(Edythe POV)
When Thomas kissed my hand, I thought it would catch fire. It was a moment before I was able to gather myself enough to follow mom to the kitchen. Once we were there and the other settled in the living room, Esme turned to me and let out a small squeal of happiness.
"I can't tell you how happy I am for you dear. You look so... Complete next to him. Now I just need to hope Edward works his issue out."
I smiled in happiness at my mother's antics. She was truly devoted to those around her. Never hesitating to do anything for us, even at her own expense. We were so lucky to have her.
I asked a question that had been bugging me this evening. "Mom, how do I stop freezing up every time he kisses me? He kissed my head while we were hugging, and I nearly crushed him in reflex. Then again just now, when he kissed my hand. I lost all ability to think for a few moments. Do you ever get over that feeling?"
Esme gave a throaty laugh, "I certainly hope not my dear. Carlisle can still make the world stop when he kisses me just right. Just wait until he gives you a kiss that makes you melt where you stand. Any description pales in comparison to the actuality of it. I feel like I could burst in happiness right now, my dear daughter."
Esme couldn't contain herself and hugged me once again. "Okay, what's this recipe you want to cook for him and how can I help?"
I was a little hesitant to say but pushed through it, "My mother Elizabeth had a recipe for Breaded Elk back strap that she first cooked for my father Edward. She hoped it would be the first meal I made for my husband when I was still mortal."
"That's perfect my dear one. Let's honor your mother and conquer your man by his stomach. You get started on that, and I will look up a video on garlic mashed potatoes. First though, let's see if that's a good combination."
She quickly went to the nearby computer and started to type. Moments later she came back with a written recipe.
"I got a good recipe from someone named Gordan Ramsey online. It has great reviews to pair with Elk."
I just smiled in happiness as we started to cook for my boyfriend.
(Thomas POV)
Well, Mr. Cullen. Have you ever heard of something like me? Edythe spoke a little about the first meeting with the Quileute wolf pack and she also told me about the enmity between the more classic werewolf and vampire."
"Just call me Carlisle, Thomas. I can't say that I have heard anything about a tiger shape changer. You told me about being connected to the Quileute tribe through your great grandmother, but what do you know about your great grandfather?"
I took a deep breath and thought about the few stories my mom told me when I was young. "According to my mom, my dad's family came from the Nepal and China border. They were some kind of group she called Jivas. Though that could also be the name of a village, I really don't remember much from the stories she told me. She always said she would tell me more when I was older." My voice fell there, with my memory it was a simple fact that I had just not been listening to her at the time. I thought she would always be there to tell me again when I needed to know. Trying not to dwell, I continued me original thought.
"My father died just before I was born, so I never got to meet him, but mom always talked about him and his family like I would go there one day. But I honestly don't know if they even know about me. I have never heard from them anyway."
Carlisle gave a sigh of sadness, "It's a place to start at least. That's more than some get. So many of our kind are left with no idea of what happened to them or who they are. It's sad."
Edward spoke for the first time since we sat down, "Carlisle, have you ever met a vampire from the Asia continent?"
"From Russia I have, they call themselves 'Upir'. But come to think of it, I have never met one from China or India. How peculiar."
The two turned to Jasper, "What about you, son?" Carlisle asked him.
"To my knowledge, no. Least ways, not one from that continent. There was a gang that was started from the railway workers at one time that had a significant number of Chinese, but Maria had us kill them to a man."
Carlisle frowned in thought, "Well, it's a place to start like I said. I can put out a few feelers through some old friends."
Edward brought up the next subject, "Edythe said you were worried you may hurt someone while shifted in your new form. Is there a reason for that?"
I collected my thoughts for a moment and tried to answer as completely as I could, "When the vampire Henry forced the change on me, I felt like I had very little control at first. When he ran from me, it was not a conscious choice to go after him but more of an instinct that I couldn't suppress. Before I knew it, I was on him and tearing chunks out of him with no effort."
I let that sink into my audience for a moment before continuing, "After I had killed him, I was able to exert control and experiment with my form. It was a little tricky moving if I was trying to direct my limbs, but once I got used to it, it just felt second nature. It is very possible that the reason I killed Henry was because he was attacking me, but I also felt anger towards him before changing because of his smell."
Edythe interrupted the conversation by bringing me a glass of water, "Your food will be ready in about 30 minutes, I brought this because I know you don't usually talk this much."
Her thoughtfulness gave me butterflies, I gave her my best smile and thanked her.
I returned my attention to Carlisle after taking a drink, "I am not aware if you know this, but to me you all give off a sweet sugary smell. It is not unpleasant to me the way it is to the tribe, but still very apparent. Henry however, had a burnt sugar smell to me, and it made my hair stand up and ignited my anger. I didn't think too much on it at first and just moved out of his way, because I'm used to being angry. But he told me that I in turn smelled off to him. He said I smelled like I was going bad."
"When Edythe and I spoke about it, we came to the conclusion that because you all don't consume human blood regularly that you have little ability to separate the flavors of human blood if you take my meaning. Edythe also wondered if my change was bringing my blood closer to your feeding tastes and that could have been a part of her initial draw towards me. But now she says I don't have a smell my own, but I take on the smell of my surroundings rather easily. It makes me wonder if by being around Edythe for a significant amount of time, other vampires would mistake my smell as a vampire."
I paused for a moment, "But I am rambling away from your question. I need to see if the presence of a vampire makes my body go into instinctual fight mode, or if it was because Henry was attacking me from the beginning. It could also be that the burnt smell triggered me to react that way. I just really don't want to put anyone in danger to find out. But Edythe pointed out that it's better to do this in a controlled environment, then take a chance it happens somewhere with no control. I would never forgive myself if I put a loved one in danger from myself by trying to protect them from something else. Do you understand?"
Carlisle smiled at me with a gentle smile and nodded, "I think we are uniquely able to understand your feelings, Thomas. We all have struggled with our own natures in an effort to not hurt innocent lives.
Jasper leaned forward in his seat, "I think I would be the best option to test your reaction on Thomas. If Edward or Edythe could read your mind, they would have been the best bet, but I am better able to react to pure physical danger. My abilities also work on you so I may be able to calm you down if needed. After all, I wouldn't be looking to fight you, just stay away from you to stop from getting hurt."
I gave him a smile, "That was my thought as well. Sorry to be the one to put you in danger, but you bounce me around the woods with ease, so if I manage to get in a swipe or two, I wouldn't feel too bad."
"Well, I would, don't you dare try to hurt my Jaz!" Alice broke in.
I laughed at the mock ferocity Alice was showing me, "I have done a lot of thinking on this, Alice. After my initial change and killing of Henry, I was able to control myself in the presence of Sam in his Wolf and Human shape. I am about 80% sure that Jasper will be safe."
As a group we discussed how to best test this and it mostly came down to me going out into the woods and making the change, then approaching the house slowly. I should be able to tell just by the smell if I was still in control of myself. Once I got close enough for them to see me, then Jasper would step out and gauge my reactions.