Six months after Isabella's death, I was still struggling with it. There was no way I could go back to the life I had before all this happened. I knew that and I wasn't afraid. I thought I was ready to be with Isabella, but I was very wrong. I was glad Carlisle saved me…I would have a second chance, I would get to start over.

I knew it was wrong of me to do this to Zachary after we had just lost Isabella, but I couldn't go back to being a housewife. I couldn't return to that house. There were so many painful memories. I just couldn't stand it. I hoped deep down that Zachary would eventually forgive me even though I know he'd never know what I'd done. I just couldn't handle the pain…it was too much.

Carlisle was indeed a vampire but he was somehow used to the smell of blood and loved being a doctor. Apparently, I wasn't the only patient he's saved. The other male voice I heard belonged to his 'son' Edward, whom had also been his patient a year before."

When I was well enough to stand up, Carlisle gave me a tour of the house and told me I could choose whichever spare bedroom I wanted. I thought it was odd that he was so nice. I was a bit suspicious and thought that he might want something from me later, which he was not getting. I would have to keep an eye on him.

The house was very elegant but not overdone, quite like the bedroom I woke up in, which I assume was Carlisle's. It had an amazing yard which would look even better with a garden. There was a beautiful weeping willow towards the back of the yard that would look amazing if it had a bench to sit underneath it.

Carlisle told me bits and pieces of vampire life. I guess as it came up, he would tell me details I needed to know. One day I was going to go outside for the first time since I had become a vampire and Carlisle stopped me. He explained to me that our skin is different from everyone else's in the sun. It looks oddly shimmery, like we have bits of glitter in our skin. He told me to make sure there isn't anyone around when I go outside in the sun. Vampires mostly go out at night so they don't have to worry about the sunlight.

Luckily the house was a bit secluded, so we could hunt without being noticed and we could come out in the day without causing a panic.

I was in my bedroom reading when I heard Carlisle and the other male voice. I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," I answered.

"Esme, do you have a minute? I would like you to meet my son Edward." said Carlisle.

"Sure," I replied. It's not like I was doing anything important.

I had heard the story of how Edward had the Spanish influenza and Carlisle saved him on the request of his dying mother.

"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." I replied

"Nice to meet you too, Esme."

Edward was just as good-looking as his father. He had the same pale skin and bronze colored-eyes. It just occurred to me that their eyes were a different color from mine.

"Carlisle, why are Edward and your eyes that color and mine are black?

"That is because you are a newborn…a new vampire. As you start to hunt they will change color. That is, if you follow our special diet. Edward and I do not drink human blood. We only drink animal blood."

"Really? That's a relief. I was a bit worried about what I would feed on. I also wanted to ask you why most of the rooms don't have a bed? Do you both sleep comfortably on the futons?"

"Oh I forgot to tell you, we don't sleep."

"At all?

"No, so we have no use for beds. They take up unnecessary room. If you would like one, I could get you one."

"No, that's okay. I was just wondering."

"Well, I'm off to run some errands. Edward, would you like to come?

"No thank you, Carlisle," Edward replied.

It was going to take me a while to get used to this "vampire thing." As Carlisle walked away I couldn't help but stare at his perfectly formed body. He was quite good-looking and nicely built.

Edward remained in the hallway after Carlisle walked away.

"Esme, could I talk to you?"

"Sure Edward, come in."

"I know this is hard for you. After everything you've been through and then having to get used to this life. It can't be easy for you. If you need help with anything just let me know."

I could not believe Carlisle told him what happened to me.

"Esme, I know you don't like that Carlisle told me what happened. I don't blame you. That is your business. But I do know and I want you to know I'm here if you need anything."

"But how…"

"I'm guessing Carlisle didn't tell you my special gift. I can read minds. It must be a vampire thing. I didn't have any special abilities when I was human. It does have its upside, though."

"Wow, I wonder if I have any special gifts. Do all vampires have one or just you?"

"As far as I know, just me."

"Wow, that's amazing. And you can read everyone's minds?

"Yes, everyone. I think it will be good for Carlisle to have a female companion. I know you're attracted to him."

I think if I could have blushed, I would have.

"Well, he is very attractive but don't go getting any ideas."

"Yes, Esme."

I couldn't believe Edward could read minds. I would have to be more careful with my thoughts around him. I did worry about what he said though, about Carlisle needing a female companion. Is that why he changed me? Did he expect us to end up together? Well, if he did, he was going to be very disappointed. I think we both have I bit too much baggage to be in a relationship.

The first time I went hunting with Carlisle, the idea repulsed me. I couldn't imagine harming any creature but I understood it was either this or humans. I was willing to kill an animal in the place of a human.

After hunting a few times, I noticed my eyes slowly started changing color. They went from a black color to a bronze color. Carlisle said I was very unique because most new vampires have a thirst for quite some time. I only had it for about a week and then it slowly subsided. He said I had a very unique gift…compassion and caring. He said that is probably why I didn't slip up and get tempted to kill a human…because I could never harm a living human being. We had a close call one time when we were hunting. There was a couple camping in the woods and Carlisle and Edward thought I would attack them but I wasn't even tempted. The idea alone of killing a human being repulsed me.

Every time we went hunting, I couldn't help watching Carlisle. He was so graceful yet so athletic. I could tell beneath his clothes he had a muscular abdomen and nice biceps. I think he caught me looking at him few times but I would just pretend to be looking at something else. Good thing I couldn't blush or that would be a dead give away. I felt so guilty looking at Carlisle when I still loved Zachary. I knew I would have to get over him, there was no way we could be together and I had to accept it.

Even though I had decided I couldn't be a housewife anymore, that's kind of what my role was in this household. I didn't mind because I figured Carlisle was putting a roof over my head, so it was the least I could do.

One day, Carlisle came home from the hospital in a pretty bad mood.

"Esme, I need to talk to you."

"What is it Carlisle?"

"I've been thinking…you seem to have your appetite well under control. You're ready to be out on you own."

I didn't understand…I was so confused. It was good news but he looked so upset as he said it. Did he want me to leave? Is he trying to hint to me that I'm no longer welcome?

I think the look on my face gave it away because he replied, "I'm not kicking you out or anything, I'm just letting you know that if you wish to leave, you're ready. You can start your life now."

"I'm not ready to leave. If its ok with you, I'd like to stay longer."

A look of relief crossed his face. I had to ask…"Do you want me to leave, Carlisle?"

"Of course not, as long as you want to stay, you are welcome."

Well, that didn't really give me mush insight into how he was really feeling but in the meantime, it would have to do.

I was in my room about a month after my transformation when I suddenly realized it was Zachary's birthday. Oh, how I wished I had something to remember him by. A photograph, of any little thing would have been nice.

A few months after living with Carlisle and Edward, I found that we were a bit like a family. Edward would go to school in the morning and I would see him off and wish him a good day. Carlisle had the night shifts at the hospital but he would spend his days in his study so I didn't see much of him. I would tend to the house, doing the cleaning and gardening, and anything that needed tending to.

I found that I quite liked living with them even though there was nothing going on between Carlisle and I. Oh, how I wished there was. He was such a good man. I had to admit I was skeptical of him at first. No one could be that handsome and good. I soon came to find that he was a wonderful man, as was Edward. It got me thinking…could there ever be anything between us?