»—— act one. twilight
☽⋅── SEVEN ──definitely take the risk ─⋅☾

It was a bright and sunny day when Eve finally recovered from her cold. Despite the unfortunate circumstances that had caused her absence, she was grateful that Carlisle wasn't working that day.

During her work shift, she dedicated herself to her tasks and resumed a consistent pace. Although she was frustrated with herself for succumbing to her illness, she recognized that her overthinking had been a contributing factor.

As much as Eve tried to convince herself that her interest in Carlisle was merely a passing infatuation, she found that her perspective was more complicated. Having gotten to know Carlisle, she had developed a deep attraction for him. He represented the epitome of a gentleman - he was empathetic, and thoughtful, and was always there to assist whenever she was in need. Even in situations where she just wanted someone to listen, Carlisle knew exactly what to say. She had been certain that he shared similar feelings, but the rejection had left her confused.

As much as Eve tried to justify her feelings as simply a romantic interest, there was something more beneath the surface. She had heard Carlisle mention that he was single, but she couldn't shake the doubt that perhaps there was someone special that he had his eyes on. The thought of him considering someone else caused a pang of jealousy to well up within her. It was the possibility that he had already found someone, or worse, was interested in someone, that sent a wave of possessiveness through her. The idea of sharing his attention, his affection, with anyone but her fueled her restless thoughts.  She yearned for the attention that he had showered on her, and the thought of that attention being shared with anyone else left a bitter taste in her mouth.

The issue was that this was the first time Eve had ever really been interested in someone. The fact that things had ended so abruptly made her seek ways to ease her unease.

She didn't want to simply let things end like this; she desired clarity and closure. Even if it meant facing the risk of heartbreak, she had to know some answers.

Driven by determination, Eve decided to find peace in her mind by focusing on how she would approach Carlisle. For now, the outcome didn't matter; what was important was finding the right words and questions to express.

...

Eleanor, after meeting with Alice, absorbed a significant amount of information. They discussed various topics, including special abilities that certain vampires acquired or amplified upon transformation, such as Edward's telepathy, Alice's subject-centric precognition, and Jasper's pathogenesis, among others.

The key takeaway from Eleanor's encounter with Alice was that her mother and Carlisle were mates. This term bore a resemblance to the human concept of soulmates, but the relationship between vampire mates carried with it a unique significance for the supernatural species. Given their already heightened emotional states, a vampire's mate essentially represented their life pair.

Eleanor drew a parallel between vampires and swans, prompting Alice to chuckle at the analogy. Swans were known to mate for life, and the comparison made a certain kind of sense, as the bond between vampires was similarly unbreakable.

She gained further insights while talking with Alice. She discovered that she was Edward's blood singer, which explained his peculiar behaviour on their first meeting. The way he covered his nose and appeared repulsed likely indicated that he was struggling with his thirst and desire to feed. Conversely, her own blood essentially sang to him, adding a complex layer to their initial interaction.

However, curiously, despite her blood exerting such a potent allure similar to a drug, Edward no longer endured the same effect. He chose to tell Eleanor this, hoping that it would calm her concerns.

Fortunately, the female teen was straightforward and found peace in knowing that Edward was unaffected by her blood, both for her safety and his own well-being.

It seemed to be the same for Jasper, as he had been made to maintain a distance from Eleanor from the start. However, when he revealed that she was devoid of scent to him, the others expressed curiosity. This revelation meant that Jasper could be near Eleanor without the others being concerned for his safety.

As for Rosalie, she kept her distance, with Emmett being the one to stay by her side, ensuring she wasn't alone. Consequently, Eleanor had never really spoken to them much.

During a warm and sunny day, Eleanor realized the true reason behind the Cullen's frequent absences, the sparkling effect they developed when exposed to the sunlight. Despite the humorous thought crossing her mind, Edward found it amusing to hear.

With the Cullens having to isolate themselves indoors during sunny days, it seemed Alice had somehow convinced Eleanor to visit them.

Initially sceptical, Edward found some reassurance when he saw what Alice had projected in his thoughts. Meanwhile, Carlisle was torn between a sense of anxiety and concern when Edward informed him that Eleanor knew about their secret. He held mixed feelings upon realizing that Eve's daughter was already exposed to their supernatural existence. The mere fact that Eleanor knew posed a potential threat, as it could lead to unwelcome dangers.

As Eleanor arrived at the residence along with Edward, she was immediately enveloped by a warm embrace from Alice. Meanwhile, Carlisle was feeling torn, his unease evident.

Eleanor's first comment to Carlisle as she entered was, "So, Doc, that beauty really makes sense now." This remark drew a snort of laughter from Emmett, and even a smile from Rosalie, who couldn't conceal her amusement.

Meanwhile, Edward had already been privy to her thoughts, so he remained more composed.

The atmosphere filled with laughter as Alice and Jasper chuckled in reaction.

Carlisle sighed before approaching Eleanor and shaking her outstretched hand. Despite his initial unease, he attempted to maintain a composed demeanour.

Eleanor hummed after Carlisle released her hand, speaking straightforwardly, saying, "So, you rejected my mom." This directness caused a widening of Carlisle's eyes, as his gaze quickly shifted to Edward.

Edward raised his hand in resignation, explaining, "I was planning to remain quiet, but Alice already knew."

In response, Carlisle responded with a hesitant tone, "I didn't reject her...I just..." He paused, his gaze flickering towards Eleanor as she waited for him to continue.

"I want everything between Eve and me to be genuine. While I could force myself to consume food, it would contradict all my principles of being truthful with her."

Eleanor nodded in understanding, while bringing a hand to her chin, studying Carlisle before teasingly saying, "Dang, Doc, you do have it bad for my mom." She smirked, adding, "You are an honest man, and someone I think would be perfect for her."

She then confessed, asking, "Have you considered telling her the truth about you being a vampire?"

Carlisle took a moment before shaking his head. "It's a risk, even with you knowing, you're already exposed to the dangers."

Eleanor shrugged and said, "There's always a risk, Doc. But why let this opportunity pass by? I heard that mates are sacred for your kind. Can you really just sit back and watch her from the sidelines?"

Eleanor continued, stating, "If I were in your shoes, I would definitely take the risk. And I would do everything to protect her if danger ever arises."

Rosalie, having been against the situation from the start, had her doubts stirred by Eleanor's encouraging words. The thought of exposing their family to potential consequences with humans was a point of contention for her. Despite her reservations, Eleanor appeared to have a more progressive mindset.

Carlisle analyzed Eleanor's words, finding them resonating deeply within him. However, he also pondered the question of how Eve would react to the truth.

Eleanor, picking up on his thoughts written all over his face, offered a reassuring smile. "You know, I can tell you one thing," she said. "I got my smarts from my mom. She is generally reasonable and open-minded. She might have already grasped some idea, and I wouldn't be surprised if she had some suspicions."

Carlisle raised his eyebrows, questioning, "And you think she won't freak out?"

Eleanor shrugged, her confidence evident. "My mom believes in mermaids, witches, fairies, and even vampires. Honestly, she may react in some way, but she won't run. She has a habit of seeking closure and won't leave things unanswered."

A snicker escaped Eleanor's lips as she mused, "You'll likely have to brace yourself for all the barrage of questions she has in store." The atmosphere shifted, and a wave of laughter spread as Carlisle and the others chuckled in amusement.