Tooth and Claw

Fresh Start

When Seth and Charlotte returned to the Cullens house, they found Carlisle standing at the door, waiting for them.
"This can't be good" Charlotte said quietly, as she saw the look on Carlisle's face.
Sensing her distress, Seth placed his hand into Charlotte's, and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I thought I asked you not to leave the house, and I thought you told me that you weren't going to" said Carlisle.
"I fancied a walk" shrugged Charlotte.
"Well you should've told one of us first, before just leaving. We were worried about you, anything could've happened. Next time ask before you leave the house"
"Jesus, you sound like my father".

Carlisle's face fell, and Charlotte instantly regretted her words.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it... You're nothing like him" she said quietly.
"It's O.K. I know you were just upset with my tone, and I apologise for getting angry with you. I'm only trying to keep you safe" replied Carlisle.
"You have nothing to apologise for. I promised not to leave the house, and I broke my promise"
"You just wanted to use your new found freedom to explore, and I'm sorry for over-reacting".

"It's my fault Carlisle. I wanted to take Charlotte on a walk, and I should've asked you first if it was O.K" admitted Seth, as he jumped in to protect Charlotte.
"It's alright Seth, I'm not mad at either of you. Just let someone know before you go anywhere next time. You don't need to ask for permission, but just let us know where you're going" replied Carlisle.
"I promise"
"Good"
"Right, I guess I'll be on my way. I'll see you tomorrow Lottie".
"Goodbye Seth" said Charlotte softly.
Seth kissed her quick on the cheek before running off back into the woods.

Seth's actions shocked Charlotte, causing her to freeze for several moments, before following Carlisle inside the house.
"I need you to sign some official paperwork" admitted Carlisle as he led the way into the living room.
"Sure. Just tell me what I need to do" replied Charlotte.
Several pieces of paper were laid out on the table in front of Esme, who was signing her own name beside Carlisle's.
"We just need you to sign your name, which will tell the courts that you are happy to be placed in our care. We will then get made your temporary guardians, while all the adoption paperwork is viewed. But it could be up to a year before you officially become a part of our family" revealed Carlisle.

"Can't you do anything to speed it along?" Asked Charlotte as she joined Esme on the sofa.
"I could. But we are already more involved in your father's situation, than I'd like to be, and I don't want to make things worse, by rushing the courts" answered Carlisle.
"I guess that makes sense. We don't want to make anyone suspicious" agreed Charlotte, as she took the pain from Esme and signed her name.
"Once you are a part of our family, things will be better. You could even change you name if wanted to" revealed Esme.
"Change my name?" Questioned Charlotte.
"Lots of children who get adopted do change their names, as well as taking on their new parents surnames. But you don't have to, if you don't want to. You can just be Charlotte Cullen if you like".

Hearing the name Cullen after her own made Charlotte smile.
"That sounds nice... I do like my name, but I feel like my dad has kind of ruined it for me" she admitted.
"Well you could reclaim your name now that he's out of your life" replied Carlisle.
"I could. But honestly I just want a fresh start"
"I think a fresh start would do you good... If you did change your name, what name would you choose?"
"I wouldn't want something totally different".
Charlotte thought about the nickname Seth had given her, and she grinned.
"I think Lottie would be a good name for my new life" she continued.

"Lottie it is then. If you want to keep your name on all your school records then that's up to you. But when we eventually move and take on new identities, then we can use Lottie as your new persona" said Carlisle.
"Do you want us to start calling you Lottie in the house?" Esme asked.
"I don't know. This whole fresh start thing is a lot to get my head around... Maybe stick with Charlotte for now, while we deal with my father's court case" suggested Charlotte.
"That's a good idea. This is going to be a trying time for us all, especially you. But don't worry, we will all be here to help you every step of the way" reassured Carlisle.
"Thank you... I don't know what I did to deserve you or your kindness, but thanks"
"You're welcome".

"It's a shame that because of the problems we're facing with your father, you won't get to enjoy your first few months as a vampire" Esme admitted sadly.
"I thought you said the first few months are the worst" reminded Charlotte.
"They can be hard, as it takes a while to adjust to your new body. The lust for blood can be particularly overwhelming at first. But you're doing very well at controlling your thirst, as you were in the same room as your father, and you didn't even try to drink his blood. You only went to attack him when you learned what he did to your mother. But you just wanted to hurt him, not drink him dry" replied Carlisle.

"I guess I've got a lot going on in my mind, which is why my thirst is not that important to me at the moment" admitted Charlotte.
"You are doing very well. But we don't want to push you too much just yet. Your contact with humans will need to limited until we are sure you will be able to control your thirst around them. We also don't want to put you in the position where you will be around blood. As even mature vampires struggle to control themselves when around human blood" revealed Carlisle.
"I think being so busy is good for me. So maybe I'll surprise you and always have really good self control"
"We'll see".