Only For You (Twilight Fan Fiction)

Chapter Ten

Rosalie woke me up at about 11am and struggled to get me out of bed. I refused to wear normal clothes and after a five minute argument I was allowed to wear jogging bottoms, a hoody and some fluffy socks. I took my place on the sofa and an hour or so later Bella walked into the door with Edward. Carlisle and Esme opened the door and they stood there silently for a moment before Edward spoke.

"Carlisle, Esme," Edward's voice broke the short silence, "this is Bella."

"You're very welcome, Bella." Carlisle's step was measured, careful as he approached Bella. He raised his hand tentatively, and Bella stepped forward to shake hands with him.
　
"It's nice to see you again, Dr. Cullen."

"Please, call me Carlisle."

"Carlisle." Bella grinned at him,
　　
Esme smiled and stepped forward as well, reaching for her hand.
　　
"It's very nice to know you," she said sincerely.
　　
"Thank you. I'm glad to meet you, too."
　　
"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 stopping front of Bella. Carlisle and Esme shot warning glances at her.

"Hi, Bella!" Alice said, and she bounced forward to kiss her cheek. If Carlisle and Esme had looked cautious before, they now looked staggered.
　　
There was shock in Bella eyes too. Edward stiffened at her side.
　　
"You do smell nice, I never noticed before," she commented,

No one else seemed to know quite what to say, and then Jasper was there -tall and leonine. Edward stared at Jasper, raising one eyebrow. I guess he must have changed Bella's emotions.

"Hello, Bella," Jasper said. He kept his distance, not offering to shake her hand.

"Hello, Jasper." Bella smiled at him shyly, and then at the others. "It's nice to meet you all - you have a very beautiful home," She added conventionally.
　　
"Thank you," Esme said. "We're so glad that you came." She spoke with feeling.
　　　　
Carlisle was gazing meaningfully at Edward with an intense expression. From my seat at the sofa, I saw Edward nod once.
　　
Bella looked away, trying to be polite. Her eyes wandered again to the beautiful instrument on the platform by the door.
　　
Esme noticed her preoccupation.
　　
"Do you play?" she asked, inclining her head toward the piano.
　
Bella shook my head. "Not at all. But it's so beautiful. Is it yours?"

"No," she laughed. "Edward didn't tell you he was musical?"

"No." Bella 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?" Bella explained.
　　
Jasper snickered and Esme gave Edward a reproving look.
　　
"I hope you haven't been showing off- it's rude," she scolded.
　　
"Just a bit," he laughed freely. Her face softened at the sound, and they shared a brief look that I didn't understand, though Esme's face seemed almost smug.
　
"He's been too modest, actually," She corrected.
　　
"Well, play for her," Esme encouraged.
　　
"You just said showing off was rude," he objected.
　　
"There are exceptions to every rule," she replied.
　　
"I'd like to hear you play," Bella volunteered.
　　
"It's settled then." Esme pushed him toward the piano. He pulled Bella along, sitting her on the bench beside him. It was then that I decide to go upstairs and go find Rosalie. Without a noise I went upstairs, only Esme noticed my disappearance and she gave me a look of sympathy before I headed upstairs out of the way. I went into Rosalie's room. She wasn't there, I guessed she was hunting so I sat on her chair and listened to Edward and Bella come up the stairs.

"Rosalie's room... Carlisle's office... Alice's room..." Edward said.

There was a silence and I guessed Edward was showing her something. He suddenly chuckled
　　
"You can laugh," he said. "It is sort of ironic."

Bella didn't laugh.

"It must be very old," She guessed.

"Early sixteen-thirties, more or less."

"Why do you keep this here?" I wondered.
　
"Nostalgia. It belonged to Carlisle's father."

"He collected antiques?" Bella suggested doubtfully.

"No. He carved this himself. It hung on the wall above the pulpit in the vicarage where he preached."

"Are you all right?" He sounded worried.

"How old is Carlisle?" Bella asked quietly, ignoring his question,

"He just celebrated his three hundred and sixty-second birthday," Edward said.

"Carlisle was born in London, in the sixteen-forties, he believes. Time wasn't marked as accurately then, for the common people anyway. It was just before Cromwell's rule, though. It was easier if I didn't 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. They burned 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 cleverer than his father. He actually discovered a coven of true vampires that lived hidden in the sewers of the city, only coming out by night 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." Edwards Voice quietened and I could only just hear it

"He must have been ancient, and weak with hunger. Carlisle heard him callout 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 two men, and made off with a third, leaving Carlisle bleeding in the street. "He paused.

"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. It's a miracle he was able to keep silent, to stay undiscovered. It was over then, and he realized what he had become." Edward broke off and there was silence for a while

"How are you feeling?" he asked.
　　
"I'm fine," Bella assured him.
　　
"I expect you have a few more questions for me."

"A few."

"Come on, then," he encouraged. "I'll show you."

His voice disappeared as he went up the stairs and I was left in the quiet of Rose's room waiting for her to return.