Disclaimer: I own nothing that you will find in the world of Twilight, it all belongs to SM.

I want to say thank you to all of you who read this story. You're wonderful especially those who take the time to comment and review. Thank you , thank you, thank you!

I'm completely amazed that anyone actually reads my scrawl.

WARNING! there is a small lemon in this chapter so if you are too young or uncomfortable with such things please don't read it.

I hope you enjoy this chapter, please please let me know. (Edward is curious too you know what you think, of course Alice already knows what you will think, but she won't tell me!)

Love

Aea

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Chapter Seven: Meetings

She walked on shaking legs to the front door and her breath caught as she opened it. Two perfect figures stood smiling at her. A tall angelic faced, blond haired man stood on her doorstep, beside him stood an equally angelic looking woman with soft caramel hair. Both had the same strangely coloured eyes, almost the same amber shade as Edward's. She knew they were Carlisle and Esme. Encouraged by their kind and curious smiles she smiled as she stepped aside to let them in. A nervous Edward quickly ushered them into the reading room and Bella followed as she tried to calm her racing heart.

Carlisle and Esme were sat on the sofa, patiently waiting. Edward was propped awkwardly against the mantle above the warm fireplace. She shyly took her seat in her favourite chair and glanced up at Edward.

"Carlisle, Esme may I introduce Miss Swan..." Edwards voice was soft and shy.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Miss Swan." Carlisle smiled brilliantly and her mind seemed dazzled.

"We have heard so much about you." Esme's voice was warm and gentle.

"oh please call me Bella, it's nice to meet you both... I assume like Edward you... er don't drink er Tea or anything?" Her embarrassment made Edward and Carlisle smile kindly at her, Esme choose to answer.

"You are right Bella... please don't be embarrassed... we are... different. I don't know how much Edward has told you?" Esme looked at Edward asking silent questions.

"I know he drinks blood. His skin is ice cold and I suspect yours is to. I... I know he thinks of himself as... as a monster. But I do not believe that he is." Bella locked eyes with Edward, her gaze intense as she spoke the last few words in a whisper.

Carlisle sighed.

"We are monsters in a sense Bella, we just try our best not to be... Edward you ought to tell Bella exactly what we are, she will find out soon enough son." Edward looked blackly at Carlisle, before sighing sadly.

"Oh this is nonsense! I will tell her and she won't be too bothered" A chirpy voice called from the doorway. Alice stepped into the room and quickly moved towards Bella. Edward growled and stepped in front of her shielding her from Alice's view.

"Oh Edward! move out the way!... She is my friend too!" Alice whined at Edward who was still growling lowly at Alice and refusing to move despite Alice's tugging on his arm.

Bella stood behind Edward and placed her arm on his.

"Edward! stop growling at Alice... actually why are you growling at Alice?" she demanded.

Carlisle's mouth twitched as Edward looked a little guilty, Esme smiled enjoying her sons new found happiness and hoping Bella could join their family. Alice smirked at Edward.

"Yes Edward why are you growling at me?" Alice's eyes went all wide and innocent, but her smirk gave her away.

"I... well. Alice you moved too quickly towards her, you were going to touch her. I... you could have hurt her, I won't let anyone hurt her... she's mine!" The room went still. Carlisle and Esme looked pointedly out of the window. Alice looked fit to burst with happiness. Edward slowly lifted his eyes to Bella's, afraid of her reaction to his words.

She looked at him, shocked. Not understanding why he would ever want her when he could have anyone he wanted. She opened and closed her mouth several times to speak but no words came out.

His words were fiercely possessive, she knew she should be frightened of them but she couldn't bring herself to fear him. She acknowledged the sudden realization that she wanted to be his.

"Bella..." Edward's whisper was pleading. She looked up and noticed the room was empty apart from the two of them.

"I'm sorry, I never meant... it's just that... I feel so protective of you, I feel so much for you. You are like the sun pulling me into orbit... I didn't mean to upset you or frighten you...please forgive me I can't be... without you" His voice was pained and broken.

"I'm not frightened of you, Edward. I just... it's a little overwhelming that you would... want me." Her blush burned on her cheeks and his cold hands reached out to cup them gently.

He smiled feeling the warmth of her and swallowed the small pool of venom that had gathered in his mouth. Her scent was heaven itself, her blood sang for him. But he could never harm the beautiful creature before him, he would destroy himself before that could ever happen.

"Bella... you do not see yourself clearly. You are perfect to me. Beautiful and enchanting." His thumb slowly brushed across her lips. Her lips parted and he felt her hot sweet breath against his thumb

"Don't move." He whispered hearing her heart race. He slowly ran his one hand down her arm to her waist and gently pulled her against him. Her blush spread subtly to her chest making his throat burn with thirst. But another need had taken over him, a new hunger ran through his frozen body.

"Edward..." she whispered her eyes had darkened with desire and he could not hold off any longer.

He softly placed his lips on hers, his tongue gliding across, tasting her.

She gasped against his mouth her tongue darting out to meet his. She felt a fire start to burn deep within her, instinctively she wound her hands into his bronze hair and pulled herself against him.

His arms tightened on her as the desire made him ache. He deepened the kiss, invading her mouth and drinking her sweet taste. She moaned and he could feel her heat against his arousal.

"Well isn't this romantic." A bored and slightly sarcastic voice drawled.

In an instant Bella found herself behind Edward, her heart still racing and her face flushed. She almost groaned aloud from the loss of contact.

Edward relaxed and Bella stepped to the side to view the owner of the new voice. Her eyes widened as she took in the amazon beauty. The woman was tall and though slim she had curves to die for, her golden locks cascaded down her back. She to had the strange golden eyes.

"Rosalie... Alice didn't mention you were coming." Edwards voice was strained. The blond woman ignored him and focused on Bella.

"Isabella Swan my name is Rosalie Cullen, I have given my brother enough opportunity to... explain himself to you, so now I will do it for him." Her cold eyes remained on Edward's as she spoke.

"Rose... I don't want.." Edward began.

"Edward you have had enough time, she deserves to know the truth... all of it. Isabella should know what risks she is taking." Rosalie spat, her words laced with venom. Bella frowned, she wasn't sure she liked this bitter woman.

Edward sank onto the couch his head in his hands. She didn't like to see him upset and she turned angrily to Rosalie.

"I am sure Edward will tell me in his own time what he is." Her voice shook, despite her anger, this woman frightened her. The woman frowned.

"You need to know now. I know Edward has told you a little about our family. Carlisle, Esme, Alice, her mate Jasper, Edward and myself... you know yourself we are not human. We are creatures you would think of as mythical, but we are not. We crave blood, we drink blood to live, if this can be called living. We are incredibly strong, some of us are so fast we could run from here to Canada in a few hours. We could swim the Atlantic ocean in half a day. Very very few of us have control over our bloodlust. We are Vampires."

Edward groaned as if in pain. Bella looked down at him and tentatively placed her hand upon his shoulder. He looked up surprised. Bella looked up again as Rosalie continued.

"We feed on animal blood, it makes our eyes golden. A vampire that feeds on humans has blood red eyes. Some humans smell better to us than others and this can be tempting to us despite our years of... abstaining. But you are different, your blood calls to Edward in a way that no others have. You would smell delicious to any vampire but to Edward, you are his own personal brand of heroin. If he loses control over his thirst, even for a second, he could kill you."

Bella tore her wide eyes away from Rosalie and looked directly into Edwards. He stared right back his eyes filled with fear and despair.

"I used to check on the house from time to time. You moved in the day I came to check on it... I arrived in the evening and immediately I caught your scent. I haven't fed from a human in over eighty years but in that moment I wanted your blood more than anything I had ever wanted in my entire miserable existence. I moved into the house and there you were unpacking boxes. I hid in the shadows savouring the taste of your scent on my tongue... then I realised I couldn't... hear you... I can read minds... in fact every being I have ever come across... except for yours..." His voice trailed of miserably.

She took in a sharp breath and gulped, not certain she could take all this in. He was convinced it was too much for her, that she would run from him any second. But she didn't, she sat down on her favourite chair waiting for him to continue. He noted that Rosalie had left and in voice scarcely above a whisper he continued.

"It intrigued me enough to make me pause... then you turned around and I could see your face. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Your eyes so deep it was as though I could see your very soul. I wanted you in that moment, not your blood, you. Something seemed to shift beneath my feet, as though the world had spun on it's axis. You captivate me, holding me to you. I could never hurt you Bella. I would destroy myself before hurting you..."

He sighed.

"Just say the words Bella and I will leave. But I need to tell you... I am uncontrollably and irrevocably in love with you Isabella Swan." He stood up slowly and turned towards the door. Suddenly Bella was in his arms, having thrown herself at him.

"Don't go... please." She looked up at him her eyes oddly sparkling and a tear leaking down one cheek. He held her against him wishing he could spend forever holding her.

"I know you don't want to hurt me, I accept that there is still a danger that you might. But Edward... I don't want you to go, please stay." She couldn't help begging him to stay. She didn't care if he was dangerous, it was a risk she was willing to take.

He kissed her gently, she kissed him back pouring her emotions into the kiss. He felt the hunger again, the desire. But now was not the time for such things as he could hear his family coming back.

"Bella.." he murmured against her lips. She ignored him her lips pressing harder against his.

"Sorry love, but they are coming back..." She sighed and smiled up at him. They stood smiling at each other until a small whirlwind snatched Bella from his arms.

He growled at Alice.

"Oh shut up Edward!" Alice scolded as she hugged Bella. Bella giggled at him and he smiled softly at her.

"Now Bella, I am going to cook you some dinner what would you like?" Alice didn't acknowledge Edward as he laughed at her. Carlisle and Esme who had just come through the door, were looking surprised at Alice. Rosalie was directly behind them and threw Alice a look of disbelief.

"What... I learned to cook, it's no big deal!" Alice shrugged her shoulders and left the room. Edward and his family exchanged bemused looks. Bella followed Alice to the kitchen.

Alice had cooked a fantastic Chicken Carbonara much to Bella's delight. After being fed, Alice had persuaded Bella into having a manicure. Alice worked on her hands while Edward washed up the mess Alice had created in the kitchen at human speed. He thought it would make Bella a bit more comfortable around him.

Carlisle told Bella stories of his human life while Alice gave her a manicure, Esme and Rosalie sat patiently and listened. Bella was fascinated as he told her how he had been changed and didn't notice Edward slip silently back into the room.

As soon as Alice had finished, Edward pulled Bella into his arms before settling back down in the chair with a red faced Bella on his lap. Esme told her story in her own words and Alice told her all about finding Jasper then finding the Cullens.

By eleven o'clock Bella was tired and couldn't hide her yawn. She blushed again, this time she noticed Esme no longer stiffened at the blood under her cheeks. they smiled at each other.

"We should be going Bella you will need to sleep. I'm sure we will be seeing each other a lot from now on." Carlisle spoke with surprising affection to Bella.

"Goodnight Bella." Esme gave Bella a gentle hug before following her husband out.

"Goodnight Isabella." Rosalie half smiled as Alice pulled Bella out of Edwards arms for a hug. Edward growled lightly this time. Alice rolled her eyes at him.

"Night Bella, see you Tuesday after work. I will be bringing your new shoes over, they will arrive about three thirty two in the afternoon. I'll cook your dinner for when you get back as you will be hungry." with that Alice bounced out the house dragging a scowling Rosalie with her. Bella sighed, she didn't think she needed any new shoes, but she knew Alice wouldn't listen.

Edward pulled her back against him as soon as the front door closed. His lips quickly covered hers and Bella found herself lost in their kiss.

Without taking his lips of hers he swept her up in his arms and headed up the stairs. He nudged the bedroom door open and carefully laid her on the bed. He unwillingly pulled away so that she could get herself ready for bed, but Bella had other ideas.

She pulled him back to her lips and he came willingly. He lay over her supporting his weight on his arms not sure if he was to heavy for her.

Their kiss deepened as their desires grew. She felt his arousal pressed against her core and couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips. He trembled at the sound. His tongue invaded her mouth with a new urgency and she moaned again.

He involuntarily pressed his arousal against her, moving his hips back and forth. The sensation building a fire in his stomach. Bella met his movements with her hips the friction against her core the sweetest torture.

He moved a hand up from her hips sliding it under her top until it met her bra. He grazed his fingers across the thin lace covering her breast. She arched her back and moaned, grinding her hips against his as the ache became unbearable. He could barley contain his desire and ripped her top from her body before roughly yanking her bra from her chest. He took a moment to take in her beauty before lowering his mouth to the peak of her breast. He suckled allowing his razor sharp teeth to lightly graze across the hardened nipple.

She cried out as her orgasm burst ferociously through her body, calling his name. Hearing her call his name as she came beneath him triggered his own release. He pressed his arousal against her as hard as he dared and felt the hot liquid spill from him. He called out her name over and over as he held her tightly against him.

He eventually let go and she whimpered a protest. He gently carried her to the bathroom and taking the rest of her clothes off lifted her in to the shower. He quickly stripped his own clothing off and joined her.

She stared at his naked form and reaching out she ran her hands across his chest and down to his hips. She marvelled at his beauty, likening him to a Greek Adonis. She licked her lips and blushed as she thought of what they had done together. He moaned at the sight of her flushed and licking her lips. Desire coursed through him once more. She smiled teasingly up at him as his member grew hard again.

Ignoring his desire for the moment, he proceeded to wash her body gently, reverently. Amazed by how perfect she was, by how powerful his feelings for her were. She washed him in return, gently lathering his body with soap before running her hands over him.

Once done they climbed out of the shower and dried each other off. Edward slung a towel round his waist and carried Bella back to the bedroom.

She threw on a nightdress and climbed into bed. Bella couldn't stop the yawn that escaped her, as much as she wanted to explore Edward's body she knew she needed to sleep.

Edward sat on top of the covers and watched as she fell into a peaceful sleep. He heard Alice come back in though the back door with a change of clothes for him, before leaving again. He grimaced slightly knowing Alice would have seen what he had done with Bella.

The guilt started to build. He had taken advantage, been less than a gentleman. He scolded himself for his loose morals. Only a husband and wife should do what they had just done.

He looked down at his sleeping beauty and couldn't help but smile, the guilt faded a little.


(peeks over the top of her laptop) :-)

don't forget to review, tell me what you think. Would love to get to ten reviews for this chapter.

Aea

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