Marvellous days

Chapter 44 -Facing the Big Bad World-

It was the middle of February already, and still no news. Maybe the Volturi wanted to torture us before they came to kill…

We decided that we couldn’t be on high alert all the time. We also had to worry about our human charade. We couldn’t just stay in our house and keep reality away. We had to live our normal life, not just for us but to keep others out of harm’s way.

It was difficult, but in the end, we managed to keep a certain level of normality in our life. Carlisle had made the first step and got to work every morning.

A week later, Bella and Edward followed and moved over to their house that was only 10 minutes away from ours. They were over at ours nearly every night nonetheless.

Anna had invited me and my family to parties, sports and other events, but I had declined every time. And now I would face reality by getting over to her with Carlie, Rose and Alice. It was a small step, but I had to take it to start somewhere. Though I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere on my own. At least one out of my family would accompany me everywhere in case the Volturi made a spontaneous move.

“Esme, come on,” Alice called.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” I groaned and carried Carlie down the stairs. “You will have to face the big bad world at some point,” Rose sighed. “Trust me, I don’t find it easy as well. If I had a choice I would lock myself in here,” she muttered.

“Rose, that’s not helping,” Alice glared at her. “Why? It’s the truth,” she grumbled. Alice only sighed. “I know, it will be nice and Carlie needs some fresh air. So, yes, I will go out and face it,” I propelled myself up. Alice clapped, but still had to shove me outside.

It had been raining for days, the snow had disappeared and the rainy weather started. It was a rare occasion that for now there was no rain. Rose and Alice walked next to me on either side protectively.

“Hello Esme,” Anna hugged me when she opened the door. “It’s so good to see you,” she whispered and looked up at the rest. “Hi, I am Rosalie and this is my sister Alice,” Rose introduced herself and Alice. “Nice to meet you two,” Anna smiled. “Why don’t you come in? John is still at work, but Avery is home,” she explained and led us into the living room.

He ran to us and hugged my leg. “Hi, big boy. How are you doing?” I greeted him and ruffled his blond hair. “Good,” he answered with an adorable smile and looked up at me with sparkling eyes. “He has been talking about you for weeks. I couldn’t soothe him when I said that you would come over later. He really got a thing with you,” Anna laughed and motioned for us to sit down.

Alice sat opposite me nearly next to Anna. Rose sat on my right and Avery proudly sat on my left. Carlie was sitting on Rose’s lap.

We spent a carefree afternoon over at Anna’s and I found myself smiling and laughing. Rose really liked to play with little Avery and he was thrilled to have so many playmates.

Carlie looked a little confused and maybe even angry when the usually undivided attention was now split and her sisters and mother were also playing with another child. But she accommodated quickly, though she demanded our full attention from time to time.

Anna talked about the pros and cons of being pregnant in her first trimester and I told her how I lived through that time. We laughed about so many similarities.

When her husband came home, we also went back home because Carlisle would be already home as well or would return soon. But before we went I had to promise Anna that I would come over more often. I promised but wasn’t sure if I could keep it.

Sure enough, Carlisle was already home and awaited our return with a huge smile. He grabbed Carlie and cuddled with her. She would definitely always have her father’s undivided attention, I thought and smirked. 

-All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer-