Pinned but Fluttering

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer; I am merely toying with her wonderful characters.

I spent the first week of my convalescence in the beautifully decorated purple room, surrounded by flowers on the walls, on my quilt, and in small white vases that Esme kept filled with fresh sprigs of lavender and deep blue freesia with touches of white tulips here and there. I've never had anyone bring me flowers before, but Esme and Alice replenished the vases daily from their flower garden.

I had to admit that I couldn't wait to be well enough to check out this apparently magnificent flower garden, but Carlisle cautioned me to rest and that the flowers weren't going anywhere...except into my room anyway, apparently. His good-natured teasing caused Esme to roll her eyes dramatically, and I found myself giggling softly.

The light of joy in both Carlisle's and Esme's faces alerted me to what I had done; I couldn't remember the last time I had giggled like the schoolgirl I actually am. When I told Esme that fact, she looked as if she was going to start sobbing right then and there, excusing herself to get fresh towels for me in a suspiciously-choked voice. Carlisle cleared his voice a little too hard, too, averting his gaze so that I couldn't see the emotion in them.

I found myself feeling much lighter emotionally as I lay in the beautiful room surrounded by flowers and good books which I think Carlisle or someone else sneaked into my room while I slept. All of my favorites slowly made their way to my bedtable or into the white-painted bookshelves flanking the purple chair in the corner. Austen, the Brontes, Shakespeare, Dickens...all my old friends had arrived, in different bindings but still the same wonderful friends beneath the unfamiliar, expensive leather and gilded pages.

So Esme continued to spoil me with various tempting dishes from her kitchen; I don't know how this family didn't gain fifty pounds each from all of her excellent meals, but they all remained quite slender, even huge Emmett who was all muscle and no fat, as he proudly informed me at least twice a day, trying to make me laugh.

While I was confined to the purple room, Alice and Emmett devoted themselves to my entertainment. Emmett and I watched at least one movie a day from the vast Cullen collection of classic and modern films while Alice regaled me with amusing stories about the family and tried to interest me in various occupations, the latest of which was crocheting.

But of course I was a dismal failure with anything remotely craft-related and gave up with a groan of frustration that had Esme hurrying to me to see if I was in pain. Alice and I exchanged a glance then laughed merrily, Esme joining in reluctantly.

After that, Alice abandoned all craft projects, electing to either chat with me or watch some of the chick flicks that Emmett would not tolerate. Jasper occasionally accompanied her during our conversation, joining us in the cheerful room which was the only part of the house I had seen as of yet. Despite Jasper's stoic, almost military bearing, I unaccountably felt more peaceful in his presence. He rarely spoke, but his indulgent smile as he watched Alice interact with me as if we were sisters made me like him more and more, even if his obvious restraint around me was more than a little intimidating.

Although my relationship with Jasper was progressing ever-so-slowly, I saw nothing of Rosalie. She never entered the purple room; I only knew of her existence as her name came up in conversation, mostly from Emmett, of course. Due to everyone else's quick change of topic whenever Emmett mentioned Rosalie, I had reluctantly gathered that not only did Rosalie not welcome me into the Cullen home, but that she also refused to approve of my presence here at all.

I was still too tired and too weak to ask questions about Rosalie's rudeness when the Cullens deftly changed the subject, apparently reluctant to injure my feelings.