CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
THE DATE

AS SOON AS ECHO made it home she went to the bathroom and took the quickest shower ever. She blow dried her hair, leaving it in waves, and changed into her usual attire. Instead of wearing jeans, however, she decided that leggings would be a little more suitable. She pulled on a red laced shirt, placing her leather jacket over it. She looked at herself in the mirror before deciding to wear her black heeled sandals.

"What are you dressed up for?" Echo turned to see Bella standing there with a cocked eyebrow. Echo rolled her eyes, knowing she was going to regret telling her sister.

"Carlisle offered to take me out to dinner." Bella's face lit up but Echo quickly shook her head, pointing a stern finger at her. "Don't think anything of it. I'm just going to get answers. Now, opinion. Too much, or do I still look like myself somewhat?"

"It looks perfect sis. But," She walked over to Echo's make up, pulling out her red lipstick, "it could use red lips."

"When did you become a fashion freak?" Echo grumbled, placing the color onto her lips.

"Oh god, you're right. I've been hanging out with Alice too much." Bella mumbled. Echo smiled in amusement as she shook her head. The sound of a car door closing grabbed the sibling's attention. Bella sent Echo a reassuring smile. Echo frowned before looking at Bella.

"Bella, I need you to promise me something." Echo said, her voice completely serious. Bella looked at her sister, nodding her head. "You can't let me fall for him, because I know I will. But you can't let me, no matter what it takes. Can you promise me that?"

"E. . ." Bella sighed with a deep frown. Echo closed her eyes as she deeply inhaled.

"Please. Just try."

Bella nodded her head. "Yeah, alright. Just know that he's a good guy. He's good for you, E."

"That is the opposite of doing what I asked." Echo pointed out. Bella cracked a smile as she shrugged her shoulders. "If I fall for him, you're not allowed to see Edward anymore."

"What? That's not fair!" Bella exclaimed. Echo smiled at her as she shrugged her shoulders.

"I was born first, I get the say in everything. That's just logic." Echo mused. Bella glared at her before mumbling, "I hate you."

Echo made her way out of the room as she responded. "So does everyone else." Echo walked down the stairs of her house, a smirk forming on her face when she heard her father talking to Carlisle. "Dad, don't be annoying."

Charlie turned to face Echo who sent him an innocent smile. He rolled his eyes before giving his eldest daughter a hug when she reached him. "Bye be safe, l-"

"Don't say it." Echo stopped him. He nodded his head before giving the girl another hug. When she pulled away, she looked at Carlisle, giving him a small smile. "Ready?"

"After you." He smiled. Echo walked up to his car and before she could blink, he was beside of her, opening the door for her. Echo sent him a smile as she entered the car. He closed the door before quickly entering the driver's side and taking off.

"Where to?" Echo asked, cocking a perfect eyebrow. "Carver Cafe?"

"Wherever you want to go, we'll go." Carlisle answered, his smooth voice sending chill's down Echo's spine. She bit her lip as she tried to hold back a smile. She nodded her head.

"I haven't been there since I first came back." Echo mumbled, mostly to herself but he heard her clearly.

"Carver Cafe it is."

Echo smiled as she looked out the window. She didn't understand why the doctor made her feel so giddy. She hadn't felt like that in a long time and she didn't know what to do about it. She didn't understand how she was feeling. Maybe she did know, and she was just scared. She pushed those thoughts aside as soon as they pulled up to the cafe. She always thought that it looked beautiful at night time, she thought that the night was just beautiful in general.

Carlisle got out of the car before opening the passenger door and grabbing Echo's hand to help her out of the car. Echo almost gasped at the cold touch, but refrained from doing so. The two entered the cafe and found a seat at the very back where there were few people around. A waiter came up to them, asking what they wanted. Echo simply got a salad as well as a red wine, Carlisle only got water.

"Why come to a cafe when you don't order food?" Echo asked as the man walked away, not missing the way he had checked her out when she "wasn't looking."

"Is that your first question about me, or is that just in general?" Carlisle asked with a small smirk. Echo shrugged her shoulders.

"Both." Echo paused when her food came along with their drinks. She thanked the waiter and waited for him to be out of earshot before continuing her thought. "I feel, this isn't fair."

The vampire furrowed his eyebrows. "Why's that?"

"Because, I'm the only one asking questions." Echo shrugged.

"Well, tonight you ask all the questions. Next time, I'll ask all the questions. That way, we're even." Carlisle suggested. A smirk fell onto Echo's lips as she cocked and eyebrow.

"Who said there would be a next time?"

"Let me rephrase, if there is a next time, I'll ask all the questions." Carlisle corrected himself and Echo smiled in amusement.

"Right. Let's start our game of twenty questions. I've never seen you eat real food, why's that?"

"Our bodies can't process it." He simply answered. Echo hummed before nodding her head.

"If you don't eat real food, does that mean you really drink the blood of us humans?" Echo took a sip of her drink as she waited. He shook his head.

"My family do not drink human blood. We're, what I like to call, vegetarians. We drink the blood of animals. Other vampires however. . ." He trailed off and Echo nodded her head in understanding.

"Is that why you have golden eyes?" She pondered. He simply nodded his head in response. "So, a little birdy told me that Alice had precognitive powers or something along the lines of that? Is that true?" He nodded his head again.

"Yes, she can see people's future just like Edward can read people's minds and thoughts." Carlisle said and Echo's eyes flickered with interest.

"So, do all vamps have powers?"

"No, not all. Just some." He explained and Echo nodded her head.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" Echo hesitantly quizzed, not wanting to intrude on his life. He looked at Echo before nodding his head. "What happened to your wife? You don't have to answer, I was just curious."

A sad smile fell onto his face and immediately Echo wanted to take it back. She opened her mouth to say something but he cut her off. "Vampires have this thing when it come to relationships. Mates. When we meet our mates we want nothing more than to be around them, be there for them, protect them, etcetera. Esme was supposedly my mate, until she found her real mate. We left on good terms, understanding terms more so. Still doesn't mean it didn't hurt any less."

"I'm so sorry, Carlisle." Echo frowned. "One day, you'll find that person. Whether it be today, tomorrow, next year, hell next century. You will find that special someone."

Carlisle sent her a small smile as he looked down at the table. Should he tell her? Would she run away and avoid all contact? That was her original plan wasn't it? Echo looked at him with her head cocked to the side slightly. "What is it?"

Carlisle looked up at her with surprise before shaking his head. "It's nothing."

"Are you sure?" She asked, her voice gentle. He sent her a reassuring smile as he nodded his head.

"Yeah, I'm positive."

꧁꧂

Echo came into the house with a small smile lingering on her face. She walked into her room and removed her jacket and shoes before laying down on her bed. A knock came at her door and she mumbled a quick come in before turning her head to see Bella pop her head in. When she noticed her sister laying down, she entered the room, closing the door behind of her. She laid down beside of Echo and sent her a small smile.

"So, how'd it go?" Bella asked, propping her head up with her hand. Echo rolled her eyes as she turned on her side to face her sibling.

"It went well."

"So, you know then?" Bella asked. Echo furrowed her eyebrows.

"Know what?"

"You know, the whole mate thing?" Bella asked. Echo slowly sat up as she looked at Bella, her jaw clenched.

"What about the mate thing?"

"Forget I said anything." Bella quickly said, trying to get up but Echo stood up first, blocking her path.

"Nope, you know our rule." Echo sternly said. "What mate thing, Isabella."

"Dammit. . ." Bella sighed before running a hand through her brown locks.

"Bella. . ." Echo growled. Bella threw her hands up in surrender.

"Fine! You're his mate!" Echo froze in her tracks. Her entire body tensed up. "You're Carlisle's mate."

"How long have you known?" Echo asked, refusing to look in her sister's eyes.

"E-"

"How long, Bella!" Echo snapped.

"Since school this morning! Edward told me!" Bella shouted.

"God- dammit Bella!"

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but don't you think you deserve someone that cares for you and actually lo-"

"Don't say it." Echo growled, pointing a finger at the girl.

"It's just a word, Echo. It's not going to kill you."

"Yes it will! It has before!" Echo shouted and Bella went dead silent. Echo closed her eyes tightly, realizing what she had just said. Bella gave her sister a stern look before realizing something.

"Echo, what happened in Russia."

1,682 words
Authors note: Oof.

I hope you al enjoyed! Stay safe! Until next time, bye loves!♥️

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