My Thirst for a Certain Vampire Doctor

When our flight landed in Portland, I could hardly stay awake long enough to get to the car. Carlisle held my hand as I used him for support as we made our way through the airport.

Being in Portland typically meant the drive home would take a bit longer than if we we’re just in Seattle, but the Cullens rarely drove under 100mph, so it didn’t take nearly as long.

Carlisle didn’t want me anywhere near Seattle and, after hearing all that was going on, I couldn’t say I disagreed. The knowledge that another vampire was reeking havoc worried me more than I let on. So many people had already been murdered, and the numbers continued to grow. 

I wasn’t really worried for my own safety, I knew Carlisle would do everything to protect me. I also knew that Edward and Jacob would do everything to protect Bella; even if Jacob wanted to pretend he hated her most of the time.

My main concern was that if this got too loud- if my family had to go to Seattle to ‘handle’ it, we didn’t know what they were going there to handle. We didn’t know how many vampires were there. We didn’t know who was there. If this was so out of control that the Cullens had to step in, who else would also step in. They assured me every time that it wouldn’t come to that and if it did, they could take care of it. It didn’t make me feel better.

We drove home from Portland in only three hours. Thankfully we went to Carlisle’s house rather than mine. I knew Dad would have a hundred questions about my trip and probably more about Bella’s upcoming trip, that I wouldn’t have the energy to answer. I hadn’t given Dad an exact date for our return yet, so a few more hours away wouldn’t hurt. 

I took a deep breath as soon as we walked in the front door and Carlisle turned sharply to me. If I didn’t know him as well as I did, I probably would have missed the worry on his face. I smiled warmly at him, trying to ease his concern.

“It’s nice to be home.” I whispered. His eyes lit up at the word home; Not his house, but home. I really did feel at home here. I was sure Edward or Jasper had caught on, but with Carlisle, I told him through small gestures. I claimed a side of the bed. I filled the bedside table with my things. He made room in the closet for my clothes. (I didn’t have time to actually bring clothes over, before Alice bought stuff for me.) I brought over my toothbrush and my pillow and  my favorite towel and somehow he was still excited to hear me call his house home.

He wrapped me up in his arms and I hid my face in his chest.

“It really is.”

The others trickled in slowly. We greeted them from our spots on the couch. He of course told me who exactly was coming before they came in. I still looked up over my book and smiled at all of them. 

Alice informed us that Bella and Edward would be coming over to hang out later so I made a small meal for the two of us. I knew that Dad was definitely home from work now and I knew that Edward was going to bring up their trip  to Jacksonville. I was just happy I didn’t have to be home for that conversation. 

When Bella and Edward got to the house, I could tell she was irritated, but she was also clearly happy to see me. She plopped down on the couch between me and Alice, and wrapped her arms around me.

“Welcome home! I missed you! How was your trip?” I couldn’t help but giggle as I hugged her back. Edward and Carlisle shared a look. I wondered how much was being shared that we couldn’t hear. Carlisle’s hand briefly tightened over mine. 

I chose to play along and keep Bella distracted. “It was good. Ireland is beautiful.”

“I bet! I should add it to potential vacation spots.” She shared a look with Edward who looked triumphant somehow. I guessed that Carlisle told him how the tracking went. “Edward sprung on Dad that we're going to Jacksonville.” She practically glared at him.

It made me laugh again, “How did that go?”

“So bad.” She ran a hand over her face. “I hate it when he treats me like a child.” This time Carlisle chuckled from my side, though I don’t think she noticed. “He hardly questioned your trip.”

“I’m 21…”

“Yeah and I’m 18!” She rolled her eyes. “I just want him to trust me-”

“He doesn’t trust me…” Edward added. Everyone in the room was smiling softly, save for Bella, who looked like she could fight someone.

“Well he’s just going to have to get over it. Though it might have been easier if I could have eased him into it.”

“I highly doubt that would be better.” I tried. “At least, if Edward is there, he could take it out on him.”

She threw her head back and sighed, hopefully realizing how childish this felt. “He shouldn’t…”

“No he shouldn’t-” I moved from Carlisle's shoulder to hers and ran a hand through her hair. “-but he’ll get over it.”

“If we’re lucky… When are you planning on heading home?”

“Later, maybe tomorrow. I’m not sure yet.” I caught on to the shift in conversation. As I went along with it she already seemed to lighten up. “I made soup, if you want some.”

“Hmm. Maybe later. How did the hunting thing go?” she asked like she had been waiting for the chance. 

I felt Carlisle wince, “I didn’t hunt her… I tried to track her-”

“Sure, sure. How did it go?”

I blushed and he squeezed my hand. “He found me… I didn’t get too lost.”

“Obviously. But did you track her?” Edward asked, even though he probably already knew the answer. 

I moved again, back to Carlisle’s shoulder, he held me closer. “I could, at times. However for the most part… It was like she was never really there at all.”

“Because. She’s. Not. Trackable.” His confidence was over the top. He said the words like it proved a point he’d made a hundred times. 

“Sometimes.” Carlisle added.

“I could try-” Edward started.

“Absolutely not.” I knew he wouldn’t let anyone else try, and I didn’t really want to try with anyone else either. 

The room got quiet for a minute. I squeezed Carlisle’s hand this time. 

Bella stood abruptly and changed the subject. “We should play chess!” She walked over to their cute little chess table that sat by the window and chose which side she wanted to sit on. “I’ve been practicing. I think I can at least beat Jasper.”

That awarded her a handful of laughter from the room. 

“Challenge accepted.” Jasper sat across from her and the battle began. Edward and Carlisle stared at each other for a few seconds more, before Edward nodded once and moved to stand by Bella.

Bella did not beat Jasper.

~~

I drove Bella home later that night. Carlisle kissed me like he wasn’t ready for me to go. It almost convinced me to stay, but I figured it was better to go see Dad, rather than have him chase me down. Edward kissed Bella and whispered something to her. I’m sure it was something like ‘ I’m gonna climb in your window the second your father is asleep. ’ 

His soft chuckle meant I was right. 

Carlisle walked me to my car and held open the door for me.

“I love you.” I whispered before kissing him again.

“I love you.”  Followed by another short peck. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…” I sighed.

When we got home, Dad was watching some game in the living room. I really thought Bella was just going to move upstairs and try to not catch his attention. I wondered how bad their conversation earlier went if even now she felt the need to avoid him.

“Could you come in here, Bella?” He called. Bella winced and froze. She looked like she wanted to bang her head on the wall. Instead she managed to drag herself into the living room.

“What’s up, Dad?”  

“Did you have a nice time- Oh, Y/n! You’re home too. How was your trip?”

I laughed a little, thinking Bella might use his distraction to bolt, but she didn’t move. “It was good. I got you a souvenir mug, but it’s in my bag.” I motioned towards the door; I hadn’t thought to bring my suitcase in yet.

He waved me off, “We can get it later. Thank you.” I could tell something was bothering him. He turned to face Bella. “Bells?”

“Yeah, good… My day was good.”

“What did you do?” I hadn’t figured out why he was being so weird, and Bella looked at me like she was just as lost. 

She shrugged. “Hung out with Y/n, and Carlisle and Alice and Jasper. Edward Beat Alice at chess, and then I played Jasper. He buried me.”

I walked further into the living room, Bella followed behind me. She even sat next to me on the couch. Dad sat forward in the recliner and muted the game, which genuinely took me by surprise. Instead of showing it, I pretended to be very interested in the fringe on the couch pillow.

“Look, there’s something I need to say. .. Y/n, I think you can back me up here.” My eyes went wide. He looked like he had been punched in the gut.

“What is it, Dad?”

He sighed. “I’m not good at this kind of thing. I don’t know how to start…”

Bella stayed quiet, looking at his face. I was starting to catch on and really wished I could be anywhere, but here. I held back a laugh, covering my mouth with the back of my hand, and stared out the closest window.

“Okay, Bella. Here’s the thing.” He got up from the recliner and started pacing back and forth across the living room. He kept his eyes on his feet. “You and Edward seem pretty serious, and there are some things that you need to be careful about. I know you’re an adult now, but you’re still young, Bella, Y/n is too. We also had a talk similar to this. But there are a lot of important things you need to know when you… well when you’re physically involved with-”

It took a lot of strength to contain my giggles. I was grateful that Bella finally caught on.

“Oh, please, please , no!” She begged, standing immediately. “Please, tell me you are not about to have a sex talk with me, Charlie.”

I almost winced when she said his name but it was like watching a train wreck; I could not bring myself to look away. 

“I am your father. I have responsibilities. Remember, We’re just as embarrassed as you are, right Y/n?”

“I am not involved in this.” I tried to sound serious, but couldn’t hide my giggles.

Bella continued to try and stop him. “I don’t think that’s humanly possible. Anyway, Mom beat you to the punch about ten years ago. You’re off the hook.” She tried, but I knew it wouldn’t work.

“Ten years ago you didn't have a boyfriend,” he muttered, I could tell how much he wanted to change the subject.

“I don’t think the essentials have changed that much.”

Except that they had, just not in a way that Dad could provide advice for. There was no  way the talk Renee and Bella had ten years ago mentioned vampire sex. And, though my knowledge of basic human sex was nonexistent, I was probably the only one here who could really explain it to her. Still, I very much did not want to do that. So I continued to bite my tongue and watched this play out. 

“Just tell me you two are being responsible,” he pleaded. He looked like he wanted to fall over dead, rather than actually hear her answer. 

“Don’t worry about it, Dad, it’s not like that.” I knew at least that much was true. Carlisle wouldn’t tell me much- Thank god…- just that Edward didn’t want to test his control the way Carlisle could with me.

I also knew my input here would just raise more questions and therefore be of no help. I just stayed quiet and tried not to laugh too hard.

“Not that I don’t trust you, Bella, but I know you don’t want to tell me anything about this, and you both know that I don’t really want to hear it. I’ve been open minded with Y/n, I know times have changed.”

She forced a laugh while I forced back another. “Maybe the times have, but Edward is very old-fashioned. You have nothing to worry about.”

I wondered what that meant exactly, but quickly decided I did not want to know.

Dad mumbled, “Sure he is.” I stood and walked toward the kitchen. “Y/n, please.” I froze but didn’t turn around.

“Ugh!” She groaned “I really wish you were not forcing me to say this out loud, Dad. Really. But… I am a… virgin, and I have no immediate plans to change that status.”

They both cringed. I let out a sharp bark of a laugh. Dad seemed to believe her, thankfully. I started moving slowly toward the front door. Hopefully slow enough that they wouldn’t notice.

I heard her continued pleas as I tiptoed out of the room. “Can I go to bed, now? Please.” I didn’t hear his response but based on her heavy dramatic sigh, I guessed he said no.

I went out to my car so I could bring my suitcase in. I wanted to wash my vacation clothes and grab the mug for Dad and the necklace for Bella.

I also wanted to get as far away from that conversation. I would have driven back to the Cullens house if Dad wouldn’t have caught up with me. It wasn’t even that long before he was outside next to me, helping me with my bags.

I made eye contact with him and immediately burst out laughing. He did too.

“You were no help back there.” He sounded stern but he was still laughing.

“I didn’t think my opinion would have been all that appreciated. She’s going to do her own thing anyway.”

He winced, “I know… If she comes to you… for advice or… help-”

“I’ll make sure she’s safe, Dad.”

“Good. Good…” He nodded and moved towards the door. “Thanks kid.” He drifted back into the living room without another word. I took my suitcase and headed upstairs. 

I stopped by Bella’s room. Her door was open just a bit, I pushed it open a bit more as I knocked. “Bells?”

When I peaked in she was sitting on her bed focusing on the window. I doubted that Edward would be back yet, so I wondered what she was focused on. 

“Oh, hey. What’s up?” She looked up and smiled at me.

“I’m sorry about Dad. That was-”

“Awkward?” She laughed and I nodded. “It’s fine. He ended up giving me more freedom by the end of it anyway.”

“He was definitely easier on you than he was on me. At least yours didn’t involve bananas…” I chuckled.

“That would have been so much worse…” We both laughed, “Hey… about that…” She was hesitant. I was afraid to push her. I just watched as she processed what to say. “Do… do you and Carlisle…”

She cut off but I caught on to her meaning. “Oh, uhm… Yeah.” I think my answer just confused her more, so I added, “But it’s Carlisle…So we don’t really have to worry about his control…”

She made a face like that had never even dawned on her. I was grateful that at least Edward had considered it.

She nodded. “Oh! Right. Of course.” Her face was still lost. 

“Just be careful, alright? And if you need anything…”

“I’ll come to you first, I promise.”

I nodded and turned to leave. I paused for just a second and added. “It may be too late… but don’t think about it, Bella. Just go.” I looked out the window again then down the hall. 

It was the push she needed. She grabbed her keys and ran back downstairs. I laughed and headed towards my room. 

It, in fact, proved to be late. Her truck wouldn't start, so only a few moments later, she was stomping back up the stairs and slamming her bedroom door. I thought I heard her close her window, but I knew she wouldn't stay mad at Edward long. Even if he was being overly controlling. 

I hoped she wouldn't give up.

~~

I knew Bella was safe in Jacksonville. I knew that there were five Cullens against one Victoria. But I still couldn’t quell the panic in my chest the entire time I was down in La Push.

I couldn’t tell what game was on TV, despite how much Dad and Billy were yelling at the  screen. I bit my nails so much they hurt. Between intense moments of the game, Dad probably asked me a hundred times if I was alright.

I stuck to the standard ‘I’m fine…’ and ‘I’m just distracted’ though I don’t think he bought it. I manically turned my phone off and on again, over and over hoping a message would appear.

But, of course, it remained undisturbed.

I tried to nap on the couch, but everything was too loud. Desperate for a just moment of peace; I wandered out to the porch, muttering to Dad that I just needed air. I saw the concern on his face, but he didn’t follow.

As soon as I was outside I pressed my forehead to the cool siding of the house. I wasn’t even out there for 5 minutes before Sam walked up and ruined my quiet. I wasn’t expecting to see him at all and honestly, I didn’t really want to see him. As he approached me I really did try to resist glaring at him.

He didn’t offer me an overwhelmingly warm greeting, just “I heard you were back from your trip. Thought I’d swing by and say hello.” I caught on to his meaning and rolled my eyes. “Jacob will be visiting Bella when she returns as well. Just to check.”

I choked out a laugh. “Well- with me at least, you have nothing to worry about yet.”

“Yet?”

I shrugged. I had no interest in playing their game; no intention of giving him any information on my plans- or lack thereof.

“It would break the treaty…”

“It’s my choice.”

“It puts every single person in your life in danger.” I knew he had good intentions, even if he was being a jerk about it.

I shrugged again, just to piss him off. He actually scoffed. 

“I know you have a family to protect, Sam, but so do I. Bella is stubborn and this is what she has decided. She won’t give up, she doesn’t care about the treaty. She wants to be one of them. That being said, there are a bunch of people who now want her dead. She won’t be safe until she is one of them. I understand that you think otherwise. I know that you’re trying to protect your family, but I have to do what's right for mine as well.” 

He looked like he was at least considering it, but he still shook his head. He was quiet for a long moment before stepping down the porch.

“... I have to get back… Just, try. Please?”

I tried to catch the meaning in his words, but there were too many possibilities. I nodded and grinned at him, hoping to get him to lighten up a bit. He didn’t. Once he fully disappeared into the trees, I rolled my eyes and went back into the house, out of the rain.

Dad went straight to bed when we got home, seemingly unaware of my overwhelming anxiety. He got up the next morning, made himself eggs and toast, kissed my forehead and went to work like everything was completely normal. He didn’t have any idea that it wasn’t.

I knew the Cullens  had taken him going to work into account. I knew Carlisle wouldn’t leave me or my Dad completely unprotected. It was the fact that I still hadn’t heard anything from them at all that made me spiral. Bella and Edward’s flight would be landing in Portland in an hour or so. I thought that I would have heard something from them by then and the fact that I hadn’t had me biting my nails until they hurt.

I was nearly at my breaking point, I had my phone in my hand, his number dialed. I tried to will myself not to call; I didn’t want to distract him, but the need to hear his voice and know that he was alright outweighed that logic.

I almost hit the call button when I heard his knock at the door. I got the door open a second later and threw my arms around his neck; he, of course, caught me instantly. One of his hands went into my hair and the other wrapped firmly around my waist. For a moment, we didn’t kiss, we didn’t say a word, we just held each other and breathed each other in.

And then he kissed me and he felt like he always did. His cool lips on mine sent warm waves through my whole body that I didn’t think I could ever get used to. I kissed him and let him kiss me right there on the front porch for the whole town to see. 

If I was being honest, I wanted everyone to see us. Because he was alive. Because I was able to kiss him like this. The panic I had felt before had risen to my throat. I felt like I could choke on it, but then he was there, kissing me the way he was, washing it away completely.

He pulled back and I breathed a giggle. I hadn’t realized I was out of air, though thankfully he was always one step ahead of me. 

“I was so worried.” I whispered against his lips.

“Everyone is fine.” He answered the question I was too afraid to ask on my own. He leaned back and held my face with both hands. He looked me over again and again, checking for obvious signs of distress; His eyes were locked on mine. “Nothing happened here, right? You and your father are unharmed?”

“We’re completely fine.” I kissed his nose to reassure him. “Did you guys…” I trailed off again, too afraid to form the words- Did they kill her? Of course I wanted her gone, but I really hated the idea of any of them in a fight against her or even killing her.

“She got away.” He sighed and I leaned further back to see his face, to try and read his expression. I hoped he would crack a smile and say he was kidding.

He didn’t.

He continued, “She kept crossing the treaty line, Alice couldn’t keep up once the wolves were involved. Emmett crossed too, to try and get to her but Paul attacked him-”

“Oh no…” I covered my mouth with my hand.

“He’s all right, Cara.” I still hadn’t moved my hand so he pressed a quick kiss to the back of it. “His ego may be bruised, since she used their distraction to get away from us for good, but otherwise unscathed.”

“She could still come back.” I whispered. If she was still out there, this wasn’t over. 

He nodded, “But Alice will see when she chooses to. I trust that we will be capable of stopping her. It will be alright, Dove." He pressed his cool hand to my cheek and kissed the tip of my nose before he asked, "How was your weekend?" Clearly trying to change the subject.

I chewed my lip while debating if I was going to let it. "Fine…" I breathed it more than I said it. I wouldn't let it go, but it wasn't pressing right now. "Sam came by Billy’s house… He wanted to see if I'm still human…"

He barked out a laugh. "Because of our trip?" When I nodded, he added "I suppose it would make more sense that we'd leave for a while to do it."

“We weren’t even gone that long… I don't see why it matters anyway.” I understood why the wolves thought it mattered, but what I didn’t understand was why it mattered more than what Bella and I wanted.

He gave me a small kiss on my forehead and I pulled him into the house and towards the living room. We had a few more hours before Dad got home. Bella and Edward’s flight wouldn’t get in until well after eight. We have a few hours to be ourselves. After this weekend I would take every single second with him I could.

“I wish the treaty could be updated, ya know?” I asked him and he chuckled in response. I fell dramatically onto the couch, and he delicately sat beside me. “Could we petition to add a ‘Swan Clause’ to the Cullen/ Quileute Treaty? Like- If a human chooses to be bitten, of sound mind and body, the treaty will not be void.”

He laughed, “If only we had thought ahead- though I highly doubt any of us could have seen you two coming.”

“That’s… Fair.” I got as close to him as the couch would allow without actually just sitting in his lap. “I never really saw you coming either.” I kissed him quickly and we settled into the couch.

We only had a single moment of peace before the shrill sound of the phone ringing came from the kitchen. I bumped my forehead against his shoulder. If I’d gone any harder it probably would have hurt. He looked concerned but I waved it off.

“Are… you going to answer that?”

“I don’t wanna…” I pretended to pout and he laughed before kissing the spot on my head that hit his shoulder. 

“I could-”

That response made me sigh more, “You don’t want to either. It’s Jacob again. He’s already called like four times today to talk to Bella. Dad told him earlier that she wouldn’t be in until late but he keeps calling anyway.” I didn’t move towards the phone, it continued to ring.

 Carlisle raised an eyebrow.

I choked back a giggle “I haven’t answered him… I like to feed into the drama.” I smirked and he laughed again. I waited for the phone to stop ringing before adding “She’ll call him back when she gets home.”

His smirk matched my own, “That is- If you tell her he called…”

Which, in turn, made me laugh, “Exactly! You get it.”

Carlisle went home well before Dad got off work. Dad could still tolerate him, but they definitely weren’t as close as they once were. It was really only Edward that he ‘hated’. I just tried to not push his buttons more than I had to.

There was a comfortable silence over the house. I made dinner and did the dishes after we ate. As the game played on the TV, I pretended to read while really counting down the minutes until Bella and Edward would be home. I wondered if only hearing her voice over the phone would be enough to convince Jacob that she wasn’t a vampire yet. 

Dad answered one call before taking my side ignoring his calls, though it was clear how annoyed he was each time he called. He didn’t ask a single question.

If I had answered I would have said something snarky like “For the love of god Jacob would you get a fucking life?” or “She is never going to pick you over him. Please leave us alone.”

Carlisle was right. It was better that I didn’t answer the phone.

When Bella did get home, I was grateful Dad was calm. He didn’t try to pick a fight with Edward. He even went out of his way to hold the door for him as he carried Bellas stuff in, without moving to slam it in his face. 

It was nice. It was progress.

“Welcome home, kid.” His voice was high and loud. I could tell he meant it. “How was Jacksonville?” 

“Moist. And buggy” I couldn’t imagine it. I was very comfy in my world of rain and moss. I was not interested at all in adding heat. I wondered if she would ever miss the warmth more than she let on.

“So Renee didn’t sell you on the University of Florida?”

“She tried. But I’d rather drink water than inhale it.”

Dad moved his eyes toward Edward, more out of obligation. “Did you have a nice time?”

“Yes.” He was as polite as ever. “Renee was very hospitable.”

I piped up before the tension suffocated me, “That’s awesome guys!” probably a bit too enthusiastically. Bella walked over to hug me. I didn’t miss the quick ‘ thank you’ she breathed. “We really missed you around here, Bells.”

She dropped her arm and went to take her things upstairs but Dad stopped her before she got too far. 

“Would you call Jacob first? He’s been bugging us every five minutes since six o’clock this morning.”

I took over for him, “Dad promised we’d have you call back as soon you got in the door. I debated not telling you at all.” Dad nudged me with his elbow. I rolled my eyes. “It didn’t stop him from calling.”

Bella looked lost, “Jacob wants to talk to me?” I had been a little lost too until I remembered the reason he was calling. 

Edward barely moved beside her. I could just barely see the uneven lift of his chest from his forced breath. I was sure he caught the reason for Jacob’s calls in my thoughts and instantly felt guilty.

“-just said it was important.” I only caught the end of Dad’s answer before, as if on demand, the phone started ringing again. I pulled my lips into a tight line and looked at Bella. She desperately tried to decipher what I wouldn’t- couldn’t say in front of Dad.

“That’s him again. I’d bet my next paycheck,” Dad muttered.

“I’ve got it,” she hurried to the kitchen, Edward on her heels. Dad drifted back into the living room. 

I stayed in the doorway with no idea which way to go. When the phone stopped mid-ring, I decided to follow Dad and get the details later.

Though part of me hoped Jacob wouldn’t tell her anything at all.

~~

I should have started job hunting. My dad not-so-subtly kept bringing it up. I knew I could get one if I tried, but I hadn’t even started trying. Instead, I was sleeping in, waking up around 10am, taking a quick shower, and going to the hospital to spend Carlisle’s lunch break with him. 

At breakfast, when Dad asked me if I’d contacted any jobs yet I smiled and lied, “I’m still looking. I haven’t heard anything back yet.” I don’t think he bought it, but he was willing to let it go.

Still I didn’t look. I was out the door and avoiding my problems before 12pm.

I hadn’t been in his office for more than 15 minutes before Bella texted me. As soon as I read the first message I knew somehow Jacob had told her about what the Cullens were up to this weekend. Carlisle read the message when I handed him my phone and he froze.

NEW MESSAGE FROM DANGER MAGNET-

8:29- What happened? What do you know?

8:32- Y/n… please? I’m losing my mind

8:33-  Edward is being elusive. What do you know?

“Why didn’t we have a plan for when she found out?”

“I imagined that Edward would have a solution for this-”

I glared at him, “Really?”

“I know, I know. I also assumed we’d have more than 12 hours before Jacob told her. It’s hard to manage these things since Alice can’t see the wolves.”

I sighed and braced my forehead against my hand. “I didn’t expect her to know I knew immediately either… What do I say to her so she doesn’t hate me?”

“She won’t hate you. I doubt she's even mad at you. She's very likely only mad at Edward."

"Until she learns that I've known about it since we were in Ireland." He did wince a bit at that and I let my head fall to his desk. "What do I say?" 

He chuckled and took my phone again. He typed out a message to her and handed it back to me for approval.

I may need more context for what you're referring to. -9:10

"That doesn't sound like me at all." I sent it anyway and he laughed. Then I added,

aren't you in class? -9:11

9:12- I can multitask.

9:12- What happened when I was in Jacksonville with Edward

9:12- between the Cullens and Victoria?

9:12- and Emmett and paul???

What has Edward told you? -9:13

9:14- like I said, he’s being elusive. He keeps saying nothing happened when clearly something happened..

9:15- What do you know?

I took a deep breath before I hit send. Carlisle placed soft, reassuring kisses to my neck.

I really don’t know much. Honestly, Edward would be able to tell you better

than I could. I’m sure it was some huge vamp V.S. wolf cliche. Carlisle has

assured me that everything is fine. -9:17

9:18- Aren’t you with him now?

Carlisle’s at work. -9:19

Lying by omission felt better than outright lying. She had to know I was with him anyway. I knew I didn’t have the answers she wanted and it would have been harder to hear coming from me. I wanted Edward to tell her. She stopped responding to me for a long while.

I immediately thought that she was indeed very mad at me. Carlisle decided to try to distract me by kissing me til I forgot my own name.

It worked amazingly well until my phone dinged again and pulled me right out of it.

10:01- I am holding you personally in charge of telling me about the dangers they try to hide from me from now on…

I understand. -10:04

10:04- Also… Ask Carlisle if Edward can fly a plane.

I turned my head to face him, brows furrowed.

“He can.” My mouth fell open. “I can too.” He casually added. I again let my head fall against his desk, still amazed at all the things they can do.

~~

The week was chaotic to say the least. Bella swore she wasn’t phased by the prospect of Victoria lurking even though she continued to jump at every sound. She would gravitate towards whatever person was closest so she was never by herself.

Mainly she just tried to use it as leverage to be turned sooner. 

Thankfully, Carlisle shot that down quickly, “There are six of us Bella. And with Alice and Edward on our side, I don’t think Victoria’s going to catch us off guard. I think it’s important, for Charlie’s sake, that we stick to the original plan.”

He squeezed my hand as he said it like he was trying to calm my nerves. I wasn’t as nervous anymore. I trusted them to keep her safe, while holding off as long as they could on actually turning her. I also knew she wouldn’t give in- that she would demand to be turned sooner, rather than later. 

It helped that they were so thorough in making sure that this was truly what she wanted. No matter what reason she came up with, they refused to change her before she graduated.

The most comforting thing of all was how normal everything else was. They continued to plan their mandatory “camping trip”. Carlisle still felt the need to convince me everything was fine. I could hardly tell if he was trying to convince me or himself. 

“I’ll only be gone for a few days…”

“I know-”

“We won’t go too far, so if anything happens-”

“Carlisle-”

“-just call or message me and I will come straight home-”

I couldn’t contain my giggles as I set my hands on either side of his face. “My love, Honey, Sweetheart…. I promise, I’ll be okay.”

He sighed and kissed the palm of my hand. “Okay… I know.” The worry melted from his face and he smiled softly at me, “You mean the world to me, Cara. I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.”

“It’s a good thing I’m not the one you really have to worry about.”

“I do anyway.” He took a step closer to me and gave me a small kiss. “Alice and Jasper will be hunting close by.” I raised my eyebrows. “For Bella’s sake.” He emphasized.

“Okay, that’s fair.” He laughed and actually kissed me that time. I always hated the goodbye kisses. Even though I knew he’d come back, these kisses always felt like poking a scar.

I could still remember how much pain I was in before and when he kissed me like that, I could feel it again. I kissed him like I couldn’t. 

He pulled back and rested his forehead on mine. “I love you.”

“I love you.” My voice was just barely above a whisper. “Come home to me.”

“I will… It’s just a few days.” He kissed me again and then he left through the front door. I stayed in the living room watching the front door and hugging my own chest.

I gave myself a few hours to mope around. I cleaned the kitchen and made the bed since they wouldn’t be used again until they got back. I went outside and hesitated on the front porch for a long moment, watching the trees, wishing I could stay right there and wait for his return.

When Bella texted me saying she had made it to Jacob’s house, I sighed. I hoped she would get to spend the day with him, yet still worried the Cullens were just going to come home to get her. I locked the door behind me, got in my car, and drove to Dad’s house.

Dad welcomed me from the kitchen with a generic “Hey, Kiddo!” Probably because he didn’t know which one of us was walking in. Still, he met me in the doorway and gave me a one-armed hug. “How was your day?”

“Nice and quiet. Some of the others left early, so it was just me and Carlisle.”

I didn’t miss his wince. “That sounds nice…” I had to laugh at his response, he quickly changed the subject. “How’s the job hunting going?”

Panicking, I said “Kinda slow… I haven’t heard back from anywhere yet.” Hoping he would accept that and move on again. 

It almost worked.

“Have you got in touch with the manager of the cafe? What was her name Dorris? Deana?”

“Debbie…”

“Debbie! Right- Have you called her?”

I winced. “Uhmm… not yet.”

“I can call her up, if you’d like.”

“Oh, no, It’s okay.” I felt my face heat up. The last thing I wanted was for my Dad to call and get my job back. Also, I didn’t even know if I wanted that job back in the first place. “I’m sure they’ve already replaced me anyway-”

“Sure, well… Just let me know-”

He was cut off by a firm knock on the door. While he turned to look, the sound made me jump. Goosebumps covered my body head to toe and I was completely frozen in my spot.

“Are you expecting someone?” I whispered like a child hoping that the person at the door would assume no one was home and just go away.

Dad made for the door, it took everything in me not to grab his arm. “I’m not, but maybe Bella locked herself out.” He didn’t know she was with Jacob. I wanted to beg him to not open the door, but I couldn’t find a reason why he shouldn’t.

I nodded slowly and let him go. “You’re probably right.” I sounded confident. I really had no clue what had me so freaked out. It wasn’t like he’d throw open the door and Victoria would just be standing there, yet my heart stayed in my throat.

Then he swung the door open and it was just Carlisle.

Despite how confused I was, it took everything in me not to run and throw my arms around his neck. Instead, I checked my watch. It had only been four hours since he’d left.

“Dr. Cullen, it’s good to see you.” He didn't sound completely sarcastic. He shifted to the right so I could get out a little more between them. “Is everything alright?”

“Good afternoon, Chief Swan. Everything…” His smile shifted just a bit but he still came off fairly calm. “Well, may I speak with Y/n privately for a moment?”

“Sure,” Dad turned to me and gave me a questioning look. I shrugged my shoulders and stepped out onto the porch. “Just… let me know if you need anything.” He softly shut the door behind me.

Still a little surprised he was there, I started “What’s up?” like I didn’t already know.

“Where is your sister?” Yeah… there it was.

I didn’t want to lie but I felt the loyalty to not rat her out. I had to think on my feet. “She went to work.”

“But she left early… Where did she go?” I could tell he was growing impatient; Not with me necessarily, but with the situation. His eyes were darker than he normally let them get. They needed to hunt and my sister recklessly disregarded their feelings on the matter.

Of course, I wasn’t on their side about it. Bella had every right to see her friends. And their argument that she wasn’t “safe” there was incredibly hypocritical. I agreed that she was a danger magnet, but she was just as safe in a room full of werewolves as she was in a room full of vampires. There were members of both parties that were hardly in control of themselves and no one had hurt her this far.

I crossed my arms and attempted to not roll my eyes by staring directly at the ground. “Kinda feels like you already know where she is…”

He sighed and ran a hand over his face, “Y/n-”

“Don’t- Don’t start this again, please. You know I’m not going to stop her from seeing her friends. She has every right to do so.” His face softened. I could tell he wasn’t there to argue with me and if I had to guess, Edward sent him here anyway. I also softened a bit, “I hate that you guys came home because of this…”

“Edward is practically losing any sense he had left.” He wrapped his arms around me and whispered the next part, “He threatened to break the treaty-”

“He can’t!”

“He won’t.” He assured me. “I agree with you that he is being unreasonable about this. It would be easier if they came to some sort of compromise.”

“They won’t. She’s just going to keep doing this.”

“So is he, I’m afraid.”

When I sighed he softly kissed my forehead. I buried my face in his chest. It felt like I was back in his living room. I didn’t know how much time I had with him. I didn’t want to say goodbye again so soon. I was so thankful that Bella had at least bought us this time.

Like he was reading my mind, I felt him shift back to get a better look at me. I, in turn, looked up at him.

“I don’t want to say goodbye again.” I was so glad he was supporting my weight because his words melted me in his arms.

“I was just thinking the same thing.” He grinned and I leaned forward to kiss him. “But maybe Bella and Edward’s dramatics bought us a few more days.” I matched his grin.

“Hmm… you're probably right.”

He kissed me and this time it didn’t feel like another goodbye. It was slow and sweet and when he kissed me like that the whole world disappeared. I lost track of time. I could have stayed there forever, with one of his hands on my face while the other rested on the small of my back, kissing him like we could defy time itself. 

But, like always, he pulled back and chuckled under his breath. I chased his lips with my own for one more short and sweet kiss.

“Your father has peeked out here three times.”

I playfully rolled my eyes, “Nosey old man… I told him I’d go job hunting today.”

“You still could.”

“I know. And I probably will. But after- since you’re home anyway- Could I come over?”

“Of course you can. I want you to,”

“Good!” I stood on the tips of my toe, even if it wasn’t entirely necessary and pressed another quick kiss to his lips. “I’ll see you later then?”

He smiled and kissed my forehead. “Have a good evening, Cara. Good luck with the job hunt, not that you need it.” I wasn’t sure if he meant luck, or the job, but I felt more confident anyway.

We kissed one more time and I watched as he walked to his car. When he got in, he waited for me to go inside the house before pulling away. 

His belief in me was just enough to give me confidence, and less than an hour later I was dressed nicely and out the door. Or it could have been the excitement to spend more time with him later.

Without a doubt, I was, for sure, getting a job. I didn’t have a single plan, but I was determined. I stopped at a few places and was met with the same “We’ll get back to you in a few days” that I’d been getting for months.

Part of me wished I had brought Carlisle with me- he was impossible to say no to- but I didn’t want a job just because he got it for me. It wasn’t that I was unhireable exactly, just that word travels fast and less then a year ago I just stopped showing up to my last job. 

In a final attempt to come home with some good news, I parked my car in front of the cafe. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to go in. It was unlikely that I would even be able to get my job back. I would have stayed in my car and gone home if I hadn’t promised Dad I would try every option. 

Instead, I took a deep breath, tried to steady the shaking, and got out of my car.

Debbie was behind the counter. It really did feel like a weight lifted off my shoulders, even though she was the one who let me go in the first place. I felt like if I had any chance at all, she held it in her delicate hands.

I think she liked me. Once she saw me in the cafe she did light up a bit. She came right around the counter and hugged me.

“Y/n! Honey! It is so good to see you.” She had the only southern accent in Forks that could rival Jaspers. She was born and raised in a small town outside of Nashville, but moved to Forks with her wife Sylvia. They opened Spoons together and the rest is history. “How are you? How’s your Daddy?”

“We’re good. Not much going on really.” I laughed. I really did miss her. 

“That’s good. Is there anything I can getcha?”

I took another deep breath and thought- I could do this, I had to do this… “Actually… I was wondering- And if not it’s completely okay, I’d totally understand. But I guess I was wondering if you would rehire me?” 

“Oh… Well, Honey. Let’s sit and talk for a sec,” any hope I had vanished from my body. She walked me over to a table to let me down easily.

We both sat down and she smiled sympathetically at me. I tried to get ahead of it, “It’s really okay-”

“It’s just that, I want you to be in the best place mentally that you can be. And you were a great employee, but when he left-” My chest tightened, I tried not to let it show. “-you completely shut down. I want you to fully heal rather than pretend that nothing happened.”

I hit my head on the table. There it was again. The idea that Bella and I were ‘pretending like nothing happened’ circulated better than most of the air conditioners in this town. “I’m not…”

“You and your sister welcomed them back like it was nothin’, but we all saw how torn up y’all were. Now, I completely respect your decision, but I don’t think it’s right to go back to how your life was before. Maybe it would be best if you found something new. Maybe make time for your friends.”

She was trying to be delicate; trying to tell me no, without flat out saying no. I sighed and nodded, “Thank you for the advice…” Unsolicited or not. “I’ve applied to a few places in town.”

The seriousness melted from her features as she said “See? That is so good, Honey! I’ll put in a good word for ya for sure. Can I get you a coffee before you go?”

And just like that she was behind the counter again. I didn’t bother telling her that I hadn't mentioned where I’d applied. I didn’t get the chance to pass on the coffee before she was pouring it. She even threw in an extra one for Carlisle. I almost laughed. She didn’t know the whole story and she was just looking out for my best interest.

I took the coffees and waved as I left. I still thought so highly of her for that.

Carlisle met me at the door when I finally gave up. If no one called, at least Dad couldn’t say I didn’t try. 

“How did it go, Love?”

I rolled my eyes and softly laughed, “I’m unemployable…”

He laughed with me. “I can not fathom that that is true. I see you went to the cafe.” He nodded towards the coffees in my hands. 

“She tried to keep it delicate, but it’s a solid no.” I held his coffee out to him, “I hope you don’t mind that it’s gone a bit cold.” I joked.

He actually threw his head back laughing.

~~

The guys stayed until Thursday, and then Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper and Edward went hunting in Northern California. The goodbye didn’t hurt as much the second time, though I still hated every second of it.

Alice and I picked up Bella from work in Edward’s Volvo after deciding it would be better to approach this as a united front. We were singing along to the song on the radio when Bella got out. Well- Alice was singing, I was mumbling some of the lyrics I knew.

“Hey, Alice , Y/n?” She had to shout over the music, even still I hardly heard her. “Where are the guys?” I knew she really just wanted to ask about Edward.

I watched as Alice ignored her. She almost looked annoyed, but she never stayed annoyed with Alice for long. She even made a point to cover her ears as she shut the door. I couldn’t help but laugh.

I reached over and turned the music down.

“What’s going on?” I could hear the anxiety in her voice. “Where’s Edward?”

Alice shrugged, “They left early.”

“Oh.” She sounded disappointed, I wondered what was going on inside her head.

“All of the guys left early so we could have a slumber party!” I added, trying to give her some context and quell some of her panic. She was not convinced.

“A slumber party?”

“Are you excited?” Alice crowed.

Her eyes shifted between our faces, clearly still skeptical, and possibly a bit angry.

“You’re kidnapping me, aren’t you?” shit …

Alice laughed and nodded. “Till Saturday.”

Bella’s mouth fell open and her eyes shot to me, hoping I could dig her out of this somehow. I grimaced, “I cleared it with Dad.”

“You’re staying with us two nights and I will drive you to and from school tomorrow.”

She turned her face to the window , her annoyance hadn’t budged at all.

“Sorry.” Alice said, although she didn’t sound even a little bit sorry. “He paid me off.”

“How?” She practically hissed.

Even I hadn’t heard that part, I turned quickly from Bella to Alice as she answered, “The Porsche. It’s exactly like the one I stole in Italy.” I winced at the nonchalance in her tone. She had stolen a car? Sometimes it was still hard to wrap my head around what happened in Italy. I typically tried to not think about it.

Alice continued, “I’m not supposed to drive it around Forks, but if you want, we could see how long it would take to get from here to L.A.- I bet I could have you back by midnight.”

She took a deep breath. “I think I’ll pass.” She trembled a bit. I chuckled softly.  I guessed that Bella’s adrenaline seeking did not extend to speed driving.

And in no time at all we were pulling into the Cullens garage. Between Emmett’s Jeep and Rosalie’s BMW sat a gorgeous yellow Porsche. I wanted to roll my eyes but thought better of it and looked around the room instead. When I saw the covered car farest from us, I knew immediately it was Alice’s Prius.

Alice hopped out and went to stoke her hand over the hood. “Pretty, isn’t it?”

“Pretty over-the-top,” Bella grumbled.

Curiosity got the best of me. “What are your plans with the Prius?”

“Oh, well you didn’t drive it while we were gone- or at all since we got back, so Carlisle wasn’t sure you still wanted it…” Her eyes didn’t leave her car so I looked wide-eyed at Bella, who was frozen.

“Alice?” Bella and I said in unison, but where my tone was questioning, hers sounded like a warning. I had no idea what secret I had just uncovered.

“Shoot…” Alice normally had a habit of saying more than she should.

“Why would I want your car, Alice?” I raised my eyebrows.

“It was never my car…” She winced and my mouth fell open. “The day your car died, Carlisle bought that one for you. But you can’t be mad at him and please don’t let him kill me for telling you.”

“I…I’m not mad. I might kill him though.” I still laughed softly. “He barely knew me then!” I really wasn’t mad, just very shocked.

“But it worked out, right? Because now you’re in love.” Bella added, trying to ease the tension.

I wasn’t even tense, but it was a bit fun playing it up. I jokingly glared at her. “How long have you known about this?”

“Since I’ve known they’re vampires, basically.” It was her turn to wince.

“Traitor!” I pointed at her, still laughing.

“Hypocrite.” She shot right back. I loved when she joked like this. It really helped me feel like things were nearly normal. “Clearly the Cullens just buy people cars to get what they want. He gave you that just for two days of holding me hostage?”

Alice made a face, which made me make a face.

Bella gasped. “It’s for every time he’s gone, isn’t it?”

Alice nodded and  Bella slammed her door, stomping toward the house. Alice didn’t miss a beat; she just danced right alongside Bella, despite the dramatics. I stayed a healthy distance back.

“Y/n, don’t you think this is just a bit controlling?”  

Her question was addressed to me but was obviously aimed at Alice. Probably with the hope that Edward was still close enough to overhear as well. He wasn’t. They’d left hours before.

“ A bit? Bella, you know I’m on your side about this-”

“Not really.” Alice answered as if I wasn’t. “Neither of you seem to grasp how dangerous a young werewolf can be. Especially when I can’t see them. Edward has no way to know if you’re safe. You shouldn’t be so reckless.”

Bella met my gaze with a glare that matched my dramatic eye roll; Only, Bella was brave enough to voice her thoughts.

Her voice was like acid. “Yes, because a vampire slumber party  is the pinnacle of safety conscious behavior.”

I really laughed at that, but so did Alice. “I’ll give you a pedicure and everything.”

It really wasn’t as bad as Bella made it out to be. Alice painted her nails, I made junk food, and Alice put on a few of Bella’s favorite movies. Even Rosalie hung out in the main living space, just quietly and predominantly in the background. 

“How late do you want to stay up?”  Alice asked Bella as she finished her toenails.

“I don’t want to stay up. We have school in the morning.” Bella continued to be grumpy despite how cheery Alice was, though this did make her pout a little.

I laughed, “You could ditch. We could go shopping.”

“Being a little irresponsible is healthy.” Alice agreed.

Bella ignored us. “Where am I supposed to sleep, anyway? Can’t you just keep me under surveillance at my house?”

That would never work and she knew it.

“What kind of slumber party would that be?” Alice shook her head in exasperation. “You’re sleeping in Edward's room.”

She seemed content enough with that. I understood her hesitation. She didn’t know he bought her a bed for his room and the idea of sleeping in there without him probably felt very lonely. 

But she pretended it was fine and switched topics.

“Can I go back to my place to get my things, at least?”

Her persistence was hilarious. I smiled at her, “You know we already took care of that.”

“Fine. Can I use either of your phones?” She looked between us and I moved to hand her mine but paused when I felt Alice’s icy hand holding me back.

“Charlie knows where you are.”

“I wasn’t going to call Charlie.” Bella wasn’t really glaring at her; she knew this wasn’t entirely her choice either. “Apparently I have some plans to cancel.”

“Oh.” I moved again to give Bella my phone as Alice weighed her options but she didn’t budge. “I’m not sure about that”

“Alice!” she whined loudly. “C’mon!”

“Okay, okay. But use mine!” She called as she floated out of the room. I had to roll my eyes, it made Bella laugh a bit. When she was back she held out her phone to Bella. “He didn’t specifically prohibit this…”

Bella stepped away  and I tried not to listen too closely to her conversion with Jacob. It wasn’t my place to eavesdrop. I figured whatever he had to say would probably piss me off anyway. He wasn’t known for being reasonable. Hell none of them were. It was something I’d grown to accept.

Alice sat between Rosalie and I and placed her head on my shoulder. We fell into a comfortable silence. The only sounds came from Bella’s muffled phone call and the movie. Of course my mind kept drifting back to Carlisle. They wouldn’t be back until at least Saturday, and though I already missed him, I wondered if Bella would try to sneak out again. 

I hoped she would as much as I hoped she wouldn’t. I also knew that if she tried I wouldn’t stop her.

Alice was gone and next to Bella again, but Bella was already dialing another number.

“I don’t think he’ll have his phone on him.” I assumed they were talking about Edward. Though I doubted he wouldn’t have his phone given Bella’s perpetual need to cause chaos for them.

“If he doesn’t I can try Carlisle…”

“It’s fine, I’m not trying to worry him too much. I’ll leave a message.”  I nodded and giggled around my glass of wine. Alice glared at me.

“You are in trouble.”  She was so angry. I really wished I could hear what she would say to him when he got back. Clearly still annoyed, she ended the call after a few more threats. She snapped the phone shut and gave it back to Alice. “I’m done.”

Alice grinned. “This hostage stuff is fun.”

“I’m going to sleep now,” she announced Alice followed behind her.

I laughed and shook my head before taking another sip of wine. Rosalie laughed too but hers was more sarcastic. “Must they do this the hard way?” She asked as she stood, her gaze followed Bella upstairs.

“They thrive on it.” I responded. I knew how she felt. I wished I could make it easier for her somehow.

“If Bella would just see the whole picture. If I could give her some perspective somehow…” Her voice trailed off, like she was distracted by coming up with a way to make Bella want to stay human.

“You should talk to her. I don’t think she knows your story. I think your opinion matters more to her than she lets on.” I set my hand on her arm and she met my gaze. “It matters to me too, Rose.”

Her face softened and she nodded. “Thank you, Y/n. You’re right.” She got up and started up the stairs but paused for a brief moment, “Sleep well… when you go.” then she was gone

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