Carlisle and Esme

14. The Immortal Rose

Chapter Fourteen

Rosalie looked at herself in the mirror. Her red eyes were wide and her smile was slight.

"Eurgh..." Edward groaned.

"Edward." I frowned at him. He looked at me and smirked slightly.

"Sorry."

"Will be..." Esme muttered darkly. Both Edward and I smiled then I turned my attention back to Rosalie.

"Well?" I asked her.

"I... I feel..."

"Thirsty." Edward finished. Rosalie looked at him, taken aback.

"Yes."

"He can read minds... A talent of his." Rosalie eyed Edward up and down. I wanted to look away but when I did, that was when I caught Edward's response. His eyes rolled. Clearly this hadn't quite worked out as I planned.

"You're a fool, Carlisle." He responded.

"Thanks son."

"SON?" Rosalie's eyes flashed from Carlisle to Esme to Edward and back.

"It's a long story. So you should hunt."

"But I don't know how..."

"You will do. Just come with us." We led her out of the house and into the forest. Esme ran into the trees. Rosalie watched her then followed. She laughed at the delight of it all. I went a few paces behind her and Edward circled us all, keeping danger away. Rosalie watched us hunt then took down her first mountain lion. She didn't like the smell of elk, who did, but she felt thankful when her thirst was sorted. I felt thankful for that too. It was nice to have my thirst dealt with after three days plus more since I last hunted.

When we went back to the house, I explained again what we all were. She seemed to accept that. Then I explained Edward a bit and Esme.

"So you're not actually related?" Rosalie asked.

"No."

"No, it's not possible." Edward answered an unspoken question. Rosalie's face fell instantly.

"What?"

"What?" I repeated the question but in a confused tone.

"Rosalie... Thought I was actually your son. She thought vampires can conceive." I felt my heart sink slightly.

"No. No I'm sorry, Rosalie but that isn't possible."

"But how do you know that?" Her voice was pleading. She must be like Esme with maternal instincts...

"Because I have been a vampire for many years and the female body has to change to conceive a child. Vampires don't change. They don't age, they don't grow."

"So it's the female's fault?" Rosalie's tone was sharp.

"Not at all! It's all vampires."

"So men don't give off...?"

"No they do but its venom. It's not DNA as such. And there are no studies to prove that a vampire can conceive. I'm sorry... I didn't think that would be a problem..." I bit my lip.

"Rosalie, I wanted a baby of my own too. But because I can't change, I don't eat human foods so a child would have no substance to go on... Basically, it's impossible." Esme told her gently.

"But..."

"The good news is that we don't get periods." She continued, smiling.

"Eurgh..." Edward shuddered. Esme laughed at his disgusted expression and even Rosalie cracked a smile.

"Okay so back to business. Rosalie, living like us isn't for everyone. You may choose an alternative lifestyle and that's okay if you want to." I told her. Rosalie shook her head and you could see the genuine fear in her eyes.

"No. Please... Can I stay? With you?" I smiled.

"Of course you can!" I hugged her tightly. She was frozen at first then she relaxed and hugged me back.