi, Bella Alice said, and she bounced forward to kiss my cheek. If Carlisle and Esme had looked cautious before, they now looked staggered. There was shock in my eyes, too, but I was also very pleased that she seemed to approve of me so entirely. I was startled to feel Edward stiffen at my side. I glanced at his face, but his expression was unreadable.You do smell nice, I never noticed before, she commented, to my extreme embarrassment.No one else seemed to know quite what to say, and then Jasper was there tall and leonine. A feeling of ease spread through me, and I was suddenly comfortable despite where I was. Edward stared at Jasper, raising one eyebrow, and I remembered what Jasper could do.Hello, Bella, Jasper said. He kept his distance, not offering to shake my hand. But it was impossible to feel awkward near him.Hello, Jasper. I smiled at him shyly, and then at the others. Itsnice to meet you all you have a very bonnie home, I added conventionally.Thank you, Esme said. Were so glad that you came. She sp oke with feeling, and I realized that she thought I was brave.I also realized that Rosalie and Emmett were nowhere to be seen, and I remembered Edwards too-innocent denial when Id asked him if the others didnt like me.Carlisles expression distracted me from this train of thought he was gazing meaningfully at Edward with an intense expression. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Edward nod once.I looked away, trying to be polite. My eyes wandered again to the beautiful instrument on the platform by the door. I suddenly remembered my childhood fantasy that, should I ever win a lottery, I would buy a grand piano for my mother. She wasnt really good she only played for herself on our secondhand upright but I loved to watch her play. She was happy, absorbed she seemed like a new, mysterious being to me then, someone outside the mom persona I took for granted. Shed put me through lessons, of course, but like most kids, I whined until she let me quit.Esme noticed my preoccupation.Do you play? she asked, inclining her head toward the piano.I shook my head. Not at all. But its so beautiful. Is it yours?No, she laughed. Edward didnt tell you he was musical?No. I glared at his suddenly innocent expression with narrowed eyes. I should have known, I guess.Esme raised her delicate eyebrows in confusion.Edward can do everything, right? I explained.Jasper snickered and Esme gave Edward a reproving look.I hope you havent been showing off- its rude, she scolded.Just a bit, he laughed freely. Her face softened at the sound, and they shared a drawing look that I didnt understand, though Esmes face seemed almost smug.Hes been too modest, actually, I corrected.Well, play for her, Esme encouraged.You just said showing off was rude, he objected.There are exceptions to every rule, she replied.Id like to hear you play, I volunteered.Its localizetled then. Esme pushed him toward the piano. He pulled me along, sitting me on the bench beside him.He gave me a long, exasperated look bef ore he turned to the keys.And then his fingers flowed swiftly across the ivory, and the room was filled with a composition so complex, so luxuriant, it was impossible to believe only one set of hands played. I felt my chin drop, my mouth open in astonishment, and heard low chuckles behind me at my reaction.Edward looked at me casually, the music still billow around us without a break, and winked. Do you like it?You wrote this? I gasped, understanding.He nodded. Its Esmes favorite.I closed my eyes, shaking my head.Whats wrong?Im feeling extremely insignificant.The music slowed, transforming into something softer, and to my surprise I detected the melody of his lullaby weaving through the profusion of notes.You inspired this one, he said softly. The music grew unbearably sweet.I couldnt speak.They like you, you know, he said conversationally. Esme especially.I glanced behind me, but the huge room was empty now.Where did they go?Very subtly giving us some privacy, I suppose.I sighed. T hey like me. But Rosalie and Emmett I trailed off, not sure how to express my doubts.He frowned. Dont worry about Rosalie, he said, his eyes wide and persuasive. Shell come around.I pursed my lips skeptically. Emmett?Well, he thinks Im a lunatic, its true, but he doesnt have a problem with you. Hes trying to reason with Rosalie.What is it that upsets her? I wasnt sure if I wanted to know the answer.He sighed deeply. Rosalie struggles the most with with what we are. Its hard for her to have someone on the outside know the truth. And shes a little jealous.Rosalie is jealous of me? I asked incredulously. I tried to imagine a universe in which someone as breathtaking as Rosalie would have any possible reason to feel jealous of someone like me.Youre human. He shrugged. She wishes that she were, too.Oh, I muttered, still stunned. Even Jasper, thoughThats really my fault, he said. I told you he was the most recent to try our way of life. I warned him to keep his distance.I thought about th e reason for that, and shuddered.Esme and Carlisle ? I continued quickly, to keep him from noticing.Are happy to see me happy. Actually, Esme wouldnt care if you had a third eye and webbed feet. All this time shes been worried about me, afraid that there was something missing from my essential makeup, that I was too young when Carlisle changed me Shes ecstatic. Every time I touch you, she just about chokes with satisfaction.Alice seems very enthusiastic.Alice has her own way of looking at things, he said through tight lips.And youre not going to explain that, are you?A moment of wordless communication passed between us. He realized that I knew he was keeping something from me. I realized that he wasnt going to give anything away. Not now.So what was Carlisle telling you before?His eyebrows pulled together. You noticed that, did you?I shrugged. Of course.He looked at me thoughtfully for a few seconds before answering. He wanted to tell me some intelligence agency he didnt know if i t was something I would share with you.Will you?I have to, because Im going to be a little overbearingly protective over the next few days or weeks and I wouldnt want you to think Im naturally a tyrant.Whats wrong?Nothings wrong, exactly. Alice just sees some visitors coming soon. They know were here, and theyre curious.Visitors?Yes well, they arent like us, of course in their hunting habits, I mean. They probably wont come into town at all, but Im certainly not going to let you out of my sight till theyre gone.I shivered.Finally, a rational response he murmured. I was beginning to think you had no sense of self-preservation at all.I let that one pass, looking away, my eyes wandering again around the spacious room.He followed my gaze. Not what you expected, is it? he asked, his voice smug.No, I admitted.No coffins, no piled skulls in the corners I dont even think we have cobwebs what a disappointment this must be for you, he continued slyly.I ignored his teasing. Its so light so open.He was more serious when he answered. Its the one place we never have to hide.The song he was still playing, my song, drifted to an end, the final chords shifting to a more melancholy key. The stretch out note hovered poignantly in the silence.Thank you, I murmured. I realized there were tears in my eyes. I dabbed at them, embarrassed.He touched the corner of my eye, trapping one I missed. He lifted his finger, examining the drop of moisture broodingly. Then, so quickly I couldnt be positive that he really did, he put his finger to his mouth to taste it.I looked at him questioningly, and he gazed back for a long moment before he finally smiled.Do you want to see the rest of the house?No coffins? I verified, the sarcasm in my voice not entirely masking the slight but true anxiety I felt.He laughed, taking my hand, leading me away from the piano.No coffins, he promised.We walked up the massive staircase, my hand trailing along the satin-smooth rail. The long hall at the top of the stairs was paneled with a honey-colored wood, the same as the floorboards.Rosalie and Emmetts room Carlisles office Alices room He gestured as he led me past the doors.He would have continued, but I stopped dead at the end of the hall, staring incredulously at the ornament hanging on the wall above my head. Edward chuckled at my bewildered expression.You can laugh, he said. It is sort of ironic.I didnt laugh. My hand raised automatically, one finger extended as if to touch the large wooden cross, its dark patina contrasting with the lighter tone of the wall. I didnt touch it, though I was curious if the aged wood would feel as guileful as it looked.It must be very old, I guessed.He shrugged. Early sixteen-thirties, more or less.I looked away from the cross to stare at him.Why do you keep this here? I wondered.Nostalgia. It belonged to Carlisles father.He collected antiques? I suggested doubtfully.No. He carved this himself. It hung on the wall above the pulpit in the vicarage where he preached.I wasnt sure if my face betrayed my shock, but I returned to gazing at the simple, ancient cross, just in case. I quickly did the mental mathematics the cross was over three hundred and seventy years old. The silence stretched on as I struggled to wrap my mind around the concept of so many years.Are you all right? He sounded worried.How old is Carlisle? I asked quietly, ignoring his question, still staring up.He just celebrated his three hundred and sixty-second birthday, Edward said. I looked back at him, a million questions in my eyes.He watched me carefully as he spoke.Carlisle was born in London, in the sixteen-forties, he believes. Time wasnt marked as accurately then, for the common people anyway. It was just before Cromwells rule, though.I kept my face composed, aware of his scrutiny as I listened. It was easier if I didnt try to believe.He was the only son of an Anglican government minister. His mother died giving birth to him. His father was an intolerant man. As the Protestants came into power, he was enthusiastic in his persecution of Roman Catholics and other religions. He also believed very strongly in the reality of evil. He led hunts for witches, werewolves and vampires. I grew very still at the word. Im sure he noticed, but he went on without pausing.They burned-out a lot of innocent people of course the real creatures that he sought were not so easy to catch.When the pastor grew old, he placed his obedient son in charge of the raids. At first Carlisle was a disappointment he was not quick to accuse, to see demons where they did not exist. But he was persistent, and more clever than his father. He actually discovered a coven of true vampires that lived hidden in the sewers of the city, only coming out bynight to hunt. In those days, when monsters were not just myths and legends, that was the way many lived.The people gathered their pitchforks and torches, of course his brief laugh was darker now and waited where Carlisle had seen the monsters exit into the street. Eventually one emerged.His voice was very quiet I strained to catch the words.He must have been ancient, and weak with hunger. Carlisle heard him call out in Latin to the others when he caught the scent of the mob. He ran through the streets, and Carlisle he was twenty-three and very fast was in the lead of the pursuit. The creature could have easily outrun them, but Carlisle thinks he was too hungry, so he turned and attacked. He fell on Carlisle first, but the others were close behind, and he turned to defend himself. He killed 2 men, and made off with a third, leaving Carlisle bleeding in the street.He paused. I could sense he was editing something, keeping something from me.Carlisle knew what his father would do. The bodies would be burned anything infected by the monster must be destroyed. Carlisle acted instinctively to save his own life. He crawled away from the alley while the mob followed the fiend and his victim. He hid in a cellar, buried himself in rotting potatoes for three days. Its a miracle he was able to keep silent, to stay undiscovered.It was over then, and he realized what he had become.Im not sure what my face was revealing, but he suddenly broke off.How are you feeling? he asked.Im fine, I assured him. And, though I bit my lip in hesitation, he must have seen the curiosity burning in my eyes.He smiled. I expect you have a few more questions for me.A few.His smile widened over his brilliant teeth. He started back down the hall, pulling me along by the hand. Come on, then, he encouraged. Ill show you.