Folktale

Chapter 9

Edward's P.O.V

Bella's friends invited me to hang out in celebration for my first official week of school being over. Not entirely sure what that means and when I asked Bella about it, she said we'd be most likely be doing guy stuff. It didn't exactly answer my question, I'm not sure what people now days do for fun, but I suppose it'd be different from what she had plans with the females of her group. She then assured me that we'd meet up at some point in the night, for they whole wanted to join together for dinner and then go home at the end of the day.

A soft knock brings me out of my trance. Esme peeks her head in, and when she sees that the coast is clear, she walks in and closes the door behind her. Aside from Carlisle, she's the second person most excited about my new found friends I have. If I could call them that, at the moment.

When she reaches me, she smooths my flannel over my shoulder and smiles. "I see you're very fond of flannels. I'll make sure to stop by the store and buy you some more clothes."

"Oh, no, it's completely fine. I'm good with the clothes I have right now, Esme, you don't need to worry."

Esme shakes her head. "No, trust me, you'll need more than three pairs of jeans and four flannels. Perhaps you could go with Carlisle, I'm sure you two share the same tastes."

"Thank you, Esme." I really am grateful to this woman and her husband. They've taken in a complete stranger into their home... Well, a home that used to be my own. But their treatment is nothing other than loving. They're the most compassionate people I've ever known. "You and your husband are amazing people."

"Oh, we don't do anything someone else wouldn't do for a young man like you," Esme said, fixing the neck of my flannel. "It's nice having some company outside my husband. The house has been quiet for so long."

"Carlisle mentioned you were never able to have children," I point out, rather bluntly. Esme's smile tighten, her lips pressed together in a fine line that she tries hard to mask. I regret my words almost immediately. "I'm sorry, it's not my place-"

Esme shook her head. "No, darling, don't worry. It's okay to ask." She takes a seat on the edge of my bed and pats the spot next to her. I take a seat, keeping my space, but Esme takes my hand in hers and rubs it gently. "But yes, we were never able to have children. Conceive, yes. I've been pregnant three times, two of which ended in miscarriage, one a still born. It was a boy. A beautiful baby boy..." Her gaze was lost in the view outside my window. "It's been the two of us for too long. It's nice to have some company."

"If it's any consolation, you would've made a wonderful mother. Much like my own..."

Her eyes widen. "You remember your mother?"

Hell...

"It's all bits and pieces, foggy memories," I lie because I do remember my mother. I remember her perfectly. "But from what I can gather, she was an amazing woman, much like you. Certain aspects about you remind me of her."

"Do you think that maybe in those foggy memories you might know what happened to them?" She asked, gripping my hand tightly. "It must be heartbreaking to remember so little and not know what happened."

You have no idea...

"They're dead, Esme. That I can be sure."

The phone Carlisle had gifted me earlier in the week buzzed in my pocket. I take it out and find a message from Emmett.

We're here.

"Uh, I suppose they're here."

We stand from the bed and she pats down my shoulders, like she's giving me some kind of encouragement. "Alright, then you have fun, okay? Go crazy with your new friends but don't be too late, okay? Let me know when you're coming home."