20: 사랑 Remains the Same
It was early morning the 다음 day; Tristan had woken shortly before the sun, though he appeared quite different from the golden-haired blue eyed god Rosalie had seen: his hair was dark brown, his eyes a hazel color with a tad of green. “Today, I’m going to visit two of the ones I changed oh about seven, eight years ago. Then, we will head home, east through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, then south to home. Sound good?”
“I feel the need to hunt” David said, bookless for the first time.
Tristan nodded. “Very well. You’ll probably be back before we are.” He then turned to Rosalie. “What about you? Do 당신 feel like 당신 need to hunt?”
She shook her long blonde hair. “No. I’m fine for now.”
“Very well. We’ll give them some time to wake up, get on with the 일 before we stop in.”
“Do they know we’re coming?” David asked.
Tristan nodded again. “Of course. This would be a time for Jack and Rosalie to ask their questions-to true people that have been through the process and still came out fine.”
Rosalie turned to Jack, he smiled reassuringly. Tristan retreated to his room for a bit, David stayed in the carriage until nearly eleven before he left to hunt. Tristan emerged shortly after David left and gestured for Rosalie and Jack to follow him. They had to walk to keep Tristan 다음 to them. While they walked, Rosalie questioned Jack and Tristan about the two changed ones. “Who are they exactly?”
“Their names are Rick and Annette James. Rick was a vampire first, changed in 1977, Annette in 1980. They found each other 의해 chance and ended up connecting far better than most nomads do. Tristan found them circa late 2001, early 2002. They questioned it for about a week before deciding to go mortal. They came to Springfield for potent ional job opportunities which clearly worked out.”
“They still remember?”
“Yes though it fades each time I’ve seen them.”
“How many times have 당신 seen them?”
“This will be my fifth time.”
They walked on in silence then, Rosalie turning the information, her mind curious as to what they would see. Jack held her hand; it seemed to fit perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together. She couldn’t help but notice that his hand continually traced her ring finger, which was bare, though she still had his ring, always kept it on her, but keeping it a secret from Emmett was a struggle.
Eventually, they came upon a typical neighborhood, filled with mostly one-story homes, however a two-story was scattered here and there. The 일 was 흐린, 흐린 날씨 and threatening rain, something that Tristan had factored in and timed perfectly. The majority of the homes were simple whites, slanted ceilings made of shingles, although an occasional yellow 또는 brown stood amongst them. Tristan led them inside a cul-de-sac, stopping at the third 집 on the left.
This one was a two-story, a beige color; the roof was flat all around. The front yard was neatly kept, the 잔디 was freshly cut, the garden was all bare branches that waited until spring when 꽃 would once again bloom. The two car 차고 were both shut, fading brown paint from 상단, 맨 위로 to bottom. The front door was 사과, 애플 red, warm and cheery. Rosalie’s hand tightened around Jack’s. He looked at her yet her face was towards the house and impossible to read.
Tristan was oblivious to all of this as he walked up the curved path to the front door, knocking twice, then standing back slightly. Jack stood 다음 to him, Rosalie still holding tightly to his hand. He gave her a confident smile which she half-heartedly returned.
At long last, the door opened. A woman in her mid-thirties stood there, her hair was a rich red, not like Victoria’s 불, 화재 red though, her eyes a calming blue. She was dressed in plain faded denim jeans and a large 스웨트 셔츠, 셔츠 that had the Chicago Bulls logo on it. She beamed happily. “Tristan! Welcome!” They embraced briefly before she looked at Jack. “Jack. Good to see 당신 again.” He nodded at her. “Well, come on in. Pardon the mess; I’m so behind on cleaning. Then, when I think of who else lives here, I wonder why I bother!” Tristan and Annette laughed in unison.
Before anything else could be said, the 차고 door opened and three pairs of feet entered the home, one large, two far smaller. The two smaller forms slammed into Annette, each one hugging a separate side of her. She gently ruffled their hair, 키싱 the tops of their heads. The larger form entered behind them, smiling at Tristan, not the least bit surprised. He was in his late-thirties, black hair that was just starting to thin out and rich brown eyes. He was tall and had a slightly bulky frame. “Alright boys, grown-ups need to talk.” They shared an exasperated sigh as they left the room, Rosalie staring after them.
“They sure have gotten big” Tristan commented.
Rick nodded. “Should see the grocery bill sometime.” Again, Annette and Tristan chuckled together, Rick joining in with his own throaty laugh.
Annette pulled the 스웨트 셔츠, 셔츠 off and left to put in a load of wash, leaving Rick alone with the trio. He turned his head to Rosalie then. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Rick, meet Rosalie…Uh…”
“Hale. Rosalie Hale.”
They shook hands and despite the difference in temperature, he didn’t seem to mind it. “Well, Jack here has decided to go mortal” Tristan said.
“Bout damn time” Rick said. His eyes traveled to Rosalie, to the hand-holding. “I see why.” Annette came in, smacking Rick on the back of his neck.
“Behave” she chided him. He smiled at her, lovingly and gently, pulling her close. “So, Tristan, how is everyone else?”
“Fine, thank you. Seems all is well here.”
“Beyond well” Rick said, proudly stroking the slope in his wife’s stomach.
“Last time-this time, I mean it.” She couldn’t help but laugh despite trying to be serious.
“Congratulations. When?”
“May. Twins-again.”
“Girls? Boys? One of each?”
“Girls, thank god. Don’t think I can handle two 더 많이 boys.” She shook her head and swiftly pulled it in a ponytail. She then turned her attention to Rosalie. “Sorry dear. Don’t think we’ve met.”
Rosalie broke out of her phase and held out her hand. “Rosalie Hale. Nice to meet you.” They shook hands and again Annette didn’t seem bothered 의해 the touch.
“So, has anything changed?” Tristan asked, now that the introductions were over. Husband and wife shared a look before they shook their heads in unison. “Good. If 당신 two don’t mind, I think these two have some 질문 as to what is going to happen.”
“Shoot” Annette said, smiling. Jack and Rosalie shared a quick look before breaking it off just as quickly. “Come on, no need to be shy.”
“Did it hurt?” Jack asked hesitantly.
“At first, sort of. It’s nothing like being changed into the opposite though. Eventually, it fades away and once all the poison has been extracted, you’re out and when 당신 wake again, you’re human.”
“What, specifically did it feel like?”
“Well, the most painful part really is them getting those damn tubes in your arms. Feels like you’re being sliced open 의해 a meat cleaver almost. But it doesn’t last long and once that part passes, the rest is, well a breeze really.”
“You really lose the drive for blood upon waking?”
“Yes. Totally gone.”
Silence.
의해 then Annette was sitting at the dinning room 표, 테이블 and Rick was leaning against the wall. Jack knew what she wanted to ask and yet she held back for fear of offending the couple. So, Jack took it on as well.
“Was it hard? Becoming parents, I mean.”
“For us, yes. Rick was ready about four months after we’d been changed but my own body still hadn’t returned to its human state. It took just over a 년 before my own body caught up to his, 의해 then I was 더 많이 than ready.”
“And did conception happen soon after?”
“Not soon enough for us but yes relatively. Jonathan said it was the slowest he’d ever heard of a body taking so long to return to its human state. The longest before that had been eight months. The average is three months and the younger the vampire the sooner it tends to return.”
Jack nodded, his gaze deliberately avoiding Rosalie’s, his own mind filled with 질문 of what he would do if he and Rosalie had issues. Despite the encouragement he heard and saw, he couldn’t help but feel apprehensive and sensed maybe he shouldn’t have promised her those things.
What if he couldn’t promise her the one she held closest to her heart?
He wanted to kick himself for being so stupid. All he could do now was close his eyes and hope luck was on his side.
“Well, thank 당신 for your time. We have a long journey back.”
“Don’t be a stranger. Come 의해 anytime.” Hand shakes were quickly done and the five of them walked to the front door. One of the little boys came tearing into the room, a white piece of paper in his left hand.
“Mommy! Mommy! Look!” he said eagerly, showing her the drawing. Annette took it and smiled like he’d painted the Mona Lisa.
“Well it’s beautiful kiddo.” She kissed his head and he laughed, rushing back to be with his twin. Jack bit back the urge to sigh. What mess had he gotten himself into?
Tristan opened the door and stepped out, Jack next, Rosalie behind him, their fingers still interlocked. They walked out of the neighborhood and back to the carriage, a light rain was just starting to fall.
Jack dared a glance at Rosalie as they walked. He instantly wished he hadn’t. Her eyes were bright and lively, excited. For once he saw a glimpse of the Rosalie he knew years ago. Decades ago. But for once he felt he calmness, no ease. He knew why she had that look-but he wasn’t sure he could fulfill the desires in her heart.
They reached the carriage shortly before three; David was waiting, leaning on the bench of the left. “How was it?”
“Fine. Quite informative.”
He cocked an eyebrow but kept silent. Tristan retreated to his room to change. Jack too left Rosalie’s side, going to his own room where he did many laps around the room. Over and over he turned the words in his mind: marry you, father your children, protect you, 사랑 you, cherish you. He was certain he could do all of those, except for the second, that was the only one that lingered in the back of his mind, like a deep dark 구름, 클라우드 on a perfect, sunny day.
He knew there was one way-well, maybe one way-to be certain he could live up to his deal. It was a fifty fifty-but how to do so without David 또는 Rosalie noticing?
In the front of the carriage, David and Rosalie remained silent, both for totally different reasons. David’s mind was preoccupied with worries of what was going to become of him when he got back…Rosalie’s was filled with 이미지 from the day-images of the happy couple, of the two small boys, so precious, of Annette’s pregnant belly…She smiled and her own hands trailed over her own, though it was flat and empty she knew someday it would be full and round, pulsing with Jack’s baby…Yes, she couldn’t wait until then.
Meanwhile, her beloved was full of fear that he would fail her. That despite turning human and saying “I do” it wouldn’t be enough.
NO!
Some part of him was screaming to shut up, to quit thinking negative thoughts-wasn’t that what one of his 책 had taught him-that the mind was so powerful that if one desired something enough it would be theirs?
But this wasn’t just a mental issue-this was a physical issue though with the way his mind was racing it sure felt 더 많이 like a mental issue. He sighed deeply and slumped on the couch, already feeling like a failure. Once again, part of him was telling him to pipe down. That he would succeed, he would, he had to. He lived for Rosalie Lillian Hale-he lived to see her happy.
He knew come hell 또는 high water he would give her exactly what she wanted.
Right?
This time though the voice of reassurance was silent, prompting him to feel hopeless again. Like a merry-go-round that wouldn’t stop, the emotions shifted once again. Sighing, he faked a smile and came out of the room. He sat 다음 to Rosalie who instantly nestled in his arms, her head resting on his chest like always.
That was one thing he knew wouldn’t change: he knew that whatever happened, he would always 사랑 her and vice versa. He saw that-Rick and Annette were proof that even when they were human again, their 사랑 was still there, still going strong. At least he could count on 사랑 in the end.
It was early morning the 다음 day; Tristan had woken shortly before the sun, though he appeared quite different from the golden-haired blue eyed god Rosalie had seen: his hair was dark brown, his eyes a hazel color with a tad of green. “Today, I’m going to visit two of the ones I changed oh about seven, eight years ago. Then, we will head home, east through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, then south to home. Sound good?”
“I feel the need to hunt” David said, bookless for the first time.
Tristan nodded. “Very well. You’ll probably be back before we are.” He then turned to Rosalie. “What about you? Do 당신 feel like 당신 need to hunt?”
She shook her long blonde hair. “No. I’m fine for now.”
“Very well. We’ll give them some time to wake up, get on with the 일 before we stop in.”
“Do they know we’re coming?” David asked.
Tristan nodded again. “Of course. This would be a time for Jack and Rosalie to ask their questions-to true people that have been through the process and still came out fine.”
Rosalie turned to Jack, he smiled reassuringly. Tristan retreated to his room for a bit, David stayed in the carriage until nearly eleven before he left to hunt. Tristan emerged shortly after David left and gestured for Rosalie and Jack to follow him. They had to walk to keep Tristan 다음 to them. While they walked, Rosalie questioned Jack and Tristan about the two changed ones. “Who are they exactly?”
“Their names are Rick and Annette James. Rick was a vampire first, changed in 1977, Annette in 1980. They found each other 의해 chance and ended up connecting far better than most nomads do. Tristan found them circa late 2001, early 2002. They questioned it for about a week before deciding to go mortal. They came to Springfield for potent ional job opportunities which clearly worked out.”
“They still remember?”
“Yes though it fades each time I’ve seen them.”
“How many times have 당신 seen them?”
“This will be my fifth time.”
They walked on in silence then, Rosalie turning the information, her mind curious as to what they would see. Jack held her hand; it seemed to fit perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together. She couldn’t help but notice that his hand continually traced her ring finger, which was bare, though she still had his ring, always kept it on her, but keeping it a secret from Emmett was a struggle.
Eventually, they came upon a typical neighborhood, filled with mostly one-story homes, however a two-story was scattered here and there. The 일 was 흐린, 흐린 날씨 and threatening rain, something that Tristan had factored in and timed perfectly. The majority of the homes were simple whites, slanted ceilings made of shingles, although an occasional yellow 또는 brown stood amongst them. Tristan led them inside a cul-de-sac, stopping at the third 집 on the left.
This one was a two-story, a beige color; the roof was flat all around. The front yard was neatly kept, the 잔디 was freshly cut, the garden was all bare branches that waited until spring when 꽃 would once again bloom. The two car 차고 were both shut, fading brown paint from 상단, 맨 위로 to bottom. The front door was 사과, 애플 red, warm and cheery. Rosalie’s hand tightened around Jack’s. He looked at her yet her face was towards the house and impossible to read.
Tristan was oblivious to all of this as he walked up the curved path to the front door, knocking twice, then standing back slightly. Jack stood 다음 to him, Rosalie still holding tightly to his hand. He gave her a confident smile which she half-heartedly returned.
At long last, the door opened. A woman in her mid-thirties stood there, her hair was a rich red, not like Victoria’s 불, 화재 red though, her eyes a calming blue. She was dressed in plain faded denim jeans and a large 스웨트 셔츠, 셔츠 that had the Chicago Bulls logo on it. She beamed happily. “Tristan! Welcome!” They embraced briefly before she looked at Jack. “Jack. Good to see 당신 again.” He nodded at her. “Well, come on in. Pardon the mess; I’m so behind on cleaning. Then, when I think of who else lives here, I wonder why I bother!” Tristan and Annette laughed in unison.
Before anything else could be said, the 차고 door opened and three pairs of feet entered the home, one large, two far smaller. The two smaller forms slammed into Annette, each one hugging a separate side of her. She gently ruffled their hair, 키싱 the tops of their heads. The larger form entered behind them, smiling at Tristan, not the least bit surprised. He was in his late-thirties, black hair that was just starting to thin out and rich brown eyes. He was tall and had a slightly bulky frame. “Alright boys, grown-ups need to talk.” They shared an exasperated sigh as they left the room, Rosalie staring after them.
“They sure have gotten big” Tristan commented.
Rick nodded. “Should see the grocery bill sometime.” Again, Annette and Tristan chuckled together, Rick joining in with his own throaty laugh.
Annette pulled the 스웨트 셔츠, 셔츠 off and left to put in a load of wash, leaving Rick alone with the trio. He turned his head to Rosalie then. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Rick, meet Rosalie…Uh…”
“Hale. Rosalie Hale.”
They shook hands and despite the difference in temperature, he didn’t seem to mind it. “Well, Jack here has decided to go mortal” Tristan said.
“Bout damn time” Rick said. His eyes traveled to Rosalie, to the hand-holding. “I see why.” Annette came in, smacking Rick on the back of his neck.
“Behave” she chided him. He smiled at her, lovingly and gently, pulling her close. “So, Tristan, how is everyone else?”
“Fine, thank you. Seems all is well here.”
“Beyond well” Rick said, proudly stroking the slope in his wife’s stomach.
“Last time-this time, I mean it.” She couldn’t help but laugh despite trying to be serious.
“Congratulations. When?”
“May. Twins-again.”
“Girls? Boys? One of each?”
“Girls, thank god. Don’t think I can handle two 더 많이 boys.” She shook her head and swiftly pulled it in a ponytail. She then turned her attention to Rosalie. “Sorry dear. Don’t think we’ve met.”
Rosalie broke out of her phase and held out her hand. “Rosalie Hale. Nice to meet you.” They shook hands and again Annette didn’t seem bothered 의해 the touch.
“So, has anything changed?” Tristan asked, now that the introductions were over. Husband and wife shared a look before they shook their heads in unison. “Good. If 당신 two don’t mind, I think these two have some 질문 as to what is going to happen.”
“Shoot” Annette said, smiling. Jack and Rosalie shared a quick look before breaking it off just as quickly. “Come on, no need to be shy.”
“Did it hurt?” Jack asked hesitantly.
“At first, sort of. It’s nothing like being changed into the opposite though. Eventually, it fades away and once all the poison has been extracted, you’re out and when 당신 wake again, you’re human.”
“What, specifically did it feel like?”
“Well, the most painful part really is them getting those damn tubes in your arms. Feels like you’re being sliced open 의해 a meat cleaver almost. But it doesn’t last long and once that part passes, the rest is, well a breeze really.”
“You really lose the drive for blood upon waking?”
“Yes. Totally gone.”
Silence.
의해 then Annette was sitting at the dinning room 표, 테이블 and Rick was leaning against the wall. Jack knew what she wanted to ask and yet she held back for fear of offending the couple. So, Jack took it on as well.
“Was it hard? Becoming parents, I mean.”
“For us, yes. Rick was ready about four months after we’d been changed but my own body still hadn’t returned to its human state. It took just over a 년 before my own body caught up to his, 의해 then I was 더 많이 than ready.”
“And did conception happen soon after?”
“Not soon enough for us but yes relatively. Jonathan said it was the slowest he’d ever heard of a body taking so long to return to its human state. The longest before that had been eight months. The average is three months and the younger the vampire the sooner it tends to return.”
Jack nodded, his gaze deliberately avoiding Rosalie’s, his own mind filled with 질문 of what he would do if he and Rosalie had issues. Despite the encouragement he heard and saw, he couldn’t help but feel apprehensive and sensed maybe he shouldn’t have promised her those things.
What if he couldn’t promise her the one she held closest to her heart?
He wanted to kick himself for being so stupid. All he could do now was close his eyes and hope luck was on his side.
“Well, thank 당신 for your time. We have a long journey back.”
“Don’t be a stranger. Come 의해 anytime.” Hand shakes were quickly done and the five of them walked to the front door. One of the little boys came tearing into the room, a white piece of paper in his left hand.
“Mommy! Mommy! Look!” he said eagerly, showing her the drawing. Annette took it and smiled like he’d painted the Mona Lisa.
“Well it’s beautiful kiddo.” She kissed his head and he laughed, rushing back to be with his twin. Jack bit back the urge to sigh. What mess had he gotten himself into?
Tristan opened the door and stepped out, Jack next, Rosalie behind him, their fingers still interlocked. They walked out of the neighborhood and back to the carriage, a light rain was just starting to fall.
Jack dared a glance at Rosalie as they walked. He instantly wished he hadn’t. Her eyes were bright and lively, excited. For once he saw a glimpse of the Rosalie he knew years ago. Decades ago. But for once he felt he calmness, no ease. He knew why she had that look-but he wasn’t sure he could fulfill the desires in her heart.
They reached the carriage shortly before three; David was waiting, leaning on the bench of the left. “How was it?”
“Fine. Quite informative.”
He cocked an eyebrow but kept silent. Tristan retreated to his room to change. Jack too left Rosalie’s side, going to his own room where he did many laps around the room. Over and over he turned the words in his mind: marry you, father your children, protect you, 사랑 you, cherish you. He was certain he could do all of those, except for the second, that was the only one that lingered in the back of his mind, like a deep dark 구름, 클라우드 on a perfect, sunny day.
He knew there was one way-well, maybe one way-to be certain he could live up to his deal. It was a fifty fifty-but how to do so without David 또는 Rosalie noticing?
In the front of the carriage, David and Rosalie remained silent, both for totally different reasons. David’s mind was preoccupied with worries of what was going to become of him when he got back…Rosalie’s was filled with 이미지 from the day-images of the happy couple, of the two small boys, so precious, of Annette’s pregnant belly…She smiled and her own hands trailed over her own, though it was flat and empty she knew someday it would be full and round, pulsing with Jack’s baby…Yes, she couldn’t wait until then.
Meanwhile, her beloved was full of fear that he would fail her. That despite turning human and saying “I do” it wouldn’t be enough.
NO!
Some part of him was screaming to shut up, to quit thinking negative thoughts-wasn’t that what one of his 책 had taught him-that the mind was so powerful that if one desired something enough it would be theirs?
But this wasn’t just a mental issue-this was a physical issue though with the way his mind was racing it sure felt 더 많이 like a mental issue. He sighed deeply and slumped on the couch, already feeling like a failure. Once again, part of him was telling him to pipe down. That he would succeed, he would, he had to. He lived for Rosalie Lillian Hale-he lived to see her happy.
He knew come hell 또는 high water he would give her exactly what she wanted.
Right?
This time though the voice of reassurance was silent, prompting him to feel hopeless again. Like a merry-go-round that wouldn’t stop, the emotions shifted once again. Sighing, he faked a smile and came out of the room. He sat 다음 to Rosalie who instantly nestled in his arms, her head resting on his chest like always.
That was one thing he knew wouldn’t change: he knew that whatever happened, he would always 사랑 her and vice versa. He saw that-Rick and Annette were proof that even when they were human again, their 사랑 was still there, still going strong. At least he could count on 사랑 in the end.
