**********

I am so overjoyed to have you in our family.

Never forget that we all love you, so very much.

~Esme

*********

I knew, ever since the day that Edward came home and spoke to Carlisle that you were the one. He didn't want to admit it, and knowing that he needed some alone time with him, I sent them off hunting in Vancouver for a few days. When he returned it looked as though it had done them both a world of good.

Being a vampire has its good points, one of those being you can be so in tune with what someone is thinking and feeling. For decades I had witnessed him looking at his brothers and sisters, not knowing when his turn would come – if ever. He never said anything, but I just knew that he was lonely. Not so much in a physical way, though I'm positive there was that, but he was pining for someone to share his existence with.

The kids went off to school the day after they came back from their hunting trip, and when he returned home he was so confused. I remember him telling both me and Carlisle that he had never wanted to be near someone as much as he had wanted to be with you, that it was so intense it was frightening him.

The next day, he saved your life and according to him, he lost all sense of self control.

Carlisle told me all about this when he got home from the hospital, of course, and as much as I wanted to scold him for being so reckless, I couldn't. My non-beating heart was leaping for him, knowing that he had found you - his soul mate. He hadn't completely gotten there yet, but I knew it wouldn't take long. He was, and still is, a very smart man.

Weeks passed and he had come home one day after spending time with you. He pulled me and Carlisle aside and told us that you knew. There was, no pun intended, dead silence in the room.

All of the family had run into the room with the same expressions on their faces.

Sheer panic.

The interrogation began.

First Rosalie, then Jasper, Emmett and Alice. They all wanted to know what your intentions were, if you planned to expose what we were. He adamantly stated that you had no intention of saying anything to anyone, and you would never do anything to hurt any of us. This brought calm to almost everyone, Rosalie and Emmett were the hardest to convince. I told him that if he was happy and believed that he could trust you, then so could we – as a family. A look of relief washed over his face, and all he could say was a simple but sincere thank you.

Two months had gone by, and every night he was no where to be found. We all knew where he was, sitting at your bedside watching you sleep.

One night that summer he had come home and asked where everyone was. I said that they were all out either hunting or shopping, and he asked me to keep something in confidence. I assured him that I would not allow anyone to read my thoughts. He told me that he had had enough strength to stop himself, and that he had kissed you. I was elated! If it were possible for me to have cried tears of joy, I would have. I threw my arms around him and hugged him, that being the only possible way at the time to express my happiness without words. He didn't need them, he was merely seeking approval. After our hug ended, he became very internal, and didn't say anything. After asking what the issue was, he asked if he could bring you by and introduce you to us. I smiled what had to have been the largest smile I had ever had. I told him how happy I was for him, how he had to treasure her for what you were (and are) and that WE would be honored to have you in our home. I asked about what you might like to eat, and he said that we didn't have to go to any great lengths to impress you. You knew that we didn't eat human food, so it wasn't necessary at all. I said it was ok, but I was planning to whip something up for you regardless. After all, we had to make a good impression.

The day finally came when we met you, his love. Rosalie was in the kitchen as we were cooking for you and as soon as the front door closed, we could all smell you. We absolutely HAD to stop what we were doing, your scent was incredible. Edward never lied, but when he had described your scent to us, his words did not do you justice.

You both walked into the kitchen and we talked for a few minutes, not wanting to overwhelm you, considering you were probably scared to death being in a house full of vampires. I had learned later that you were more afraid that we wouldn't like you, not that we could have you for our main course. I laughed when he told me that.

The next day was cloudy and overcast, as Alice had predicted – the perfect chance for us to play baseball. He asked if it would be alright if he brought you with us, to see us all together being 'normal'. Almost everyone thought that this was a great idea; the only person who had concerns was, of course, Rosalie. She still hadn't come to a decision about whether or not she totally approved of you, but thankfully she tolerated the situation for his sake. She knew that Edward was in love, and that he was happy, and that it was about time he had a little happiness in his world.

The formal introduction, according to his personal protocol, was made to your father, and you was allowed to come to play baseball with us. I welcomed you with open arms, and told you that we would need an umpire. You called them like you saw them, and even Emmett warmed up to you, agreeing with your call when you called Rosalie out.

Our entire family came to your defense when the tracker regarded you as a snack, and we instantly formulated a plan to get you to safety. Edward, of course, could not stop blaming himself for putting you in danger and as I watched the two cars pull out of our garage watching the object of his ever vigilant protection being driven away, the look of utter pain on his face was, if possible, heartbreaking.

You had been lured to your old ballet studio where the tracker was waiting. He arrived just in time, though your leg had already been broken quite badly. The rest of the family showed up quickly and did what needed to be done to the hideous monster that had attempted to ruin my boy's happiness. Carlisle later told me that he had been beside himself wanting another option besides retrieving the venom in the way that had to be done. Edward didn't know if he would be able to stop. Carlisle stood by him, all the while tending to you, and reassuring him that he would be able to stop. He did what needed to be done, and stopped just in time. Carlisle thinks it was the words 'you're killing her' that made him.

According to Carlisle you recovered quickly, but not before several attempts by my son were made to stop you from hurting yourself by being with him. He only wanted you safe Bella, and he felt that if the only way to do this was to have you not be with him he would do it – even if it that for the rest of his existence he would have to be without you.

You refused.

Good girl.

The day after you got out of the hospital he stayed at your side night and day to ensure that you were alright. He somehow convinced you that you needed to go to the prom, and my youngest daughter took matters in hand. She loaned you the most beautiful dress, simple and understated, but incredibly perfect for you. He was so nervous getting ready that I couldn't help but giggle at him whenever I could hear his thoughts. He came out of his room and he walked down the stairway, taking his time because he knew that it would take you a while to get ready being in a cast. He came into the kitchen and all I could do was smile. Carlisle and I handed him the box with your wrist corsage and hugged him before he left. He got into his car and drove away while we watched arm in arm – knowing that he was going to have an incredible night with you, his love.

You both walked in the door after the prom, and he told me what you had asked him to do. He looked so sad that he didn't fulfill your request, but he knew that this was the best for you, at least for now. He wanted you to experience the normal things that a young woman should – going to the prom, graduating from school, going on a trip somewhere. He wanted those things for you, Bella, and he wanted your life to be as fulfilling as possible. If the time came, he said he would grant your request, but he cared so very much for you that he couldn't allow you to miss out on what he had missed in his human life.

He spent every night with you that summer, spending his days with you either at your house when it was rainy or here at ours if it was sunny. Once or twice you fell asleep here when it was late, so I had called your father to let him know that you were alright and you were asleep in our 'guest room'. I think that coming from one 'parent' to another, it was better received. You thanked me each time I made that call for you.

You're welcome, Bella.