HARD to Get A naughty Twilight retelling

12. Meet the Cullens

All Disclaimers Apply.  I don't own the material from the movie or book and have simply played with it to suit the story.

Epov

I don't know what possessed me to do it. Which was a lie, of course. My stupidity knew no bounds when it came to Bella, and what was even worse was that I was too obsessed with her to admit this was a horrible idea.

A vampire courting a human - who'd ever heard of anything so ridiculous?

I was grateful she lacked the ability to read in my mind that I'd even thought the word "courting" because I suspect she would've opened the passenger side of the door of the Volvo and leapt out into the open road despite my speed. I considered this as Bella fidgeted in the seat beside me, silent and trying not to glare at me as I drove us to my parent's home, intent on introducing her as though there was a future for us.

"Duress, Edward," she said, filling the delicious Bella-scented air with her anger.

"I'd hardly call it duress."

"I wasn't in my right mind. You wouldn't let me sleep, therefore I was coerced. And now, I'm on my way to your house to play fucking meet the parents!"

I cleared my throat, instead of bothering to verbally correct the profanity. In truth, she was right to be upset. I held Bella to her word, and though I knew I was being an ass and that meeting my family wasn't the best idea, I insisted she follow through. And Alice agreed that it was a good idea.

For the life of me, I don't know why I listened to Alice.

Bella remained silent the rest of the way, which by the time the Volvo trailed the path leading into the forest there was less than ten minutes left to my house. Without turning my head too dramatically, I watched her eyes widen as we were enveloped by the lush greens and the contrasting estate I called home.

Still she said nothing, until after I'd already gotten out of my side to open hers, faster than she could protest.

With passenger side open, her legs remained still, creamy and long in her denim skirt, and as always, Bella was impossibly beautiful even as her eyes aimed daggers at me.

At first it seemed she had no intention of getting out as I held the door open for her, but before I said anything, she spoke.

"What did you tell them about me, Edward? Do they think I'm your girlfriend?" Her voice was even, curious.

"I said I was bringing my friend here to meet them. But that we are just friends," I assured her, choosing my words with the utmost care. What I left out was the part that every member of my family already knew better.

With that, she accepted my hand to help her out of the car and we proceeded inside.

"Esme designed this house," I offered when she didn't ask, but her eyes continued to scan the open surroundings with awe. I'd already explained that Esme was my mother for all intents and purposes- the only member she hadn't seen. Esme's mind had been buzzing all morning about how excited she was to finally meet Bella, and Esme was the one I was the most excited for her to meet.

We headed up to the second story, and the odor of poultry managed to drown out the deliciousness of the irresistible human beside me. "I told them not to do this," I said, now debating on whether to turn back around - an idea I was sure Bella would agree to.

"Is she even Italian?"

"Her name is Bella."

"I'm sure she'll love it."

"Get a whiff of that. Here comes the human."

Lucky for me Bella lacked our super hearing. And she couldn't hear the excited squeals in Esme's mind, lest Bella run from here screaming.