Recommence ° Edward Cullen[Rewriting]

[016]

Chapter Sixteen | What We Are Is Not The Same

**Scene of gore and implied child death in the final third of the chapter**

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Talk flowed through the kitchen as the plentiful meals prepared dwindled in numbers, Alex more or less inhaling each plate of food that was set before her.

"What do you guys do for fun?" She asked, barely glancing back at Edward as he brushed her hair away from her neck, ever so fascinated with Ember's presence as a necklace. He'd developed a habit of taking her hand to peer at the wrist the serpent was usually around and though she rarely wore her as a necklace, Edward would poke and prod at her still.

Alex paid him little mind, unconcerned that Ember would recklessly reveal herself but also more than aware that even if she did, the Cullens would be far from a threat. As unusual creatures themselves, Alex knew Ember could and would remain a secret with them.

Emmett was the one to respond, piping up with a grin. "Keeping it PG—" Alex snorted and Esme sent him a disapproving glare, Edward rolling his eyes behind her. "—baseball with the family." The young woman glanced up from her seared slab of steak, eyes gleaming.

The conversation leaned towards baseball, Esme encouraging her to join them for their next game, as Edward's hand settled on her waist. Alex would've jumped away from the touch if, in that same moment, it didn't occur to her that the display of affection was necessary, in a way.

His family believed they were actually together for as far they were informed and Edward had pointedly told her such beforehand. The young woman had dismissed it because she was an expert at pretending and it hadn't seemed like a big deal at the time.

Now, however, it sure felt like one as she lost track of the conversation for a moment, transfixed by the warmth in her chest near-perfectly complimented by the coolness of Edward's skin.

To prevent anyone from noticing anything she didn't wish them to, she took her time with the steak, chewing each piece with purposeful slowness.

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Half an hour passed and in that time, the food cured, cooked and baked was entirely gone—much to Esme's absolute surprise and delight.

Emmett was shocked as well but he didn't hide it as well as his adoptive mother. "I think you were meant to take some of that home?" It came out as more of a question rather than a sure statement and Alex held back a laugh, her eyes gleaming as she licked the powdered sugar from her fingers. "Oh, I don't do leftovers."