After hanging with Lauren that Friday, Abel spends Saturday with his uncle Charlie, with Billy Black and his son Jacob, and with Bella. Now it's Saturday and Emmett's bringing Abel to his house to hang out. Esme is cooking when they arrive.
"Good, you're here," she says. "Emmett, come cut some veggies. Abel, sweetie, can you taste this sauce and see if it needs anything?"
Abel nods. He pecks Emmett on his cheek, stunning the vampire, and he joins Esme. Emmett blinks slowly and he shakes his head. He forgot that they weren't necessarily in public. He knows that Abel doesn't want to show PDA because it makes him uncomfortable, and Emmett will respect that because he respects Abel.
Abel grabs the salt from the counter after tasting Esme's sauce for the pasta and he tells her to stir it.
Because of Abel, they don't smell Bella arriving with Edward until they're already in the kitchen. Esme looks up when two new people enter the kitchen and she smiles maternally at Edward and Bella.
"Bella," Esme coos as she gazes at her. "We're making Italiano for you."
Emmett makes his way over to Abel and wraps a bulky arm around him. Abel leans back against Emmett and sighs in content as Emmett nuzzles his face into Abel's blue hair.
"This is Esme, my mother for all intents and purposes," Edward says to Bella.
"Bon giorno?" Bella says slowly in Italian.
Esme beams. "Molto bene!" she exclaims joyously.
"Ahhh l'italiano, una lingua così meravigliosa," Abel muses and Esme smiles. "I took Italian in Port Angeles in middle school and my first boyfriend was Italian. He gave me intense lessons. It's safe to say I'm fluent."
"It is a wonderful language," Esme agrees and she turns to Bella. "I hope you're hungry like Abel is."
"Oh, absolutely - "
"She already ate," Edward cuts in and Abel flinches when the glass bowl holding the salad shatters from Rosalie's harsh grasp on it.
"It's okay," Emmett whispers. "You're safe." His hold tightens a little to ensure protection and Abel soon relaxes, trusting Emmett.
"Perfect," Rosalie snarls as she steps over the broken glass.
"I just assumed - because you don't eat, you know..."
"Of course," Esme coos.
"That's very considerate of you," Carlisle adds kindly. He glances over at Abel, who has his eyes closed and is holding onto Emmett's arm like a lifeline. Carlisle can't blame him. He was his doctor during the Jason aftermath. He can't even begin to imagine the thoughts running through his head that probably started when the bowl Rosalie had shattered.
"Just ignore Rosalie," Edward says to Bella. "I do."
"Yes, let's just keep pretending this isn't dangerous for all of us," Rosalie snaps.
"I would never, ever tell anyone!" Bella exclaims.
"Nor would I," Abel says softly from Emmett's arms.
"She knows that," Carlisle reassures. He notices Rosalie's features softening for a second when she looks at Abel and sees the state he's in but her features harden again once she turns to Bella.
"Hi, Bella!" Alice chirps as she and Jasper enter the house, preventing Rosalie saying something to hurt Abel as well as scare Bella. "I'm Alice." She gives Bella a hug and she pecks her cheek before handing her some wildflowers. "You do smell good."
Edward grimaces. "Alice..."
"It's alright, Edward," Alice reassures. "Bella and I are going to be great friends."
