Main Event of the Night

 Once the decision was made, there was no further discussion about it for now. I was sure we would go over it again just before we were ready for the trial. The rest of the conversation revolved around how I was acclimating to Forks and the smaller school. Jasper revealed that my anger wasn't as obvious to him any longer.

 The smells coming from the kitchen were hard to ignore, also the idea that Edythe and Esme were going through so much trouble just for me was hard to accept. Possibly understanding a bit of my discomfort Carlisle commented.

 "I should thank you for giving us a chance to use the kitchen here for the first time, for its intended purpose anyway. You need not worry about a room full of Vampires watching you eat. I am sure we will all leave you and Edythe in peace and go about our night until you are ready to test your shifting ability. Though at some point tonight I would like to have a conversation about your intentions with my daughter, I will also need to explain a few things about our unique mentality." 

 A quick shout came from the kitchen proving that even while cooking Edythe was still listening in, "You stop that right now Dad, Thomas and I are working it out ourselves."

 Carlisle didn't even turn his head, "Sorry my dear, this is a father thing. It will happen."

 I gave a nervous sigh, "Yes sir."

 Esme was in the process of placing a plate and utensils on the dining room table, "Don't go intimidating the poor boy Carlisle." She caught my eye, "Vampires have a hard time with emotions, dear. Sometimes they overwhelm us when they change. Well in truth, vampires seldom change after they are created, so even a small change can have drastic effects."

 I let that cryptic statement settle in my mind and before I could ask any follow-up questions, Edythe broke in. "Your food is ready Thomas." She was carrying a long platter of meat in one hand and a bowl of what looked like mashed potatoes in the other. My first thought was that her carrying them in her hands had to be hot but then I remembered that she wasn't so easily hurt. 

 "It smells wonderful," I said as I stood and made my way to the table.

 In moments. Edythe and I were alone in the dining room. She sat across from me and was watching me intently as I began to eat. The first bite was an explosion of flavors that I had never tasted before. The Elk was a lean meat with a slightly sweet taste to it, and adding the earthy taste of mashed potatoes to it was beyond complimentary. I have obviously had mashed potatoes before, but these had a hint of garlic and a much more creamy texture than I was used to.

 I could see the unasked question in Edythe's eyes, and once I finished my first mouthful, I told her in detail how wonderful I thought it tasted. Seeing a flash of relief on her face and the following smile made the meal all that much better. I concentrated on finishing the plate and asking for more made her obviously happy. By the time I was done, the roast that looked to have weighed about 4.5 pounds was gone and there were no more potatoes left in the bowl.

 I leaned back in my chair with a full belly, "That was by far one of the most delicious meals I have ever had Edythe, I can't compliment you and your mother enough."

 I stood up and started to gather my plate as Edythe grabbed the bowl and meat platter. We then walked to the kitchen and placed them by the sink. I was intent on helping wash the dishes as they had been dirtied only because of me, but Edythe told me it would be an embarrassment to Esme if a guest had to clean up after themselves on their first visit.

 When she put it that way I could only ask, "What would you like to do then? Should we begin the test on my shape change?"

 "We have plenty of time for that, let's start with some dance lessons for the dance on Saturday."

 In a flash, we were joined by Alice, "Wait, before that I need to get his measurements."

 Before I could react, Alice was dancing around me with a cloth measurement tape. Some of the measurements made me slightly uncomfortable, especially when taken in front of my girlfriend.

 "What are you doing Alice? Why the measurements?"

 "For your suit silly. I need them so I can finish before the dance."

 "I can get my own suit, Alice. You don't need to deal with it."

 Alice turned her nose up in the air, "Not happening!"

 "I'll be fine getting one myself."

 "Nope!"

 "But..." I was interrupted before I could say more.

 "No. Nu uhu. Nope. No way. Not Happening. This is not just about you, it's the first time Edythe has ever gone to a dance, so I want it to be perfect. Just give in, it's happening my way, even if I have to steal all the clothes in your room and leave only this suit in your closet on the day of the dance."

 Edythe was giving me a helpless smile as Jasper's voice preceded him into the room.

 "Just give it up, Thomas. She is ruthless and unbending in these situations. Accept it gracefully and save yourself the trouble." By the time he was done talking, Jasper was standing next to Alice with an arm over her shoulders.

 Bowing to peer pressure, I threw my hands up in surrender. "Fine, do as you please you little Gremlin."

 "Good. Jasper come lift me up, this oaf is too tall to get all the measurements by myself." 

 The next hour was taken up by dance lessons. Edythe, Alice, Jasper, and I went to a large room that held a Grand Piano and other instruments in it. Alice picked the music, and we all traded partners and slowly I learned to dance to the rhythm of the songs picked. It was fun, but just to tweak the nose of Alice I griped and groaned through the whole thing.

 Edythe picked up on the fact that I only complained about the dancing when I was with Alice and that it was still good-natured complaints. But when I was with her, I was focused and attentive to her only. She was convinced that this was one of the best days of her long life.

 When Alice proclaimed that I had learned enough to not step on her toes, Jasper decided that it was probably the best time to get on with the main event of the night.

 With a little dread in my heart, I prepared myself for the one-on-one conversation with Carlisle but was surprised when Jasper had me follow him to the backyard.

 I looked questioningly at Jasper, "Why are we going outside?"

 Jasper just looked at me strangely, "Isn't that what we decided? You would go out and change then I would approach you?"

 "Ohh that. Sorry, my mind was on something else. Yeah, I am ready for that."

 Jasper didn't comment further, just went to a keypad on the wall and entered a code. Suddenly, all the windows were covered by a metal shutter and the house looked like it was ready to withstand a zombie apocalypse.

 Just moments later, everyone in the house was packed around the back sliding glass door that was the only glass not covered. I walked out and went into the nearby forest, deep enough that I could no longer see the house. It took me a good 5 minutes of walking before I felt comfortable enough to start taking my clothes off.

 Once I was naked and my clothes were folded and shoved in a tree, I reached into my mind and pulled the fire from my mind into my body all at once. The sensation of my bones going liquid was short, and in no time, I was standing on all fours. With the change complete I felt wonderful, the strength I felt was still overwhelming. I roared out in Joy, and as a warning to all in the area that a predator was nearby. 

 I resisted the urge to run off into the forest and enjoy the freedom I felt in this form. Tonight had a purpose, I had to make sure I was safe to be around. The sugary sweet smell was very obvious in this area, and I could tell it was stronger the way I had come. After a moment of thought, I walked over to where my clothes were and started sniffing them. They had the scent of three different sweet smells. None of them had me reacting with the negativity or viciousness that I had for Henry. Maybe the burnt smell he had was the trigger, or maybe it was because he ran from me. This would take more experimentation, and that was what we were doing here.

 Letting out another roar I started to move in the direction I had come, into the sweet smell.