All things Twilight belong to the awesomely talented Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 9 - Heart to Heart

Edward and I made it back to the group quickly, it seemed everyone had found what they needed and reconvened. Each of them watched me expectantly waiting for a verdict. Edward chuckled beside me and I realized he was being flooded with questions.

Each of the Cullen's had bright topaz eyes, they were a glorious sight, the freshness of the feed was apparent. I was excited that I was well on my way to having the same brilliance reflected in my own eyes, it would make me a little more comfortable, and I wouldn't feel so out of place amongst them.

"Bella, Sweetheart, how did everything go?" asked Esme, her concern was reflected in her voice.

"Wonderfully, thank you, Esme." I answered happily. "It certainly eases my conscience."

The entire group smiled at my words, they seemed genuinely happy that the transition had been so easy for me. Poor Jasper seemed a little less enthused than the rest of them, but was still happy. Alice had told me he'd had the worse time adjusting to the diet.

We made it back to the house before it got too light outside, the day would be sunny and the Cullen's made a point of staying home during days such as these. They didn't want to risk exposure, if anyone saw us, even for a brief second, it would be obvious that something was astoundingly different with us. It was easier to stay close to the house, even with Alice's gift, she sometimes missed a stray human, simply because she wasn't as attuned to them.

Edward never left my side, and I was unwilling to leave his, whatever had grown between us was permanent and couldn't be extinguished. I felt anxious at the loss of his touch, so we simply held on to one another as much as we could. It never had to be said, we both knew the pull we had to one another. We'd been sat around the house most of the day, there wasn't much to do this close to the house and each of us were reluctant to wander too far in case Alice saw something.

Edward and I were curled up on the couch watching a movie that neither of us were particularly interested in, but it meant we could be close to one another. I could tell Edward was bored because his eyes were on me, more than they were on the television, I knew this because I was doing the same thing.

"Bella," his voice washed over me like a warm blanket.

"Mmmhmm." I answered, I was playing with his bronze hair, it had fallen gently over his forehead.

"What did you think was going on that day in biology? Why I was so rudely glaring at you?" he asked curiously.

I buried my head in his chest before answering, I had no idea this conversation would come up so soon, but I knew it had to be said eventually, and now was a good a time as any.

"I didn't know really, I think I must have played out a hundred scenarios in my head, and never getting to the right conclusion."

"I'm sorry, I thought back to that so many times, but it took me by surprise, and with such force. I thought you were my personal demon."

I smiled at him.

"What's so amusing?"

"I thought of you as my personal angel, it didn't matter what happened in that classroom, you were all I could think about."

Edward raised his eyebrows at me, he moved us into a sitting position and his eyes once again connected with mine, "Bella, do you have any idea what would have happened if I would have stayed? Your life would have been in jeopardy, you were like a drug to me."

I sighed and my hand came to rest on his chest, I was trying to form a sentence in my mind, but I had to close my eyes, the intensity of his gaze was keeping coherent thoughts from my head.

"Edward, I had never met anyone that stirred the kind of emotions I felt the first time I saw you, you were captivating to me. When you reacted the way you did, I was surprised how much it hurt me. I couldn't explain it, even to myself, we hadn't so much as exchanged pleasantries, but I was intrigued."

"Bella . . ."

"Wait, please, let me finish," I sighed cutting him off. "You say I was like a drug to you, but you were in exactly the same position, you had never spoken a word to me, you knew nothing about me. My blood was a temptation for you but you abstained. I can't help but think that maybe this was supposed to happen, the natural progression of our lives. If you had come back, maybe we would be in the same situation we're in now, maybe this was inescapable."

I opened my eyes, eager to see what his expression would tell me, he looked lost and a little hurt when my eyes finally washed over his face. My hand went to his cheek and I stroked it gently. I wished I had his ability, I needed to hear his thoughts.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, trying to plead for his honesty with my eyes.

"I would never have wanted this for you, Bella, this eternal damnation seems like a punishment at times and you don't deserve that. You deserved the best things in life, I knew that, and I would like to think I would never have been so selfish."

"It wouldn't have been selfish if I chose it, Edward. I can't believe that you wouldn't counter in my emotions. How would I have chosen if I'd have had the choice? I'm sure if it meant an eternity with you, I would have demanded it!" I said honestly.

His golden eyes met mine, the pain behind them was hard to miss. I knew that my words weren't comforting to him, but I was being honest. If I'd ever had this chance with him as a human, I would have insisted on being changed, aging while he was eternally seventeen would have been difficult for me.

"Edward," I sighed again, "This conversation is getting us nowhere, it's purely hypothetical and we're upsetting ourselves. It's too late to change the past, but we have the future."

Edward's eyes eased a little and a small smile played on his lips. His head moved towards me and his lips came to rest on my throat.

"You're right." the breath from his words tickled my throat and left tingling on my skin, the same reaction I always seemed to have when he touched me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment, the delicate touch of his lips was a welcome distraction from the intensity of our conversation.

"I want to show you something," he whispered and pulled me into his arms as he stood.

Edward headed towards the piano and placed me gently on the bench, he took a seat beside me and lifted the piece that so elegantly protected the keys below it.

"You play?" I asked, knowing I shouldn't be so amazed at his many talents.

Without answering me, his long fingers danced across the keys, they moved so quickly it was hypnotizing to me. The sound of the music carried through the house, filling the silence with the melodic masterpiece he was easily playing. The music carried more emotion than I thought possible, the dark and haunting beginning was intriguing and so full of emotion that I simply closed my eyes and listened.

The darkness soon gave way to an enchanting harmony, it was as full of emotion as the beginning had been but filled me with warmth, I let the music dance around me, my enhanced senses felt the soft waves of vibrations washing over me, it was the most emotional thing I'd ever experienced.

When the playing eased to a stop, I kept my eyes closed, I was trying to regain control of myself after falling away. Edward's soft touch had my eyes fluttering open and I felt the smile on my lips.

"That was beautiful, Edward." I sighed placing my hand on his cheek.

"It really was." I heard a feathery voice say.

The voice had taken me off guard, I had been so lost in the moment, I hadn't realized that the majority of the Cullen's had congregated around the piano. Alice's voice had been the only thing to alert me of their presence. She giggled at my surprise, but what caught my attention was Esme, her radiant smile had multiplied and the look of complete contentment highlighted each of her exquisite features. Carlisle had her in a tight embrace as she gazed at her son proudly.

Without a word, Edward stood up from beside me and made his way over to Esme, whatever she had been saying to him, had moved him. He threw his arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Alice, swiftly took Edward's place on the piano bench next to me. She leaned in close and spoke so quietly, I almost missed it. "It's the first time he's played in a year!" She grinned at me and raised her eyebrows.

Before I could ask Alice what she meant, I was being pulled into an embrace by Esme, her face was so full of serenity, I couldn't help but smile at her. She was the mother figure among us and she filled that role well, she was full of love and compassion and doted on each and every one of us. I returned her embrace happily.

"Will you come and talk with me, Bella?" she asked quietly.

I nodded and smiled. I knew this was coming, but after the scene that had just played out I wasn't afraid of what would be said. Esme's embrace had been her acceptance. The conversation would just be a formality, an outlet to ease her curiosity. I also had questions, questions I would only be comfortable asking her.

Esme walked slowly towards the stairs and I shot Edward a grin. His eyes followed Esme and I, but his smile told me he understood.

Esme and Carlisle's bedroom was large and bright. The walls were covered with soothing colors and the fabrics and furnishing came together in the most inviting way. Their large bed looked so comfortable, it looked as though you would sink into it. Their room had the large window wall with the beautiful view of the river and mountains. Two chaise lounges were placed in front of it so the view could be taken in with comfort. Esme motioned for me to take one, I obeyed and she took the other.

"Bella," she said as she got comfortable. "I want to thank you, when Alice told me what would happen when you joined us, I was overjoyed, but the outcome has been sweeter than I had ever anticipated. I have never seen Edward this content, not since the day I met him. He's always been such a lonely creature, insisting that he never needed anybody. He has turned down some beautiful women, and I think it was all because he was waiting for you. In the last week, I have seen him smile more than I thought was possible, and it's all thanks to you. I can never thank you enough, Bella."

I smiled at her sincerity, "I didn't do anything, Esme."

"You love him just as much as he loves you, Bella. That is something." she said with a conviction that made me believe.

Love, it wasn't something Edward and I had declared yet, but I knew that's exactly what I felt. Now he was in my life I couldn't imagine it without him. Love was accurate, but it also felt like so much more than that. I would never be able to put into words just how much he meant to me, he was like oxygen to me, something I needed to continue living. I didn't understand how it could have happened so quickly, which was exactly why I'd been to receptive to this private conversation.

"Esme?" I asked, a slight nervous edge to my voice.

"Yes, dear?"

"Is this normal?" I asked keeping my smile in place. "I mean . . . well, falling in love so quickly and so completely? I can't imagine my life without him anymore, I don't want to, but we've only truly known one another for a week. I've never had anything close to this before."

Esme smiled at me warmly and picked up my hand, "Sweetheart, love is a strange thing, sometimes it's immediate and sometimes it progresses. From what Alice was telling me, you knew, long before you were ever changed, how you felt about him. Being a vampire changes things, when we love it's eternal, we don't love easily, but when we find the right person it's undeniable, you know the moment it happens. It probably feels like it's all happening very quickly, but if he's your hearts desire, and I think he is just from what I've seen, it's meant to be."

I could feel the happiness bubbling inside of me, I knew how I felt, I'd known for a while but I wanted to know it was normal, Esme's words made perfect sense to me, I knew she would answer the question honestly and it was the reason I'd wanted to ask her. Being so new and inexperienced at love and relationships had made me nervous about the complexity of my feelings, I was throwing myself at Edward and I was afraid that everything could change. Esme had calmed my anxiety, I felt I had a better understanding of myself and my feelings now. Loving him for an eternity seemed like an easy task to me, if this was it, if he was the only person I would ever love, I would live for four eternity's to love him. One just didn't seem like enough, I knew in my heart he was all I would ever want.

"Thank you, Esme." I whispered.

Esme smiled at me warmly, she was still holding my hand, she tugged on it gently and pulled me into a tight embrace. I was on my knees in front of her before I knew it. Her maternal nature was comforting to me. I had lost Renee, she believed I was dead, and I could never see her again, no matter how much I wanted to. Esme filled some of that void with her kindness, she would always be special to me.

"You're part of the family now, Bella. I wouldn't have it any other way. If you ever need to talk, I'll be here. If you need anything at all, never hesitate to come to me. You're one of my children now, I will do everything I can to protect you."

I could feel the all to familiar quiver of my impending sobs. Esme's words had touched me. I was comforted by her words and I would hold onto that. I had a family now.

There was a gentle knock at the door, but I wasn't ready to release Esme just yet, I needed to compose myself. She rubbed my back gently.

"Come in." she said gently.

I heard the light footsteps of Alice and Rosalie enter the room, they were so quiet it was difficult to hear their movements, but the elegance was unmistakable. I finally relinquished my grip on Esme and moved back to my own seat, smiling at Rosalie and Alice, I was letting them know everything was fine. Alice moved towards me and sat on the other end of the chaise lounge. Rosalie did the same on Esme's side.

"So, we were thinking . . ." Alice said grinning, her eyes darted between Esme and I in her excitement.

"That's not good," laughed Esme wearily.

Alice jutted out her bottom lip in a pout, Esme simply laughed at the sad sight, she knew Alice too well to let it get to her.

"Well, you were thinking?" Esme laughed.

"Bella's going to need a car when we move, I'm sure she won't want to be dependent on someone else the whole time and each of us have our own vehicles . . ."

"Alice, no . . . I don't need . . ." but I was cut off by her hand covering my mouth, her smile was spread widely across her face as she gave her puppy dog eyes to Esme.

"Carlisle said it was fine, as long as you gave the thumbs up." she said grinning.

I moved my eyes from side to side, imploring Esme to say no, I really didn't need a car, and the Cullen's had already spent a ridiculous amount of money on me.

Esme tried to hide her smile, but it was useless, her grin could be seen through her terrible facade. "I think it would be nice," she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Maybe you should look around online and find something she'll like. I'm sure Rosalie will be able to help, she has more talent under the hood of a car than most of the men in this family."

"Aw, thanks, Esme." Rosalie laughing leaning over and placing her head on her mothers shoulder.

Alice pulled her hand away from my mouth, her smile was radiant, she seemed excited at once again getting her way. I just sat still my mouth wide open at the scheming of the three women surrounding me. Alice's dainty finger pushed my mouth closed as she laughed at me.

"For goodness sake, Bella. Anyone would think we'd asked you run naked through Forks. It's a car for crying out loud!" Alice sighed.

"Come on, Bella. let us have our fun. You'll love it, I promise." pleaded Rosalie.

"Please?" begged Alice.

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, but please don't go crazy."

"Bella, you're coming with us." Rosalie said rising to her feet and holding out her hand, "We'll research first, but we get veto rights and our decision is final. You can't change your mind now, it's happening whether you like it or not, so you may as well get something you like."

I took Rosalie's hand and let her pull me to my feet, I had no idea what I'd just gotten myself into but she and Alice seemed ecstatic.

After spending a good six hours looking at a plethora of cars on a computer screen, Edward finally rescued me. I was beyond making a decision now. Alice and Rosalie were discussing the pros and cons of a sports car, and continued the comparative analysis of it against a sedan. I was lost, I had no idea what they were talking about, so when I stepped away from the desk and told them I trusted their judgment, they seemed almost relieved. Edward chuckled as we headed towards the third floor.

"Thank you, I never thought I was going to get out of there alive." I sighed placing my head on his shoulder.

He kissed my forehead gently, but I didn't want to let it go, even after six hours of researching cars, my elated mood from my talk with Esme came bubbling again to the surface with his touch. I pushed him against the wall of the hall and pressed my lips urgently against his, I wanted him to feel what I was feeling. He pulled away from me but his eyes were on fire, he moved quickly and I found myself in the position he had just been in, my back pressed firmly to the wall. One of Edward's hands was against the wall by my head, his other arm was wrapped tightly around my waist, his body was pressed against mine.

"Edward," his name escaped me as a whimper.

"Bella," his breath was rugged in my ear.

Before I could say anything more, I heard Alice's footsteps in t he stairs. She called our names, before reaching the top of the stairs and Edward stepped away from me, his eyes still holding the intensity they had from our intimate embrace. I pushed off the wall slowly and turned around to face her, she looked so happy and bubbly the irritation at the interruption dissipated.

"Bella, we found it. We have to have it shipped but it should be here by the time we move." Alice's exuberance had me curious. She was waving a piece of paper wildly in front of her.

"Okay, Alice. Spit it out, what did you end up getting her?" asked Edward grinning.

"A Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S." she said proudly.

"A what?" I asked, she may as well have been speaking Latin for all the sense that made to me.

Alice handed me the sheet of paper. It had two pictures on it, below it was the price, I almost died on the spot. Edward chuckled beside me, he winked at Alice giving her his approval. I wasn't as enthusiastic.

"Alice!" I shouted loudly

"What?" she asked defensively.

"This is a one hundred fifty thousand dollar car, are you insane?" I shouted.

"Just a little!" she laughed and pulled the paper out of my hand, dancing away before I had the chance to say anything else.

A/N: The picture of the car is on my profile, it's so pretty I couldn't resist. I had fun writing this chapter, I wanted a nice relaxing afternoon with the Cullen's, I think there were a couple of conversations that needed to happen in here and I would like to thank twilightaddict26 for the suggestion.

Thanks for the Alerts and Faves and thank you to the REVIEWERS . . . YOU GUYS ARE SUPERB . . . AND OF COURSE YOU ROCK!

-BIG HUGZ-L-