Through the gate, we proceeded up a winding driveway lined with trees. At the end of the driveway stood a beautiful two-story home. This home had a feel of modern to it. Glass walls strewn about.
I sat staring at it as Rosalie parked. I didn't even realize the car had stopped. She had parked her BMW off to the side in front of a separate garage.
"Are you ready, Bella?" Rosalie asked as she squoze my hand.
I looked over at Rosalie and as she stared into my eyes, I nodded.
"I'll be right here. You just let me know when you want to go. We'll have a code word! Hmm…history! If you say something about our history class, we'll get outta there!"
I nodded okay and she dropped my hand as she left the car.
She walked around to my side of the car, opened my door and held out her hand.
I looked up at her kind face and took her hand to get out of the car. She closed the door behind me and opened the side door to retrieve the cake and presents.
"I can carry the presents." I offered and she handed the sack to me.
I looked around at my surroundings and again saw the beautiful modern home full of windows that had an amazing view of the water. It truly is breathtaking at how beautiful Seattle is.
As we made our way to the front of the house, Emmett emerged through the front door. "Bella! So glad you could make it," he exclaimed with a giant smile on his face. He swiftly took the cake from Rosalie and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Rosalie tried to snag the bags from me but I said, "it's okay. I got it," with the best smile I could muster up with all of this anxiety shooting through my body. She nodded and smiled. Put her hand on the middle of my back and led me through the front door, " this way Bella."
As much as I didn't know Rosalie, I felt like I did. There was something different about her. I am obviously still standoffish, but I haven't felt this comfortable and welcome with another person in such a long time. It was comforting. My anxiety began to fleet away. Not all the way, but by the time we had reached the kitchen it was more of a dull ache.
When we reached the kitchen, there was a woman standing there. Forties, long silky brown hair, with a slender body. She was wearing a beautiful but simple polka dot dress that ended just above her knees, and nude heels. She turned and I saw such a soft, caring, and delicate face. Her face lit up with a smile, "you must be Bella. Welcome to our home. I'm so glad you could be here to celebrate with us."
I smiled and met her gaze for a moment as I extended my hand. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Cullen."
She took my hand, "oh Bella honey, you can call me Esme."
I blushed a little bit and said, "thank you for letting me come. Your home is beautiful."
"Thank you, Bella. We couldn't bear to part with it when we first moved San Francisco. This is our true home. I'm glad we still had it to come back to," Esme responded.
"Esme, what else can Emmett and I help with?" Rosalie asked.
"I can help too," I piped in.
"No, Bella honey, you are our guest! The only three people that won't be helping tonight are you and the two birthday kids!" Esme said with a grin and a wink.
Rosalie smiled at me, "Bella, you just sit here and chat with us."
"Okay," I said with a smirk as I took a seat at the table.
Right then, Alice walked in with Jasper. "Bella!" She glided over and gave me a hug, "I'm so glad you could come!"
"Hello, Bella." Jasper said with a smile. "I'm glad you came," he stated as he took a seat across from me at the table but turned his body so that it was open to everyone in the room. Alice sat down on his knee.
I didn't talk much. Just mostly listened as they talked here and there about each other's days. They laughed as they worked. Emmett was telling an animated story of how he and Jasper had watched some lady at the grocery store buy 20+ cans of cat food and then proceed to dance in the checkout line every time a can got scanned. His reenactment of the story had everyone in fits of laughter! It was fun to watch them interact. I hadn't been around something like this in so long, I didn't notice myself smiling and laughing along until Rosalie caught my eye. She had been watching me, making sure I was okay. She smiled at me, and I blushed and looked back at the table.
"All right, I think we're ready! Let's move it all into the dining room," Esme instructed.
We each grabbed a plate or two full of food and took it into the dining room. The table was set beautifully. Calla lilies as the centerpiece with little candles decorated around it. A white tablecloth covered the table, with white plates and a blue table runner.
Then Edward walked in with an older man, in his forties. This must be their father. He was slim but fit, with blonde hair slicked back and a strong jaw. He had on fitted jeans and a white oxford shirt. Edward was wearing fitted tan jeans with a black polo. His hair was perfectly placed in messy disarray. His eyes caught mine and I hurried and looked at the table before I could make a fool of myself.
"Dad, this is Bella," Emmett introducing us.
The man walked straight over to me and shook my hand, "welcome, Bella. I'm Carlisle. I see you've met everyone else. Please take a seat. We are so happy to have you join us," he said with a smile.
I smiled and dropped my hand, "thank you for having me."
Carlisle sat at the head of the table with Esme on his right and Emmett on his left. Rosalie sat next to Emmett and then motioned for me to sit next to her. Alice sat next to Esme and then Jasper. Edward took the other end of the table across from Carlisle and to the left of me...to the left of me.
"Hello, Bella."