Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Differences Between Us Make Us Special

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 12: Meeting Mrs. Esmé Cullen

Carlisle returned home after a long day at the office. After spending the afternoon with Edward and Isabella he was surprised to be home so early. Walking into the house he called to his wife.

“Esmé, dear, I am home.”

“Carlisle! What are you doing home so early dearest? Did you lose a patient or…”

He cut her off before she could go much farther.

“No dear nothing of that sort. I just happen to have help this afternoon with my patients. Two very bright youngsters.”

“Children?”

“Teenagers to be exact. Doctor Masen’s grandchildren helped out around the hospital this week shadowing most of the doctors around, apparently this afternoon was my turn. They are quite unique, and very brilliant.” he chuckled to himself

“Oh how so?”

“Well dear Edward is only fifteen and is already smarter than most of my staff, and young Isabella is wise beyond her mere thirteen years.”

“Oh my they are just babes aren’t they?”

“Don’t let them hear you say that.”

“Why?”

“It seems the pair have taken rather good care of each other over the last several years. From what I have gathered not only from talking to Dr. Masen but from the children themselves, these last eight years have been a tough road for the pair, considering their handicaps.”

“What handicaps?”

“Well my dear Edward is deaf, and Isabella is mute.”

Esmé gasped, it was unbelievable.

“On top of that the children themselves told me they live in an orphanage. So it’s actually a surprise that they are spending the summer with family here in Washington.”

“What do you mean they live in an orphanage?”

“Just what I said.”

“But then how?”

“I don’t know all the details perhaps the children would regale us with their story when they arrive later on for supper.”

Carlisle smiled devilishly at his wife.

“You invited them over?”

“Yes dear, there is far more mystery to the two young orphans then I have let on but I will let them explain their story first and then we will set to work on unraveling this mystery.”

“What would you like me to do?”

“Be your usual charming self and make something delicious for the children to eat.”

Esmé nodded her head. She turned to head off toward the kitchen when she was again stopped by Carlisle’s voice.

“Oh and don’t worry about over cooking, the children know we don’t eat the same as they do.”

Esmé gasped. What did these children know about them? Why did they live in an orphanage? Where were their parents? Why did they just now come to Forks to be with their family? How long were they staying?  Those were just a few of the questions running around the stay at home vampire moms mind as she made her way to the kitchen.

(E&B)

It had been a couple of hours since Edward and Isabella had returned home with grandpa Masen. They had told him all about being invited up to the Cullen home for supper that night. Grandpa was extremely shocked. No one ever went up there. On top of that Edward went on to tell Grandpa that Dr. and Mrs. Cullen did actually have children living with them they were just away at boarding school. Grandpa was not surprise that Dr. Cullen would send his children for a top notch education at the finest schools.

Soon it was time for them to go. Grandpa said he would drive them to the end of the Cullen drive-way seeing as how Edward and Isabella both insisted that they would walk the whole way. It ended in a stalemate until Granma put her foot down and told them to let their Grandpa drive them to the drive-way at least so they knew they made it that far. They both conceded and agreed that if it would make Granma feel better than it was okay.

Once at the drive-way Grandpa told them to call when they were ready to come home and to have a good time, and mind their manners. Edward said they would. They watched him pull away and head back home before they both took off at a run up the drive. They have been running a lot lately since they noticed the change in both their speeds. Isabella was slightly slower than Edward but was right on his heels none the less. It didn’t take long for them to come to the porch of the huge manor. They slowed to a stop and walked up the steps and knocked on the door.

(E&B)

Esmé heard the knock on the door. She slowly made her way to the entrance to let them in. upon answering the door she was surprised at what she saw. She was confused. There was no way that these two children were only thirteen and fifteen. Both towered over her five foot two inches.

“Good evening you must be Mrs. Cullen. I’m Edward and this is my sister Isabella.”

“Um…yes sorry. I was just a little stunned is all, please call me Esmé.”

Esmé ushered the two to the sitting room.

“Where is Dr. Cullen?” Edward asked.

“Oh Please Edward call me Carlisle.”

The man in question said entering the room.

“As you wish.”

“I see you have met my wife Esmé.”

“Yes Sir, I believe we have. I think she is a little stunned with our appearance.”

“Well seeing as how you are not like other children your age you can understand her shock.”

Edward and Carlisle laughed together as Isabella watched the two, amusement clear in her eyes.

“So would you like to get started or would you like to eat first?” Carlisle asked Edward.

“I think we would like to eat first.” Edward answered for the pair.

Esmé went into the kitchen and returned with two plates. Edward and Isabella ate quickly. Feeling full and happy they pushed the plates away from themselves. Esmé was quick to remove them. Once she returned to the living room taking her place next to Carlisle the inquisitional started.

“So Carlisle tells me you are visiting your grandparents?”

“Yes Granma and Grandpa Masen were very generous in allowing us to stay with them for the summer.”

“Where do you live when you are not staying with them?”

“We live in Chicago.”

“Oh Chicago is such a lovely city. We visited there once. They have this most wonderful Dinner there. It’s called Louie’s delights do you know of it?”

“Actually we do. Louie is a close friend of ours. We go there every Friday after school.”

“Oh that is lovely.”

“Esme?”

“Yes Edward?”

“Why don’t you ask what you really want to know, and not beat around the bush?”

“I…wasn’t…I…”

“It’s okay Esmé. Edward is very gifted and special just like I told you earlier.” Carlisle told his wife as he took her hand.

“Okay then. Why do you and Isabella live in an orphanage if you have family here in Forks?”

“That would involve us telling our story. Are you ready to hear it?”

“Please.”

Edward grabbed Isabella’s hands and turned toward Esmé and Carlisle fully and began the tale of how they got to where they are now.

“I was seven and Isabella was only five when we overheard a conversation our father was having on the phone one morning. He was speaking with the orphanage in Chicago. He told them he could no longer take care of us because of our disabilities.”

“What happened to your mother?”

Isabella’s head dropped down and she sniffled. Esmé was quick to apologize.

“It’s okay Esme. Our mother passed giving birth to Isabella. That is why our father truly wanted to give her away. He could not stand the fact that she took our mother from him. He blamed her, but knew that if he gave her away that I would blame him for losing them both and would grow to hate him. So he gave us both up. We spent the first three years at the orphanage until we were adopted out to the Duvall’s. They were lovely people and cared for us greatly. But their son James was sick. He tried to rape Isabella.”

“How old was she?”

“Isabella was only 8 at the time.”

“And this James boy?”

“He was 14. He came home from hanging out with his older friends at a party and killed his parents. Then came after Isabella but I had already had her in my room with me. We called the cops and they took him away. He is in a mental asylum until he turns 18. Then we returned to the orphanage and the family we have there.”

“Oh my goodness you to have been through a lot haven’t you. So how did you find out about your grandparents?”

“It was three years after the Duvall’s and it was just after Isabella’s 11^th birthday, we received news of our father’s passing. He was killed by a drunk driver. When we showed up to his funeral we met Aunt Renee and Uncle Charlie. We got to talk after the funeral and kept in touch these last two years. Then they surprised me for my birthday a couple months back and invited us to come stay for the summer. So here we are. Now we only have a week left and an interesting mystery that Carlisle has agreed to help us solve.”

“And what is this mystery you speak of?” Esmé asked.

“Well dear that is where I will take over. You see not only myself, but it seems the tribal officers down on the reservation believe that these two may possibly be more like us then they are human.”

“What do you mean Carlisle? They seem normal to me. I don’t see how they could be anything like us.”

“Esme love ask Isabella a question.”

Carlisle looked toward Isabella and she nodded her approval.

“Okay. Isabella what would you like to do when you grow up?”

Isabella concentrated on Esmé and soon the motherly vampire gasped.

“But how?”

“Isabella and Edward are both very special dear. Edward here is deaf, but can read minds. Isabella is mute but can project her thoughts to others. The two can communicate with a link that connects their minds to each other. Edward explained that he can block others, the only one he can’t is Isabella she can hear him as well as project to him without trying. Isabella cannot block the thoughts of others even when Edward does. So it’s as if she uses his gift but can’t shut it off like he can.”

“So they have vampire gifts as humans?”

“Something like that. But if they were vampires they wouldn’t have the disabilities that they have. That and they eat, sleep and grow like normal humans.”

“So what are you thinking?”

“Well the res. Officers believe them to be like us but I believe they are something different. I will have to run some tests and make some calls and see if this has even been heard of before, but I believe I can figure this out.” Carlisle finished.

“Is this what you children want?” Esmé asked.

“Yes we are curious as to why we can do the things we can do. We also would like to know if our physical changes have anything to do with what it is we are if we are not completely human. We also ask that you please keep this from anyone else even our grandparents.”

“That won’t be a problem, this is strictly need to know. I will start work on it shortly. Would you be willing to give me a blood sample from each of you?”

Edward and Isabella looked at each other then back at Carlisle nodding in agreement. Carlisle disappeared from the room and was back in the blink of an eye. He quickly took the samples and disappeared again, returning shortly after.

“Do you children like where you are living?” Esmé blurted out.

“Yes Esmé we do. As to the other questions we hear swirling around in your head. They treat us wonderfully there. Vicky is like the mother we never knew, and Mrs. Tanner is the grandmother we didn’t have. Uncle Louie is great as is all our other adult friends we have made along the way. I couldn’t imagine just leaving them without ever seeing them again. But I feel as if someday soon we will have to say good bye to them and it will be far to soon for either of us to like it any.”

“I’m sorry it’s just I wouldn’t wish that feeling of unwanted-ness on anyone, and it seems as if you two have felt it more than necessary. I wish I could take away your pain but I know that you must be happy where you are in order for you to defend them as valiantly as you have. Please forgive me.” Esmé dry sobbed into Carlisle shoulder.

“There is nothing to forgive Esmé.”

 Edward spoke as Isabella rose from her seat on the couch and went to Esmé pulling her into her arms. The two girls stood there like that for several minutes until Esmé pulled away and wiped away the non-existent tears on her face. It must have been a ghost of the memory of tears that she was wiping away.

(E&B)

They spent the next couple of hours talking and getting to know each other better. Esmé and Carlisle each telling their story to Edward and Isabella. Isabella cried for Esmé, as Esmé had cried for her. Everyone heard the storm rolling in on what was supposed to be a clear night. Edward comforted Isabella and listen as the storm dissipated. Carlisle was intrigued by what was happening. Soon enough it was late enough and the two said they should be getting home.

Carlisle offered to give them a ride home seeing as how Grandpa Masen had work in the morning and Carlisle didn’t.  They graciously accepted. After giving good bye hugs to Esme they left and headed for home. Carlisle and Edward continued to discuss everything that was happening with himself and Isabella. By the time they made it to the front of the Masen home Isabella was asleep in the back of the car. Edward got out and carried Isabella into the house after wishing Carlisle a goodnight.

Tucking Isabella in he realized that they only had a week left here with the family they didn’t know they had, but at the same time felt that the time was moving to slow and Edward couldn’t wait to get back home to the family they knew in Chicago.