A/N: Here's another story that has been rolling around my head for sometime now. I know I'm quite busy nowadays, but I'll try to update and not keep you guys waiting.

DC: Twilight and its characters are Stephenie Meyer's.

CHAPTER 1

I hesitated at the door, my hand was poised to knock but I can't seem to do it. How I want to get back inside the taxi and go back to Ms. Quinn's. But the taxi was already driving away. Leaving me alone out here. This house would be my house from now on. But the big house is so foreign to me. Scares me too and I don't know why.

Should I knock? I asked myself for the hundredth time. Why did Ms. Quinn decide to choose me of all the girls under her charge? I miss my room and my roommates. Is it because I'm different? Oh dear, I'm headed down the depression road again better stop myself.

Get a grip, Bella. These people will be your family now. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The door was opened by a beautiful woman in her mid to late 20's. She had curly, caramel-colored hair and cute dimples that were showing since she has a big, warm smile on her face. I liked her immediately.

"Hello, you must be Isabella Swan. I'm Esme Cullen." She extended her hand in greeting.

I shook her hand and was a bit taken aback by the coldness of it. I disregarded the thought and told myself that maybe it was due to the cold weather here in Forks.

She was clearly waiting for my reply. Great Bella, where are your manners?

"Oh, you must be Mrs. Cullen. Yes I am Isabella...Bella, Ma'am" I stammered.

She smiled again and I felt at ease instantly. "Just call me Esme, Bella. Please come in."

I entered slowly. I think my mouth was hanging open when I took in the sight of the Cullen's living room. It spoke of money. Lots of it. I gulped audibly.

When told me that I would be living with Dr. and Mrs. Cullen as my foster parents, she didn't mention that they were this rich. I stood next to a beautiful grand piano. I touched it with my fingers, in awe at its elegance.

Mrs. Cullen must have felt me hesitate. She touched my shoulder in that maternal kind of way. She looked concerned too. "Is there something wrong, Bella?"

"No, Ma'am...I mean Mrs. Cullen. I was just not expecting this." I made a clear sweep of the room not thinking if she would understand.

But apparently she did.

"Don't worry about that much, Bella. This will be your home from now on and I... we want you to feel comfortable."

I was saved from answering when a tall and handsome blond man entered the living room.

"Ah, this must be Isabella. Hi, I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen." He said warmly and extended his hand in greeting.

I was stuck speechless again as his looks and his cold hand registered in my brain.

All this money and no heating?

Stupid thought, Bella. I scolded myself immediately.

The Cullens were looking at me patiently. They must think I'm nuts or something. I have to say something. I have to show them that they didn't get a lunatic for a foster child.

"I apologize for my reaction, Sir...Ma'am. This is just all quite a shock for me you know."

Dr. Cullen seemed amused by my answer. He nodded and took my arm and led me to sit on the sofa by the window. Mrs. Cullen sat beside me. "We understand, dear. We just want you to feel at home." They really are so nice. And so young-looking. Can it Bella Swan.

They talked a little about the weather, how moving to Forks was a nice experience for them and they did some asking about me. I wasn't able to tell them much. I have been living with Ms. Quinn since I was five years old, so not much happened to me. They did not pry much when they saw me a bit closed mouthed about my personal life.

So these would be my foster parents. Not bad. I wondered if their other foster kids would like me too or would they be as nice as Dr. Cullen and his wife.

"You must be hungry from your journey. Come, I fixed you something to eat." Mrs. Cullen held out her hand and I took it. She smiled at her husband and I gave him a weak one of my own. He nodded at the both of us and turned his attention to the newspaper he was holding.

Mrs. Cullen led me to the dining room, which was as splendid as the living room with its antique table and chairs and the big chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I was again dumbstruck by the luxury around me. I didn't notice that I was already sitting until she called me. I was clearly not myself today.

"I made you some soup and pasta. I hope that's ok." She said as she placed the food in front of me. It smelled good. I realized that I was very hungry but refrained myself from digging in. I have to show them that I have manners after all. Ms. Quinn would skin me alive if she finds out that I forgot all her lessons on proper decorum.

I ate slowly as Mrs. Cullen sat down to watch me eat. She was smiling as she watched me. I felt uncomfortable and managed to spill some of the soup on the table.

"Oooppss. I'm so sorry about that, Mrs. Cullen!" I immediately tried to clean up my mess.

"Never mind that, Bella. The table won't be destroyed by a tiny spill." She tried to joke about it. I managed another weak smile at her attempt.

When I was done she took my hand again and led me back to the living room. As usual, I was shocked by her cold hand. But I can get used to that. Maybe they were as nervous as I am.

Dr. Cullen was still sitting on the sofa when we returned to the living room. He laid down the paper he was reading and stood up.

"Bella, as much as I would love to help you get settled in, I'm due at the hospital. So I'll see you when I get back?"

I nodded. Dr. Cullen smiled and kissed his wife on the cheek. He gave us a last wave before he went through the door.

"Ok then, let's get you settled to your room." Mrs. Cullen cheerfully said.

I grabbed my bag. It was the only one I have with me. We lived quite simply at the dormitory so I don't have that much personal belongings to bring along. Just the essentials. She must have noticed my embarrassment at my lack of luggage. She politely said nothing about it.

We quietly took the stairs.

"This is the second floor. We have two rooms here. That one is Carlisle's study. Next to it is our room." She pointed at two oak doors. The second floor was as lavish as the floor below but it was a lot simpler. I followed her as she continued up another flight of stairs to the third floor.

"You'll find Rosalie and...Rosalie's room here and that is Alice's room." I wondered why she seemed to correct herself there for a moment.

"Jasper's room is the one far down the hallway." She seemed careful with her words. Is it me or I am thinking she is hiding something? You are being paranoid, Bella

She smiled at me and led me up another floor. Just how big is this house? As we climbed yet another flight of stairs, I noticed that the Cullens seem to have so many antiques. I recognized a painting or two to be works of some famous artist in the early 17th century. They have almost everything from statues to paintings. I have seen some pictures of them over the internet and I am making a wild guess that what I am seeing are the original artworks.

When we reached the last floor, Mrs. Cullen pointed at the door to my room. There were two other doors on this floor. She opened the door and I slowly followed her inside.

My room is lovely. It has cream colored carpet and walls. It has one big floor to ceiling window facing the back of the house. I took a peek and saw that it has a view of the river. It was breathtaking.

A queen sized bed with a light gold spread was set in the middle of the room. To the left of it I can see a walk in closet (though that would be of little use to me); to the right a study table with a laptop perched on top. Books lined the shelf next to it. I even have a small loveseat near the window.

Mrs. Cullen was sitting on the love seat watching my every reaction. She was smiling warmly at me. I guess she could see how happy I am about my room.

"We were not sure what colour motif you'd like. If you'd like to do any changes just tell us ok, hon?"

"This is perfect. Mrs. Cullen" it was all I could think of to say.

"Esme, please." She corrected me. "And my husband would love it if you would call him Carlisle."

I smiled and nodded, "Thank you so much, Esme."

"Ok, I'll leave you to rest." She turned towards the door but I called out, "I would love some company though."

She went back to sit down on the love seat. I took the corner of the bed. "Can you tell me more about your family? About your other kids too."

"Our family, you mean."

"Oh. I guess I have to get used to that."

"And you will, Bella. Let's see, we came from Alaska and decided to move here because Carlisle was offered a position in the local hospital. Rosalie, Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Edward are all enrolled at the local high school. By the way, you'll be enrolling there too."

I felt suddenly nervous about the idea of me attending a normal school. I had always been schooled privately by Ms. Quinn; she never made me study with the other girls. Until now I never understood why.

"Emmett and Edward's rooms are the ones next to you. But if you prefer to have the girls next to you, we can make them change rooms."

I was a bit mortified with the thought of making my foster brothers and sisters annoyed by that. I didn't notice that I was already shaking my head no. I don't want to start on the wrong foot with them. I've had enough of that.

"No it really is ok, Esme. You don't have to ask them to do that for me."

"You are a nice girl. Although you seem so quiet." She assessed me, "But that would be a welcome change around here." She continued with a smile. She then sat up straight, "Ah the kids are here."

How did she know that? I haven't heard anything.

She took my hand again and led me downstairs. We could now hear voices in the living room. I became so nervous. I'm praying that I don't make a fool of myself.

I am about to meet the rest of the Cullens.