»—— act three. eclipse
☽⋅── ONE ──pattern of the disapperances ─⋅☾

Months before Eve and Carlisle left for New York, there was one secret that remained hidden from Eve. It was about how Carlisle's family had been keeping an eye on Seattle for a while, all due to the mysterious disappearances happening in the area.

Carlisle chose to withhold this information from Eve until it became absolutely necessary to reveal it to her. Unfortunately, with the continued rise in disappearances being reported in the media, that time had finally come.

As Eve and Eleanor prepared to move into their new home, Carlisle busily went about the house, carrying out his tasks. Unbeknownst to him, he had inadvertently left a stack of documents lying around.

When Eve accidentally knocked the pile of documents over, Carlisle was occupied with moving furniture. Despite the disturbance, he didn't take notice of what the documents were and continued with his tasks without bothering to inspect the papers.

Eve carefully gathered the scattered documents and began to read the printed news articles about missing person cases. Despite her best judgment, she found herself engrossed in the papers.

Carlisle had just entered the room at that moment and caught a glimpse of her reading the documents. He nearly let out an exasperated sigh, but managed to compose himself, "I didn't want to tell you yet, I am sorry for keeping it from you" he confessed, his voice laced with a hint of reluctance.

Eve glanced up, a bit startled, and looked apologetically at Carlisle. "It's okay, and I am sorry too, know I shouldn't have read them without asking..." she replied quietly, her voice tinged with regret.

As her gaze fell back onto the news articles, her brows knit together in concentration. "So, this has been going on far longer than what's been reported in the news," she summarized her expression one of concern.

Carlisle nodded, "At first, it was barely something you'd think was linked together since large cities have cases of missing people so often." He walked over and picked up the other documents on the floor.

"Did you have a reason to suspect something?" Eve asked as she bent down to help him.

"Only after we noticed a pattern of the disappearances," he explained

Carlisle nodded in agreement, explaining, "Initially, it seemed like a small coincidence since cities often reported cases of missing people frequently." He proceeded to pick up the remaining documents scattered on the floor.

Eve voiced a sigh as they finished gathering the rest of the documents. "It seems the situation has escalated so much that the media is now starting to report on it," she remarked.

"Yes," Carlisle nodded, "it is alarming. The media rarely covers these types of incidents unless the case has gained significant attention."

He paused for a moment, a concerned expression on his face. "The recent spike in disappearances has attracted a considerable amount of media attention that  it's hard to ignore now," he added, a hint of unease in his voice.

Eve then looked up at Carlisle, her hand gently grasping his. She spoke up, her voice tender.

"About keeping things from me," she began her expression one of understanding. "I know we say we're in this together, but you don't have to tell me everything unless it's absolutely necessary. You know that, right?"

Carlisle felt a sense of contentment as he gently squeezed Eve's hand, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin. He appreciated her understanding and trust. A peaceful silence enveloped them for a moment before he spoke again.

"I value your trust in me," he admitted softly, "But, I want to make sure you're never left wondering about anything again." There was a brief pause before he added, "I intend to be completely open and transparent with you from now on. No more secrets between us."

As they stood in comfortable silence, their hands still intertwined, Eve smiled gently at the gesture, her heart swelling with warmth. She tightened her hold on his hand, enjoying the tender moment.

"I appreciate that," she assured him, a hint of excitement in her voice.

A beat passed before she added in a softer teasing tone, "No more secrets between us, huh?"

Carlisle couldn't help but smile at her response, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He loved seeing her like this - carefree and happy, a contrast to the recent serious demeanour she adopted after they began to focus on their worries of Victoria.

"No more secrets," he repeated emphatically. "I mean it. No more secrets,"

He leaned slightly closer to her, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But, I guess I have to admit, I've got something I'm dying to tell you, now that we won't have secrets"

Eve perked up at his words, feigned intrigue. Her expression mirrored curiosity, a mixture of playfulness and eager anticipation, "Oh really? And what is it?" she asked, her voice laced with interest. She raised an eyebrow at the mention that he was "dying to tell" her something.

Carlisle chuckled softly, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. He enjoyed her reaction and the fact that she seemed eager to know what it was. He leaned even closer, his face just inches from hers. "Well, I can't tell you now, not yet," he replied, a cheeky smile tugging at his lips. "You'll have to wait just a little bit longer."

Eve exclaimed with a playful expression, "Darn, I wonder what this secret is." She feigned disappointment, pretending to pout before breaking into a smirk and adding, "Oh, right. I guess I have to keep my secret, so you'll have to wait a little longer, just like I have to."

Carlisle's eyes widened slightly at her comment, a hint of curiosity flashing in his gaze. "Hmm?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow. "You have something you haven't told me yet?"

He chuckled, amused by her overly dramatic reaction to not knowing the secret. He enjoyed their little game of mystery, but he couldn't help but feel a flutter of curiosity when she made mention of her secret.

His eyebrow remained raised inquisitively as he replied, "Oh? You have something to keep hidden?" He leaned in closer, a playful gleam in his eyes, "And you expect me to just stand here and wait patiently for you to share?"

Eve chuckled in response. She loved the way he leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. It only added to the fun between them, "Oh, absolutely," she replied with a smirk, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "You'll have to wait and be patient, darling. Patience is a virtue, after all."

Carlisle feigned annoyance, a smirk on his lips. "How am I supposed to be patient when there's a secret you're keeping from me?" he protested playfully.

He leaned even closer, closing the distance between them. "I'm going to be thinking about it nonstop, you know," he added, a hint of mock frustration in his voice.

"Fine, if you're that impatient," Eve declared dramatically, her voice laced with faux frustration. "I'll grant you a secret if you make me the most delectable meal in the world."

Carlisle feigned a sigh of exaggerated annoyance. "So, you're using my cooking skills as an incentive now, huh?" he asked with a smirk, amused by her playful demand.

"Of course, there's a certain... incentive involved," she teased, a sly smile on her lips. "You seem very eager to hear this secret, so I figure it's only fair that you up your game."

She paused, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she continued, "Can you handle the challenge, chef?"

Carlisle, a smirk on his lips, crossed his arms and was about to head out of the room when Eve quickly blocked his exit.

"And where do you think you're going?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.

"To make the meal," he replied confidently.

Eve followed his words with a smirk of her own. "Oh, quite funny, you know," she chimed in. "Only that I see my delectable meal here, about to leave the room."

Carlisle's smirk widened at Eve's playful interjection. He chuckled and pretended to pout, "You think you're so witty, don't you?" he teased, feigning offence.

He closed the distance between them, trapping her in the space between his arms. "And just what do you mean I'm your 'delectable meal'?" he asked in mock indignation, a playful gleam in his eyes.

Eve chuckled softly as she felt his arms encircle her, trapping her in a playful embrace. She met his gaze with a mischievous smile, "You know exactly what I mean, darling."

She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "You're my favourite meal, and I'm starving."

Carlisle's smirk grew wider, his eyes darkening with desire at Eve's sultry response. He pulled her closer, their bodies now pressed together, "Is that right?" he murmured, his voice deeper with a hint of huskiness. "You're looking forward to having me all to yourself, huh?"

His hand gently caressed her waist, his touch both possessive and tender. "I might just have to deliver a meal to satisfy your appetite then."

Eve's grin widened and she was about to lean in and kiss him when she abruptly opened the door behind her and sprinted out, shouting teasingly, "On second thought, I want an appetizer first!"

She swiftly left him standing there, the door left swinging open behind her.

Carlisle watched Eve run out, the door slamming shut behind her. He was caught off guard by her playful antics, a mix of surprise and amusement on his face.

He stood there for a moment, his lips curled into a bemused smile. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head, "That woman," he muttered under his breath, still bemused.

...

Later that evening, when the rest of the family had left to go hunting, Eve and Eleanor were left alone at home. They took advantage of the opportunity to indulge in some quality bonding time, settling down for a relaxing evening of TV watching.

The soft glow of the television screen illuminated the room as they snuggled on the couch, their eyes glued to the screen as they binged their favourite shows or movies.

The evening wore on, and the hours seemed to fly by as Eve and Eleanor lost themselves in the world of television. The only sound in the room was the occasional dialogue or laughter coming from the screen.

After a while, as the credits for yet another episode rolled, Eve shifted in her seat, stretching her arms above her head.

"Hey," she spoke up, breaking the comfortable silence. "Are you tired?"

Eleanor's eyes shifted from the screen to look at Eve. A soft smile appeared on her lips as she nodded, "A little," she admitted, a slight yawn escaping her as if to punctuate her words.

She then stretched her arms in a refreshing motion and then turned to address Eve. "By the way, the pack wants to meet you," she announced.

Eve froze, a look of surprise crossing her features. "What?" she asked, her voice betraying her disbelief.

"I said..." Eleanor began, but before she could continue, Eve interrupted. "I heard you," she replied, but a hint of scepticism laced her tone.

Eleanor sighed and raised an eyebrow. "They've been asking a lot about you since you returned, and they thought it'd be cool if you came over."

Eve rolled her eyes and let out a dismissive snort. "Really? Bringing your mom to meet your friends? Sounds like a great idea," she said sarcastically, clearly not enthusiastic about the idea.

Eleanor chuckled at Eve's reaction before responding, "Come on, give it a chance. It'll be fun."

Eve looked at her daughter with a firm yet affectionate gaze. "I'm the one in a relationship with their sworn enemy," she stated matter-of-factly.

Eleanor raised an eyebrow but couldn't help but smile at her mother's directness. "I know that, Mom," she replied, a lighthearted tone in her voice.

Despite Eve's slightly possessive comment, Eleanor couldn't help but smile at her mother's straightforwardness, "Alright, fine," Eve relented, rolling her eyes in mock resignation. "I'll go meet your friends. Just don't expect me to have a great time."

"Trust me, Mom, you'll love them. They are excited to meet you" Eleanor grinned.

As the Cullens returned from their hunt, Emmett was the first to make an appearance, his voice filled with amusement as he spoke up. He chuckled as his grin widened as he approached Eve. "Well, well, isn't this interesting? Momma Eve, making new friends."

Eve shot Emmett a playful look. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up,"

The room fell silent as Carlisle entered, taking in the scene. Rosalie's voice cut through the silence, her tone laced with scepticism. "Oh great, meeting the pack's a grand idea, more dog smell coming our way."

Carlisle listened to the exchange and his eyes flicked between Eve and the others. He could sense the tension in the room, particularly on Rosalie's part. He decided to speak up to diffuse the situation.

"I'm sure it'll be a pleasant meeting," he said, his voice calm and measured, attempting to maintain the peace.

Emmett chimed in with a smirk, "Yeah, a wonderful bonding experience, no doubt."

Edward, keenly attuned to the situation, couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as he listened to the conversation. He knew nothing was going on between Jacob and Eleanor, but the thought of them spending time together still nagged at him.

However, he also understood that he had no right to be possessive or control who Eleanor spent time with. He pushed the feeling aside, reminding himself that he trusted her and that their relationship was built on trust and mutual respect.

He took the chance to slip away.

As the conversation continued, Eve found herself feeling a nagging sense of unease from Edward, though the others remained blissfully unaware. Carlisle noticed her departure but seized the opportunity to keep the others occupied, allowing her the chance to talk to Edward privately.

Once she was outside, he looked up as he sensed Eve's presence, a soft, understanding smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He could sense her discomfort and was grateful for the chance to speak with her alone, "Hey," he greeted, his voice quiet so as not to draw attention to their conversation. "Is everything alright?" She gave him a knowing smirk as she moved to stand next to him.

"Are you bothered by the idea of meeting them?" he asked, having read her thoughts.

"Yeah," she admitted with a hint of frustration. "I'm only doing it to please El." She sighed, a frown on her face. "I don't know them, but some part of me feels uncomfortable about it."

She forced a faint smile, attempting to lighten the mood with a joke, "Maybe it's one of my mysterious life secrets."

For a while, Edward and Eve stood quietly, soaking in the peaceful silence as they leaned against the railing. The silence was comfortable and reassuring, allowing them a moment of respite from the earlier conversation with the others.

He glanced at her, his expression soft as he studied her finally calm features, appreciating the small moment of tranquillity. He didn't initiate conversation, letting the silence stretch on without any urgency to break it.