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Fiddling with your hoodie strings, you pulled at the frayed edges of the fabric, twirling it between your fingers. Rain pattered on the car, colliding with the metal haphazardly. You looked to your right, gazing out the window. You watched a raindrop quickly slide down the glass, before slowing down and letting another raindrop over take it. You could barely make out the blurry green backdrop as trees. Turning your attention back to the front of the car, the view through the windshield was even worse.
“Could you at least use the windshield wipers? Just for my peace of mind?” You asked, sinking further into the leather seat. You reached up, pulling down the sun visor to check your appearance again.
Edward reached for the stalk, quickly turning the wipers on. He watched as you fixed your hair, brushing it out of your face, then positioning it so you had bangs, then tucking it behind your ears again. “Don’t worry too much. They’ll love you, Alice already does.”
Hearing his reply, you sucked in a deep breath, then patted your hair down and pushed the sun visor back up. “Is it weird I find that a little… weird?” You laugh at your own question, going back to playing with your hoodie strings.
He chuckled, easing on the gas and dropping down to 120mph. “Of course not. It’d be weird if you didn’t think that.”
“I guess…” You stared at him, watching as he pretended to pay attention to the road. “I guess I’m just worried that they’ll, like, forbid me from dating you or something. I know my dad would if he found out you were a vampire.”
He only laughed harder, keeling over in his seat.
“Edward!” You scolded him, grabbing the steering wheel. He quickly replaced your hands with his, carefully resting yours on your lap before sitting up straight and setting his eyes on the road.
He, still quietly giggling at you, spoke softly. “I think I’m old enough to date a girl without my family’s permission.”
He turned off the 101, going down a road shrouded by trees. Not long after, a large white house came into view. Three stories tall with intricate architecture, it looked like it came straight from the 1930s. Edward pulled up, parking in front of a S55 AMG. You couldn’t even finish unbuckling your seatbelt before the passenger door was opened. As soon as the seatbelt retracted back into the car, he took you by your hands and gently guided you out of his Volvo. You took a second to really take it all in. You were meeting your vampire boyfriend's vampire family for the first time, they’re rich, they live in a mansion, and you’ll be the first human to have ever stepped foot in said mansion.
“And you’re sure they’re okay with this?” You whispered, practically dragging your feet along as he led you to the front door.
“Don’t bother whispering, they can still hear you.” Embarrassed, you felt your face heat up in response. You hurried to get by his side. “They’re more than okay with this.” He continued, rubbing his thumb across your knuckles. He reached toward the door knob. You grabbed his wrist, stopping him in place.
“Wait! Are you a shoes on or off household?” You asked, looking down at your mismatched socks, mostly covered up by your sneakers. Edward looked down too, laughing under his breath when he noticed your distress.
“Shoes on.” He replied. You sighed in relief, letting go of his wrist. He pushed the door open revealing Carlisle and Esme standing right behind it, all too close to your face. A second wave of embarrassment hit you as you stumbled in surprise, causing you to nearly knock over the potted plant situated next to you. Carlisle quickly reacted, reaching out to place his hands on your shoulders, helping you to get back on two feet.
“I am so sorry–“
“It’s quite alright. We should’ve taken a few steps back.” Carlisle smiled politely at you, before backing up a meter or two, Esme followed suit. She gave you an excited wave, a large grin on her face.
“Welcome, sweetie. Would you like anything to drink? I made lemonade. We also have hot chocolate mix if you’d prefer something warm. I know our house can get rather cold! Of course, we have plain water if that’s your preference. Now, I did pick up some brownies as Edward told me they’re your favourite, but I also have some healthier options if–“
“Esme, it’s fine. I’m sure we’ll… figure it out.” Edward cut her off, placing a hand on the small of your back.
An adoring smile crossed her face. “Of course she will! She can do anything, can’t she? Edward told me all about you! You just got an A on your English final, didn’t you?”
“Uhm…” You fiddled with your fingers, a third wave of embarrassment hit you. “Yeah, yeah I did.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“I’ll give her a tour of the house.” Edward quickly brought you to the living room, where you saw Alice and Jasper sitting on a giant L shaped couch. They looked incredibly posed. Maybe because they were, or maybe because it was your first time seeing them in this context. Prior to your knowledge of what Edward was—and by proxy, his family— your interactions with the other Cullen’s had been scarce. The most you got was a cheerful smile from Alice before Edward shooed her away, or a scowl from Rosalie, before Edward shooed her away too.
Alice rushed up to you, giving you a tight hug then pulling away, letting her hands rest on your elbows. “Edward was right, you do smell good! Oh, it’s so great to finally meet. I know so much about you!”
“How much did Edward tell you guys?” You asked, laughing awkwardly. You glanced at Jasper. He hadn’t gotten up from the couch, just craned his neck to face you.
Alice stared at you for a moment. Her eyes, wide and golden, seemed to be spaced out. Then, she regained her focus, turning her attention back to you again. “He didn’t tell me anything.”
“Alice…” Edward groaned, raking a hand through his hair.
“It was the best response, you saw that.” She muttered, you could barely make out what she was saying, her words came out so fast. “I know Esme already told you about the lemonade, brownies, and hot chocolate, but you are welcome to have anything in the kitchen. It’s all for you, quite literally.” She beamed, her teeth were a blinding white.
“I’ll check it out.” You replied, giving a small wave at Jasper. He gave you a tense smile in return. You looked around the living room, everything was white, just like the exterior, save for a couple magazines on the coffee table and their graduation cap art piece. “Where’s…”
“Rosalie and Emmett are out.” Edward noticed your hesitance, answering your question before you even asked it. “Do you want to actually start the tour now?”
You bit your lip in response, you hated how much of a divide you caused in the family. “Yeah, this place is huge. We should start now, otherwise I’ll be up till sunrise.”
Edward led you up the stairs, naming whose room was whose as you passed them. It really did not take that long. Heading up to the third floor, he stopped in front of a plain white door.
“This is my room.” He said. “Would you like to see it?”
You nodded your head, and when he didn’t respond, only stared, you nodded frantically. He laughed softly, then opened the door. The majority of his bedroom walls were glass, floor to ceiling, which provided a beautiful view of the surrounding forest. To your left was a desk covered in leather-bound journals. To your right were numerous shelves, filled with CDs.
“Woah…” You mumbled to yourself, brushing your hand along the plastic. You looked at your fingers, they didn’t collect any dust.
“I’m not a big fan of streaming. I much prefer physical media.” He said, following behind you as you walked across his room. Next to a book shelf filled with even more journals, was an open window. The design blended in seamlessly with the rest of the walls.
“You don’t get nervous having this 10 meter drop?” You peered down, leaning slightly over the edge. Nothing would be there to cushion your fall, only what looked to be plush grass. Though, you were sure when you landed it wouldn't feel plush at all. Edward wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you back into his chest before shutting the window.
“I do. Only when you teeter on the edge of it.” He chuckled, guiding you over to his CD player. “Do you know Clair de Lune?” He hit play, a quiet string of piano keys filled the room.
“I mean, I know of it, but I haven’t sat down and listened to it. I’ve never really listened to classical music in general.” You replied, smiling as he held both your hands.
“Rêverie?”
“Never listened to it.”
“Pagodes?”
“Okay, stop trying. You aren’t gonna find one I’ve heard.” You let him twirl you around, hair got in your face. He brushed it away before beginning a slow, gentle sway. “I should’ve worn a dress.”
“You’re perfect. Don’t worry about such trivial things.” He hummed. You stared into his eyes, unable to look away. His pupils dilated as you did, nearly covering his golden irises. He abruptly looked away, clearing his throat as he did. “Do you want anything to eat?”
“Uhm… do you have Capri-sun?”
Edward choked out a laugh, you heard a loud bang come from downstairs. “I think that’s the one thing we don’t have.”