Threading the Wrong Needle | Twilight [2]

neuf

December 20th, 2006, Forks WA

There was a growing crowd of vampires from all over that were collecting in the Cullen's home. So many of Carlisle's friends had agreed to come and witness for the young couple that it was beginning to get stuffy and hard to move without the feeling that she was crawling and clawing her way over someone.

Estelle did not do well around so many people. So many people who asked questions out of curiosity that had her holding her tongue to keep from snapping at the discomfort. Her maman, of course, was always there to chase them away when she was done, when she had reached her own limits.

Thomas was in his element, easing in and out of sociable company that Estelle envied him for this skill not for the first time. She wished she could so easily connect and speak with others without it being a drawling, boorish affair.

That day, Estelle would have rather that nothing had changed. That everyday continued to drive her frozen skin to itch opposed to the flip that came when they returned.

She knew that it would come. This was their home, their family, but somehow she had found herself ill prepared nonetheless.

Her gaze drew to Marion the moment she heard their voices approach. Her maman was already searching for her, waiting to see how she would approach this.

If it was up to her, they would have never come. If it was up to her they would hide away in one of the rooms that they were allowed to have taken over.

Edward had claimed that Carlisle and Esme were to be back first from their search, but apparently they were held up.

She was tempted now to take refuge in their bedroom, dragging the rest of their coven with them for the space.

Better yet, Estelle would have taken her chance running across the treaty line that they were all seriously warned never to cross.

Instead, Estelle stood very still and calm next to the burning fireplace. She knew that they were to return eventually. This was their home, this was their coven and their family. She wasn't going to be able to avoid them in the end.

Estelle wished to anything that she could. If not for her own sake, then for her maman's.

Moving gracefully, Marion crossed the room to stand at her daughters elbow. It settled the younger vampire instantly, soothed a part of her that was wound tight at the anxiety of what was to come.

First she saw the blonde. Still just as beautiful, still just as commanding of the attention in the room. Others turned naturally to look, those that were not mated gazed on with appreciation. She was dressed in a smart type of casual for the time with not a hair out of place.

Rosalie's eyes swept the room quickly, expression one of open hope that turned to devastating longing and joy once she spotted Marion.

Her mother was a beauty to behold in her own right. She deserved every ounce of emotion that played across Rosalie's face.

"Marion," Rosalie breathes, every inch of her poised and pointed in the direction of who should have been her mate. "I- I didn't think..."

"Carlisle asked us to be here."

Dark hair moves closer, closing in at the other side of her mother as Thomas takes up an easy position.

"I have come with my coven," Marion continues lightly. "This is my Thomas."

Rosalie nods, gaze unwavering.

Estelle likes to imagine that Rosalie is drinking up every second that she is able to spend in her mother's presence, that she is desperate for every inch and blink of existence. Rosalie looks like she is uncertain of what she would do or say in this very moment.