A/N: I was thinking that it's about time that Esme makes an appearance. I personally think that the poor lady does not have enough scenes for us to get to know her character in the original Twilight series. I know most people focus more on Dr. Carlisle compared to her (I plead guilty) but I think all she need is an opportunity, a chance to shine. I see the potential in the character. Hence with that in mind this chapter will start off with her POV so that'd we'd finally get a bit of an insight to the mother figure in the Cullen family.

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns the Twilight series and its character, not me. I'm just one of the many readers that can't get enough of the Twilight world of hers. *sigh*

Sure You Know Me?

EmmettPOV

I never gave it much thought when I was alive, when I was turned my situation made it impossible.

I never mourned it because I never desired it in the first place.

Now with what I knew and everything I had gone through, I had begun to seriously consider the possibility and to my surprise the idea didn't scare me. Instead of fear and anxiety I was actually a bit excited by the notion albeit being a bit nervous.

I practically ran home to get Carlisle to confirm all the facts. If he still thinks that there is any merit to it then maybe we can give it a try. I was hopeful that it would work out because this was a huge thing for her.

I made my way to the lab, knowing that Carlisle was most likely down there working on something. I swear he's just one step away from being a mad scientist. That guy is so into his medical research. I knew for a fact that there are times when he stayed there for days, only coming up eventually to get more supplies for his experiments and maybe taking a run through the mountain for a quick snack.

BAM!

Damn, that was quite a hit. I slowly got back on my feet. Alice and Jasper were still sprawled on the floor their limbs entangled. Jasper is usually a calm person so from the black scowl on his face it was obvious that I managed to run right into them at a very inopportune moment.

"Emmett, I was just telling Jaz that you were coming home," Alice said once she got back on her feet. Yeah right, they were talking. She swayed a bit but managed to regain her balance. "That was quite a hit. I still feel a bit dizzy."

She looked like she was about to say something so I cut her off quickly. "Hi Alice, I'm in hurry so I'll talk to you later okay." Don't get me wrong, Alice is a nice girl but she talks too much sometimes and at that moment I didn't have the time for a long chat.

"You're fine though, right?" she asked with concern. She was like a mother hen. I swear if she had kids she'd smother them with her protective nature. Or maybe she's like that because there are no children for her to divide her attention for. Hence most of her attention are focused on our makeshift family.

"Yes, I'm alright, Alice. Do you need to inspect me?" I grinned. She smiled in return. "Can I go now? There is something I need to do right now."

"Go on. We'll talk later."

I gave her a quick hug and went off. Avoiding Jasper's eyes altogether, I could feel the wrath oozing out of him.

JasperPOV

That stupid overly grown asshole! He didn't even have the courtesy of giving Alice a minute of his time to explain what happened. Alice deserved more than being brushed aside with a 'talk to you later' considering all that he put her through, the worries and not to mention the decidedly untimely interruption when he came barreling in and knocking us down on our asses.

And Alice was definitely getting into it, she wanted me so bad that even without my gift I would have been able to feel it in the air. All of that is gone now, subdued, not that I can't easily fix it mind you but I was just too angry at the moment.

"It's okay Jaz, I can wait. At least he's safe." Not if he doesn't make it up to you. I'll see to it myself.

Alice rubbed my back. Sometimes I wonder if she also has my ability to feel others' emotion. She seemed to be able to read mine just fine and she has a calming effect on me too.

It was in that relaxed moment that a random idea struck me. Not just any random idea but great one.

"Alice, I was thinking, how would you like to spend some time in the sun?" She looked at me like I've grown two heads. "Not out in the mountains but an open beach. Warm breeze, sand and the heat of the sun on your skin."

"Ohh, that would be nice. I don't remember being at the beach when it's sunny. The people in TV looks like they have a lot of fun at the beach." I could see it in her eyes just how excited she was. She started that 'I'm happy' little dance of hers in the kitchen.

"So what do you say? I just got a house at some private beach. We can travel there at night." I grabbed onto her hands to keep her still. She gets a bit frisky when overly excited.

"But what about the people there? I mean it wouldn't really be just the two of us there, there would be other people at the beach right?" She started to talk really fast. "There are lots of people playing at the beach in TV."

"Not to worry, where I'm taking you the people aren't going to freak out at sight of us sparkling in the sun." I leaned towards her, our foreheads touching. "So Alice, you have yet to answer my question. Would you like to spend some time with me at the beach?" I kept looking into her eyes as I asked her the question.

"Yes." She said softly, putting her arms around my waist. We stood there content in each other's embrace. At that moment it seemed like the rest of the world ceased to exist, there were only the two of us, no problems no worries.

BellaPOV

I was vastly relieved when Edward finally spilled his guts out. It was nothing really. But Edward came from a whole different era. He got quite a high moral standard. After all, this is the guy who won't sleep with me without the sanctity of marriage. So it was quite understandable how upset he was to find out about Leah and Rosalie's relationship.

So I listened while he ranted on about the perverseness of people in general. "What is the world coming to?"

That was all he needed really, someone to listen and understand his view. Just as Leah and Rosalie have the right to have a relationship or whatever it was that they have going on, Edward has the right to his feelings. So what if he's disgusted by the notion of them sleeping together, you can't control your feelings. I personally don't think he's being unreasonable as long as he doesn't act on those feelings and make things difficult for those two because what he does is well within his control.

All that ranting must have taken a toll on him. Although we don't sleep, us vampires do need our rest. So he went on to lie down in our room. I told him to go ahead and have his rest while I check up on Alice. Now that I've dealt with Edward I could finally concentrate on Alice and her worries.

Alice and Jasper seemed to be having a tender moment in the kitchen. It was hard to tune out their conversation, damn my vampire hearing – how do I turn it off? The scene felt very intimate so I waited for them to break apart before I even entered the kitchen. "All's well now? I caught a glimpse of your happy dance."

"We're going to have some fun in the sun. Jasper is taking me to a beach," Alice informed me. She was bouncing up and down. "Ooh, I can see it already. We are definitely going to have fun. A lot of fun."

"Another honeymoon? Lucky you."

"Yes, I'm lucky to have my Jaz," she smiled gave him a hug. Turning around she gave me a searching look before relaxing once again in Jasper's arms. "I'm guessing everything is fine with Edward. You don't look worried."

"No, it's nothing much really. Edward was just upset about something."

"Something?" she asked. She straightened up. Sometimes it's easy to forget that Alice and Edward are not biological siblings. They can be very concerned and protective of each other. If I didn't know any better I would have been jealous of how close they are.

"It's just a small thing really."

"See, I told you. He gets upset over the smallest things," Jasper smiled at Alice.

I looked to Alice for explanation. "Jasper thinks Edward is a drama queen."

"He's just too sensitive about some things," I said defensively. It was automatic, I could not just kept quiet while someone criticise my Edward.

EsmePOV

It was a good thing that I am a vampire otherwise the coldness would have gotten to me. Carlisle really kept his basement in low temperature; it was freezing cold. I eyed the miscellaneous things he kept in jars and the various liquids in test tubes and beakers. I wonder what would happen if the bright blue one is mixed with the pinkish one. Would it simply turn purple or would it chemically react with one another? What am I doing? I need to keep my goal in mind. Concentrate, Esme!

He'd better get back soon. I was already starting to regret the whole thing. I was getting bored sprawled across his desk and trying to maintain a pose. Maybe I should strike a more natural pose somewhere near those colourful liquids, they look interesting especially the reddish green one. A sample of it on the petri dish was starting to congeal, must be the very low temperature, but what interest me was the fact that it seems to be wriggling a bit. How curious. I wonder if human eyes would be able to catch that movement.

That must not distract me at this time. I have to keep my priorities in mind. If I were to achieve my goal my current location is the best spot. Because the effect might not be as dramatic since he might not notice me straight away like he would if I stay exactly where I was. The desk was right in the middle of the room, there was no way he'd overlook me.

That's it if he's not here in ten seconds I'll definitely leave. I couldn't stand the wait. Finally, I could hear someone approaching. Good.

And there he was standing still. Eyes wide open upon seeing me atop his desk, wearing nothing but matching black lace underwear, garter belt, silk stockings and a pair of red killer stilettos which I had practiced using in my room for a couple of days. I know how much he loves the stockings. He has a thing for the way the silk feels against him. The very thought made me smile and it also gave my courage a much needed boost.

When it became obvious to me that he wasn't going to move closer anytime soon I decided to approach him instead. Stalking towards him in the ridiculously high-heeled stilettos. I made sure to walk slowly so as to keep from tripping and at the same time trying to make it look sensuous instead of awkward.

"Umm, Esme, you might want to put some clothes on," he said. Not what I expected him to say but I tried not to let it bother me. Maybe he was just wary because I'm acting out of the ordinary. He probably just need a bit of time to get used to this.

"What's wrong? Don't you like what I'm wearing?" I slid my hands around his waist and pressed my body onto his. He does stay in great shape, I wonder if he would have let himself go as he gets older if he was a mortal.

"No, I do like it. But you have to put on your clothes now." Why is he insisting that I put my clothes on? Do I need to clue him in? I couldn't get anymore obvious unless I write and hang a sign on my neck. I was getting exasperated, I thought him being a guy would practically jump right in to have sex if I even slightly hinted at it. Is he uncomfortable at the idea of having sex in his lab? Well, I'll just have to change his mind then.

"It's okay if you don't like what I'm wearing," I whispered in his ear. "I can just take them off." I smiled seeing his jaw drop, silently congratulating myself.

CarlislePOV

I was taken by surprise with the sight that greeted me, what was she doing splayed across my desk wearing that. Was she trying to give me a heart attack? As if that was even possible, my heart had stopped beating a long time ago.

"Umm, Esme, you might want to put some clothes on," I said as she came towards me. Where were they? Surely she didn't walk in here wearing only that. What was she doing here anyway? Never in our whole life together had she even once entered my lab before. It was understood that the lab was my work domain hence most of the time I'd be conducting experiments that require concentration making it necessary for others to stay away and not interrupt me.

"What's wrong? Don't you like what I'm wearing?" Why do women do that? How do they get from 'put some clothes on' to 'I don't like what you're wearing'? And they complain about us men not listening.

"No, I do like it. But you have to put on your clothes now." I tried to pry her off me. Her body was practically plastered onto mine. At the back of my mind there was a voice calling me all kind of stupid and to just strip off and join her. 'Think of how wonderful it would feel to have her slide her legs on your bare skin. She wearing thigh high stockings for heavens sake. Pretty sure they're silk, imagine how that'll feel on your skin," the voice in his head said, sounding strangely like his.

"It's okay if you don't like it," she whispered. The puffs of air that hits my ears when she spoke was making me crazy. It was somehow turning me on and that was a most inconvenient time to be in such a state. Then when I thought things could not get any worse she said something that was sure to drive me crazy. She said, "I can just take them off."

Oh, God! WHERE ARE HER CLOTHES? I panicked. My eyes searching for the blasted clothes. I can't take it much longer, she had to cover herself up quickly.

"Whoa!"

EmmettPOV

I couldn't believe my eyes. I blinked twice, but my vision stays the same. Right in front of me was Esme in what little clothing she had on. And by the looks of it she was making her moves on Carlisle.

"Whoa!"

Esme froze, eyes widening. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Carlisle was looking around like he was searching for something while trying to cover as much of her as possible with his own body.

Too late for that. He might have managed to block my view of her but it didn't erase the image from my mind.

For a moment all I could think of was how hot she looked. I never really thought of her as my mother since she was nothing like my birth mother. She was more like a cool honorary aunt. That was a good thing I suppose otherwise the image right before my eyes would have scarred me for life.

"Emmett," Carlisle said pointedly. I left them without further prodding. It was obvious that Esme needed some time to get herself together. I had probably shocked her to the core.

I walked out of the basement and leaned by the door. Waiting.

That's when it hit me all at once. It all seemed more real now that I took a time to actually stop and rethink the whole plan. I got nervous. Not knowing what else I could do I began praying to God.

I closed my eyes and just prayed. I wondered if God would even listen to my prayers. I was a vampire after all, a being damned for eternity.

Am I being selfish by being with Leah? She's not damned like me. There is no redemption for my kind and I was alright with that. What bothered me was that I might be damning Leah by being with her. What if she falls out of God's good grace by association, to me?

I may not have seen any evidence of the afterlife, heaven and hell. But what if there is heaven? Would I destroy what chances Leah has of going to heaven?

"Ah, Emmett." Carlisle stepped out through the doorway.

Esme dashed by as soon as Carlisle moved out of the way. She was gone at the blink of an eye.

"So you wanted to talk," Carlisle reminded me why I came to see him in first place. "I assume it's a serious matter."

"Yes. It's very important. I really need your help."

"Well let's go down and talk in the lab."

EsmePOV

Can it get more embarrassing? The one time I decided to loosen up a bit and be more daring and this happens to me. It'll be a long time coming till I ever try anything like this again. Maybe I should just be content with what I have. Some things just won't change. The sooner I accept that and deal with it the better it would be.

I glared at the lingerie strewn on the floor like they were some kind of cursed ancient artifacts. I couldn't bear looking at them anymore. The humiliation was still fresh in my mind. I needed to get those blasted things out of my sight.

I picked up the unlucky garments and stuffed them in a bag. I was going to give them away to Goodwill or burn them to spare the less fortunate from more bad luck. I tossed the bag in the closet and got into bed.

I felt drained. How am I going to live the rest of this unnatural life? I still have a long and endless life ahead of me unless someone decides to decapitate and incinerate me. I lay down there cursing the very nature of us vampire that made sleep unnecessary. I would have loved to forget everything for a moment and just have a deep relaxing sleep. How was I supposed to turn off my brain for just a while? All the stress might break me down and turn me into a psychotic killer. I'm going to end up on a killing rampage one day and the Volturi would have to take me down like some rabid dog.

I may have qualms about killing humans but I could picture myself going crazy and attacking a herd of cattle at some farm in broad daylight. All the cows scampering around as I take them down, bits of wool flying everwhere as I go for the sheep – yeah I somehow picture sheep falling victim to my mental breakdown too, maybe because I used to enjoy eating lamb chop – tearing them apart, alarming all the farm animals and eventually alerting the humans.

If only Emmett was a normal teenage boy who sneaks out to be with his friends after curfew. That would have been more manageable. How am I supposed to face him after this? It had been the most humiliating thing to ever happen to me. And why did it have to be Emmett of all people?

CarlislePOV

"I assume it's a serious matter."

"Yes. It's very important. I really need your help." Emmett pleaded.

"Well let's go down and talk in the lab." I walked down the stairs wondering what he had in mind. It was times like this that I truly felt like a father, when my children turn to me for help. It showed that they have faith in me and trust me enough to go to me when they are in trouble.

I only hope I could help them every single time.

"Remember that theory you came up with a while back. The one about the effects of the shapeshifting has on the werewolves. Why they're not aging and all. You said something about hormones…"

I vaguely remember that particular train of thought. Yes, I was analyzing the werewolves' biological makeup. It was pretty interesting, the very idea of what is basically normal human makeup but with a slight twist to it.

Seeing as the current ones are descendents of the older generation of shapeshifters I had assumed that it all lies in the genes. Unless there are some other shapeshifting werewolves out there without any familial connection at all that we don't know of.

Now, why is Emmett bringing this up? What could he possibly want from them? The secret to stopping the aging process? He's already more or less immortal, aging is no longer a concern for him.

This is very intriguing indeed. And I do love a good puzzle.

Part of the reason I became a doctor was because of the prospect all those possible cures out there yet to be discovered and the challenge of diagnosing a patient with uncommon symptoms.

And then there all those the experiments. Not knowing for sure what the result may be is one of the things about it that interests me. Discovering the unknown. I had always been a curious person. The idea of solving a puzzle was a major pull for me.

JasperPOV

"…so really it was nothing much, Edward was just reacting to the idea like the conservative he is."

"But Bella he was born in a different era. Things were very different back then I'd imagine. He would not be any more conservative than the other people from that era. I don't think he'd ever grow out of some of the notions that had been hammered into him long ago."

I was getting sick of the conversation about poor Edward. Him and his sensibilities can kiss my ass. A man should act like a man and stop being such a fragile flower.

But Rosalie and the Wolf Girl. Now that's some news. I wonder how Emmett is taking it. I was too angry earlier and too busy making sure he knew how pissed off I was to read his emotions. Was he heartbroken and grieving? Or was he mad with jealousy?

Alice and Bella were still talking about delicate flower boy so I tuned them out and began to fantasize about Rose and Wolf Girl getting it on. I wonder if Rose gets rough with her wolf as she does with Emmett. Or would she be gentle considering she's with a girl.

Who am I kidding? Wolf Girl's no helpless female. She's more than capable of handling whatever Rose dishes out. She might like to play rough too. Was that why Rose's clothes were badly torn? Did Wolf Girl ripped it off her? Maybe ruined it with her sharp wolf claws?

Are they in a serious relationship? Maybe I could talk Alice into having a threesome with Rose. The very idea of it was turning me on. I looked surreptitiously at Alice. I wonder if she would ever agree to a threesome. I contemplated the probability of her agreeing and weighed it against the consequences if she didn't.

Voicing out such request might mean losing Alice altogether. It's a high price to pay and I wasn't sure it was the risk worth taking. I don't think I bear losing her now that I've had a taste of what life was like with her. How could anything be worth the possibility of losing Alice?

Not having the guts to actually suggest such a thing to Alice didn't stop me from fantasizing about it though. I wasn't digging the Wolf Girl but Rose was definitely a turn on for me. There is something irresistible about her attitude. I somehow find her cold and distant demeanor strangely appealing sometimes. Which is a surprise since Alice is the exact opposite and I love her with all my heart. These two girls are like night and day. So different in personality yet both attract me.

I watched as Alice talked to Bella. She was perfection. Small and feminine. Kind and gentle. So why do I still fantasize about Rosalie?

I need to stop thinking of Rose, Edward might catch me. I got a warning last time he caught me. Him and Alice really look out for one another.

EdwardPOV

"What happened?" I asked the trio in the kitchen. "I saw Esme running upstairs just now."

Alice and Bella looked at each other and shrugged. They both denied knowing anything or having anything to do with Esme's sudden flight up the stairs. Jasper on the other hand had a guilty look on his face. I read his mind and was assaulted by the lurid images from his mind.

I gave a warning look accompanied by a low growl.

"What is it?" Alice asked catching the exchange between us. "Jasper, you know what's going on with Esme?"

Jasper vehemently shook his head in answer, keeping a wary eye on me. Yeah, you better be on guard, asshole.

"Edward what's going on?" Alice asked me instead. She could clearly see that Jasper was in no state to make any explanation.

"Nothing Alice, don't worry about it, just some stray thought that I don't approve of."

"All that intensity over a stray thought? Really Edward, you need to learn more self control." Alice advised, looking at me with patience in her eyes.

"I had no idea what that was all about but I gather it's nothing. It still doesn't explain Esme running around the house," Bella pointed out.

"And she was wearing a robe," I added. The girls were definitely interested to know what had Esme running in house dressed in a robe.

"Are you sure she was wearing a robe? You did say she was running. So you could have been mistaken about the robe," Bella questioned me.

"I'm sure it was a robe. It was flapping like a robe, flashing her legs."

"You ogled her legs?" Alice gasped.

"No, I didn't," I vehemently denied. Bella was quiet which made me more nervous. What was she thinking? Why of all minds, the one I can't read is hers?

"So which is it? Did you or did you not look at her legs?" Alice taunted me.

"It's not how you put it. I wasn't checking out her legs, I merely saw them as opposed to really looking at them," I tried to explain.

Then the little minx laughed. She actually laughed at me. "Sorry, Edward, I couldn't resist teasing you for a bit." She got me good. I had been too flustered to hear what she had been thinking, too busy trying to defend myself.

"Did you see what she was wearing under her robe?" Bella asked thoughtfully. I was nonplussed. Was it a test or did she really want to know the answer? What should I say? I looked at Alice for guidance but she was not helping me at all, she her poker face on and having inane thoughts in her head. It would seem that the girls were ganging up on me, even my favourite sister.

In an attempt to steer away from a conversation that could only end badly for me, I blurted out about the unnatural relationship Rosalie was having on the side.

"Bella already filled us in on that," Alice said. How could she? I was sure that she would at least played along to get Bella off the subject of Esme's attire. Making sure Bella didn't see me, I gave her a look that clearly screams 'Judas' but she looked unrepentant.

"Are you sure it's true?" Jasper raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. I had it on good authority that she was with Leah."

"Whose good authority would that be?" he asked. Again with the questions. If I weren't so eager to avoid certain conversation I would not be in a mood to entertain this little interrogation of his. But I was more concerned with not answering Bella's question which worth a number of questions from Jasper. The lesser of two evils.

"Jacob, who got it from Seth."

"Seth? The other wolf in Jake's pack?"

"Yes. He also happens to be Leah's brother," Edward explained.

"Hmm… I personally think that to sort out the facts from exaggeration and outright lies you ask the person directly instead of relying on unsubstantiated rumour passed on by third parties," Jasper cautioned. "But at the same time I don't think a brother would make up such stories about his own sister."

EmilyPOV

I have no idea what got into him. One moment I was with Leah, finally mending the rift that had kept us apart. It was like a miracle. I had often dreamed of her forgiveness but never had I for even once thought it was even possible.

But story of my life, just as things were looking up something would go wrong. In this case, that something is my husband attacking my cousin. Without any provocation, I might add.

I know the pack had developed some weird habits due to the nature of the wolf in them. But unprovoked attacks? The only time I can remember anything like this would be the time Sam lost control and lashed out at me. I thought he had got over that. Maybe I should reconsider having kids. I don't see how I can start a family with him if I can't trust him with the kids.

I shuddered at the thought of him losing it when a baby's cries wakes him up in a middle of the night, upsetting his sleep. Or when a kid was throwing a tantrum as I have seen some of my young cousins were prone to do. I was scared at the realisation of how much damage he could do to little kids both physically and mentally.

It was a good thing that Claire and Sophie had been nothing but angelic so far. I could not bear the thought of the potential harm I had been unknowingly exposing them to. My poor cousins.

"Em, babe," he knocked. "Open the door, please."

"Go away," I said. "Just leave us alone."

"But I need to talk to you," he begged.

I looked at the kids sleeping soundly. Sophie was tucked in bed just the as I had left her, while Claire had somehow ended up sprawled on her belly with her feet on her pillow and her head somewhere buried under the covers. It wouldn't be long before the knocking woke them up. I made a split second decision. The sound of him knocking rushing me to take action.

Leah's hand stopped my frantic movement. "What are you doing?" she asked softly. "It's me he's mad at. I can just go."

I looked at her. This girl I used to talk to for hours late in the night until early in the morning because she's the only one who really gets me that the time did not matter. Now there she was ready to back off to make things better between Sam and I. How did it end up like this? To the point of choosing between my bestfriend and my husband?

She never made me give up anything for her. He's making me give her up.

She'd walk away without a fuss for me. He's still knocking on the door and it's getting louder.

She'd always been there to protect me from being harmed. He scarred me for life.

She came back for me after all the pain I caused her, she'll always be there for me. He's the one who left someone he planned to settle down with for someone he just met.

I felt so frustrated. It was obvious that she was the safer bet. But I still felt a longing to be with him for the rest of my life.

"Don't go. I need your help," I said to Leah. I could feel myself tearing up. Hard as it was to make this decision, I knew I had to stick to it. And that I need Leah's help to do it. I need someone to keep me together when my whole life crumbles down. I took a deep breath, gathering all my courage to say what I had to even say it out loud. "I'm leaving him."

With those words I felt like the world just turned upside down. I was glad for Leah's presence.

A/N: So I realised that besides the compassionate nature, there is nothing much on Carlisle's character. Like what makes him tick. So I took the liberty of making him a curious and experimental scientist with a thing for silk stockings.

And then there's Esme. Poor Esme, I somehow made have a bit of a mid-life crisis, trying to spice things up. All these vampires lived for so long so I figured things must get tedious sometimes. I was trying to get something more out of her than letting her be some housewife lost in the background. I refuse to make her into a Stepford wife.

I couldn't resist putting in that bit where Alice teased Edward about ogling Esme's legs. I can totally see prude Edward spluttering, insisting on his innocence.

About Emily divorcing Sam, well, more on that later on. And don't think I forgot about Rosalie. Emmett's talk with Carlisle has something to do with Rosalie's plan in the beginning of this story.

Thank you for sticking around to read this chapter. I know it's a long time coming. But bear with me. We're getting close to the end.

Leave a review to let me know what you think of this chapter. I've gone through and edited this chapter over and over again. Despite that I still find it lacking something. And I apologise for any mistake I still overlooked.