I knew it wasn't going to be easy. When I had first suggested to Carlisle the idea of adoption, he'd said we should think about it. Of course, it had been something I often found myself thinking about ever since I was told I wouldn't be able to have children of my own.

Carlisle and I, after finding out how much it costs to raise a child, how long and stressful the process of adoption would be and questioning every possible mistake we could make in a child's life, had decided, as my husband had put it 'absolutely not'. It really wasn't rational thinking then, that we found ourselves one year later signed up as foster parents.

I let out a shaky breath as Carlisle pulled into the parking lot of one of those quaint, little family-diner-type places. Carlisle looked over at me and smiled reassuringly. Despite my nerves, I smiled back at him. It was our first meeting with our first prospective foster child, and honestly I was terrified – I didn't get a wink of sleep last night.

Carlisle held my hand as we entered the restaurant that suddenly seemed more daunting than the millions of times I had passed it in my lifetime, and I silently thanked god Carlisle had gotten off work in time for this. Not only would I have been forced to endure this without my better half, but what kind of impression would that make on the social worker? They'd think he was probably some deadbeat who didn't care enough about the kid to even show up, they'd probably think him some horrible drunk or – alright that may be an exaggeration, but honestly after the screening they put us through I wasn't sure what they would think of us.

The waitress seated us and informed us the rest of our party wasn't here yet, very politely I might add 'They ain't here'. Although I already knew that from scoping out the cars in the parking lot and not seeing Tanya's unmistakable, shiny blue SUV.

I informed the waitress that we'd wait to order and she didn't try very hard to mask her irritation. Teenagers I thought with a smile. Our son, our prospective foster son I mean, was already 10. I wondered what our house would be like in a few years when he starts to work and date and… oh dear lord. Well that is, of course, if he stays with us; if we're able to adopt him. Plus he was only 10, still really just a baby in a lot of respects.

"Esme, dear" My attention was drawn to Carlisle who placed his hand over mine. "If you think we're nervous imagine how Edward must be feeling"

True I thought what that poor child must be going through, on his way to meet random strangers.

"Yes, dear" I delicately bit the inside of my lip "But do you think-"

I stopped when I noticed Carlisle's eyes wander to the door and followed his gaze to where I saw Tanya entering with a child – Edward I told myself and I could've cried right then and there in the middle of that stupid family restaurant. Looking over at the pair that made their way over to our table, suddenly everything felt real. Edward finally had a face! It was certainly quite a cherubic one as well. He had messy locks of bronze colored hair and was wearing a clean flannel open-button shirt over a tee. He indeed looked like your stereotypical ten year-old boy.

"Carlisle! Esme!" Tanya greeted, seating Edward next to her and shaking our hands. "You look lovely, how're you doing?"

"We're doing well. Thank you, Tanya" Carlisle replied and I nodded in agreement.

Edward was staring at us and I could only imagine what was going through his mind.

"This is Edward" Tanya smiled looking down at the boy who had quietly pushed himself into the corner of the booth. "Edward this is Esme and Carlisle, they're wonderful people and I'm sure you three will get along great"

Edward looked up at her as if in awe, or possibly a bit sick, of her optimism.

"So Edward, you're ten that would make you in the fourth grade?" I asked smiling down at him.

Edward nodded.

"How do you like it?" My husband asked with a hint of playfulness. "Any better than the third?"

Edward just looked at us for a moment. I think he could feel Tanya staring at him when he answered quietly;

"Yes…"

Carlisle and I smiled.

"Well I'm glad to hear that, do you play any sports?"

"I… don't really… like sports very much…" The boy was staring down at the menu.

"Oh! But Edward is quite the musician" Tanya was beaming "aren't you, Edward?"

I almost chuckled at Edward typical preteen reaction because apparently Tanya had just humiliated the child. He face turned red and his eyes widened.

"No! no, not really…" He refused to look up now.

The adults at the table stifled their laughs.

"Oh Edward that's wonderful, it's not every day you meet a child with such cultured interests" Carlisle told him. I suppose it was because we had expected his interest to involve Gameboys or football like most children his age. "What do you play?"

I could feel his contempt toward his social worker from across the table. It was terribly adorable.

"I play the piano"

Carlisle and I smiled again.

The night continued on like that, we ate, prodding Edward for information about school and hobbies and friends (although I noticed he became more silent about that last subject and I was slightly worried about that) eventually by the end of the evening I think Edward had warmed up to us, if only a little.

The waitress brought us our check and Edward excused himself to go to the bathroom.

"I'm sorry about Edward tonight; he's just a bit shy… but you should have heard how many questions he had on the way over! I think this will work well, guys, because this is your first foster child and this is his first foster home" Tanya apologized.

"I suppose that's a good reason to be nervous, can't say I'm not a little nervous myself" I smiled. "But Edward really is a joy"

His was, I had already fallen in love with him – and I could tell the same was true with Carlisle.

"Isn't he? It's great. Now, everything seems to be order and going well, so I'll bring him by for a home visit on Tuesday?" We nodded at her.

Tanya smiled and hesitated for a moment. "and I think he could go home with you by the 17th"

The 17th! Lord, it was already the 9th, this was going awfully fast. I couldn't tell if I was more nervous or excited at the thought of having a child in our home. After so many years of trying, after waiting so long to become foster parents, faster should be better right? Of course this obviously wasn't something to rush into.

"We can't just take him home right now?" Carlisle joked and we all laughed.

"Soon enough" She gave a little grin. "I really have a lot of faith in this"

Edward came back to the table just as we were getting ready to leave.

"It was great to meet you" I shook Edward's hand, which he somewhat reluctantly accepted. "You're a very charming young man"

"It was nice meeting you too" I think there was some sincerity to his voice. "You two seem really nice…"

"Thanks, I hope we live up to that praise" Carlisle chuckled. "So we'll see you on Tuesday then? And you can come see our house?"

Edward nodded his mood seeming brighter now.

"Great"

As we were walked outside to the now dark parking lot, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"You'll do great" Tanya whispered to me and then ran to catch up to Edward who was making his was over to the familiar SUV.

I almost felt the urge to cry again.