New story! Hope you like it. If you are going to criticise Twilight then stop reading and don't review. If you are going to have a go at ready my story, feel free! :D thanks XxxX Sasha

Best Friends…Soul Mates

Chapter 1

'Isabella?' I didn't even bother correcting my name, I was to worried 'is my dad ok?' I asked urgently, 'well yes, and no' my eyes widened and I fought back the tears. 'no, no its nothing time won't fix' I relaxed a little 'he just needs rest, and a lot of it, we fear he might go into a short coma' my breath caught 'please don't be alarmed, but you will need to make other arrangements' the doctor informed me, I knew what he was saying.

'I know I'm not a legal adult, but I have no other family' I said pondering over the though of a foster home. 'you don't need to think of that just yet, the hospital can accommodate you for up to a fortnight, but then you will really have to leave' he explained 'thank you, for everything' I said, and smiled weakly as he retreated to his duties.

I wandered around the hospital for the next week, Charlie was too weak to visit, and they didn't want to disrupt his recovery. I was all jittery the first day but a nice doctor helped me through it, explaining it all to me. I could cope better if I knew the intellectual side to it.

I went down to the cafeteria, and looked at all the repulsive food in front of me. It looked like plastic and I bet it tasted worse. 'hello again' I turned and saw the doctor. 'hello, thank you-for the other day' I said smiling and I knew I looked shy, I always did.

He smiled back 'you're welcome, though I never did get your name' he said 'Isabella, well I prefer Bella' I said 'well its nice to meet you Bella, 'I'm Doctor. Cullen' I took his outstretched hand.

'do you know if my dad will get better soon?' I asked and looked sheepish 'well that's why I'm here…they think his recovery may take longer-depending on how he reacts to his treatment' he said I clenched my jaw, I was not going to start throwing questions at him-something I do when I'm nervous or upset.

He placed a reassuring had on my shoulder and I couldn't help but notice how cold it was. I didn't flinch away though, it almost felt like I was the strange one, the one that should be cold.

'he'll be ok, but you should start thinking about living arrangements' he said softly, 'I will, thank you Doctor. Cullen' I said he smiled and walked away, without buying any food.

Carlisle's POV

I couldn't help but warm to the girl, I felt some urge to protect her. She was so venerable on her own. Esme keeps pestering me, asking what's on my mind-but I don't think I should tell her. I know the first thing that would go through her mind and I doubt I could crush that hope of hers. Obviously she can't help it, she still has her maternal instincts.

But I strongly doubt Jasper is ready for this, having a human so close for any prolonged amount of time would be risky. But then again we have been an odd number far too long. If doesn't seem fair, Edward the first I changed, the first of my new family was still on his own. Not that he liked to show it but it pained him more than he let on.

I would have to ponder this longer, I fear my incoherent thoughts were confusing Edward immensely, all I though about was Esme and Bella. He probably had no clue why I was thinking about a human girl so much.

Edward's POV

I sensed that Carlisle was restless, on the verge of a decision. Yet he was thinking so fast I barely got the gist of what he was thinking. All I knew was that the chief of police has recently been issued to hospital and his daughter arrived about an hour before.

I looked up to Carlisle, I really did. I understood that he cared and worried about his patients but why was he thing about the chief of police this much? And his daughter? It was worrying me.

Bella's POV

Another three days had passed and I still wasn't allowed to see Charlie. 'Bella?' I turned around, no emotion on my face.

Carlisle's POV

She turned and looked lifeless, drained…dead. 'I was wondering if I could help' I said slowly, a normal person would probably shout at me, and tell me to mind my own business, and I do admit this is terrible rude of me.

But no Bella surprises yet again 'ok' she said softly. I moved to sit in the chair next to her. 'I was wondering if you have found any living arrangements yet?' I asked she shook her head. 'well I do have a few options, the hospital have some families with adopted children on file, we could get those out?' she raised her head, looked deep in my eyes-as if looking for clarification.

She then nodded, I beamed and fetched them.

Bella's POV

I watched as he walked away, I had seen truth and understanding in his eyes. Sincerity and honest concern. He was like an uncle, I never had an uncle.

He came back with a bulky A3 folder. 'here we go' I thanked him and he sat and watched me go through the various families. As I looked at the sur names I realized they were going backwards. It was in anti-alphabetical. Weird.

'you don't like any of them?' he queried as I flicked through speedily. 'no, they don't look very close. They all look awquard and stiff' I said he chuckled. I tuned the page and was shocked by what I saw.

Carlisle's POV

I watched as she stared at the picture of my family and myself. 'you have adopted?' she asked, trying not to offend me. 'yes' I said 'do you want me to point them out?' I asked her, and to my surprise she beamed I mean a proper heart lightening grin.

'well this is Esme and myself' I pointed out me and my heart shaped faced spouse. 'this is Alice and Jasper' I pointed out our little pixie and warrior. 'this is Rosalie and Emmet' I indicated to the beautiful Rosalie and bulky Emmet. '-and this is Edward' I said and couldn't help but let the loving escape into my tone as I spoke his name, the first in my family.

'this is what I was looking for' she whispered, I looked at her stunned, did she know she was talking about a coven of vampires? Obviously not, but she should shy away from us…or at least find us a little creepy.

'what were you looking for?' I asked she blushed covering her mouth 'I should stop thinking aloud' she mumbled, I smiled 'go on' I probed, interested in what she wanted from a foster home, even If I decided we shouldn't have her, maybe it would help me find her a adoptive family.

'the connections' she said, but explained more after seeing my perplexed expression, she pointed at the obvious couples, the smiles, the unity. 'you're a family' she stated, 'its what I want, but don't want to ruin' she stated handing me the file, 'I'll figure it out, I'm not ruining a family' she got up and walked away, just as lifeless as before.

*~(later that day)~*

I walked into the house, and was immediately hugged by Esme, 'hello dear' I greater her kissing the top of her head. I looked over her head and saw Edward, I felt guilt. Here I was, hugging my mate, when he hadn't found his yet even after 109 ye-

'-I'm fine Carlisle, really' he said, sighing s he interrupted my thoughts. 'I wanted to talk about Charlie Swan' he said and I visible stiffened. 'sorry, you don't have to talk' he quickly corrected. I smiled 'no, no I'm just…deciding' I said.

He raised an eyebrow 'its Esme, actually' I said noticing his obvious confussion, 'what am I?' my wife chirped merrily 'you'I said tapping her nose 'are about to decide my decision for me' I said and she frowned 'but I don't know what I'm deciding, surely you-' I shook my head 'first answer one question for me dear' I said to her she nodded 'anything'

'what would you do for another child, I mean a real child?' I asked and Edwards snickered 'he mean, one that has a soul' Esme scowled at him 'Edward! Don't say things like that! You are too good, and pure-' he rolled his eyes 'I know mum, sorry' she smiled at him calling her mum, despite the fact that he is actually older than her.

She turned back to me, 'anything, I would do absolutely anything' she said, Edward stiffened at the sudden deciding of my thoughts, I heard a thud upstairs. In a flash Alice was at Edwards side.

'Carlisle?' she questioned. Jasper soon followed looking irritated about whatever had interrupted whatever he and Alice were up to. 'why do I see and human visiting our house?' she exclaimed.

Jasper looked shocked and then worried, not angry though. Edward huffed 'anything for a mate' he said sarcastically. 'Edward what's the matter?' Esme asked, though I'm sure she could have just thought it, maybe she couldn't suppress the urge. 'nothing'

Edward's POV

'nothing' I responded straight faced. Of coarse I wouldn't understand! I didn't have a mate…any why would Carlisle do such a thing? Invite a human girl, here. It was insanity.

Carlisle's POV

I had made my decision, now it was if Bella would oblige…oh and I had to tell the others-that might help.

'you are all familiar with the chief of police? Charlie Swan?' they nodded, Emmet and Rosalie had arrived now. 'he is in hospital indefinitely and that leaves his daughter with no where to stay…' Esme gasped and hugged my waist. Bouncing from happiness, 'thank you' she whispered, catching on. 'and she came across us, in the adopted parents file'

Edward did not look pleased, 'I'm not' he said curtly. I carried on. 'she flicked through tens of families but she didn't take a seconds glance at then, and then she stopped at us, saying we were what a family should be, but she didn't want to ruin it, so she left and said she'd sort something out'

Edwards face softened, I could see it. He looked away obviously hearing my observation. 'and I want to offer her personally if she would like to join us' I concluded 'can I come?' Alice said suddenly excited while Edward looked at her in shock 'Alice!' he shouted.

'what! I want to meet my future best friend!' she said innocently, Edward wasn't the only shocked one now. 'hey don't have a go at me Edward! She's going to be your best friend to!' she said it out loud just to make us aware of this fact, I'm sure Edward had already heard this.

'that doesn't make it right Alice' he told her sternly. 'can I come?' Esme said quietly, I nodded 'of coarse, you have a right to see your daughter' I said smiling 'wait! She hasn't even agreed!' Edward protested.

'can I come! I want to meet my new sister!' Emmet said excited 'yeah same' Jasper added, though in more of a grown up manner.

Edward groaned 'do you not see what you are doing?' he exclaimed 'you're putting a human, girl in a house full of vampires!' he told us. We went on bantering until Alice had another vision, Edward froze, his eyes widening ever so slightly. 'see?' Alice said to Edward 'I wasn't making it up, you will be best friends' she told him and he sighed 'fine, when do we leave?' not like he needed me to say, but the others did.

'in about 30seconds' I said running up stairs with Esme to collect some photos of Edward when he was little that his mother had given to me, and some identification for me and Esme. 'they know who you are Carlisle' Emmet chuckled seeing me come down with passports. I rolled my eyes, and ran out the door, the others hot on my trail.

Bella's POV

I sat flicking through some pointless, aimless magazine that really didn't hold my interest. That didn't last long-not that I had expected it to-and I moved to the window. I stared and imagined myself somewhere else, somewhere where Charlie and I were both fine and well.

I had been so absorbed I hadn't heard the door open and close, I was shocked and startled to hear a floor board creak. I dashed to the corner of the room, and got lower as I scanned the room, my eyes landed on a group of pale people, but not any people. The Cullen's.

'Doctor. Cullen?' I asked, quietly but it was hard to miss the growl that nearly escaped my lips.

'You sure she's not one of us?' a big, muscly on joked, he looked like a teddy bear, I smiled faintly. Doctor. Cullen found his way through the crowd that was his family, with another boy by his side, bronze hair, golden eyes, this must be Edward?

'don't take this the wrong way but why are you here?' I said, a nicely as humanly possible under my stress and coming down from my OCD faze. I had this thing with magnets as well (they still don't talk to me).

He chuckled lightly, whereas Edward look like he was concentrating hard on something. 'I thought you'd like to meet my family' he said, I went into a dream like state. '…family' I mused the word, something I hadn't got the chance to say for a while.

A heart faced lady looked sympathetic and joyous all at the same time. 'Esme' Doctor. Cullen called, the lady stepped forward. 'this is Bella' I had no idea why he had introduced me to his wife separately but I didn't mind, she seemed nice.

I stepped forward 'hello Esme, very nice to meet you' I curtseyed smiling, he hand went to her heart, she smiled and seemed like she was trying to cry…from happiness. 'hello dear, is it Isabella?' she asked, I bit my lip 'Bella' Edward corrected and I looked perplexed at him. He gave a lopsided smile.

He extended his hand 'I'm Edward, you must be Bella' he said, I took his hand. Just then a blur of a small, spiky, black haired, girl flew through the air. 'Alice!' a blond girl exclaimed, catching her by the waist just before she reached me.

I laughed, 'its ok' I said, they all looked at me in shock. 'see! I want to see my future best friend!' she exclaimed, she looked older than me, yet she acted younger. I smiled. I opened my arms, most mouths had touched the floor at this point. She beamed and ran into my arms, or well, I was caught in hers.

'Alice, don't smother' a blond hair boy teased, 'shut up Jasper' she said hugging me tighter, I gratefully returned the hug, I hadn't had a friend before. She bounced back and lugged the boy she named Jasper forward by the arm. 'this is Jasper' she said merrily. 'I am capable of introducing myself Alice' he reminded her, 'but I wanted to introduce you' she said pouting he sighed.

'Nice to meet you Bella' he said shaking my hand 'likewise, Jasper' I said testing his name. the blond haired girl stepped forward next 'I'm Rosalie' she was beautiful, ego diminishingly beautiful. 'I'm glad to be meeting you, Rosalie' I said and extended my hand, to my surprise she hugged me. 'If Alice gets a hug so. Do. I!' she said simply.

She pulled back and the last, the big one, came forward. 'hey Bella' he said and picked me up 'I'm Emmet!' He laughed, I laughed along with him 'hey Emmet!' I called down. 'you're funny' he said putting me down 'and you're like a big teddy bear' I observed back 'oy!' I smiled and everyone laughed.

'I'm gunna like you' Rosalie said. 'what do you mean you're going to like me?' I enquired. 'ah well Bella-' Doctor. Cullen began, but was interrupted 'maybe you should tell her your name?' Jasper suggested 'oh! Yes! Sorry' he said apologetically, 'its fine' I assured him 'I'm Carlisle' he said giving me his hand 'nice to meet you…again, Doc-Carlisle' I corrected myself as quickly as I could but Emmet caught it.

'short term memory eh?' he teased 'pretty much' I said rolling my eyes. I couldn't believe how at, at home I felt with them…and already! 'as I was saying…' he said and a wave a calm fled through me 'wait!' I said hastily, then I froze. 'n-never mind' I noticed it, Jasper.

'Bella? What's the matter?' Esme said urgently. 'its nothing, do carry on' I said and to my surprise I was calmer that I should be, that didn't stop me cover the outer edge of my right hand though.

'I was here, to ask you…would you like to join our family?' he asked, I froze in shock all over again 'I don't want to ruin anything' I whispered, and they all seamed to get what I meant. 'Bella, you wouldn't ruin it!' Emmet and Alice exclaimed. I looked baffled at them. 'you'd make it' Alice assured. And Edward seemed more focused as ever, concentrating so hard he didn't even seem to be aware of this whole scenario.

'Bella, please' Carlisle pleaded 'I know its your decision, but if it is only that fact that concerns you, don't consider it! That would not be a problem what so ever. And I doubt you'd be rid of Alice either way' he add and I smiled at her 'you're like a little pixie' I stated, and that broke Edward out of his trance 'she has a point' he said chuckling. 'sweet on the outside, a little devil at heart' he said to her, she glowered.

'I'll-I'll think about it' I said and then I saw her face, she look so upset so crushed. 'ok' I said small and quiet-mouse like. Her eyes widened and then I was engulfed in her arms. 'thank you! We'll all love you so much!' she said I smiled 'family' I murmured into her hair 'at last'.

Well there we are, I have 2 more chapters lined up, ready to be posted but it depends if I get a response asking me to carry on or not :D its in your hands

Sasha XxxX