Hi Everyone! I know I'm late. My kiddo did not want to go to bed!

I hope everyone enjoys the family dinner.

"Okay. Lets go introduce you to my family."

The drive was short. Before long we pulled up to a beautiful house. It was a newer brick house with a lot of windows. It was clear that Carlisle's family had money. I had been confused as I remembered that he grew up in Chicago. Carlisle had explained that his family followed him recently. The family wanted to be together and Seattle seemed safer to them than Chicago.

It was obvious that his family was close and I was nervous. I wondered if I would fit in and what they would think of me. I hoped they liked me. Carlisle squeezed my hand after shutting off the car. "I promise they are going to love you, sweet Bella." I looked into his blue eyes seeing honesty and a hint of something else. He glances to my lips. It's so brief I think I imagined it. "C'mon it'll be alright."

Carlisle gets out of the car, walking to my side to open the door for me. We walk up to the door and he walks us inside. I can hear pleasant sounding voices coming from the living room and turn to see eight attractive people. All eyes were on me and I take a step back. Strong arms wrap around me and Carlisle's voice is in my ear, "It's okay." He looks at the group and speaks again. "This is my friend, Bella. Bella, this is my family." He nods to the older couple on the couch. The man looks much like Carlisle but with green eyes. The woman had his blue eyes but dark brown hair. "These are my parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Cullen." He nods to the next couple. The man was huge with curly brown hair and blue eyes. The woman was supermodel gorgeous with blonde hair and stunning violet eyes. "That is my brother, Emmett and his wife, Rosalie." The next couple included a man with bronze hair and a woman who looked much like Rosalie. "Next is my brother, Edward and his fiance, Tanya." The last couple had a woman with short spiky black hair plus a resounding pregnant belly and a man with honey colored curls. "Finally my sister, Alice Whitlock and her husband, Jasper."

I wave at everyone and muttered a hello. I was soon enveloped by Alice who was excitedly chattering in my ear. "Oh my gosh its so good to meet you! We are going to be best friends I just know it." It was hard not to relax and laugh at her excitement. I was greeted by everyone and we soon entered the dining room to enjoy dinner. Carlisle sat beside me and whispered into my ear, "See? I knew they'd love you."

Dinner was enjoyable as we ate Elizabeth's delicious food and I learned more about each of the family. Thomas and Elizabeth were both employed working for charities which they often funded as well. Emmett worked as a detective in Seattle and his wife was an actual supermodel. Alice and Jasper worked together owning and running an up and coming fashion brand. She handled the designs while he handled the actual business. Edward was a music professor at U dub and Tanya was a nurse. They had such a wide range of interests and goals in life.

The men had gone into the living room to watch the baseball game as the women cleaned up. I was happy to help out despite Elizabeth insisting i was a guest and didn't need to. Alice was quick to ask about Carlisle and I. I explained how we met and what he had done, quickly breaking down in tears. The women comforted me. I had never felt so loved and cared for in my life. Even my parents didn't show me the kindness these practical strangers had. Carlisle came in with Emmett to get some drink. He rushed to my side seeing my tear streaked face. "What did you guys do?!", he demanded as his shock rolled into anger.

"They. .they just asked. .asked how we met.", I managed to get out through my slowing sobs. Understanding crossed his face as Alice apologized that she asked.

"It's okay, Ali. I should've explained. It's a bit of a complicated situation.", Carlisle replied. Once my cries calmed, I insisted he could go back and watch with the guys. He agreed reluctantly. After he left, Alice turned to me, "I just have to ask. You don't have to tell me anything. But what is going on between you two? Are you really 'just friends'?"

I wasn't sure what to say. I felt something more than friendship and was pretty sure he did too. However it was too soon to be considering this as anything. In the end, that was exactly what I told her. She nodded, letting the subject go.

We joined the men for the end of the game. I began to yawn as the long day caught up to me. Carlisle saw this and asked if I was ready to go. I nodded and we began to say out goodbyes. The last one for me was Alice. As she hugged me, her voice whispered into my ear. "He loves you, Bella. Let him."

I'm not entirely happy with this chapter. I feel like my ideas aren't coming out right :/

Please be honest. Am I slipping here or is this story still enjoyable?

Lemme know with a review or PM.

Hayley