Chapter Fourteen (in which a 108-year-old guy stalks a 17-year-old girl, yet nothing seems amiss)

I tried rugby last night, and it was a lot of fun. Then I read Chapter Fourteen, and it was no fun at all. Today, I'm suffering for both. Oh, well... at least the sore muscles will go away eventually.

CHAPTER SUMMARY-- On the ride home from the meadowy frolics of Chapter Thirteen, Edward listens to some 50's music, prompting Bella to ask how old he really is. He admits that he was born in 1901 and was turned vampy in 1918 in lieu of dying from Spanish influenza. He goes on to explain how and when each of his 'family' members were turned, and we get some back story on the Cullen clan that I quite frankly don't care enough about to regurgitate here (if it's important, it'll come up later). When they get to Bella's house, Edward asks to come in-- polite, until he whips out the hidey-key that he shouldn't know about and unlocks the door himself. Bella is understandably a bit shocked and asks if Edward has been spying on her. Yes, of course, he was 'curious' about her before and wanted to observe her, but upon further questioning Edward admits that he comes to the house every night and watches her sleep. Bella is then understandably appalled, especially when Edward tells her she's interesting to watch because she talks in her sleep. He quickly assures her that she's never said anything embarrassing, but their conversation is cut short by Charlie getting home. Edward slips away, but when Bella heads up to her room, he's waiting on her bed, clearly liberated by the admission that he's there every night anyway. Bella is through having understandable reactions at this point, so she snuggles up with him, and they talk about a few more pointless things before she drifts off to sleep.

NOTABLE NOTES--

1. In Edward's exposition on his family back story, we find out that his sister Alice woke up alone with no memory of her previous life or who turned her, along with the standard vampiric enhancement of strength/agility/etc and some funky premonitions... Resident Evil 2, anyone?

2. Edward admits that he was always extremely jealous when Mike and co. were flirting with Bella, going so far as to call Mike 'odious'. You know a man's really jealous when he starts breaking out the five-dollar words.

3. Do you listening to any music from the 50's or 60's? My lord, you must be old. Like, 100 at least.

4. Edward tells Bella she smells like a tasty, tasty flower.

5. According to Edward's account of what Bella talks about in her sleep, even her subconscious hates plants.

INTENSITY OF EDWARD'S STARE-- currently set to 'gorgon'.