A/N: Okay, so yeah, I should probably update one of my other two fics, rather than starting a new one. But what can I say? When inspiration strikes, it just won't let up. Hopefully by getting this out in the open, I'll free my mind up a bit and be able to focus on my other stories.

Disclaimer: I stole the characters from Stephanie Meyer, but the story is all mine.

A New Start

The office was cramped and dark; the single undersized window only letting in the pale grey light of the rain clouds, that forever plagued the small town of Forks. There were stacks of paper and folders piled high along the walls of the, already crowded, room. The large oak desk, overflowing with debris, occupied at least half of the free space; with two identical - and equally uncomfortable - plain wooden chairs, one either side of the dominating feature. Scattered throughout the room were pictures of two children - one male, one female - displaying moments from significant stages of their lives. However, Carlisle Cullen was only interested in the five files that lay open on the desk before him.

Dr Cullen had found himself in the offices of many social workers over the course of his short adult life, yet this was by far the most unnerving. Just a tiny room hidden at the back of Forks Police Department, it was certainly the most unprofessional of all those he had seen before it. Yet it was here, in this very office, that the future of his family was to be decided.

The unimposing woman, who currently sat behind the desk, was doing nothing to ease his nerves. She was currently re-reading - for the fourth time - each of the files that bore his children's names. With every flick her eyes made across the paper, Carlisle's heart threatened to stop. He had been waiting for her decision for almost two hours now, and he very much doubted he could take another moment. Finally, after once again sighing upon reading the last file, she frowned up at her guest.

"This is indeed a very serious matter, Dr Cullen. What you are asking is highly unorthodox." Sue Clearwater replaced the open file on her desk and removed her reading glasses. "However, I do understand your request." She sighed and reached, once again, for the letter she had received from the Cullen's previous social worker.

"We are just trying to do right by the children, Ms Clearwater. We understand that school and social-interaction is vital for them. But, as you can see from their files, it is not always easy for them. My wife and I just think it will be best for them to start again, with a clean slate."

"You are prepared to vouch for these children, Dr Cullen? A well respected Doctor, such as yourself, is willing to put your career and reputation on the line?"

"Ms Clearwater, I would give my life for these children, for my children."

"Very well. But we shall have to handle this carefully." Sue Clearwater passed Carlisle a binder that she had previously prepared. "This contract shows that 'your' children are free to attend Forks High School from the start of this term. Their personal histories will be kept from the school and their permanent records will show nothing but the information you have proposed." Carlisle's features visibly relaxed at her agreement to his terms.

"Thank you, Ms Clearwater. You have no idea how…"

"However…" Sue's piercing voice cut across the Doctor's grateful tones "…There will certainly be some stipulations. If - at any point in time - one of your charges so much as puts a toe out of line, I will be obligated to hand-over all the information I have on your family. I know that you are only doing this for the good of your children, Dr Cullen, but I must consider the welfare of the children of this town."

"Of course. We are happy to help, in any way that we can, to make this easier on everyone."

"Good. Now I am also required to inform the authorities of your family's varied histories. However, the police department should not have to even look at these files, unless one of the children is found to be involved in any illegal activities whilst residing in Forks."

"Naturally. And I can assure you that not a single one of them will cause this town any problems."

"Well that remains to be seen." Her eyes flashed in warning, however, Sue did not voice her scepticism. "Now, I believe it has been agreed that your wife - Esme Cullen - will be staying at home and supervising your charges whilst you, yourself, will be taking a position at Forks General Hospital?"

"Yes, as you can see from our account history, our family is comfortably sustained on my income and the various benefits awarded to us. It has always been a stipulation, of all our social workers, that one of us is to stay available to the children at all times. We shall, of course, have no issues with this request."

"Excellent. Now all that remains is for yourself and your family to each sign the agreement." Carlisle stood with the binder and held his hand out for Ms Clearwater to shake.

"Thank you again. I'll return the contract on my way to work tomorrow morning."

"One last thing, Dr Cullen." Carlisle paused at the door and turned to face Sue, who was now standing to the side of her desk with another folder in her hands. "This is off the record, of course?" She waited for him to nod his consent before continuing. "As you may already know, I am from the Quileute reservation and…and in situations such as this, I find myself torn. On the one hand I have my allegiance to this town and your children, in my position as a social worker, but on the other hand I have my duty to my own people."

"Dr Cullen, I am an Elder on the reservation and as such, I am involved in making crucial decisions that involve the running of our community. I apologise, but I feel that it is my duty to pass your children's files onto the other elders."

"If that is what you feel you have to do, I can hardly argue with you Ms Clearwater." Carlisle Cullen's eyes began to darken and for the first time since they had initially met, Sue Clearwater glimpsed the truly desperate, protective father that lay behind his polite façade. "But I find myself concerned as to what this means for my family and their safety."

"This is a second agreement that I have drawn up, in order to protect both of our interests." She stepped forward, offering Carlisle the folder. "It states that no one from the reservation is to bother your family, in any way, or betray your secrets to anybody outside of the Quileutes. In turn, your family will not be permitted on any part of the reservation. I took the liberty of slipping in a map which clearly indicates the boundaries of Quileute land." Her shoulders squared "Do we have an agreement, Dr Cullen?"

"If you can vouch for my family's security?" It was Carlisle's turn to wait for Sue to nod her assent. "Then we do indeed have an agreement, Ms Clearwater."

"You may leave the first contract with my secretary. However, I would prefer it if you mailed the second to the address I have attached to the file."

"You will have them both by tomorrow." Carlisle bowed his head and opened the door to leave. "It has been a pleasure doing business with you, Ms Clearwater. I hope to see you again soon."

"Not too soon, please Dr Cullen. Just try and keep those kids out of trouble."

He paused to absorb the scene his family created, seated together in their spacious lounge, chatting and laughing; they had certainly come a long way. Edward - as usual - was seated at the piano, playing one of Esme's favourite songs, as she sat on the stool beside him. Jasper and Alice were sat cross-legged on the floor, with their backs lent against the sofa where Rosalie and Emmet were seated. The boys were both facing their generous flat-screen television and, judging by the controllers in their hands and the frowns on their faces, were attempting to beat each other on their latest video game. The girls, however, were avidly involved in their own conversation; with Alice leaning her head on the sofa and Rosalie curled into Emmet's side. Yes, they had definitely come a long way from the children he had first adopted.

"Well?" It was Carlisle's wife, Esme, that was the first to notice his presence in the room. However, at her exclamation, the rest of the family soon quieted and turned their focus on him. "What did she say?"

"Well..." Carlisle began, attempting to hold them in suspense. "...You will all be starting Forks High School in two weeks time, and - as far as anyone else is aware - you will have completely clean records!" Dr Cullen beamed at his family, as Esme threw herself towards him. "It's a fresh start."

"Oh-my-God! We have so much we have to do!" Alice squealed as she pulled Jasper to his feet. "We'll have to go shopping for school stuff and new outfits! This is going to be,like, so much fun!"

"Do we have to?" Emmett groaned as he tucked the petite girl under his bear-like arm. "Isn't it bad enough that we have to go to school? Are you seriously going to make me suffer through the torture of shopping for it as well?"

"Suck it up, mate." Jasper playfully slapped Emmet on the back. "If I have to do it, you'll have to suffer it as well."

"Lets all try and remember to stick to the rules this time, yeah? I'd like to just get my senior year done and out of the way, without having to move again." Rosalie stood and faced her 'siblings' with her hands on her hips.

"Ha!" It was Edward who scoffed, staying seated but turning his body to face his 'sister'. "You can hardly complain, Rosalie. After all, it was your file that caused the most concern…"

"Come on now; Edward, Rosalie. Can you try and be civil, at least until we have got everything sorted out?" Esme's voice was low and motherly, but with an underlying forcefulness that was not to be argued with.

"So, what do we have to do?" Edward asked, quickly changing the subject and making his way towards the group.

"Just sign these two agreements and the rest will be taken care of by your social worker." Carlisle handed the binder and folder over to his children, before slipping his arm around his wife's waist and pulling her towards the kitchen. "So, what's for dinner my angel?"

"Well, lets get this over with. We only have two weeks of freedom left, and I don't plan to waste any of it." Emmet boomed after signing the forms and waiting for the others to do the same. "Baseball anyone?"

A/N: So there it is, first chapter. Tell me what you think.