A nearly tangible silence met Bella and Edward as they entered the crowded room,

and then it seemed that everyone began to talk at once. A tiny pixie-like girl with short black hair and sparkling eyes that were full of mischief approached Bella with a warm smile.

"Hi! I'm Alice, you must be Isabella-I am so happy to meet you, I can tell we are going to be great friends! I'm Edward's sister by the way."

"Could you call me Bella?" Bella asked shyly

"Of course!" said Alice with a perfect smile

"And this is my boyfriend Jasper" She said beaming at the gorgeous blond boy she had indicated to. He gave her a perfect smile, which made Bella blush instantly, but she was saved from further embarrassment when another girl approached her.

This one was tall and statuesque, with blond locks that waved gently to the middle of her back, and a body that, even through her casual clothes, made Bella instantly self-conscious. Bella silently wondered if her parents had hired models to be her friends.

"I'm Rosalie Hale" she said in a voice smooth as velvet, and with a smile Bella was sure could attract any boy in the world.

"And I'm Emmet!" said a brunette boy from the couch, waving a hand Bella was sure doubled hers in size. He was massive, with brown curls and adorable dimples, but perfectly built just like the rest of them. Rosalie smiled at Bella, then turned and went to sit on Emmett's lap, looking right at home in his arms.

"Won't you sit with us?"

Asked Alice, still standing next to Bella

Bella nodded and smiled, sitting down between them though minding their personal space, and looking around the room for Edward, but noticing that he was no longer present. As if Alice had read her mind she said

"Edward will be back in a few minutes, he's just gone to-"

"To make out with that bitch so that she doesn't leave him" Cut in Rosalie bitterly. Bella was shocked at the anger that had risen to the surface so quickly of such a composed-looking girl.

Alice sent her a withering look, and Bella noticed Jasper and Emmett squirm uncomfortably in their seats, but no one contradicted Rosalie's words.

"I don't understand" Said Bella, honestly curious "What's the matter?"

"Well" Said Emmett, obviously trying to talk so Rosalie couldn't get angrier,

"You see, Victoria can be a bit…." He trailed of, searching for the word

"Temperamental" said Jasper, obviously trying not to laugh.

"Exactly" said Emmett.

"And when things don't go her way, which has been the case more often than she would have liked lately, she sort of…takes it out on Edward" Said Alice sadly

"But why would he put up with her?" Asked Bella, truly confused. "I mean, he seemed so…."

They looked at her with half-smiles, and she felt that she could be honest

"Stubborn" she finished.

"Well that's exactly the problem" Said Rosalie

"He's crazy about her, and he's too stubborn to admit that it's not working out for them. It's obvious to the rest of us but I mean, he's not going to give her up, even if it drives the rest of us to insanity." Rosalie shook her magnificent head, and finished by lying it on Emmett's shoulder in a resigned sort of way, while Alice and Jasper merely looked at each other knowingly. Bella was just in the middle of thinking about how perfect both couples were together, when a beautiful voice called down the stairs

"Hey kids-Its dinner time!"

Emmett rolled his eyes.

"She insists on calling us kids even when I've been taller than her since Carslisle-"

Alice hastily cut him of. "Since you had your growth spurt a few years ago" She said, looking at him with weary eyes.

Bella had not missed the slip up-who was Carlisle? She thought

"Oh. That's who" She said quietly when they entered the kitchen a couple minutes later.

A beautiful man, who looked much too young to be a father of such mature children, was walking around the kitchen in an apron, looking like the god of all chefs. He was tall, he was blond, and he was more handsome than any movie star Bella had ever seen. Bella looked at her mom who had sat down at the counter nearest her and whispered "And I used to think Jamie Oliver was good looking" Renee smiled, knowing exactly what Bella meant, and Bella could have sworn she saw the corner of Carlisle's mouth twitch, as if he were suppressing a laugh.

"There is no way he could have heard that" She thought, as she watched him move around the kitchen with incredible grace.

Bella shook her head, trying to stop her imagination from running off.

"Just because he's good looking doesn't mean he has superpowers too" She thought to herself.

The atmosphere in the kitchen was relaxed and happy, with Rosalie and Emmett standing close together and laughing at Emmett's jokes, and throwing in a kiss when they thought no one was looking. Alice and Jasper moved in a way that suggested they were physically unable to move away from each other, while Renee and Esme had the distinct air of two best friends reunited. Carlisle made pleasant conversation with Charlie, who to Bella's surprise was actually looking like he was enjoying himself. The incredible scents, wafting from the food Carlisle was making were incredible, and Bella felt peaceful instantly.

"I'm just going to run to the bathroom" She said to the room in general.

"Oh, let me show you where it is" Said Alice, eager to help

"It's alright" Said Bella honestly "I'm sure I'll find it, besides, I don't want you to have to wait"

Not looking entirely convinced, Alice went back to Jasper, and Bella headed for the stairs. She couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful décor around the house, and took quite the detour in getting to the bathroom. She was just walking past a closed door when a voice caught her attention. It was beautiful, clear, but in that low, dangerous tone.

"Edward, that doesn't explain you showing up half an hour late with her after telling me that you were just going for a run!"

"What the hell do you think we were doing Victoria, I wasn't gone for half an hour, and I just met her, do you think were having an affair or something?!?"
"Maybe that's exactly what I think" said Victoria, and Bella almost snorted.

"How am I supposed to know that you've never seen each other before, you're parents are family friends." Edward cut her off "Do you actually think I would go for that little…girl-with you around?"

Bella might have been offended elsewhere but she new in comparison to the rest of his friends, and even his family, she was far from beautiful. This last comment seemed to ease Victoria's anger slightly, and Edward, sensing a chance at redeeming himself, kissed her. Bella, not wanting too see more than she already had, crept quietly to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.