CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
SCRABBLE AND TENSION

ELISE WAS IN LOVE WITH CARLISLE CULLEN.

It was too fast. She knew that. Logically, she was aware of the societal expectations of an adult relationship. Elise knew it wasn't practical to speak the "l" word so soon.

They'd only been dating a few months.

But she was going to die.

Eternity or not, she would die. And if death for Carlisle meant another life then perhaps she could worry about semantics in that one?

If she turned, that is.

She wanted to. A part of her yearned for eternity with Carlisle. To spend each moment with him and his family, learning, loving, and being the best version of herself time and time again forever.

But a part of her had accepted her death and grieved the pain of letting go. She'd already begun to mourn herself and found peace in the knowledge that the end was...simply the end.

Her time had come and she wouldn't be in pain anymore.

Elise was at war in herself, certain one moment and dismayed the next. It was a tussle of two morals, of understanding her own humanity and embracing the power of vampirism.

She tried not to focus on it.

The week passed quickly since she'd met the Cullens and she'd since spent most of her time with them. Well, with Carlisle, and when he was at work then his family.

Not that she and Bella were drifting but Bella was getting secretive, spending all her time with Edward — whom Elise was very much frenemies with — and acting even more awkward around Elise.

Charlie was just busy. There were animal attacks in the woods and he was working late nights trying to ensure the animals didn't wander into Forks and people were safe in town.

"I think it's time I meet him," Charlie said, leaning against her bedroom door.

Elise was going through an old photo album, distracted by the dark haired boy in a photo. She didn't miss him as much as she thought she would.

"Dad, you've met him."

"I mean properly," Charlie nodded. "Can he come for dinner?"

Eating? No.

"Uh, I think he's busy. Maybe we can do...like..." she hesitated, trying to think of something.

"Scrabble?" Bella suggested, poking her head around Charlie. "Because he's a genius, Ch—Dad's terrible at spelling, and Elise makes it her mission to use swear words? Could be fun."

"I'm good at spelling," Charlie frowned. "El, tell her I'm good."

"Dad," Elise gave him a flat look. "You once played 'frazzled' with two s's and an h."

Charlie opened and closed his mouth, cheeks tinging pink. "That was — I was adding emphasis."

Bella snorted. "Yeah, okay, sure."

"You girls are going down," Charlie gave them a look, before shaking his head and leaving the room, mumbling to himself about daughters.

Bella and Elise exchanged a grin as he left, amused laughs filling the air. Bella walked in further, sitting on Elise's bed.

"I'm dating Edward."

"I know," Elise nodded. "Is he good to you?"

"Yeah," Bella confirmed, then paused. "Oh my god, if we get married it'll be all sorts of messed up. Because you're dating his dad."

"They're not actually related," Elise pointed out. "So that's...less weird?"

Bella grimaced, shaking her head. "I don't want to think about it."

"Well," Elise moved the photo album aside and pulled her leg up, resting her chin on her knee. "Tell me about everything."

"Everything?" Bella's eyes widened. "Uh, what — what do you mean?"

"Do you know?" Elise's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Know what?" Bella asked innocently. Too innocently.

"You do!" Elise hit her arm lightly. "Oh my god, you know, don't you? Why didn't Carlisle tell me you knew?"

"He probably gets distracted."

"I'm not paying you ten dollars," Elise frowned. "I know we bet on it but I'm going to die so I should be vetoed."

"You're going to die so you don't need the money," Bella retorted, standing and reaching for Elise's wallet on the nightstand. "Thank you," she added cheerfully, taking the ten dollars. "I'll use this on a book."

"You can't buy a book with ten dollars."

"You don't know what I can do," Bella rolled her eyes, setting the wallet back down. She was quiet for a moment, looking down at the money, then tucked it away and looked to Elise. "Are you gonna turn?"

Elise froze at her sister's question, smile falling and a bucket of ice chilling her bones. That was the question, wasn't it? Would she turn? Was she prepared for everlasting love with a man she'd fallen for — but had realistically only been with a few months? Abandon her father and sister?

"I want to," Bella admitted softly. "I — I'd want forever with Edward."

That was concerning.

"Bella, no," Elise shook her head quickly. "You're only seventeen, you should wait and—"

"—No offense, Elise, but you're dying so unless you turn, your opinion doesn't matter."

Hurt flashes Elise's face at her sister's words. "Bella, no, I—"

"—You're leaving anyway." Bella shook her head. "You're going to leave Carlisle. You know, Edward says he's never been happier than with you? And you're just gonna leave Charlie? And me? That's selfish."

"It's not selfish," Elise replied hotly, standing up and getting shaky from the sudden movement, but she fought it off. "It's my choice—"

"—Just like it's my choice—"

"—Bella, that is not the same thing!" Elise exclaimed. "You're still a minor, you hardly know Edward and—"

"—You hardly know Carlisle—"

"—Which is why I'm not sure, Bella." Elise rolled her eyes. "I'm taking precautions and being careful because eternity sounds great in theory but what about kids?"

"I don't want them," Bella replied immediately. "I just want Edward."

Elise sighed, frustration overtaking her. She knew Bella had always been uncertain of motherhood, but to have the choice be taken from her? If only to be with a man she'd met at seventeen?

If Elise turned for a man she'd loved at seventeen, her and Alec would be together eternally and that was a horrifying thought.

"Bella," Elise started softer, more cautious. "I just think you should consider—"

"—You should consider that maybe you're important to people," Bella cut her off, tears filling her eyes and she looked away. "You have a chance at being alive forever, Elise. You don't have to go anywhere." Her voice choked on the last word and Elise softened.

For a moment, they weren't two young women in love with far too perfect men for them. They were just Bella and Elise. Bella was her baby sister, and the thought of losing the woman she'd known all her life terrified her.

Elise reached a hand out, intent on hugging Bella, but the teen shrugged her off, wiping her eyes.

"I'm going out," she mumbled and scurried away, the front door opening and closing a few moments later.

Elise sat on the bed again, sighing and putting her head in her hands.

"Fuck."

—

Elise and Bella hadn't made up, which created noticeable tension at the table that everyone seemed to pick up on except Charlie.

Bless her father's terrible social skills.

Carlisle glanced between her and Bella every few minutes and Edward — who was invited last minute (much to her father's chagrin) — seemed to look at anyone except Elise.

"Wizzard," Charlie spelt out and everyone else exchanged a look.

This wasn't the first time he had misspelled something, but it had become unspoken to let only Bella or Elise correct him.

Edward didn't want to touch Charlie's adamant distaste with a ten foot pole and Carlisle was too polite.

"Dad, it has one z," Elise spoke up. "You don't get the double points."

"That's not true," Bella shook her head, clenching her jaw and defending Charlie.

Elsie gave her an exasperated look, tired of the small challenges.

"You're doing great, Dad," Bella added. "Wizzard with two 'z's is exactly right. And if it isn't, who's to say Elise is always right?"

"I'm not saying that," Elise's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Bella, I—"

"—I think it's my turn," Edward cleared his throat, placing his word down.

Zenith.

He was so annoying.

"Really?" Elise raised her eyebrows. "Do you feel the need to declare how much better you are than us constantly or just in scrabble?"

Carlisle looked at her then, concern written on his face. His hand found hers but she pulled it away, suddenly very annoyed. Bella rolled her eyes at Elise's comment and before Edward could answer, she spoke up.

"Elise, quit it. You're not my mother, and Edward's great."

"I disagree," Charlie tossed in his input.

"Dad!" Both girls said together, sending him a look. He exchanged a confused look with Carlisle and went quiet.

"Bella, maybe we should go," Edward suggested. "You seem upset and—"

"Don't tell her what she's feeling," Elise snapped. "You're not a mind reader."

Edward gave her an irritated look and Bella scoffed.

"Elise, quit it—"

"—Bella, quiet, the adults are talking—"

"—What is going on with you two?"

"Dad," Elise rolled her eyes. "Can you quit pretending like you—"

"Elise," Carlisle's voice cut her off gently, taking her hand.

Elise tried to pull her hand away but he didn't let go, and she turned, looking at him angrily, eyes blazing, lips pursing.

She didn't know why she was so upset. She couldn't place her frustration, her endless anger. It was unfathomable and hungry and it yearned to devour her entire being.

But she met Carlisle's gentle, understanding gaze, and her face softened.

He squeezed her hand softly. A wordless gesture. A silent declaration of affection and appreciation.

Elise nodded, letting go of his hand and standing up, wiping the tears that were threatening to fall.

"I'm — I'll be back," she said hurriedly, rushing away from the table and towards the front door.

She didn't need to hear Carlisle's footsteps to know he was following her.

The door closed a half second after she'd left and she was pulled into his arms, his hand on the back of her head, allowing her the moment she didn't even know she needed.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed against his chest. "I — I don't know what's — I'm sorry."

He hushed her softly, kissing her head. "It's alright, sweetheart," he said softly. "You're hurting, you're angry. You're allowed to be angry."

Elise shoulders wracked with sobs as every emotion she hadn't realized was bottled up spilled out. "I — I don't want t-to be angry," she managed through sobs and he gently stroked her hair.

"I know," he murmured softly. "It's alright, I'm here, darling. Let it out."

—

"I like him," Charlie nodded, arms crossed over his flannel as Elise and Carlisle stood outside the front door. "I like you."

Carlisle offered a small smile, grateful. "I'm happy to hear it, Charlie. I'll take care of her."

"Good," Charlie nodded stiffly, eyeing Elise. His expression softened a fraction. "You okay, kiddo?"

Elise nodded. She understood his concern and appreciated the sentiment — her red-rimmed eyes and stained cheeks probably did nothing to soothe his worries — but she was too exhausted to properly explain anything.

Carlisle didn't need the explanation — he just understood.

"I'm good, Dad," Elise nodded. "I — I'm sorry about earlier, I—"

Charlie waved her off. "It's okay, you've always had weird mood swings." He offered the pair a nod. "I'm gonna kick Edward out of my house before he decides to kiss Bella."

Elise smiled at her father's words and his face softened seeing the expression.

"I like you, I don't like your son," Charlie added to Carlisle. "See you tomorrow, El?" He looked to Elise.

Elise nodded, leaning against Carlisle. "I just — I don't wanna be around Bella right now."

"What's going on with you two?" Charlie asked worriedly. "Anything I can do?"

"No," Elise shook her head. "We'll be okay. I'll see you later." She leaned over and kissed her dad's cheek, before forcing a smile. "Don't be hard on Edward."

Charlie grumbled to himself and Elise gave Carlisle another look, prepared to leave. He walked her a few steps before Charlie grabbed his arm.

It wasn't intended for Elise to hear, but Charlie was never a quiet person.

"I like you, I do, but that's my little girl," he told Carlisle, meeting his eyes. "She's been to hell and back and if I find out you've caused her more harm, just remember I'm not afraid to make you a missing person."

Carlisle offered a reassuring smile. "I'd sooner see myself harmed than her," he replied to Charlie. "There's nothing more important to me than her."

Charlie and Carlisle stared at one another a moment before the former nodded, letting go of his arm. "See you tomorrow, El."

Elise and Carlisle exchanged a look as he opened the passenger door for her. He brushed a piece of her hair back and tucked it behind her ear.

Yeah.

She was in love.

—

I hate making Bella and Elise fight:((( but Elise is going through soooo much rn and ik last chapter she made a decision but this is suuuuch a big decision that she's going to flip-flop. Also Bella as mature as she is...ummmm is 17 sooooo yeah there will be tension with her and Elise because of her wanting to turn without living a life.
hope you liked <333