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Lost and Found	By : Valleygoat Category: Twilight Series > General Views: 5558 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 26
- 27
- 28
Disclaimer: I do not own twilight Lost and Found
A Twilight story
Pairings usual except for Edward/my character Bella/Jacob
It will change POV sometimes.
Senior year, Edward and Bella have split for good, but the Cullens haven't left yet.
TWO CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY! YAY GO ME! LOL
I do not own Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Green Day, or Eragon
Chapter 27 A Late Christmas
Carrie's POV (kind of author POV also since she is blind)
One word to describe the past week or so would have to be interesting. The Cullen's have spent a large part of their free time getting me better and back on track. I've done physical therapy with Carlisle to regain muscle tone, and learning to cope with my blindness. I am able to move around the house somewhat confidently on my own I even have a walking stick with small bells attached to help me get around.
Edward, Alice, Rosalie Emmett and Jasper have been tutoring me in the classes that I've missed. Thankfully they started new things after the break so I was only a month or so behind everyone and close to being on the same page. The only classes that changed were Chemistry to Physics and Trigonometry to Pre-Calculus.
We've been working on a system that I could use in school. I was offered to be home school but I declined. I want to be in a school atmosphere. Besides there was only a few more months of school left anyways before graduation. I wasn't about to let my blindness hold me back. As of right now we were looking at about the second to third week of February for me trying to go back to school. Carlisle and Esme were helping me in any way that they can. During down time I just mainly played chess with Jasper, with Edward's help with seeing the board to help strengthen his 'new' gift or did something around the house to keep me busy when I am not sleeping.
Edward has been working extra hard in trying to use his gift in allowing me to see. It's different from his normal power to see into minds, it is kind of like sending his mind into others in a way after a connection has been made or just having the connection act like a telephone line when it isn't that strong. He had told me that he was not always capable of this, but it had developed recently. He thinks the development is just his power maturing and has been there since the testing their limits. I also think that it is because of his will to help me that may have contributed to the change as well. So far our minds can be 'melded' together for about two minutes without break. This is a very tiring process for him and I often get a headache from it. It is a bit invasive having another conscience so close to my own.
During the day when Esme wasn't doing something with me I was listening to music. I listened mainly to Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, and Green Day, along with other similar music. Esme checked up on me when she heard the music playing so loudly from my stereo system for she was worried because it didn't seem like a type of music that I would listen to. I told her that I do listen to it and at the moment it was making me feel better. I don't know what it is about depressed music to a depressed person, or angry music to an angry person that makes everything easier to deal with even if it is only a very little bit.
It was Saturday and as promised today we were going to have our Christmas. The Cullen's were determined that I would have a normal Christmas and everything that goes with it. That included Alice coming into my room early in the morning and waking me up by jumping on my bed and yelling: "Wake up it's Christmas, it's Christmas!"
"Isn't it supposed to be the kids that jump on the parent's bed on Christmas morning," I said sleepily as I stumbled out of bed. Alice just grabbed hold of my hand and dragged me out of my room. When we came to the stairs I slipped and stumbled so Alice picked me up and carried me down the stairs to the living room.
"Merry Christmas," everyone yelled/greeted me as we entered the living room.
"Merry Christmas everyone," I said in response with a small smile on my face. I felt someone else come up beside me and grab hold of my hand and slowly I saw what everyone was doing, so I knew that it was Edward. Our connection is better when we are touching; neither of us complained about that. Everyone was wearing pajamas that looked like they had been slept in and they all had bed heads, even Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme surprisingly. Emmett was even holding a teddy bear like the drawing I made earlier. I guess they were trying really hard to make sure I get the whole package that usually comes with the holidays.
"First let's take a family photo before we get started on the presents," Esme said excitedly. I remember from before that it has been a while since they really celebrated Christmas, along with the other holidays, so everyone was excited about it, Esme especially. I felt Edward tug on my hand and I followed in the direction of the tug. I pair of hands on my shoulders stopped me and I was turned to face where I guess the camera was.
"Okay, I have it set for three seconds. Ready," Carlisle said. I put a smile on my face and waited while listening to Alice laugh quietly under her breath. I heard a slight click so I guess that the picture was taken. I was then led over to I guess the sofa by an arm wrapped around my waist and someone took a seat on both sides of me; the person on the left weighed heavier than the person on my right because the couch dipped more.
"Open mine first," Alice said coming from my right somewhere. She sounded close so she must be the one sitting next to me while the other no doubt is Edward since he never leaves my side anymore, not that I'm complaining. I held my hands out in front of me and felt a package placed upon them. I felt around and discovered that whatever it was to be large and square and a couple of inches thick. Thanks to Edward I could tell that it was wrapped in purple wrapping paper and that I was right about its shape. I dug my nails in and began to tear the paper to reveal the present.
When the paper was removed I felt the package and slowly Edward revealed to me that it was an oil paint set that came with its own collapsible easel, brushes, paint trays, mixing plate and five canvases. "Thank you Alice. Now I can try my hand at painting," I said with a smile. Edward showed me her smiling face and I gave her a hug which she happily returned.
I asked Edward if he would get one of the presents that I got for Alice. The one he grabbed was a small to medium sized package wrapped in light pink paper and had spiral ribbon designs on it. I took it from Edward and held it out in Alice's direction. I felt someone take it so I let go. I got an image of Alice's eager face and heard the paper being torn. I also saw her smile, and heard a sound of happiness as she saw my gift; I got her a headband that had a large purple rose that was off to the side. I also got her a wrap that could be worn over pants that had little pixies on it.
I received a hug and was directed to my next present which was from Emmett. I had to get up so that I could feel its size. It was huge; I could fit in it easily. I tore off the paper then was pulled back by someone, judging by the small laugh it was Carlisle since I ended up close to him while unwrapping the box. Edward showed me Emmett opening the box and pulling out a giant teddy bear that had a large green bow around its neck.
"Oh Emmett, it's so cute," I said with a huge grin on my face as I moved forward to hug him. Emmett of course picked me up and gave me one of his bear hugs, gently of course but it was still enthusiastic. When he set me down I moved over to hug my new teddy; it was so large I couldn't even get my arms around its neck and it was difficult for me to pick up.
Edward handed me one of Emmett's presents and I handed it to him. I saw the look of confusion on his face as he began to open his gift from me. By the sounds of the paper tearing he was excited yet hesitant as well. Emmett held up a leather jacket that had a deer fur lining and sent me a confused look.
"I made that myself from the fur and hides that I have managed to save," I said shyly because I was unsure of how he would like it but with some pride as well since I made it with my own hands.
"Well now I get to smell like my prey," Emmett said trying to be funny about it.
"Maybe that will allow you to sneak up on them better," I said which caused some laughs. I got another hug and sat down on the sofa.
Rosalie gave me her gift next. She gave me an outfit that consisted of black pants, top, shoes, arm warmers and charmed choker. The pants hung off the hips and flared off of from the top of the legs and had some rhinestones that made designs down the side of the legs and a couple of chains hanging on them. The top was like a tube top corset that came down to the top of the pants. The arm warmers were lace up to match the corset top. The shoes were three inch platform Demonia with an additional two inch heel that came up to my knees. The necklace was silver and black with various alchemy symbol charms hanging from it.
I gave her a hug and handed the gift that I made for her. It was a red jewel about the size of the palm of her hand that I had carved into a rose. I had been working on it for years and had finished it recently and decided to give it to her. I heard her gasp and saw the look of surprise and shock on her face as she studied the rose gem. The way that the light shined on it made it appear as if there was sparkling dew on the petals. Rosalie gave me a big hug and thanked me for her gift. (I was thinking of the rose jewel from Eragon.)
I received several more gifts throughout the day. Including an old hand carved ivory chess set from Jasper, a hand knitted sweater from Esme. From Edward I got a diamond bracelet that on the back said 'Love always, Edward'. Carlisle gave me a bunch of fantasy books. Of course I would have trouble reading them now, but it is the thought that counts. It also wasn't in the game plan for me to lose my sight either.
I gave Jasper a jacket that looked like a bomber jacket from World War II that had a bunch of patches on it that had to do with the army and the Civil War. For Carlisle I gave him a book of 'herbal/ new age' medicine and a large bundle of dry herbs that he could use as medicine if he had patients who wanted more old fashioned remedies along with some new anatomy books (He didn't need the books but they are all so hard to shop for). I gave Esme silver pewter like cross necklace that was decorated with aquamarine stones that I have had for as long as I could remember.
Flashback
I remembered when I found that necklace long ago; I was around three or four. The rest of my 'family' and I had just moved into a small apartment. Thom and the others were out at the moment, but before they left I was locked in a closet. After a while I got bored so I started messing with the handle. The knob and lock was in such bad shape that it became unlocked and I was able to get out. With nothing better to do I began to look around the small apartment.
I eventually came across some boxes that had stuff in them that didn't look all that important. There were markings on the box but I didn't know how to read. Me being the curious little kid that I was I started looking through the boxes. I came across a lot of pretty things that I took the time to look at as the sun's rays danced off of them.
After looking through the boxes I was about to leave when a glimmer caught my eye. I looked in the box and saw the necklace there in the bottom of the box. I was wondering why it was in there for it wasn't like the other things. I was just going to leave it but I felt as though it was calling out to me. So I reached down and grabbed it. I felt a warmth spread through me as my fingers came in contact with it. I picked it up and brought it closer to my face so that I could look at it better. It wasn't really shinny like the other things but it was pretty in its own way. I just sat there looking at it as I sat on the dirty floor.
I was about to put it back but I couldn't take my eyes off it. I still felt like that it was calling me. So I figured that I might as well keep it because I thought that Thom didn't like it since it was in a box with the other stuff; besides with all of the other stuff they would never know that it was missing. I slipped it over my head and tucked it under my shirt after looking at it one last time.
I was putting the other stuff back in the box when I heard a sound coming from the front door. I turned toward it just as the door opened to reveal Thom and the others. Thom looked furious as he saw me and he came stomping toward me. That was the first time that I ever received a beating.
End flashback
Since that day I have always had the necklace. I stopped wearing it though when I started getting afraid that Thom or someone would notice it so I kept it in a bag that I had at that time. It would be safe in there since no one touched any of my stuff since it, like me, was seen as trash.
It felt right to give it to Esme so I had no problems about giving it to her. The necklace means much to me and she does as well since she has been acting like my mother. I pull myself from my thoughts and concentrated on the gift giving again.
Edward was the hardest person to find something for. I know he likes music but he already has like everything and clothes didn't seem like a good thing to get him. Alice suggested a recording of me singing songs. Rosalie suggested a locket that had my picture in it that had a personal message written inside or on the back. I picked something that was special and had meaning.
My gift to Edward was a framed drawing done with colored pencils of where we went on our first date. I drew the scene from a vantage point of standing on the cliff. I included the ocean, the cove, and the other cliffs. Right in front on the bottom was a red checkered blanket with a picnic basket and two dark silhouettes leaning against each other, looking out at the sunset. It was the happiest moment of my life and I wanted him to have a reminder of it also.
Edward was…quite pleased with his gift. After looking at the painting he pulled me into his lap and gave me a long, slow passionate kiss. I easily lost myself until I heard Alice and a couple others, giggling and some one, Emmett probably, making a gagging sound which made me pull away. I completely forgot that we were in front of his entire family. I gave him one last kiss before I pulled away completely with a warm blush adorning my cheeks and sat down next to him, held close to his side.
More gifts were exchanged, most of which were for me. All in all I had a very nice first Christmas; it was everything and more than I have heard it to be. The rest of the day, when I wasn't taking a nap, we played board games, which we did in pairs since there were eight of us. Alice challenged me to a round of twister which Rosalie, Emmett and Edward joined in. Esme, Carlisle and Jasper just watched and refereed. Esme helped me place my limbs on the appropriate circles; I just had to keep my balance. We even hooked up DDR and played. Someone would call out what was coming up for me: front, back, left, and right, sides, split. It was really tiring me out doing all this but I still didn't want to be seen as weak, I tried to continue as if nothing was wrong. But I was thankful to Carlisle who limited my activities in the games to one round, or song/dance so as to not strain myself too much. After which I took a nap to regain some energy.
That night Esme was kind of disappointed that she couldn't make a proper Christmas dinner feast because Carlisle didn't want me to eat anything too heavy yet, but she still made something that was really delicious. Carlisle said that she could make the dinner that she wanted in a couple of weeks for I could have regular food by then. Edward stayed with me that night again, he has never left my side except to go to school, and he made sure to thank me again for the gift that a made for him. I guess he liked the picture if the way my toes curled were anything to go by.
The rest of the weekend was also pretty much fun and games. Sunday night Esme, Rosalie, Alice and I locked ourselves in part of the house away from the boys and had a bit of a sleep over like thing. I couldn't do much since I couldn't see and had to take breaks and naps often since I was still tired and recovering, but we still had some fun. Alice told me that Esme was wearing the cross that I gave her and it made me feel happy that she liked my gift and wasn't wearing it to be nice. She could have easily not worn it for I would have never known the difference.
All too soon it was Monday and I was left alone with Esme. While it has been just the two of us she helped me with learning brail; Carlisle had gotten me a book on learning brail as a last minute Christmas present. I was having a little bit of trouble because all of the dots felt the same and it wasn't quite how I thought that it would be. Esme assured me that I would get better with time and my fingers will become sensitive enough to be able to tell the difference.
Today I got a bit of a special treat; Esme took me to town with her to go shopping for groceries. After my lesson Esme took me to my room to get dressed. When I asked why she told me, "I think you need to get out of the house for a little while. You've been cooped up in here for a month; you could use some fresh air. I'm going to take you shopping with me." I allowed her to dress me up, and bundle me up. I grabbed my walking stick and she led me to her car.
I have never been in Esme's car but I could tell that it was a nice one. I knew that it was a Volvo like Edward's but was black in color like Carlisle's. On the drive to town Esme was describing to me the things that she saw. Esme said how sorry she was that I didn't see the towns Christmas decorations because they are usually quite nice. She also said that she was sad that I missed the New Years fireworks. She promised that she would take me to the Fourth of July fireworks and Edward could use his newly developed skills to allow me to see them.
When we came to a stop at the store I got out and shut my door. Esme came around and looped her arm with mine so that she could lead me and I wouldn't get lost, I used my staff to check my footing. When we got inside the store Esme placed my hand on the cart that she was pushing and told me to not let go of it so we could stay together.
We walked slowly through the aisles, Esme occasionally asking me if anything sounded interesting or if there was anything that I wanted. I noticed that it got quieter to the areas that we were approaching and things got a little louder from the areas that we left. They must be talking about us or at least me. I'm guessing that everyone that knows by now what happened to me, no matter how well we tried to keep it a secret.
We came to a stop and Esme told me to stay where I was while she went to wait in line for the deli to get some lunch meat. So I was just standing there listing as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata* played over the sound system, humming along with the melody, when I felt someone roughly grab my arm and pull me away from the cart.
"Hey let me go," I began, just to be cut off by a voice that I knew so well.
"Just what do you think you're doing here ya brat," Thom said as he grabbed hold of my jacket and pulled me toward him.
"Why aren't you in school? Better yet where is our money from work," Liz said, practically screeching in my ear while my arm was twisted behind my back and my staff was taken from me.
"Let go," I told them, trying to get free.
"I don't think so. You need to give us some answers and you need to be punished," Thom said. I felt something clench along my scalp as if trying to get a grip on my hair, but my hair was so short all they got was the knit cap and sweater hood. I felt a tug where the hand was clench like it was trying to pull my head back as well but all that was accomplished was the removal of the hat and hood.
"Look at her clothes," Liz whined as I felt more tugging on said items, "that's probably where all of our money is going to."
"Esme," I shouted out when I couldn't escape just to feel a slap against my face, knocking off my sunglasses that I wore so no one would stare at my eyes.
"What's going on here," I heard an unknown male voice said somewhat shakily but trying to be confident and demanding.
"Nothing sir; this child with us is just misbehaving and we are only trying to get her attitude readjusted," Thom said with yet another tug on my form that caused me to somewhat trip on one of their feet, but the grip kept me from falling. He only referred to me as her in public to keep up appearances that we are a 'normal family'.
"There are better ways than that," the unknown guy began just to be cut off by Thom.
"We know how to deal with it," he said shortly as he turned from the voice causing me to do so as well.
"Would you mind releasing my daughter," I heard Esme call out.
"You're daughter," Liz snapped at her as she sharply turned in that direction, finally releasing my arm from her grip.
"Yes my daughter. She has been a part of my family for the past few months. I have been taking care of her as my own. Besides I have papers stating that she is in my custody. So I repeat, release my daughter," Esme told them in a deadly tone.
"That's not true; none of us have ever seen you before. It is ours," Thom said. I could tell that he was trying to keep his anger in check so as to not start shouting and drawing attention to us. An impossible feat in a small town such as this.
"You refer to her as it," Esme questioned in disbelief. I could feel the stares of a lot of people; they must be watching what is happening.
"What else is there to call it by," Liz questioned like Esme was stupid or something.
"How about her name," I heard another unidentified, but slightly familiar, male voice speak up from behind us.
"Ah Chief Swan, how nice it is to see you," Esme said in a more civil tone then what she was using previously.
"Mrs. Cullen," he said in greeting. "Do you know these people that Carrie is with?"
"Unfortunately I do Chief Swan and I would like to get her away from them. These are two of the people that you are looking for. They are the reason for this whole mess that you dragged into," Esme said calmly.
"Is that so," he said with a small sigh that I could just barely pick up in his tone. "Well, you two are under arrest for child abuse, child abandonment, child endangerment, rape, sexual harassment, forced sexual assault of a minor, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder. There are also the charges that I dug up on you two as well. There is fraud, extortion, harassment, trespassing, damage to public and private property and robbery. That is just the first page and not including the multiple counts. So release the girl, you're under arrest."
"Well you ought to arrest her for kidnapping. It belongs to us," Thom said again with a hint of panic as he tried to get himself out of this situation. I felt myself being knocked to the ground.
"Say my name," I said softly after I managed to move into a sitting position. My face was down turned toward the floor. I could feel something, anger, start to build with in me, the sounds that I could hear and things that I could smell seemed to get slightly sharper as I clenched my hands tightly on the floor.
"What's that ya brat," Thom shouted.
"I said: say my name," I told him slowly, barely controlling my anger, through clenched teeth. Short parts of my life flashed before my eyes as the tension with in my body continued to build. I felt like that I could snap at any moment.
"It's ah, ah, ah….Katie… Katie Marie Grant," Thom and Liz said in slight confusion and panic(different parts - Thom/Katie, Liz/ Marie).
"My name," I said while slowly standing back up, glaring in the direction that their voices were coming from, "is Carrie and Esme Cullen is my mother." I stated this with as much venom and malice toward them as I could but with pride when I called Esme my mother.
"Come on your under arrest," I heard someone else say.
"How dare you brat. After everything we did for you, this is how you repay us," Thom shouted.
"After everything you've done for me," I question incredulously, the tension in my body finally snapping. "The only thing that you did for me was make my life a living hell. Because of you I'm blind. Because of you I am in constant pain and each movement I make and every time I take a breath it feels like I'm being stabbed with a thousand knives. Because of you my skin constantly feels like it is on fire. It is because of you that I'm so scared and disfigured. It is because of you that you had me wishing for death at times so I wouldn't have to endure another day of what you do to me." I finished with a hysteric shout and slight pants as I tried to catch my breath. I felt so close to tears and my whole form was trembling, but it finally felt good to get some of this off of my chest.
"It's not like we did anything to you that you didn't deserve you little bitch," Liz shouted at me.
"That's enough of that," Charlie said as he subdued, handcuffed and dragged Thomas out of the store and the other cop dragged Liz out. I heard some sounds of struggling as they were dragged away, with Thomas still yelling and Liz shrieking. I collapsed to the ground on my knees in physical, mental and emotional exhaustion and after a couple of moments I began to feel around for my staff. I felt something touch my arm and someone softly say, "Here you go." I touched what was against my arm and felt my staff.
I said small thank you as I grabbed a hold of it and slowly stood up on slightly shaky legs. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and I could tell that from the coolness of it and the scent that I could pick up that it was Esme. "Are you okay," she asked gently. I felt the sunglasses be once again placed over my eyes.
"I'll be fine. I'll be better when we get back home," I said quietly.
"Then let's go check out and we can leave," Esme said as she guided me back to the cart. I once again grabbed hold of it, but with her hand on top of mine, as we went to the check out. When we went to leave Esme looped her arm with mine again, leading me out while one of the employees carried our bags out and put them in the trunk.
The drive home was a silent one, we didn't say anything and the radio wasn't on. When we got home Esme led me to the kitchen and helped me take off my coat. I took a seat in the kitchen while she carried in the bags. I heard her put a kettle over then start to put the groceries away.
I listened as she moved around putting things away as I sat quietly on a bar stool, head down and hands on my lap. The kettle began to whistle letting us know that the water was hot. I heard Esme make something up and place it in front of me. I could smell the cocoa; she sure does know me by now. Hot chocolate is one of the things that always calms me down and soothes my nerves. I felt along the table searching for the heat, and when I did I brought the cup toward me and held it in my hands, finding some comfort in its warmth.
We sat there in silence as I sipped my drink. I knew that Esme wouldn't say anything; she would wait for me to make the first move, which I did. "I would feel so much better if could have punched them," I said quietly.
"Would you really," she asked in a quiet tone as well.
"Not really," I said with a sigh while running my fingers over my short hair which I am slowly getting used to. "I'm not a type of person to wish harm to another. I just want some form of payback, some retribution for everything that I have gone through, but I know that there is a reason for my pain, for my blindness. And as I have always said, what doesn't kill you just makes you stronger."
"You have nothing to worry about; by the sound of it they will be going away for a very long time. Besides the others and I will be there for you. You're family now and family looks after each other," she said trying to comfort me, to let me know that I am not alone.
"Thanks Esme," I said with a small smile. I finished my drink and got up. "I think I'll go take a nice, hot, relaxing bath," I said as I left the kitchen.
"Oh Carrie,' Esme called out as I reached the threshold. I turned toward her to let he know that I was listening. "If you want … you can call me mom, if you want to," she said uncertainly.
I sent a smile her way and said, "I think I'd like that…mom." I turned away and headed to my room with a smile on my face. 'Mom, I have someone to call mom, I have a mom now.'
I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the water. While waiting for the water temp to adjust I poured in some bubble bath. I didn't have to worry about my stereo or anything because as a present from the family I got a little voice activated music player. I just had to turn it on and tell it what artist I wanted to listen to. I turned the water off when the water was at an appropriate level, stripped and submerged myself in the comforting heat. I had the player play some Mozart. I leaned back, closed my eyes and let my mind wander.
The bath did help me relax and helped me to calm down from earlier. That combined with the hot chocolate made me very sleepy. So I decided to get out and take a nap, I had nothing better to do. I got out of the tub and felt around for a towel and dried off. I felt through my room for something to sleep in. I changed, crawled onto the bed without bothering to get under the blankets and went to sleep.
Edward's POV
It was finally the day that everyone was looking forward to, Christmas. Everyone is so excited about it because it has been so long since we have actually celebrated it. This was also going to be special because Carrie would be celebrating with us as a member of the family.
We are a bit down that a lot of our gifts won't have the expected result that we planned due to her blindness but we are going through with it anyways. With the gifts that she gave us I was once again shocked at the things that she is able to do. She made Emmett's coat and carved Rosalie's gem. I remember that she had trouble with the gifts but I told her that anything that she gave them would be fine, that they would love it anyways.
The gift giving was a little better than expected due to my new ability with my gift. I am able to do what Emmett jokingly refers to as a 'Vulcan mind meld'. With this new ability I am able to show Carrie what I see through a connection between our minds. This melding of our minds has unexpected consequences though. I often feel drained when we are connected for long periods of time and Carrie gets headaches. There is one side effect that I have only told Carlisle about. I can feel the pain that Carrie is feeling when we are connected; especially the longer we are together. I can feel the pain that every movement causes, the burning of the skin, the stabbing pain just to breath. I'm surprised that she can act like there is nothing wrong and able to go about like she usually will.
My gift to her was a diamond accent bracelet that had 'Love Always, Edward' inscribed on the back of it. From my connection with Carrie as I showed her what is was I could tell that she loved it. Carrie turned to me and slowly brought her hands up to my face. I grabbed them and placed them against my cheeks. She leaned forward and drew me toward her. I moved so that she can place a kiss on my lips.
After the kiss I placed the bracelet on her right wrist before we continued the gift exchanges. I got the bracelet to go with the necklace that I gave her earlier on our date. Thinking of this reminded me that I had to pick up the necklace from the jewelers sometime. I'm thinking of giving it back to her on Valentine's Day since I had a small change made to it.
The rest of the weekend went off without a hitch and soon I found myself reluctantly going back to school. I did have something to look forward though. Carrie was going to be coming back to school soon. The original idea was for her to be home schooled but Carrie wanted to finish her senior year going to school.
The teachers asked me how Carrie was doing. I told them that she was fine and that she would be coming back to school soon. Bella asked me how Carrie was doing and I told her the same thing that I told the teachers. She told me that so far Charlie has had no luck finding the ones responsible for Carrie's condition but he was still working on it.
It was after school now and my siblings and I were all heading out. I had my own car today and Rosalie had one of hers that isn't a convertible. I was going to stop at the jewelers before I went home, that's why I drove myself. I got in and was slightly surprised when Alice hopped in the passenger seat. I gave her a questioning look but she just smiled at me and said that she wanted to tag along. I tried to listen in on what she was thinking but all I got were ideas for this years prom theme.
After about an hour's drive due to the speed I drove we finally arrived at the jewelers at another near by town. Alice and I got out and entered the store. Immediately Alice and I parted company when we entered the store and she roamed alone while I went over to the counter. I told the guy that I was there to pick up the necklace that I dropped off earlier. He left and came back a short time later with a small package I took it from him to inspect the necklace. Everything was satisfactory so I paid the gentleman and went to find Alice.
When I found her she was looking in a display case. "What did you find Alice," I asked her curious at what had her full attention.
"Oh nothing, just something that might look good on Carrie," she said. My interest was piqued so I came up beside her to look at what she was looking at. She was right; it would look good on Carrie.
During the drive home Alice had a huge smile on her face while I had a blank look on mine. I had a lot on my mind at the moment and Alice told me that she is going call a family meeting later tonight.
A light snow was falling as we entered Forks and continued to fall as we arrived home. I was slightly surprised to see both a police cruiser and a red truck parked in front of the house.
'I wonder what they are doing here,' I thought. I parked the car in the garage and Alice and I headed into the house. We headed to the living room where most of the scents were coming from. In there was the rest of the family, minus Carrie, along with Charlie, Bella and Jacob. There was also another older gentleman that I didn't recognize.
"Ah there you are Alice, Edward. Where were you two? I was expecting you hours ago," Carlisle said perfectly playing his part of concerned father.
"I had an errand to run and Alice decided to come with me," I said as I held up the little jewelers' bag. Bella's eyes were on the bag and I could tell that she was curious about what was in it. I can already see the wheels churning in her mind. I had also noticed that she was not staring at the bag disdainfully as she would have done only a short time ago.
"I think that I should explain why we are here," Charlie said after Alice and I took off our jackets and took a seat. "As you may or may not know earlier today Carrie and Esme were confronted by a Thomas and Elizabeth Grant." He went into details of what he witnessed as he arrived. The others and I were absolutely shocked and outraged at what had happened. I was even more so when I saw flashes of what occurred from Esme and even more brief glimpses of what Charlie had seen.
"When we went with a search warrant to their place of residence we found and arrested a Helen Grant. We found no sign of a Howard Grant on the premises," Charlie said. Which is fine, I would much rather find the fiend myself. Just the idea of my brand of justice had the monster in me grinning with glee. He better not be in Forks when I find him!
The other gentleman whom we learned to be Judge Hawkings continued from there. "We did some research and discovered that any and all remaining living family of hers has mysteriously died within the past five years or so. Since you and your wife have temporary custody of Carrie we are wondering if you would be willing to actually adopt her into your family." This made me happy, the idea of getting to keep her.
"You are already on good terms with her and she gets along with your family. We know that we are asking a lot of you considering that you already have five kids, but we figured that we would give you the option since you are experienced with this sort of thing." The judge finished, uncertainty in his tone and thoughts, looking to Esme and Carlisle for an answer.
"We would love to. My wife, family and I have been discussing it and we would love for her to join our family. We figured that she would join it one way or another," Carlisle said immediately looking to me. Esme of course certainly looked excited as she looked back and forth between Carlise, the rest of the family and Charlie and the others. Emmett, Jasper and Alice looked happy, even Rosalie though there was some concern in her features and thoughts though the happiness was slightly more prevalent.
"Let's ask the girl what she wants," Judge Hawkings said still trying to sound questionable even though a small relieved smile was evident in his features.
"Edward, why don't you go get Carrie; she is in her room taking a nap," Esme said looking toward me. I nodded and left up the stairs to go to her room. I knocked on the door and didn't get an answer so I opened the door.
Carrie was lying on her stomach in the middle of the bed, her face turned toward the open windows. I walked over to bed and half lay down next to her. I placed my hand on her back and rubbed slightly. "Carrie," I said softly so as to not startle her, but loud enough to possibly wake her. I didn't get a response so I tried again, a little louder and a little harder rub.
"What-," Carrie said sleepily lifting her head slightly in the direction of my voice.
"We have some visitors who would like to speak with you," I told her softly.
"Oh okay. Just let me get straightened out first," she said as she felt her way out of bed, found her walking staff and headed to the bathroom. There Carrie cleaned her face and brushed out her hair which she didn't have to do since it was still really short. "Do you think I should change?"
"You look fine," I told her. I came up beside her, gave her a comforting hug and a kiss to the forehead before I wrapped my right arm around her and held her left hand in mine. She was holding her staff in her right hand. I walked with her, guiding her out of the room and we carefully descended the stairs. I whispered to her softly to step down with each upcoming step. I led her over to the sofa to sit next to Jasper and I sat on the other side of her.
"Carrie we have some visitors. Among them are Bella and her fiancé Jacob Black along with them is Bella's father Chief Swan and Judge Hawkings is here as well. There is some business that they would like to discuss with you," Carlisle informed her.
"Carrie," Charlie began but didn't continue until she was facing his direction, "after the arrest of your father and step- mother we executed a search warrant for their premises. There we found and arrested your step sister Helen Grant, but your step brother wasn't there."
"Normally in these types of situations you would be handed to the state and put into foster care since we have determined that you have no other living family," Judge Hawkings said gently. "However we have an offer we would like to run past you. Instead of going to foster care we have asked Dr. and Mrs. Cullen if they would like to adopt you. They said that they would be pleased but I wanted to ask you what you thought of the situation."
"Well I don't think that the foster care would last long since I turn eighteen within the next month and I'll be kicked out. I wouldn't mind if the Cullen's adopt me, as they said before, I'm practically a member of the family anyways. If they want me to stay I'll stay, it's not like I have anywhere else to go or the money to do so," Carrie said nonchalantly.
"Well then, I guess all that there is left to do is to sign the paper work," Hawkings said as he brought out a file out of his suitcase. After shuffling through them for a few moments he separated a few from the stack and brought out a pen.
"Alright, The city of Forks in the state of Washington on February 4, 2008; Judge Hawkings presiding," Charlie said importantly as the acting bailiff.
"The adoption of Carrie Grant by Dr. Carlisle Cullen and Mrs. Esme Cullen is granted and approved by myself," Judge Hawkings said. "Other family members include Emmett Cullen, Alice Cullen, Edward Cullen, Jasper Hale and Rosalie Hale. Witnesses of this proceeding include Chief Charlie Swan, his daughter Isabella Marie Swan, her fiancé Jacob Black and myself." Hawkings said this as he filled out the appropriate pages with the proper information. "I will allow one more thing since this is such a special and unusual case; Carrie would you like your last name to be Cullen or Hale?"
Carrie closed her eyes and lowered her head as she thought about the question presented to her. After a couple minutes of deliberation Carrie raised her head and answered, "Hale." Rosalie let out a small, excited sound and came over to hug Carrie, squeezing herself in between Carrie and myself, taking my seat next to her, Jasper grabbed and held Carrie's right hand.
"Well all that is left to do is for everyone to sign the paper work," Hawkings stated. He passed out the paperwork to Carlisle and everyone in the family signed it. Carrie signed it next, her old name then her new one. I held onto her hand so that she would write in a straight line and move her hand the appropriate amount. Bella, Jacob then Charlie signed as witnesses. The judge was last to sign and he stamped it with his seal.
"Congratulations Dr. and Mrs. Cullen on the new member of your family; Welcome to your new family Carrie," was the last thing Hawking said before he shook Carlisle's and Esme's hand and left with Charlie, Bella and Jacob.
Immediately after they were gone, Esme, Alice, Rosalie and Emmett gathered Carrie up in a group hug with huge grins on their faces. "Well Esme dear, it looks like you got the other daughter that you've always wanted." Carlisle said with a warm smile.
"Yes it does," Esme said as they all pulled away. "I'm wondering though, why did you take the last name Hale?" I was curious about that too. I would have thought she would want to take the surname Cullen. I didn't get any thoughts from her about it so I didn't know what she was thinking.
"Well I got to thinking, in our group at school. There are three couples and two of them have a Hale, Jasper and Rosalie with Alice and Emmett. Well that just leaves Edward and me; since his name is already Cullen I went with Hale to make it even," Carrie said with a grin.
8,536 - words
*did have it as Bach's Little Fugue Organ, but as I was playing it my mom thought that it was too creepy, especially for a store, so I searched for something else that kind of fit into the tone of that scene.
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