The next day, Serafina went to the Cullen home earlier than expected but didn't feel the usual packed house. She calmly walked to the house and knocked on the door, hoping the presence she felt was at least the one she wanted. But with her luck, she figured it wouldn't be. Considering her unease, she knew if confirmed it wasn't who she wanted—but knocked anyways.
"Oh, you don't want to spend time with me? Too bad for you. You came a little earlier than usual today. We have maybe ten minutes before they come back. Come on in." Edward said as he moved out of her way and went to the living room.
Serafina scoffed as she closed the door and followed him into the living room. She calmed herself down by looking at the bright side. At least it wasn't Emmett who opened the door. She breathed a sigh of relief as she continued to think of that bright side.
"I don't know why you dislike him so much. He has the biggest heart out of anyone you'd meet. Has to. It's the only way it'd match his freakishly large body," Edward said as he sat at the piano.
Serafina couldn't help chuckling at that, "I can see that. But it doesn't stop him from being annoying."
"Very annoying. But it's because he's already counted you as one of us. As soon as he found out you were her mate, it made you family to him. Don't get me wrong. I'm trying. We all are. But just as you're wary of us." Edward said as he played a few notes; he looked up at her, "We're just as wary of you. Perhaps more so." He said, finishing off a quick melody.
"You had two vampires show up telling you they saw the future and were going to be part of your family," Serafina looked at him incredulously, "that wasn't more troubling to you all?"
He smiled, "Well yeah, that was bad. But at least their abilities aren't offensive. I think every one of us accepted them pretty quickly, except Emmett. He didn't trust them immediately. It took a good week before he felt comfortable around them. But as I said, he didn't question anything for you because of Rosalie. He still annoys you, even knowing you can kill him with a snap of your fingers. Because he trusts you wouldn't do anything to us because of your affection for Rosalie. I can read your mind, and I still don't have that kind of confidence in you." He said, playing the same melody at a different pace.
Serafina frowned. Perhaps she was judging Emmett too harshly. She could tell he was trying to help her. It was working too. She wasn't nearly as disgusted at the thought of physical contact with him as with any of the others. But the only physical contact she ever thought about with him was violence, so she wasn't entirely sure if it was the same. She began to reflect a bit more. For Emmett, she was willing to beat him silly, and her mind no longer went straight to murder. But when she thought of killing Edward or any of the others, she thought of killing them with her flames. Quick and with no physical contact at all. She supposed it was working after all. Serafina didn't notice Edward hitting the wrong key on his piano as he eyed her at her revelations.
"This right here is why I have no confidence in you as a member of this family," he said, shaking his head at her, "you make me nervous."
She looked at him, momentarily confused, before remembering he was in her mind. She couldn't help the smirk that appeared on her face as she shrugged. Unbothered by the look he was giving her.
They soon felt others approach the territory. They could recognize them and knew they were the other Cullens. Serafina stared towards the door. Unable to keep the name from her mind. Edward had a small smile staring at her back as he heard Rosalie on her mind. He wiped that smile from his face as soon as the door opened, and Rosalie entered. He didn't need to. Rosalie didn't even spare him a glance as she walked in and stared straight at Serafina. Serafina opened her arms for her.
"You're early," Rosalie said with a smile as she put her arms out and walked toward her. But soon, a blur sped past her and took her spot in Serafina's arms.
Serafina tried to remember what Edward said and tried to be more patient. But she began to get upset. Emmett hugged her tightly while lifting her off the ground, and she just stared miserably at Rosalie. Rosalie was impressed that she hadn't done anything to him and gave her a reassuring smile.
Serafina awkwardly patted his back, "You're just milking it now." Esme called from the door. She entered with an amused smile as she saw Emmett hugging Serafina.
"I'm trying to see how long it takes until she goes off. I bet it won't take long; she's pretending to be calm," Emmett laughed.
"You're making bets on my temper?" Serafina asked, clenching her fists. She felt herself heat up, but instead of her usual fire. She used a different tactic that surprised everyone. She looked at the mother figure, "Esme?" she pleaded, looking towards her with big sad eyes. She knew it worked on everyone.
Everyone froze. None as noticeable as Emmett, who immediately gasped, "Tattletale!" Before he glared over at Rosalie, who he blamed for teaching her that cheap trick. Rosalie didn't bother hiding her grin as she gave him an exaggerated shrug with her palms up.
Esme had a small smile before she turned her mothering face on as she looked over at Emmett and sped over as she grabbed his ear. He immediately let go of Serafina and pleaded with Esme for forgiveness as she walked him out while scolding him. Serafina had a smile on her face as she watched them leave the room.
"You don't play fair. You're learning Rosalie's evil ways," Edward said as he nodded approvingly and began playing an actual song.
Serafina ignored him as she stared at Rosalie, who took Serafina's prior posture and opened her arms to wait for her hug. Serafina eagerly obliged, squeezing her a bit too tight. But Rosalie chuckled at her behavior. They couldn't help looking each other over when they pulled back from their hug—appreciating the other.
Edward slammed his hands down on the keys creating a loud annoying sound as he sighed in frustration. He was glaring down at his piano.
The sudden sound caused both women to flinch as they looked at Edward, unsure of his problem. Serafina couldn't help but frown as she saw his face. Edward looked her straight in the eye and asked, "What's a 'cara de fuchi'?"
Jasper began laughing, causing all three to look in his direction where he sat with Alice. She smacked his shoulder as she complained, "Darn it, Jazz, they wouldn't have noticed we were here if you didn't laugh!"
Edward looked over at Jasper, caught a glimpse of his mind, and immediately knew it was about his face again. He glared at Serafina, "really? My face again? What? What is wrong with my face?" he asked exasperatedly.
Rosalie grinned as she eyed Edward from behind Serafina's back while Serafina glared at him back. Rosalie squeezed her hand, causing Serafina to look back at her. The glare was gone, nothing but pampering on her face as she looked at Rosalie. Rosalie dialed down her grin and had a small, sweet smile as she asked her, "What is a 'cara de fuchi'?"
Jasper burst into a fit of giggles, causing Serafina to smile and Edward to turn his glare to him while Alice waited for the answer.
Serafina calmly looked at Rosalie as she explained, "It's just that look he gets on his face. The one where he looks disgusted or doesn't like something or disapproves. He has it all the time. It's like we're all beneath him." She began to get annoyed just thinking about his face again. She started thinking about how she would like to punch him in the face.
"I don't look like that!" Edward argued as he unknowingly glanced at her clenched fists.
"Yeah, you do," the others chorused after giving him a blank look.
Serafina crossed her arms and raised her chin as she gave him a smug look.
He scoffed, "Well, maybe I do, but you would too if you heard some of the things you were thinking about each other just now. It's not just you. I hear some pretty unpleasant things that I wish I didn't all the time. And you know what?" he asked, directing his attention to Jasper and Alice, "You guys aren't even supposed to be here. It's my day." He said, dismissing Jasper and Alice. They sighed as they said goodbye and headed out, "Now, you two." He ran both hands down his face in frustration, "We're just going to sit here and listen to music. Hopefully, it'll help us relax."
Both women got comfortable on the sofa. Serafina grumbled about how she was perfectly relaxed and that he needed to relax. Rosalie giggled at her ability to annoy Edward. She enjoyed his discomfort.
Rosalie and Edward had a strange relationship. They disliked each other immensely. It was borderline hate. But both grew to care for each other as siblings.
Most of the hatred came from Rosalie. She blamed Edward for her creation. She hated his ability. She hated that she wasn't good enough for him. Not that she was interested, but she couldn't stand the thought of him not even finding her attractive. That alone was unacceptable. Although she was mean to him, she always knew the limits. She respected him; he was intelligent and skilled and did an excellent job as the eldest. She knew he looked out for their family. But the satisfaction she got from Serafina teasing him was incredibly high.
Edward tolerated all the hate; he blamed himself for her creation too. He also knew he had hurt her feelings when he said he was not attracted to her. But he wasn't. She was incredibly conceited. But he did admire her confidence, strength, and bravery. He felt guilt for her, so he didn't react too much when she was particularly mean to him. He treated her as an annoying younger sister and figured it was par for the course. He was happy she found her mate. He was surprised it was a woman, but he felt it was right when he thought about what had happened to her before her death. And although Serafina made him incredibly nervous, he liked that she was powerful. If he were to pick a partner for his younger sister, he would choose someone with the strength to protect her. Where she wasn't as physically strong as Emmett, no one was a match for her ability.
Edward played several songs that just sounded beautiful. Serafina did find herself relaxing even more with the music. She was impressed with his playing. She and Rosalie snuggled into each other. Rosalie felt Serafina relax; she liked it at first. But then she couldn't help but be somewhat jealous. She enjoyed being the only one able to calm her before. Now Edward was able to? Was he always able to do everything? Always the golden boy? The piano didn't look too hard. Rosalie decided to learn so that she could play for Serafina as well.
"You know, you're not too bad," Serafina said.
"I know, I'm very talented," Edward answered as he stopped playing. He normally never bragged, but he could tell that the pride and confidence were high for both women and they respected the same in others, "years of practice. I could give you some lessons if you'd like." He mentioned, mainly to Rosalie.
"No, thank you. I don't think I have the patience for it," Serafina answered honestly. Rosalie was annoyed, knowing that Edward heard her thoughts. Her selfishness. But she still accepted his offer in her mind. Serafina didn't even consider that he was also asking Rosalie. She just noticed a lull in the playing and was somewhat confused. She looked over at Edward, "Well?"
Edward was more concerned about Rosalie's thoughts, so they didn't realize it was a moment without music. He heard Serafina, though, "Well, what?"
"Play us a song. You're the piano man. Play us more songs tonight," Serafina urged him. She was enjoying the ambiance the music and cuddling were creating. She was getting more and more comfortable in their home.
"I guess you do have us feeling alright. Play for us some more, please, mister piano man," Rosalie smiled as she looked at Edward. Who nodded in acquiescence and continued playing into the night for the couple on the couch.