Thank you so much for the reviews. They make me feel warm and fuzzy inside ^_^

Disclaimer: I own none of these amazing characters but the plot is mine, all mine.

No I'm not insane, though many would say that I can be.(Darien, you lost your dedication when you didn't respond to the email)

Again I owe this chapter to Liz. I didn't want to write a filler chapter that only built a relationship, even though it is important, between the main characters. I think I did okay. Let me know what you think (I'm not above begging for reviews)

To LilStrawberriBananaMasochist, yes I plan on writing up to Bella but I'm not sure I if I'll be able to fit it in around all the crap that my teachers decide to give me to make me a better student. Who said senior year was a piece of cake?

Something I would like you to keep in mind, this is newborn Esme, however she might differ for canon (how little there is of her), remember that she will develop into the sweet loving mother of the Cullen kids.

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I stepped through the front door with silent steps. The room was empty. Not a voice sounded but I heard everything. I took the stairs leading up to the next floor.

The slow nightfall set fire to the window's edges. The yellow orange flames framed two perfect beings. Embraced in unbound affection, Carlisle and Esme stood glittering in the sun's final rays. Their minds blazed with passion. Neither watched the sunset nor did they notice my presence. Eyes locked, they stood forehead to forehead.

If I didn't interrupt I wouldn't have been able to run fast enough to escape their coming actions. I cleared my throat meaningfully. Such a pointless human gesture seeing that nothing could possibly be caught in my throat. I might as well have coughed, sneezed, or yawned; the action was so meaningless. And yet it served my purpose.

Edward! Carlisle turned. He looked at me with surprise and embarrassment, like a teenager getting caught by his parents with the girl next door.

"Carlisle," a soft voice annunciated. Esme's eyes fluttered to meet mine. With molten fire, she gazed at me. They reminded me of my own golden eyes which seemed so out of place now. The hue was unique to her though, something I had never seen before in Carlisle's or even my eyes. The blood red could have been cut out from the sunset behind them, like it was the missing color of a perfect rainbow.

I shifted my gaze to Carlisle. He looked at me apologetically. His dark red eyes contained only hints at their usual hue. I remembered that color twice before. Memories returned of my turning, of gazing into those unnaturally perfect eyes, and finally of Esme's first night when Carlisle had found me in my trance. I had ignored the color at the time due to my preoccupation with Esme's thoughts. Now it was blatantly clear he was satisfied, deep inside, his beast was sated.

I felt out of place in more ways than one. Both were deeply in love as if their whole existence culminated at this one moment together. And they were both gorged on human blood. Carlisle wouldn't admit he had enjoyed the experience, the sweet taste flowing into him. He denied his pleasure now but I was with him in that moment, I knew what he was feeling as he bit down. He couldn't lie to me. Esme had few spare thoughts which she did not devote to Carlisle and those pondered the nature of her hunger.

All Esme needed was guidance from Carlisle and her instinct would take over. "Who is he?" Esme walked up to me, her petite form enhanced her graceful movements as she circled me. Her assessments were of two natures. He isn't food. The first made me laugh lightly, her first impression was such a predator's sense. He is like Carlisle though, like me.

Carlisle sighed. "This is Edward, my –"

"Brother," I inserted. He stared at me with questioning eyes and a puzzled expression at the new title. I felt that I had out grown his parental guidance, proven myself worthy and able to exist outside his perfect circle.

Esme seemed pleased at my removed relationship with Carlisle. He isn't competition, came her next assessment. Her defenses lowered as she accepted the order of things. I smiled as if to ensure her that Carlisle's affections would not be split between us. "Edward is a beautiful name," she whispered. I felt her embrace me as part of the family. We weren't really related but it worked for all intents and purposes.

The awkward moment kept Carlisle silent but Esme was more lively. Hugging me fiercely she remembered not to brake me in half. "My name is –"

"Esme," I said quietly looking at the top of her head. It startled her that I knew her name before she could give it. She stepped away from me. He knows me somehow. She quickly brushed her confusion aside assuming Carlisle had told me her name.

"Yes, Carlisle found me –"

"In the morgue, you were half dead. No one thought you would survive seeing as you threw yourself off a cliff… Your heart was barely beating and they didn't see any possible way for you to survive… You jumped… Because your son died," I provided. No need to hear the tale when I nearly lived through the horror myself.

This took her aback. She didn't think Carlisle knew that much about her past. At least he hadn't said anything to her about it. Esme glanced in his direction to see the pain and sorrow on Carlisle's face. He didn't know about the baby. "How do you know this?" Her curiosity spiked. Was he watching my every move when I… when I was human?

"Edward can read minds, Esme," Carlisle informed her gently. He took her into his arms again. He held her like I had held Elizabeth right before… Drop it! They both watched me, one with calm eyes and the other with compassionate interest.

"Really," she squeaked with fascination. "What am I thinking right now?"

"Well, if you don't mind… I'd rather not say." She would have blushed, but that was just another human action that no longer could function in this life. Instead she just shied into Carlisle's arm. "But if you would rather something else then I will tell you this. I remember your sorrow at the words of the doctor. The beautiful cliff you found to end your life. I remember falling so far, so slowly, to the end. I remember the pain that wouldn't bring death no matter how much we wanted it. And the first time you saw Carlisle, you knew he was worth living for. I still hear the music in my head that eased the torturous pain even as I tapped the keys of the piano. I remember…" Everything spilled out in an uncontrollable string. I stopped as her eyes widened.

Unable to cry, Esme's eyes brimmed with emotions, each like a memory. They would never leave her eyes but inside she cried them happily. "That was you playing the music?" she pulled away from Carlisle to stand closer to me. "You knew what I felt even when it caused you such pain?"

"I was pulled in by your…" Overpowering mind. "pain. I didn't…" have a choice "want you to be alone." Lying was suddenly natural, like I couldn't hurt her. There was no reason to tell her I suffered because of her. "The memory of the piano –"

"Had no music. It was like I couldn't remember what song was playing," she interrupted.

"Well, no, it didn't. But it did inspire my symphony. You seemed to like it at the time," I smiled to myself.

"Thank you," thank you, thank you, thank you. "I thought I was going to die.
You don't know how much you helped me."

"I guess I don't, but your appreciation is clear. It was my pleasure to help you in your time of need. Call it repaying a favor if you will," I replied.

"And what favor did I do for you to deserve such a gift in return?" She looked doubtful that I had only repaid a debt.

"Carlisle helped me in a similar way when I was turning." She looked at Carlisle. He stared at me with compassion in his eyes. "Yes, I went through that as well… but Carlisle took my hand and the pain faded. I'm not sure but I think it allowed me to see into his mind. I couldn't read minds as a human but I must have been keen on guessing what people thought. I don't remember my life that well anymore. I must have used his mind as an escape route from the pain." I hadn't told Carlisle this much before because I only began to understand it after Esme's ordeal. "I paid him back by helping you."

"Thank you, Edward," Carlisle whispered. I nodded to him. Are you all right?

I nodded to him again. I knew what he referenced. He was grateful that I lied to Esme about why I endured a second turning, instead of damaging her fragile state. I was emphatic in ensuring him that I was fine. The pain and powerlessness had passed, and I felt whole again.

Where did you go… After Esme's was finished turning?

I waved away the question for a later time then turned the movement into a suggestion. "Would you like to hear the piece again?"

"Yes. I would like that very much Edward," Esme declared keeping to our mock formality.

I led the way to the large black piano. Carlisle and Esme stood beside the bench as I lifted the cover from the keys. The ivory settled beneath my fingers with ease. An icy chill had settled over them in my absence but now they would warm again with the fever of my playing. I began with the rhythmic pattern and then flowed steadily into the more complicated frames. So many keys vibrated at once to produce a strong tune without audible pause. I ended it with the same triumphant notes that led Esme through the torment. It cut off abruptly with the climaxing notes. I turned to my audience, with a pleased smile.

Esme clapped ecstatically and Carlisle kissed her on the cheek. The affection wasn't without passion but it displayed his deep and never ending love for the woman before him. He smiled at me. "It's beautiful, Edward."

Esme nodded. "I think I liked it better the second time I heard it," she said thoughtfully. There was no pain involved this time…It is very beautiful.

"You are welcome, when ever you wish to hear it I will be obliged to play it for you," I promised.

"That is very generous of you," Esme declared. I feel so hungry my stomach should be complaining with thunderous out bursts.

"What do you say to having a meal, Carlisle," I asked for her.

"You read my mind, Edward. Yes, Carlisle I feel ravished. What is there to eat around here?"

Carlisle's eyes darkened. I can not show her Edward. Will you help her?

"Why can't you," I asked ignoring Esme's glances at me then at Carlisle.

You know very well why I can't… now will you do this for me?

"Why can't you," I repeated.

Damn it Edward… He sighed. Because I have had all I can take for a while…I'm full. Now will you help her?

"Yes," I whispered. Esme stared at us, anger was an unknown emotion for her. She knew she was being left out of a conversation, and a heated one at that. She didn't mind much but concern crossed her mind at the few harsh words she was hearing. The apprehension was for both of us. Carlisle couldn't even do that when we were both in need. "Esme, would you like to find a meal with me?" I held out my hand.

"Why yes, I would. Lead the way," she said looking back a Carlisle. She took his hand and pulled him along as she took mine. I opened the front door and stepped out into the fading light. The sun peeked over the trees like an moving oil painting. The sky burned as if the color leaked from the glowing orange orb and drenched the clouds in bright red fire. I closed my eyes and felt the sun warm the white shirt I was wearing. Running had dried it mostly but the chill water was now completely expelled from the fabric. I stepped forward and released her hand.

Esme's thoughts invaded the inside of my eyelids with her vision. I stood before her facing the sun. The wind ruffled my hair and the bronze stood out against the fiery sky. Light shot off my exposed skin. The white cotton shirt fluttered lightly around my form. I turned to face her and my golden eyes still held the sun's light. "Try to keep up," I whispered.

I ran hard and fast. Newborn strength gone I wasn't as fast as I used to be but Carlisle wouldn't be able to keep up. Esme, however, danced beside me in a playful jog. "Can you keep up, Edward?" She began to sprint forward with delicate speed. The ground didn't rumble at her steps but the trees shivered in her passage.

"Esme," I called lightly. I didn't raise my voice above the volume we had used at the house, but within a second she was by my side again. I nodded backwards as I slowed my own run. She glanced back at Carlisle. A smile lit his face. His children were playing well together, and he didn't have to show Esme the monster he could be.

Why doesn't he run with us? She tilted her head in confusion.

"He likes watching us run," I replied.

She turned suddenly but still gracefully. The leaves shuddered at her flight. I slid to a stop and turned to watch. Esme threw herself at Carlisle before he had time to slow down. A thunderous crack issued from the collision. Carlisle hit the ground narrowly missing an old oak. Esme landed onto of him with feral ease. Carlisle held her where she was and levered himself on one elbow. He kissed her deeply. It was so like their first embrace that I contemplated running again.

I would never have gotten far enough away, fast enough not to have heard their every thought. I cleared my throat to avoid any further thoughts in that direction. Carlisle pulled away as Esme stood. With agile ease she pulled the centuries old Carlisle to his feet. She dragged her love along until they were in front of me. I shook my head and laughed. Carlisle looked apologetic but Esme seemed smug at my reaction.

Her bare feet sank in the mud. Grass and dirt clung to repaired skin as she stepped toward me. Carlisle pictured them broken and fractured, blood cling where earth now did. I shook my head of his sad memories.

She took both our hands again and proceeded at a light pace deeper into the woods. I new she could smell a pack of wolves ahead, just as easily as Carlisle and I did. She should start with something smaller… Wolves are dangerous…

I laughed so hard my side should have cramped and I should have fallen over to curl upon myself. "Dan-ger-ous," I chortled. Where was his sense? Nothing could hurt us except, well, us. "She knows what she is doing… clearly." His fear was pointless but he meant well.

"You can stop your private conversations, boys. Let me see if I have this right," Esme said as she stopped at the edge of a clearing. The wolves turned to stare at us. Growls grew in their throats but spilled from their lips as weak whimpers. We didn't smell like food, nor like something they could drive off. The fear in their intelligent eyes divulged their knowledge of us as predators. Not one moved as we gazed at the pack. "A late supper seems appropriate," Esme whispered, no longer able to contain herself.

The sudden noise brought chaos to the clearing. The blood drenched sky foreshadowed the slaughter below. Esme latched on to two of the largest male wolves and snapped one's neck. The savage act was followed by a howl from her other captive wolf as she buried her face amongst its fur. The blood called to her so fiercely that she knew exactly where to bite. Then again… Didn't we all know deep down inside where the blood pumped the strongest against the skin.

She finished it quickly and dropped the body at her feet. Her quick tongue licked her lips as she pulled a piece of fur from her mouth. With delicate precision she had kept any blood from staining her cloths. Carlisle had loaned her a shirt that easily covered her petite form. It was light charcoal. Below that she wore a loose skirt. I was unsure of its origins. I remembered the bloody cloths she was wearing when Carlisle had brought her to the cottage.

"Well, it is very rude to leave a lady to eat by herself so… You boys will join me." It wasn't a request.

I looked at Carlisle. Go ahead. I'll wait here. I shook my head as I ran after the pulsing heart in the woods. I returned seconds later with a squirming wolf in hand. He was fairly large but no where near as large as Esme's. She picked up the dead wolf and prepared to drink.

"Would you prefer another live one," I offered. She looked at me with curious eyes before nodding.

"How kind of you," she replied. I handed her the squirming animal.

"Your first meal should be as good as we can possibly make it," I said taking the limp creature before me. Carlisle frowned at my antics. He didn't like that I encouraged her to enjoy the pleasure found in the kill. I, however, didn't mind letting her enjoy the feast. I could feel the pumping heart as she bit into the creature's neck. I followed suit, careful not to spill any on my shirt. I listened with her as the pulsing slowed and imagined it was my own meal's heart slowing under my hand. A startling effect was that I could actually feel the beating heart beneath my fingers even though it was truly Esme's hand. We finished and dropped the bodies in a pile for the scavengers to feed on.

Both of us appeared the pristine killer. Not a drop was wasted on the ground or our cloths. She was all but hungry for more. The newborn nature made her want to feed on anything she could, but I looked into her eyes. A pure drop of honey had been added to that dazzling color, it was lighter now and drifting steadily toward the butterscotch this diet created. She flashed her clean white teeth in an endearing smile and danced back to Carlisle.

His eyes were just as bloody. I thought maybe he had his fill of blood for the week and couldn't stand to take another drink. He already hated killing so why do it more then he had too? Then another thought, a jealous thought, crossed my mind. He didn't want to taint the taste of her blood. The sweet nectar he would never again drink rang pure in his memory and in his throat he could still taste it.

I smiled at him too. "Your welcome," I mouthed.

Thanks. He muttered in his mind before hugging Esme, now slightly warmer from her meal.

We went back to the cottage to trade stories and show Esme the lighter side of this life. Esme was special. Her mind could be very…difficult to understand. Past her overwhelming emotions, Esme was a thoughtful woman. She had opinions and ideas. Her passion would guide her in this new life.