And, in that moment, Theo realized he had made a mistake. 

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Author here,

Chapter has now been edited xD

But you know the drill.

CallMeDaddy and Enjoy! (:

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Theo, rather quickly, realized that startling vampires wasn't as fun as he thought it would be. The silence lasted just a touch longer than Theo was comfortable with; not because he the silence itself, more because his audience didn't need to blink and clearly, they forgot to pretend.

It reminded Theo of being surrounded by porcelain dolls; A shudder ran through him at just the thought. It was visible; his silent revulsion and it was enough to remind them that they were making him uncomfortable.

Esme sent them all a surprisingly reproachful look as they looked away in apparent chagrin. Only then did she offer Theo an apologetic smile.

Another somewhat awkward silence followed before it was broken by Rosalie. Her chagrin melted into a glare; though Theo couldn't tell if she was glaring at him or at the situation. "You heard everything we were saying?" She demanded, not truly harshly but not exactly kindly either. Theo didn't take any offense though. He appreciated her more brass and down to the point, personality.

"Of course, I could." Theo nodded, rising from his seat to take his plate to the sink. He rinsed it off without turning around; allowing the 'Cullens' to come to grips with what he said. After he was finished, he placed it in the dish washer and moved to take another, rather long sip of his drink.

Most of the yellow eyes in the room were focused on Carlisle; as if he would understand and, subsequently, explain exactly what was happening to their bewildered minds. As if he would know what Theo was now, or how had gone from a 'cold one' to this.

Taking pity on the vampire, Theo directed the attention back to himself. "What do you know about vampires?

As he suspected, it brought their attention back to him, en masse. He could almost see the gears turning in their heads. Almost hear them finding a way to word their own questions so they kept decorum, so they didn't scare him.

All except for one of them.

"What do 'you' know about vampires?!" Rosalie hissed lowly; another unblinking, unwavering stare aimed at Theo. It wasn't exactly threatening - more like a warning as she put emphasis on the word 'you'. Like she was trying to remind Theo he was ignorant of the supernatural, that he didn't want to walk down this road. Like he was a human who was getting too close to something he wouldn't be able to turn back from.

Theo couldn't help his reaction. Though he felt no physical attraction to her, Rosalie had always been one of his favorite characters of the main cast. She was a realist, one of the only ones who saw the danger they were putting their entire family in because of Bella. Blatantly breaking one of the most important laws as if there would be no consequences; and had Aro not coveted Alice and Edward so much, Theo is sure he would have simply wiped his hands of the Cullens and their drama with the clumsy swan child - as he should have. With that in mind, he smiled widely in her direction. A fondness in his eyes that no one missed. "I like you."

She looked taken aback by this, her entire body visibly recoiling in shock with an owlish blink. A small smile tugged at her lips before she could stop it; though to her credit, her entire body language returned to a mask of nonchalance and indifference so quickly Theo was half convinced he had imagined her reaction.

"Just answer the question." She murmured, tossing her hair over her shoulder dismissively and turning her face away from him. Theo had an inkling had Rosalie been human, her cheeks would have been tinged with a hint of pink; though he wasn't suicidal enough to say that aloud.

Theo, instead, chose to deflect. "How about we back up?" There was a rising tension in the room that made him uneasy. "I mean, I still don't even know any of your names; aside from Carlisle."

"Ahhh..." Carlisle clear his throat, a sheepish smile that was much more genuine than Theo's had been on his face. "Once more, I must ask you forgive our rudeness. It has been a while since we have had to be so forward with you, Ed - Theo." He corrected himself at Theo's raised eyebrow. He would not go by Edward and seeing as vampires had perfect recall; Theo knew that had been some sort of test by Carlisle.

Unfortunately for him, Edward was dead and since he hated being a vampire and all he really talked about was how much easier humans had it because they could die when vampires could not. Theo was sure Edward was very happy wherever 'Freeman' placed him.

"I guess that makes sense." Theo furrowed his brow before he shrugged. "Just give me a minute."

And with only slight hesitation - he altered the perception of his shield, allowing for their thoughts to filter through. When he first tried it, months ago, he thought he would struggle; or there would be a learning curve.

Thankfully, his shield acted as if it were merely an extension of himself. It followed his commands: his will and with very little hesitation. He debated, for the length of a second, on just pretending to read their minds. On using only his foreknowledge to get by. After all, he knew a lot more than they thought he did. But in the end, he decided against it.

Part of him wanted to know what they were thinking, if only to prepare himself. He wasn't Edward and Theo couldn't bring himself to even pretend to be - it was better if they accepted that now... at least, if they wanted Theo to accept them as part of his new life. Another part of him knew that hearing their thoughts wouldn't be as simple as telling him everything he had "forgotten"; and they may even take to asking him his opinion on something they were thinking.

It was a 'Better Safe than Sorry' situation; he couldn't afford to be caught in a lie, especially not when his 'amnesia' idea was falling spectacularly into place.

As soon as his shield shifted, opening their minds to him; Theo winced and rolled his shoulders while ignoring their worried glances. It had been at least two months since he had even tried to utilize his own ability, so it took him a second to close all of their minds but one.

This was easier for him; to focus on one mind at a time. Only the one he wanted to read and close out all the rest. Hearing multiple minds at once was similar to listening to several different pairs of headphones at once; all at the same volume and frequency but playing different songs and genres. He wasn't like Edward. He could get a headache, and he refused to subject himself to the migraine that came with his overwhelming telepathy, unnecessarily.

As soon as he was sure that his shield had adapted properly; Theo focused on Emmett, his eyes taking in his relaxed form. His arm was wrapped loosely around Rosalie's waist, holding her to his broad chest, a carefree dimpled smile on his face as he regarded the situation with deceivingly bored eyes. Emmett's surface thoughts were as unbothered as he appeared. His worries focused solely on when, and if, he could spar with 'Edward' as soon as they returned to Forks. It was a matter of pride and ego, now that 'Edward' wouldn't be reading his mind to cheat and wouldn't remember any of Emmett's preferred fighting techniques - Emmett was sure he would wipe the floor with his brother, repeatedly and he couldn't wait for the bragging rights.

For a second, Theo almost moved on. Believing Emmett's mind was as facile as it appeared; not to mention he was miffed that Emmett didn't refer to him as 'Theo'. But something told him to dig a little deeper. He was sure that was what separated his own telepathic ability from the real Edward's. When Theo wanted to know what you were thinking, you couldn't hide your depths behind surface pretense. There was no place forbidden to him, no secret would stay a secret.

Just as his shield would bend to his will. Just as a human could so easily be compelled. No mind was safe from his persistence, resolve and tenacity.

That being said, it took only a few seconds of intense concentration to realize that Emmett's thoughts weren't actually focused on Theo at all. Theo's newfound 'humanity' was more than a perturbation to Emmett. His disquietude nearly screamed his true thoughts in Theo's mind. How 'Edward' obtained his newfound 'humanity'. Was it a cure? Where did he get it and was there more? A large part of him wanted to ask, if only for his Rosie - who would do anything to obtain her humanity again, and how could Emmett ever deny her anything? A much smaller part, that he refused to acknowledge, was horrified at the thought of Rosalie taking it, and then having to watch as she grew old and died before his very eyes. Emmett was happy as a vampire; he loved his life - he didn't want to have to choose between an immortal life or his mate, the angel who saved his life.

Theo pulled out of Emmett's thoughts, blinking a little rapidly at the sudden quietude of his own mind. Meeting Emmett's eyes, he was met with a slight pleading expression. Emmett knew that Theo knew, and he didn't want Rosalie to know his fears. Theo nodded once, made his way over to his desk and scribbled on a piece of paper. 'There is no cure.' - folding it thrice. As he made his way back to stand behind his counter, he passed the paper to Emmett, he aimed for subtly - but it was oh so very hard to hide any little movement from vampiric eyesight.

By the time he had turned back to face them once again, he saw Emmett's nearly indiscernible sigh of relief. The exchange seemed to be all it took for them to understand just what was happening; and a hidden tension appeared in each of the ones whose minds he had yet to read.

Emerald green eyes landed on Rosalie where she leaned against Emmett's frame; her beautiful face showed barely a hint of her discomfort. Rosalie's face may have been... and Theo means this with the utmost respect, 'Resting Bitch Face' but her thoughts were tender and a little nostalgic. She didn't hide behind anything. She let him hear it all. How she hadn't realized that she actually cared for 'Edward', now Theo, until he was 'gone.' How they assumed he was dead, even if no one dared to say it aloud. Rosalie liked Theo's 'new' personality. He was no longer a brooding moron; his smile was genuine. He was relaxed and carefree in a way that she had never seen him. Yet she worried for him, she wanted to know what unknown 'thing' happened to him that caused his newfound 'humanity'. Whether it was a cure they should be grateful for, a blessing or a curse. A danger to their family? Would Theo choose to return to their life in Forks? Would he rejoin their family? And if he did manage to find a cure; only two questions burned through her mind. First, would Theo give up his humanity to be a vampire once more, and second.... was there more?

Again, Theo blinked rapidly at the sudden quietude of his mind as he pulled out of Rosalie's thoughts. He was touched by her concern and felt a sort of ... brotherly care build inside of him despite himself. He also noted that she hadn't called him Edward, not after stating that when he was missing, she realized she cared for the brooding vampire. She had accepted him as Theo and the fondness he had already had for her, increased unwillingly. He hated to break her heart in regard to their being no actual cure, though he supposed he could see why that would be their assumption. Her thoughts only strengthened his resolve - Rosalie would be one of his first hybrids.

Carlisle was still sitting relaxed in the chair at the dining room table, a gentle and encouraging smile on his handsome face when Theo's eyes settled on him. Though his outward appearance showed not an ounce of stress; as soon as Theo was inside his mind, he nearly recoiled. Carlisle's thoughts were a mixture of grief, excitement and curiosity. Though his surface thoughts were drenched in the latter. An idiosyncrasy that seemed to be pertinent to Carlisle's personality, his thirst for knowledge. His near desperate desire to understand the world and its secrets. 'Edward's' condition presented his first actual challenge in nearly two centuries. Something new to learn; something to discover. A mystery and one that he knew he would include Eleazar in, the first chance he got.

Though, as Theo dug a little deeper, Carlisle's grief settled on Theo's shoulders like a weight - Carlisle was reminiscing on past times with Edward. How despite his age; when Edward was a newborn, Carlisle marveled at the chance to teach him all that he knew, to see as Edward slowly and carefully came out of his shell and trusted him to be his father, his confidant. He did not want to lose his first son, His first companion. He had been the strong one for Esme and the rest but even he had been terrified that Edward had died while he was missing. He had been with Edward for over 100 years - 104 to be exact. Losing him would be like losing a part of himself. He could accept his personality change; he could call him Theo and accept if Theo was now human and chose to remain that way - he'd never force their lifestyle on him, being a vampire was not for the weak of heart... but he was not quite sure how to feel faced with the very real possibility that 'Edward' had a life outside of his family and no longer needed them.

Theo couldn't bring himself to stay in Carlisle's mind. He didn't mind his surface thoughts. His curiosity, that Theo expected. He did not expect to feel guilt for the first time since he woke in his new life.

So, with little pretense he quickly switched to Esme, only to realize that really was no better.

Esme's thoughts were worse than Carlisle's and Theo had to subtly clench his fists so as not to flinch. Her surface thoughts revolved around her determination to get Theo back to Forks with his family where he belonged, even if he stayed human; Esme would take care of him until the day he died a normal human death. She would do everything a mother did for their child - ensured he did not miss a single human moment. If that was his choice, he would have her unwavering support.

It was when Theo dug a little deeper that he regretted it. If Carlisle's grief settled on his shoulders, Esme's squeezed his heart. She was thinking about the moment she had met her little boy for the very first time. How she had held him against her heart and cried tears of happiness for all of ten minutes before he took his very last breath. Unexplainable, they had said. SIDS - they had called it. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. How she could not breathe, she could not think, she could not find it in herself to survive any longer. What did she have left after that? She had worked hard, been stronger than she thought she truly was, to get away from her abusive ex-husband and make a new life for her and her son ... and then she was alone. What kind of a loving god would do that to her? Have her suffer so, only to take her salvation from her? She hardly even remembered stepping off that cliff - the human memories so fuzzy... but she had wanted nothing more than to be reunited with him, once more.

Carlisle was her second chance at happiness; Edward was her second chance at motherhood. Her other children were loved, and she would never admit it aloud, but Edward would always hold a special place in her heart. As her first son in her new life; not replacing her precious baby boy but showing her that she had not failed him. That she could be a mother to someone who needed her, and she would be what her children needed her to be this time. And Theo? Theo opened a wound that had not yet had the chance to heal; even 110 years later. No parent ever wants to bury their child. No parent should outlive their child! How would she feel holding her second son in her arms, securely against her chest as if she could will him to stay while he took his last breaths? She would be strong enough to do it for him; she would not fail him... but she was not sure what would be left of her once she did.

Theo could feel the way his eyes burned with unshed tears, an ache in his throat that he tried to play off by clearing his throat and averting his eyes.

And, in that moment, Theo realized he had made a mistake. Prior to reading their minds, they were simply 'The Cullens'. Only now did he realize that at least to them, he was their family. Someone they loved and cared for. And, startlingly, he felt unfamiliar and foreign feelings settle in his chest and nearly knock the air out of his lungs.

He had not even heard or seen her move, but suddenly, two small feminine hands were cupping his cheeks - lifting his head from where he had let it hang. A white-knuckle grip on the counter behind him. He tried to keep his eyes closed, to not see what he knew he would see but when he felt a cold thumb wipe a stray tear - he could no longer fight the desire to look at her.

Esme's heart ached seeing Theo's eyes open, their usual emerald green replaced with sea green while they were filled with unshed tears. Her own eyes watered, and she wished her tears could fall with her son. That she could cry with him.

"I am so sorry, darling..." She whispered almost desperately; she had not meant to hurt him with her thoughts. Theo shook his head, cutting off their mental connection - he wanted to tell her that she had done absolutely nothing wrong, but he could not speak due to the tightness in his throat.

Theo had never been bitter about his mother dying in childbirth. He was raised by his aunt, and he loved her until the day she died - but she never tried to be his mother. She kept that line firmly uncrossed - she could not bear to cross it. To even try to replace her sister, his birth mother. She was more like an older sister, or a best friend.

Theo had no idea what he had been missing until it was in front of him, and confronted with it - he wasn't quite sure what to do. Both he and Esme had suffered such similar fates - losing someone they weren't meant to lose only minutes after obtaining them.

He distantly heard Esme whimper or sob ... he wasn't quite sure, and then she was wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into her comforting embrace. She was shorter than he was, but she still managed with little resistance, to tuck his face into her neck as one would with a child. Her fingers scratched at his scalp while she whispered sweet nothings in his ear. As if they had a mind of their own, strong arms wrapped around her slender waist; lifting her so she was near his height, and he did not have to bend. Though he was sure she was surprised, she did not even pause in either of her actions. He squeezed her enough to reassure them both but ensured he did not harm her.

He wanted her touch to feel alien, uncomfortable or suffocating. He wanted to have the urge to push her off of him, or an awkward in his movements that made the hug stiff and unwelcome. But to his dismay, it felt like this was his mother and he wasn't sure what was worse. Is this something Freeman did to him when he put him in Edwards' body? Was he giving Theo a family he wasn't aware he had been missing? Or was this sentimentality on Theo's part? A gentle soul that couldn't bear to hear the pain he felt partially responsible for?

He had no answer and knew that he would not get one. Theo could not bring himself to pull out of Esme's embrace, no matter how much a part of him screamed to do so, instead he pulled her in tighter. The hand that had been scratching his scalp seemed to curl into a fist and her own face tucked into the side of his neck as she inhaled his scent as if it was the last time, she would ever get to smell it.

A small sound reminded him that they were not alone; that the others most likely did not understand why he was clinging to Esme like a small child... and he resolved himself to finish what he had set out to originally do. Two more minds and he could lick his wounds and figure out his confusing emotions.

Focusing on Jasper was easy; he was trying to use his gift to settle Theo and Esme - but was being blocked from them both by Theo's shield. Theo didn't need to concentrate hard to penetrate his mind, he either didn't care to him his thoughts or he assumed Theo was too preoccupied to continue reading their minds.

Jasper had no clear idea what to make of the heartbreaking way that Theo held onto Esme; but he was smart enough to realize that Esme thought something that upset Theo in some way. Including the sharp pain in her chest that Esme had felt just before she went to comfort Theo. Jasper pushed 'reassurance' and 'calm' into the room, adding 'love' toward Alice when he felt how upset Alice and even Rosalie were seeing the tears that were falling down Theo's face. First it had been a surprise, then it was their own sorrow seeing him in pain. Had Esme not went to him first; Jasper knew Theo would have been flocked by his two sisters.

Jasper didn't know what to make of the way Esme's emotions had disappeared as soon as she was in Theo's hold but in a way, he was relieved he did not have to feel 'Edwards' emotions any longer and while Theo looked human, he did not smell like one. Theo smelled of lemongrass and citrus; something that soothed the ever-present ache in his throat. 'Edward' and Jasper had never been particularly close.

Their gifts working against each other - Jasper could feel Edward's own thirst, which magnified his own but the same could be said for Edward who felt sympathetic thirst due to Jasper's thoughts - meaning he also felt it double than he would otherwise. A double-edged sword for them both.

It was one of the things Edward brooded about the most; his gift may have helped protect the family, but it also had a side effect. Just as Jasper's gift had the ability to take someone's emotion and make it his own if it was strong enough - Edward was susceptible to the potential to feel those same emotions if they were strong enough in someone's mental footprint. That emotion could have been lust, love, care, pain, hate, guilt or otherwise. Despite this apparent distance between them, Jasper selfishly hoped Theo returned to Forks and re-enrolled in the high school. He wanted Theo as his buffer between himself and the scent of blood now that their gifts no longer hurt each other; especially if Bella was going to be coming around now that they had located 'Edward'. Though he could admit his motivations, his other was his mate, Alice. He could never take when she was in pain or hurting and he knew that she would hurt if Theo chose to remain behind. All of his family would, but none more than Esme and Alice.

At the mention of the small vampire who was being uncharacteristically quiet, Theo pulled out of Jasper's thoughts and hopped into Alice's and just like Jasper her thoughts were wide open. A surge of protectiveness hit him as he realized that Alice was punishing herself. She blamed herself for Theo going missing, for whatever made Esme hang onto Theo as if it was the last time their mother would ever see him. Would it be the last time any of them ever saw Theo? Alice didn't know, she couldn't see!, and she hated not being able to utilize her gift. Especially with her brother now being human, humans were so fragile; so breakable. And if he chose to stay in LA? She'd lose him forever. They couldn't protect him here and what truly was a human lifetime compared to immortality? His life and death would feel like the passing of a summer's eve to them; but they would feel the pain of it for centuries to come.

Look at Tanya, Kate and Irina - they had lost Sasha, their Coven's mother, over a millennia ago - and they felt the pain of her death every day ... though less than they used too, it still hurt. How long would their family grieve Theo's death? How long would the pain squeeze her fragile heart?

But ... just as Emmett, hidden deep below the surface, lingered two tiny parts of Alice she did not want to acknowledge. One that bubbled with resentment toward a certain doe eyed human, who Alice also blamed for Theo's condition - and another, that was jealous of Theo's regained humanity. She remembered nothing of her human life, and while Alice - the future seeing vampire, was irrationally terrified of the unknown; she couldn't help but wish that she could experience just a little bit of humanity too.

Finally finding the strength to lift his head from Esme's surprisingly silky hair, giving her a reassuring squeeze when she didn't seem to be ready to do the same; Theo continued to hold her close but addressed the room. "I think we have a lot to talk about."