One Night Only

Thirty One

After touching down in a private lot not far from O'Hare, we were immediately on our way towards Tanya's family estate. I was nervous as hell about what we were about to walk into and apparently, I wasn't the only one. Tanya was nervously wringing her hands together and Edward looked uncomfortable. To distract myself, I looked out the window as we drove through the city. It was just after dusk when we arrived and lights glittered everywhere, much like it did back home in Manhattan.

Soon the lights of the city faded from view, replaced by subtle street lamps of an affluent suburb. The homes we passed were huge and beautifully structured on the outside as I imagined the were the same inside.  We traveled deeper into the area until we finally approached a gilded gate. The driver rolled down the window, scanning a badge and typed in a key code to gain access into the estate. When the gates opened, we were driven down an allée of pristine topiaries that led to a huge lakefront estate. The French Renaissance château styled home was made of limestone and was surrounded lush greenery.

The front door opened as we approached the threshold by a middle aged woman dressed in what I assumed was her required uniform. She smiled brightly when she saw Tanya and Edward. "Welcome home, Ms. Tanya and Mr. Cullen, it's so good to see you two."

"Thank you, Constance," Tanya responded warmly.

Constance eyes met mine in surprise. "Forgive me, I didn't realize you brought another guest with you. Welcome Miss . ."

"Bella," I answered. "You can just call me Bella."

She nodded and extended her arm, gesturing for us to come in. When we stepped inside, it was even more beautiful than I'd imagined. The entrance, which could only be described as a foyer was decorated in marble, stone, silver and gold. Family portraits and paintings hung on the walls like a museum. An intricate crystal chandelier hung above us, the facets shining like diamonds.

"Wow," I murmured in awe. "This is where you grew up?"

Tanya nodded. "This house was a wedding gift to my mother from my father."

"It's very beautiful."

"Why thank you," replied a feminine voice. My eyes followed the sound to the entrance of what appeared to be a sitting room. There stood a woman with her arm cradled in the crook of an older gentleman's who held an air of male dominance. The woman was the splitting image of Tanya yet older with grey streaks running through her blonde bob. She was regally beautiful and fit for a woman of her age. The man was a silver fox, tall with broad shoulders and was in excellent shape as well. If I wasn't madly in love with Edward and was pregnant with his child, I would literally swoon.  In summation, Tanya's parents were gorgeous.

The couple walked over to us and exchanged pleasantries with their daughter before Mrs. Denali glanced at me and then Edward. "Edward dear, it's so nice to see you again," Mrs. Denali spoke warmly before she looked at me once more. "And who's this young lady?"

"Bella Swan," I said while extending my hand out for her to shake. She gingerly took my hand and shook quickly before letting go. I had the impression she didn't really want to touch my hand as if I had some type of disease and it struck me as odd.

"Let's all go to the sitting room," said Mrs. Denali.  "Constance just made a fresh batch of hot apple cider and Francis prepared the fireplace. It's nice and warm in there. Tanya, Edward and I followed the Denalis into a grand room not far from the foyer. A roaring fire crackled in the fireplace, basking the room in warmth. Tanya's parents sat in an antique French settee and her mother began to pour the hot cider in a porcelain teacup.

Mr. Denali spoke as his wife continued to pour the hot drink into teacups. "You said you wanted to have an conversation with us," he spoke before looking at me. "Forgive me, but I'm a little quite perplexed. You never mentioned you would have a guest with you when we spoke on the phone."