Title: Vocal Rhapsodies

Summary: To the world, the Cullens may just be the usual rich, sophisticated family with a business empire. However, unknown to almost all – other than those who enjoy vocal music, they are a vocal ensemble. Yet, Bella only knows them as her favourite vocal ensemble. Until she gets a new job…

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series; Stephenie Meyer does. I do not own the music I'll be incorporating into the story as well (will give references when needed).

A/N: Sorry for not updating lately. Had too many things going on in life. I'll try to progress the story line a tad faster too to catch up.


Chapter 6: Expect the Unexpected

Carlisle's POV

I was pacing near the entrance of the backstage with Esme, waiting for our fan of the night to appear. A Miss Isabella Swan of sorts, or so, as Miss Angela Weber's mail had mentioned. I was amused to see Miss Weber's email to our group, asking for a backstage pass for her best friend. Honestly, I thought only fans would write in for themselves. Of course, it was rather heartfelt to see that Miss Weber wanted it as a surprise birthday present for her best friend, saying that she would totally appreciate such a gift.

I wondered, could it be that perhaps this Isabella Swan whom Miss Weber fondly talked of in the email, was a fellow passionate singer as well? Afterall, Miss Weber's email was interesting enough to let it pass through for me and Esme to give out backstage passes to her. Besides, only those who are interested in such a genre of music would come for our concerts, what more ask for backstage passes? Miss Weber did mention that Miss Swan – or Bella, as she fondly referred to her in the email, was an avid singer, though she did not mention if she was just a mere singer as everyone else, or an ensemble singer. There is a stark difference between that two. The latter, knowing how to work with a larger group than merely just warbling out to their hearts' content.

On the other hand, I was more amused to see Edward, my oldest son, being rifled up for every fan occurrence that he was put through. He always tries too hard keeping his calm demeanor, which proves futile with each and every time he rake his hand through his hair. A nervous tic of his, I figured. Although, I'm not entirely sure that he is actually conscious of doing it. Surely, he would have heard the swooning of countless women. I distinctively remember hearing the phrase "fuck hot" being used by them countlessly. It never fails to amuse me and get me smirking, while Esme would try not to collapse into a fit of giggles.

However, I am not sure what actually set him off today. He seemed pretty distracted after he went out for a slight bite earlier in the day. His hair became a larger bronze mess in comparison to the usual mess it was in. I swear that he almost wanted to snarl and bite my head off when I told him that there would be a fan coming in today too. I myself forgot about it, until I suddenly remembered it when I was scrolling through emails on my Blackberry Torch. It is an advantage to own a smartphone, don't you think? I thought that it was amusing to see him in such a state though. Never had I seen him lose his composure. Or perhaps, he was just better at hiding his negative emotions as opposed to the rest of the family.

But in any case, the objective of such fan sessions was to create the opportunity of finding a replacement alto to take over Tanya when she leaves to pursue her studies in Alaska. I must admit, it is a rather difficult task to find someone to fill the shoes of Tanya, especially since Tanya had been singing together with us since The Cullens started up about 6 years ago. Group chemistry had been tight since then, considering that we are all a family too.

Tanya actually requested for a replacement, not only to fill the sound of the group so that the songs and arrangements would not be compromised, but also to seek a companion for Edward. She knew that they would not work out ideally; Edward did too. But perhaps, they were holding out on mere companionship because the rest of us were practically joined at the hip to our partners. I cannot say that I do not understand how they feel, because I felt the same way too before I had met Esme. It is just part of humans' need for companionship in the environment they are in. An emotional, psychological and physical need. Perhaps, sexual too.

"Mr Cullen, a lady is here bearing a backstage pass. Are you all ready to have her come by?" Tyler came jogging towards Esme and I.

Esme placed her hand gently on my arm and smiled up at me before turning to Tyler and replying, "Sure, we are. Let's have our lucky lady for the night. We'll have her in the green room."

"Sure, Mrs Cullen. I'll bring her there and see you guys in a short while." Tyler waved his arm over his head and jogged back down the corridor.

I wrapped an arm over Esme and pulled her close to me, kissing the top of her head gently and walked down to the green room. Pulling the door open and walking in, I saw Alice and Jasper already lounging on the couch. They turned to look over, and upon seeing us, Alice bounced up from the couch excitedly and over to us.

Alice launched herself at me and grinned, saying, "Dad, Mom, I think today might just be our lucky day. Call it a hunch, and you know my hunches are always right." I patted her back gently and motioned to Jasper to get my daughter off me. This is true, never had her foresight fail our family. Perhaps that's why Emmett call her the crystal ball at times.

"Sweetheart, I know your hunches are always right. But, we'll see, okay?" Esme kissed Alice's cheek lightly as Jasper pried her off me and held her in his arms. "So where are the rest?"

"Well, Rose & Em are off somewhere doing their thing as always. Tanya just left to get Ed," chuckled Jasper as he held Alice close to him while they settled back onto the couch.

Rosalie & Emmett came in behind us, wrapped around each other and Emmett bellowed, "Yo! Wassup? The gig was awesome everybody. Our next and last, is at Seattle right? About fucking time we get out of the rain!"

Rosalie smacked the back of his head while Esme chastised him about his language. "Emmett! Language!"

"Sorry mom! And what the hell did you do that for, Rosie?" as conversation carried on.

There was a quick, sharp knock on the door although it's open, bringing all our attention to Tyler who was standing there. He cleared his throat and stepped inside the green room. "Cullens, this is Isabella Swan, the lady of the night" as he flourished a gesture towards a petite brunette who stepped in meekly right behind him.

Esme and I stepped towards her and greeted her. "Evening, Miss Swan. I'm Carlisle and this is my lovely wife, Esme" I smiled warmly at her while extending my hand for a handshake.

"Please, call me Bella. Miss Swan and Isabella is too formal for my liking, and I'm sure we aren't meeting in a formal setting," smiled Bella as she shook my hand.

Esme walked towards her and enveloped her into her arms, "In that case, I'm sure a greeting like this wouldn't be too formal, Bella. Do call us by our first names too." This might be the first that Esme actually greeted a concert guest like that. Moreover, Bella is the first to not be that snobbish and stick to the whole last name greeting. However, I still have my reserves on how tonight's meeting with the family would turn out.

"Bella, this is the rest of our family, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett," introduced Esme.

Alice skipped up to Bella and hugged her fiercely, "Bella, I think, no, know, that we are going to be best friends."

Jasper greeted her warmly, while Emmett was being the usual –what's that word Alice used, goofball? Random conversation was made to settle Bella in, as we waited for Edward and Tanya. As I glance around the room, I could see that as contrary to the other ladies that we had backstage, my family seems to be more receptive towards Bella. Even Rosalie is warm enough to her to actually carry out conversation with her. Probably, the most important reaction would be Edward's. If he responds well enough, perhaps there could be something worthwhile to happen for him.

Edward's voice soon drifted into my thoughts, "Sorry everyone, I was caught up in my…" as he trailed off. Glancing at him, I saw that his gaze was locked intently at Bella, and as Bella turned to him, she blushed a pretty rouge colour. Interesting, very interesting, as I stroked my jaw thoughtfully.

Alice grabbed Bella's arm and brought her towards Edward, "So Bella, this is my blockhead of a brother, Edward." I saw Edward give Bella a crooked smile and replied, "Yes, I bumped into her shortly a while ago at La Bella Italia. I apologize again for being rude and bumping into you earlier." Now, this is beyond interesting. Apparently, they had met earlier. Hmm.

Emmett's POV

I idly stroked my fingertips onto Rose's exposed skin on her thighs. She had changed into a nice halter top with a short mini leather skirt, which was in no doubt, teasing me. Surely, my hardening cock could wait until we get home, so that I can throw Rose onto our bed and have my way with her the whole night.

Thrusting my hard cock into her slippery, wet pussy the whole night, feeling her ride out her orgasm on me, would be our post-concert ritual. As I inch my fingers up her thigh and beneath her skirt, I could feel Rose widening her legs slightly apart. Of course, the next thing I knew was Rose yanking my hand away and hissing at me to stop what I was doing, as she did not want to give Alice and Jasper a free show as much as they know how frisky we always are. I pouted at her slightly before Rose leaned in and pecked me gently on my lips, silently promising me that I would have my way with her the whole night.

Soon Carlisle and Esme came in, and Tyler brought our friend of the night in. I almost couldn't believe my eyes. The little friend that Tyler brought in was the sweet girl whose photo I saw in the resume which was sent in as an application for Twilight's new branch in Seattle. My eyes widened in realization and Rose poked me gently in my side, wondering what was with my reaction.

I nudged her back gently and shook my head discreetly, whispering into her ear, "Rosie, I'll tell you later tonight, before we get busy, or maybe after." I gently groped her ass and winked at her, before heading towards Isabella, or Bella, as how she would prefer us to call her.

Being in charge of the Human Resource department in Twilight, I have to deal with all the job applications. Of course, sorting out and ensuring that Twilight would get the best employees we have, is my job. I may be a total asshat, or a goofball, but when it comes to business and protecting my family, nothing gets in my way and I make sure that it has to be a job well done. I'm not saying that I'm a perfectionist or anything. I'll leave the perfectionism to Edward actually.

But, Bella's resume actually pretty much blew me away when I read it. I actually asked my secretary, Elena, to have her come in for an interview for the position as the manager for our Sales and Marketing department for our Seattle branch. Granted that, ultimately, it requires her to fly out to our other branches. But truth be told, I heard from Carlisle that if the business venture is better out here in the States, we might actually be migrating over and shifting our HQ over to the States. This move would leave our branch in London as the regional HQ and not the main HQ.

My instant thought when I saw Bella's photo on her resume was that this might be the kind of girl which would be a match for Edward. This might be the right chance for me to really get to know her in an informal setting. You know, sometimes people aren't who they really are during interviews. Somewhat, it is better this way. Moreover, I'll really get to see if she would be a good match for him.

Before I could spend some time with her, due to Alice's monopolizing of Bella, I could hear Edward and Tanya coming into the room. And you know the cliché movie scenes where the male and female lovebirds just gaze at each other from across the room and they seem to be in a world of their own? I swear, this is probably what was happening. I caught Tanya's eye, and she seems happily surprised that perhaps, Bella could be the one.

The only thing I could do was to rub my hands gleefully inside, and to torture Edward, I'll hog Bella a little to myself first.

"So now that Edward's finally here. Bella, do tell us what attracts you to the Cullens! Considering that vocal ensembles aren't really people's kind of thing to listen to." I flashed Bella a wide grin as I left where I was sitting with Rose and slung an arm around Bella's shoulder.

Calisle's POV

I realized that Bella didn't flock to Edward immediately, unlike the usual horde of women that had been invited backstage the past few times.

Before I knew it, Emmett had his arm slung around Bella, asking her about what attracts her to us. Honestly, it was one question that I would love to hear the answer to as well.

Bella smiled shyly at Emmett and looked at him while answering, "I used to sing with my collegiate a cappella group and penned arrangements for them once in a while. Before that, I used to sing with the church choir when I was younger. So basically, I grew up singing in a group a way or another, and I love the way how you guys balance the intense choral repertoire with the funkier contemporary music. Moreover, the arrangements are written so intricately, they actually bring out the best in each singer, which in turns brings out the best in the songs in terms of harmonies and interpretation." She then began to look down and blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry, I apologize for blabbering away. I have a tendency to do that when I start on the topic of singing. Angela tells me that I get too hyper on it."

While Bella had her nice speech tucked away, I was examining Edward's reactions. The poor boy was outwardly dropping his jaw in shock, and my dear wife actually nudged me and tilted her head to his direction before chuckling. We have never really seen Edward being that besotted with anyone. Not even Tanya.

"My dear Bella, there's no need to apologize! Our Edward has the same issue with blabbering on about music, so as a family we're pretty used to it. I'm just wondering though, perhaps for everyone's enjoyment as well as an experience for you, perhaps we could do a number together?" mused Esme.

Bella seemed to be slightly in shock, hearing Esme's request of her, before blinking slightly and smiling sweetly, "If your family doesn't mind me throwing you off harmony and blending, we could try something."

Esme then took her hand into hers and wrapped an arm around her and effectively removing Bella from Emmett's grip. "How about you pick something that you have sung before, that perhaps we have done within our repertoire too?"

"Actually, I wouldn't mind trying out The Real Group's Words with you. It would be an honor, as I've never done Words in an professional ensemble setting," as Bella blushed in revelation.

"Sure, I don't think Words is a problem. Would be good to see how blending works in that song too. Especially, that tricky bridge!" Alice cheered as she bounced happily on her stilettos.

I continued musing, if Bella actually cleared that bridge with us. I'm extending her an invitation to sing for us. Then again, that's before Edward beats me to it, considering how besotted he is towards her, and how hard of a time he had with Tanya and the rest of the family to fix the bars, grumbling that he didn't want to be a laughing stock to Anders and his gang since we were covering a song of theirs'.

Tanya slowly moved towards the couch and held her hand out to Alice while smiling brightly at Bella, "Alice, I'm sure you're looking forward to a recording of this? And Bella, I hope you wouldn't mind us taking a recording? You can have a copy of it too when we're done processing it."

"Oh, I wouldn't mind a recording of it. As long as it doesn't sound horribly bad and gets posted up on youtube!" Bella chuckled as Emmett bowled over laughing.

"Bellaaaa~ We wouldn't do that to you! All uploaded videos will be cleared for permission first. Not even your numbahhh one prankster in da house would do such a thing without permission ya know!" as Emmett bearhugged Bella. "Yo Tanya, you gonna sing with us or just record?"

Tanya waved her hand on at us to go on without her, "I need a break from singing anyway. Since Bella's singing Alto, I think it'll be fine." While she positioned herself on the couch and fiddled with the camcorder, the rest of us crowded around and told Bella to stand wherever she's comfortable. And we took in the sight silently, as Edward gravitated towards Bella and stood beside her while smiling at her warmly.

Edward's POV

I'm blown away. She's here. She sings. We're doing "Words". Damn.

I couldn't even put in a few sentences to talk to her, since everyone seems to be catching her in conversation. The next thing I knew, I was standing next to her, smiling like some lovesick fool, and reaching into my pockets for the pitchpipe.

I blew the first note for the family and Bella to tune to, and realized, "Bella, did your ensemble/choir learn the introduction? Or do you want to skip it?"

Bella tilted her head down in embarrassment and said, "Erm. I actually know the lines for the introduction, so yes, we can do the introduction. It's not a problem."

I fistpumped into the air internally and thought, "Finally. Gah. This is brilliant. I don't even have to teach her the introduction which 95% of the other groups that covered the song skipped."

I turned to Emmett and nodded at him to cue the group in. It's amazing that Bella came in at the right time with Esme without skipping the cue. As I took into consideration of Bella's singing voice, I found out that she has a good vocal technique and that the timbre of her voice resonates nicely. The song proceeded on well, until the bridge came. Damn, she cleared the bridge fluidly and well, and blends very well with the family. I was totally astounded by this. I think I was clearly impressed when that annoying pixie started smirking at me and her husband waved his hand over his face to indicate that I look damn fucking shocked.

Fuck. I hope my expression was not picked up by the camcorder or I'll have to dig a hole to bury my head in embarrassment.

As the song ended, I reached out and shook Bella's hand, and before I could convene to ask the family about having Bella to sing with us, I heard my voice blurting out, "Bella, would you consider spending some time with us to sing for us in the next tour? That would mean rehearsals start in a couple of months' time. We would be in Seattle, so if that's convenient for you…?"

Bella looked at us with a wide-eyed expression, and was shaking her head in amazement while opening her mouth to respond to us. Before Bella could get the word in, and before I could say "Sure", Alice bounded over to her with her cell phone and went, "Ah, Bella, save the courtesy. I know we'll be best friends so I can't wait until you get your ass over to Seattle. Put your contact details into my phone and I'll get to you our rehearsal details and et cetera."

"And don't worry about Seattle, Bella-bee, it'll work out fine!" Emmett glomped Bella while smirking at both Bella and I, making me wonder why on earth Emmett had that expression on his face.


A/N: Review, review!

If there's anything you would like me to clarify in this chapter, do let me know!