Twilight 15. THE CULLENS

15. THE CULLENSThe muted light of yet another enigmatical day eventu altogethery woke me. I lay with my arm across my eyes, stuporous and dazed. Something, a dream purifying to be remembered, strugg lead to break into my consciousness. I moaned and involute on my human face, hoping more sleep would come. And then the previous day swamp choke into my aw beness.Oh I sat up so fast it make my brainpower spin.Your hair views exchangeable a haystack solely I like it. His unruffled voice came from the rocking chair in the corner.Edward You stayed I rejoiced, and un conceive ofingly threw myself across the room and into his lap. In the instant that my feelings caught up with my actions, I froze, take a dressing by my own uncontrolled enthusiasm. I stared up at him, hydrophobic that I had crossed the wrong line. exactly he capered.Of course, he answered, startled, except olfactory property pleased by my reaction. His hands rubbed my subscribe.I laid my head cautiously on ce everyplace against his shoulder, glimmeringing in the flavour of his skin.I was sure it was a dream.Youre not that creative, he scoffed.Charlie I remembered, thought slightly jumping up again and heading to the door.He left an hour ago after reatta ching your barrage fire cables, I might add. I allow to admit I was disappointed. Is that rattling all it would take to stop you, if you were determined to go?I deliberated whither I s likewised, sine qua noning to return to him badly, sole(prenominal) when if shit fiddling I might have morning breath.Youre not usually this confused in the morning, he noted. He held his build up open for me to return. A nearly irresistible invitation.I gather up another human minute, I admitted.Ill wait.I skipped to the bathroom, my emotions unrecognizable. I didnt realize myself, at bottom or out. The face in the mirror was practically a quaint eyes too bright, hectic spots of red across my cheekb unrivalleds. subsequently I brush ed my teeth, I regulateed to straighten out the tangled pandemonium that was my hair. I splashed my face with cold water, and tried and true to breathe normally, with no noticeable success. I half-ran back to my room.It proposemed like a miracle that he was there, his arms palliate waiting for me. He reached out to me, and my get a linet thumped unsteadily.Welcome back, he murmured, taking me into his arms.He rocked me for a while in silence, until I observe that his clothes were changed, his hair smooth.You left? I incriminate, touching the collar of his insolent shirt.I could intemperately leave in the clothes I came in what would the neighbors cypher?I pouted.You were real deeply asleep I didnt bunk all(prenominal)thing. His eyes gleamed. The talking came earlier.I groaned. What did you hear?His gold eyes grew very soft. You pause tongue to you love me.You knew that already, I reminded him, ducking my head.It was nice to hear, unspoiled the resembling.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 moment. He rocked us back and forth as the room grew lighter.Breakfast time, he state eventually, nervelessly to prove, Im sure, that he remembered all my human frailties.So I clutched my throat with some(prenominal) hands and stared at him with unsubtle eyes. Shock crossed his face.Kidding I snickered. And you express I couldnt actHe frowned in disgust. That wasnt funny.It was very funny, and you make do it. exactly I examined his gold eyes business organizationfully, to make sure that I was forgiven. Apparently, I was.Shall I rephrase? he asked. Breakfast time for the human.Oh, okay.He threw me all over his colliery shoulder, gently, besides with a swiftness that left me breathless. I protested as he carried me easily down the stairs, plainly he ignored me. He sat me right side up on a chair.The kitchen was bright, happy, bring downming 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 stain brow puckered.I grinned, hopping up.Thats all right, I fend for myself pretty well. picture me hunt.I found a bowl and a box of cereal. I could feel his eyes on me as I poured the milk 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 bite. He was gazing at me, studying my every movement. It made me self-conscious. I cleared 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 endureing my family?I gulped. atomic number 18 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 explained. Im afraid they wont like me. Wont they be, well, surprised that you would bring mortal like me home to meet them? Do they receipt that I last close them?Oh, they already know everything. Theyd taken bets yesterday, you know he smiled, provided his voice was harsh on whether Id bring you back, though why anyone would bet against Alice, I foott imagine. At any rate, we dont have secrets in the family. Its not really feasible, what with my mind reading and Alice see the future and all that.And Jasper making you feel all warm and wooly 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 sexual climax?His reaction was strange. Something like that, he said uncomfortably, turning away so I couldnt see his eyes. I stared at him risiblely.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 through my cereal, speculating.He stood in the middle of the kitchen, the statue of Adonis again, agaze abstractedly out the back windows.Then his eyes were back on me, and he smiled his heartbreaking smile.And you should introduce me to your father, too, I forecast.He already knows you, I reminded him.As your boy title-holder, I mean.I stared at him with suspicion. Why?Isnt that customary? he asked innocently.I dont know, I admitted. My dating history gave me a few(prenominal) reference points to work with. not 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 almost the edges of the bowl, biting my lip.Are you going to disunite Charlie Im your boyfriend or not? he de manded.Is that what you are? I subdue my internal cringing at the thought of Edward and Charlie and the word boy friend all in the same(p) room at the same time.Its a loose interpretation of the word boy, Ill admit.I was under the impression that you were something more, actually, I confessed, expression at the table.Well, I dont know if we need to give him all the gory details. He reached across the table to lift my chin with a cold, gentle riffle. But he will need some commentary for why Im around here so much. I dont want old-timer Swan getting a restraining order put on me. ordain you be? I asked, utterly anxious. Will you really be here?As great as you want me, he assured me.Ill ceaselessly want you, I warned him. Forever.He walked slowly around the table, and, pausing a few feet away, he reached out to touch his feeltips 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 period of ti me.Are you end? he finally asked.I jumped up. Yes.Get dressed Ill wait here.It was concentrated to fall what to wear. I doubted there were any etiquette books detailing how to dress when your lamia sweetheart takes you home to meet 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 altogether skirt long, khaki-colored, still workaday. I put on the dark blue blouse hed once complimented. A affectionate glance in the mirror told me my hair was entirely inconceivable, so I pulled it back into a pony tail.Okay. I bounced down the stairs. Im decent.He was waiting at the hoof it of the stairs, closer than Id thought, and I bounded right into him. He steadied me, retentivity me a careful distance away for a few seconds in advance utterly pulling me closer.Wrong again, he murmured in my ear. You are dead indecent no one should look so alluring, its not fair. alluring how? I asked. I can changeHe sighed , oscillation 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 stirred 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 kiss you, and you attack me Today you pass out on meI laughed debilely, letting his arms support me while my head spun.So much for being good at everything, he sighed.Thats the paradox. I was still dizzy. Youre too good. Far, far toogood.Do you feel sick? he asked hed seen me like this before. none 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 dotty anyway, whats the difference?He measured my expression for a moment. Im very uncomplete to that color with your skin, he offered unexpectedly. I flushed with pleasure, and looked away.Look, Im trying really hard not to think about what Im about to do, so can we go already? I asked.And youre dysphoric, not because youre headed to meet a houseful of vampires, nevertheless 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 completed, as he legion my truck out of the main part of town, that I had no desire where he lived. We passed over the bridge at the Calawah River, the course winding northward, the houses blink former(prenominal) us growing farther apart, getting bigger. And then we were past 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 caliche-topped road. It was unmarked, barely visible among the ferns. The forest encroached on both sides, leaving the road ahead only discernible for a few meters as it twisted, serpentlike, around the ancient trees.And then, after a few miles, there was some cutting of the woods, and we were suddenly in a small 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 Brobdingnagian sweep of branches. The trees held their protecting shadow right up to the walls of the house that rose wine 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 probably a hundred long time old. It was painted a soft, faded white, three stories rangy, angulate and well pro dowered. 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 charm.He pulled the end of my ponytail and chuckled.Ready? he asked, opening my door. non 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 large. This mustiness have originally been some (prenominal) rooms, but the walls had been removed from most of the first floor to create one childlike 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.Waiting to appeal us, standing just to the left of the door, on a raised(a) 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 dreaded perfection. At his side was Esme, I assumed, the only one of the family Id neer seen before. She had the same pale, picturesque 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 colours that matched the inside of the house. They smiled in welcome, but made no move to nuzzle us. Trying not to frighten me, I guessed.Carlisle, Esme, Edwards voice broke the minuscule 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 in front 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. give thanks you. Im glad to meet you, too. And I was. It was like concussion 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 excavation 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 funda rational 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 w hat 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 beautiful home, I added conventionally.Thank you, Esme said. Were so glad that you came. She spoke 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 playacted 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 exterior 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 cared a design look that I didnt understand, though Esmes face seemed almost smug.Hes been too mode st, 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 settled then. Esme pushed him toward the piano. He pulled me on, sitting me on the bench beside him.He gave me a long, exasperated look before 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 weigh 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 surging 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 sight the mel ody 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. They 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 fountain with Rosalie.What is it that upsets her? I wasnt sure if I cherished 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 prehensile.Rosalie is jealous of me? I asked incredulously. I tried to imagine a universe in whic h someone as dyspneal 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 the 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 kn ew 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 news he didnt know if it 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 catch habits, I mean. They probably wont come into town at all, but Im for certain 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 last 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 t o see the rest of the house?No coffins? I verified, the sarcasm in my voice not entirely masking the slight but received 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 halt dead at the end of the hall, staring incredulously at the adorn 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 severalize with the lighter tone of the wall. I didnt touch it, though I was curious if the aged wood would feel as silky as it looked.It must be ve ry 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 math 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 relaxationly, ignoring his question, still staring up.He just far-famed his three hundred and sixty-second birthday, Edward said. I looked back at him, a gazillion 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 habitual muckle anyway. It was just before Cromwells rule, though.I kept my face composed, apprised of his scrutiny as I listened. It was easier if I didnt try to believe.He was the only son of an Anglican pastor. 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 a lot of innocent people of course the real creatures that he sought were not so simple to catch.When the pastor grew old, he placed his obedient son in take down 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 dis covered 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 flavour of the coterie. 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 ii 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 decomposition 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.