Carlisle and Esme

46. The Unexpected

Chapter Forty-Six

A year passed. It was 1950 and Emmett had graduated once again from high school. Esme and I watched, proudly as he received his diploma. Edward and Rosalie would be the new seniors starting September. Emmett could either choose to go to college or he could stay at home with Esme. He seemed keen to go which would mean investing into an apartment but he was in debate as he wanted to be with Rose.

Edward and Emmett were on a hunting trip. It was spring break and the boys had taken the advantage to go hunting. Rosalie and Emmett were planning another wedding so that meant she and Esme were arranging. This time it was going to be a summer wedding. This meant that there would be no reusing of the decorations from their winter wedding.

Wanting to stay out of the wedding preparations, I was outside with a book. I was stretched out on the lush green grass. The night was falling now and the rays of the sunset made my skin sparkle. I didn't mind the sparkle now. I was too absorbed in my novel.

However when I heard the soft footsteps of two beings, my attention was immediately caught. The footsteps were too soft to be humans but I was used to the sound of my family walking or running. Whoever this was, it wasn't them. It was too early for the boys to be back from their hunting trip just yet.

I stood upright. The book fell from my hands to the grass. The footsteps were getting closer and soon enough, I saw two vampires. One was female and the other was male. As they got closer, I noticed other things. The female was much smaller than the male. She had brown short hair whereas the male had short golden blonde hair. The girl was elfin and her walk was more of a dance. The male orientated himself around her. He was lean and tall. His skin was covered with scars. My sharp eyes noticed that the scars were bite marks. I hadn't thought anything could mark the vampire skin. His scars immediately put me on my guard. Despite his scars though, he was beautiful and so was the girl. The treat of a vampiric beauty.

Then I noticed something different. The female had golden coloured irises. The male had orange coloured. They stopped not far from us. At the same time, Esme and Rosalie appeared at the doorway. I could sense that they were on guard too. We didn't know these strangers.

"Carlisle." The girl stepped forward, one step closer to us and away from her partner. The step was measured, cautious.

"Carlisle, do you know this girl?" Esme touched my arm. I hadn't noticed her stand by my side. Rose remained by the door.

"No he doesn't know me." The girl said before I could reply.

"Then how do you know me?" She smiled. It was a calming smile. One of friendship.

"It's a bit of a long story." I felt suddenly calm. My anxieties and worries vanished. I wanted to worry more, thinking if this was a trick. However, the girl smiled and rolled her eyes at her partner. The male smiled back at her.

"Sorry." He told her. The female looked back at me.

"Could we possibly come in?" I hesitated then nodded.

"Of course." I picked the book from off the floor and walked to Rosalie. She was still on the defensive. I touched her wrist and exchanged a look with her. My expression was calm, reassuring and Rose trusted my judgement. She moved out of the way and the unknown couple followed us into the house. And yet, only the male needed to be led. The female danced her way straight into the family room, as if she had lived here her whole life.

"So... Who are you and how do you know me?" I asked. The female sat on the couch and her partner stood beside her. He stood there like he was her guardian, her protector. Considering all his bite marks, he probably was. However the rest of us stayed standing, not wanting to let our guard down until we knew some more about this unknown couple.

"My name is Alice and this is my mate, Jasper. I have spent many years, waiting for the day when I could finally meet your family. But mainly you, Carlisle." Alice smiled at me.

"How do you know us?" Esme asked.

"I have a... Talent of some kind. A gift. It may be hard to believe but... I can see visions of the future."

"You see the future?" Rosalie's arms were folded over her chest. She was still stood defensively.

"Yes. I know everything about you. You're married to Emmett and on July 2nd you're planning to have your second wedding to him. Carlisle is the founder and leader of this family and is married to Esme. Esme considers Edward, Emmett and Rosalie to be her children due to the loss of a baby she had when she was human and due to unforgotten maternal instincts. Edward can read minds. Rosalie hasn't changed her surname to Cullen because when she first became immortal, she clung on to the piece of herself that she considered human." Now we were all on the defensive.

"How do you know all that?" Rose hissed.

"I told you. I can see the future. You were where my life was headed and the second vision I had when I became a vampire." Alice was still calm. Jasper was half calm and half poised for a potential fight.

"Is it so hard to believe when one of you has a talent of his own?" Jasper spoke for the first time. It had a slight Texan touch to it.

"So you know of our diet?" I gestured to her golden eyes.

"Because I saw your family and the way you lived, I knew how to live my own life."

"And what about him?" Rosalie nodded to Jasper.

"Jasper struggles with your way of life. He tries his hardest but he has given in to the temptation once or twice." Alice replied.

"Then why not live the way of normal vampires?" I asked him. Everyone had their own reason for wanting to become one of us or even not to join our way of life. Edward and I had the same reason of not wanting to become monsters. Esme and Rose had that same resolve but they also wanted a way of life that stuck to being close to human as was possible. Emmett could use that excuse but he loved Rose and would follow wherever she went.

"I don't want to hurt a human. My... Past revolves around hurting and killing... I don't want to be like that anymore..." Jasper's face became much grieved and I believed his words. Alice patted his forearm gently.

"Jasper is talented too. He can feel emotions."

"Sense them. Change them at will too," Jasper smiled at us. He nodded at Rosalie. "You're worried and on guard." Rosalie's mouth dropped open for a fraction of a second before closing again.

"Change my emotions." I smiled at him. My curiosity was my main emotion now. Jasper's gaze moved to me. His eyes locked upon mine. Seconds later, I felt calmed and soothed. The emotion wave changed and it was my own excitement for new knowledge.

"Amazing..." I murmured.

"So why are you here?" Esme asked. I can feel my wife and daughter relax a bit more now that we knew Alice and Jasper were not intending to hurt us.

"We want to join your family. I know it seems rash and strange to demand this but... We want to live your way of life and... Feel like we belong there." I smiled warmly.

"You're welcome to join us." Alice laughed, jumping to her feet in her excitement.

"Really?! Oh! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She hugged me tightly then Esme then Rose. Jasper's eyes were wide with surprise at Alice's easy acceptance to us but he smiled at us kindly.

"Thank you. And please excuse my Alice's way of irritation. She can't help herself." Alice danced over to Jasper and took his hand. She was bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet.

"It's quite alright." I smiled at them both.

"I'll show you to your room, I suppose." Rose said. She went up the stairs and Jasper and Alice followed. I put my arm around Esme's waist, smiling at her.

"Well that was... Different." She smiled back.

"Yes. And very unexpected." I turned her round so she was facing me. I then cradled her face in my hands.

"I wonder how Edward and Emmett will react to them." Esme stroked my cheek with her fingers.

"We shall soon see." I kissed her gently and we went to see how our new family members were doing.