A/N Here is another chapter. I thought you might like two of them back to back since you had to wait so long. Not only that, but this chapter just completely spilled out. Lol!

Before I knew it, we were driving in a yellow porsche with Alice listening to one of my favorite 90's rock bands, Bush. Alice had never understood my taste in 90's music, but I liked it all the same. For me, rock music was simple yet catchy. Anything that was like that was something I definetly wanted to listen to.

Of course, I couldn't escape the pop that Alice would put on. But the party rock anthem wasn't that bad. And sometimes, Carlisle would pick very relaxing songs that I really liked.

I noticed that he liked violin, which made me smile. Also, he introduced me to a beautiful pianist. Yiruma. I made a note in my cell phone to remember that artist and I typed in the song "The River Flows In You". That was a song that was going on my playlist for sure.

I stared out the window of the front seat while Alice sang to all the songs on the mix cd. The one we were currently listening to was Bush's "English Fire". One of their less popular songs. But I liked it.

I looked in the rearview mirror, where Carlisle caught me watching, and he smiled at me. I blushed back, smiling embarresedly, and looked away with an even shyer smile.

We got out of the car and Carlisle came to stand beside me, though not too close for my poor sanities sake. For some reason, my teenage hormones would go crazy around him. And it definitely wasn't something I was used to, but I knew I'd have to get used to.

We walked into the huge mall and I grimaced at the size of it, thankful for my trusty converse. I never left home without them.

I followed Alice, walking into our first store, and stared around at the pricey dresses. It was going to be a long shopping trip. I sighed as she began sorting through the racks. I sat down on a bench in front of the shoe isle.

Before I knew it, I found a certain someone there beside me.

"Bella, I'm well aware that you truly hate people spending money on you. But I think there is more to this than you are letting on."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, would you explain to me all the reasons you dislike shopping?"

I exasperatedly complained. "Alice drags me to every single store we come across. And several of them have dresses that I can't begin to see myself wearing, not even counting the price tag, which I would never be able to afford. And don't even get me started on the shoes! Not only that, but she always drags me to the most expensive stores. She shouldn't be spending all that money on me. It's not right."

It was at the end of my little rant that I blushed, embarrassed. I hadn't meant to go all out like that. But Carlisle seemed to think over my words, as though looking for a double meaning. Which I admit, confused me.

"Ok. You dislike shopping in general because you believe it's a waste of money. You've never necessarily had extra to spend so you're not used to it. And not only that, shopping is tiresome. That, I can understand. But those are external reasons. Think deeper. You said you can't see yourself in those dresses. Excluding the reason of the price tag, why?"

"Because, they are...well, they're...skanky."

He looked apalled and mocking. "Surely not all of them! If so, I'd have to question the morality of the stores Alice was taking you to!"

I laughed pretty good at that one and agreed with him. "No, not all of them. But the ones that aren't skanky, I can't see myself wearing at all."

"And why not?"

"Because they're...well, they are very well made." And I realized exactly why I couldn't wear them. "They're beautiful." And Alice or Rosalie would be much better suited.

Carlisle's eyes were a soft shade of understanding and sadness. He looked into my eyes and took my face between his hands.

"There is no reason to feel inferior, Isabella. You have an innocent natural beauty that radiates outward to inward and inward to outside of you. I honestly think that you are a beautiful young woman. Truly, you are."

I shook my head. "I'm not a woman. Actually, there are times around you where I feel as though I'm just a teenager."

"I called you a young woman, because it is a reflection of your maturity. But in truth, you are "just a teenager", Bella. I'm not taking that away from you. Middle aged teenager or not, you are still a teen. And you need time to be a teen and enjoy your life. I was merely alluding to the fact that you most certainly have the maturity of a woman."

I blushed. "So...you're ok with that than? Ya know, being the mate of a teenager?"

"Are you ok with being the mate of a four hundred year old vampire?"

I laughed. "Yes…maybe."

Things were quiet for a moment as I thought about the 'maybe'. And I found it was easier to open up.

"Carlisle, there are things that I don't understand. I feel as though you are in love with me, other times, I personally don't know what to think about you. I'm very confused about how I feel about you. And you don't exactly make it easier."

His eyes were sad. "Tell me."

"Well, I don't really know. Sometimes, it's so easy to be around you. Other times, it's not. You make me think things and feel things that aren't normally like me at all. And unlike Edward, I actually want whatever this is between us. I just don't know if I want it to be romantic or not. I mean, I've always looked at you as family in a way. But that was always because you were the head of the Cullen family and I was an extension because of Edward."

His eyes were serious when he spoke. "You were never an 'extension' Bella. Actually, Alice should have been the one to bring you into our lives. She had been seeing visions of me finally finding my mate and when she saw you, she recognized you instantly. But Edward intervened before she could, making all our lives more difficult by far. I assure you Bella, you would never have been an extension."

I liked hearing that. I wanted to be a part of the Cullen family in at least some way. I loved all of them very much. Not just Carlisle. Even Jasper was pretty amazing. But even though I was a part of the Cullen family, what would I do about my own?

"Carlisle, I can't lie to Charlie forever. I can lie to him about some things, but he would eventually find out if we..." I trailed off.

"Actually, it may surprise you to know this. But Charlie has given his blessing."

"He has?"

Carlisle nodded. "He knows Bella, there could be something between us, and though he doesn't necessarily like it, he accepts the fact that you are not his little girl anymore."

"What makes you think that?"

"Well, that's what he was telling me when we were talking last night. He more or less put your hand in mine. He really has seen that you have grown up, Bella. And he's giving you the freedom to be who you need to be. He's realized that you are eighteen. And while he may still hold influence over you emotionally, he doesn't techincally hold anything over you according to the law. Also, he doesn't want to hurt you in the long run. He knows that you have to make mistakes and make your own descisions. And he knows that there are just some things he can't say no to. So he's accepted that you've grown up in order not to hurt you."

I blinked. Coming from Charlie, that was shocking. I definitely hadn't expected that move. Maybe my dad noticed more than I gave him credit for. I was impressed. And the way Carlisle made it come across, it was almost as though he could read Charlie's thoughts. Maybe he really had connected with my dad. And if so, wow. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if...should I tell him? Yes. I should.

"Carlisle, I'd honestly like to know if we are compatible enough to be together."

He smiled but I felt like smacking myself. I sounded like those stupid commercials advertising a dating site. E-Harmony. I almost snorted. I tried another way.

"Carlisle, I've decided that I would like to get to know you better. I was thinking that if you wanted to, we could go on a couple of test dates to see how things play out. It doesn't exactly feel awkward thinking of you in that way."

He seemed relieved. "I'm glad to hear that. I thought that role I played as a father would be too awkward for you if you thought of me as one."

"I hope you don't feel bad when I say this, but even though I knew you were a 'father' to your 'kids' I could never look at you as one. There was just something that was 'off.' "

"I know exactly what you mean. Edward was rather upset that I couldn't look at you as a daughter."

I smirked. "Edward can stuff it."

He laughed gently.

"As for you idea, I think that dating is a excellent one Bella. It would be good for you to just relax. And I promise to pick activities that you and I will both enjoy. I won't pick out something you hate." I breathed out a sigh of relief, feeling thankful and Carlisle spoke.

"You seem relieved?"

"Whenever I'm out with Alice she takes me clothes shopping. And Edward liked nature and music so I braved the cold, wet, and rocky ground. But honestly, while I really did have a good time sometimes, I didn't neccessarily enjoy what I was doing. I was just happy to be with the person."

Carlisle was angry at how I'd been treated by Edward. Than he was thoughtful for a moment. "Bella, how do you really feel about Edward leaving you?"

"It scared me at first because he left me alone in the woods and I thought I was going to die."

His usually calm face was a mixture of anger and sadness. But not at me, I knew.

"What did it do to you emotionally?"

I could have face palmed myself. I should have known he meant emotionally and not how I felt at the time. As the phrase goes, "epic fail".

"It made me so exhausted that I almost quit breathing. I never realized that I even put that much into what little we had."

"You didn't realize what little it was, so you can't be blamed."

I cocked my head to the side, thinking. "I guess you're right. But Carlisle, you don't have to worry about me having "feelings" for Edward. Unless they are angry ones. I can never forgive him for what he did to me. He didn't necessarily break my heart, because it was never his to begin with. However, he did break my trust. And anyone who has the gall to make me angry…well, I just wish they wouldn't. I don't like feel murderous if I don't have to be."

"Murderous?"

"I truly hate him, Carlisle. If I become a vampire and I see Edward again, no offense, but I will tear his body to shreds with my bare hands and burn the pieces. I hate him completely for what he did to me, to forks, to my dad, to his family, and to you. In my opinion, he doesn't deserve my grace. And I won't give any."

Carlisle nodded his head. "Your father said something close to that. But coming from you, it's a whole different scenario. And that's understandable considering what he put you through. That's another reason you're here. To work on you're anger. I know that you don't let things out as much as you should. And I would like to help you with that."

"I'd actually kind of like that. I need help. But how can we work on all of this? It's so much."

"How about we just take this all one step at a time?"

I smiled. "I like that."

"Me too."

"Hey Carlisle, do you like blonde jokes?"

He was straight faced for a moment, than he burst out laughing as I heard my name called in a sing song voice by the most hyper pixie on the face of this earth.

"Oh Bella!"

I moaned. Alice.

"Oh Bella, time to talk!"

I held back a groan.

"You don't mind if I talk to Bella for a moment, do you Carlisle?"

"Not at all. Just bring her back in one piece please. And preferably with her ears in the same state they are now. I don't wish for them to fall off."

She rolled her eyes and pulled me out of the store while I laughed. Carlisle really did have a great sense of humor.

We walked all the way across the mall, and once we were far enough away, Alice asked "Do you feel any pressure in your head Bella?"

"Pressure?" I thought about it. "No. I feel normal. Why? Am I going to get a headache soon?"

"No. Nothing like that. I just thought that Carlisle might be listening. Geesh. You get rid of one mind reader and you gain another. That would figure."

I laughed. She was actually right.

"So Bella, I love your idea about the 'test dates'. That's an excellent beginning. I'll make sure the guys don't try to prep Carlisle."

I was confused. "Why would they do that?"

"Because usually, in the beginning, we all give each other advice. However, if they give him advice, I see your date ending disastrously. You are Carlisle are different from us and from other couples or potential couples. Your tastes are different and you have to date by those tastes. What Emmett was going to suggest-"

"I don't want to hear it. La, la, la, la, la."

Alice's bubbly laugh filled my thinking space. "You are so silly Bella!"

"I still don't want to hear it."

"Believe me, I kinda wish I hadn't."

"So, basically, your advice is just to go with the flow?"

"Exactly. If you just talk, relax, and be yourselves, your first test date will be an extreme success."

I was happy to know that things would go so well. Sometimes having a psychic pixie for a best friend was a great thing. And other times it annoyed me to no end.

"So where are we going now?"

"We won't be meeting with Carlisle for a bit. I have to buy you some dresses."

I groaned and stood in front of a mirror in the expensive store we'd walked into. It was here that she brought me dress after dress. But most of them didn't even make it on my body. I refused to wear them.

"Bella," Alice proclaimed exasperatedly, "how can I buy you a dress if you keep refusing them all?"

"Because I don't want to wear jewel tones." I blushed.

Alice was cautious. "What would you like to wear Bella?"

"Something peach, soft pink, light pink, or white. And maybe a brown. All of those are good colors on me. But I don't want to dress for the depressed."

Alice beamed and I'd never seen her so filled with pride. "I knew my fashion sense was starting to rub off on you. And I agree. Peach is definitely your color."

She went off in search of something peach. And instead of standing in front of the mirror like a "good girl", I went off in search of something to wear too. And I found it. My dream dress.

By the time I got back to Alice, she was relieved. She stared at what I had in my hand.

"What is that?"

"This, Alice, is my dream dress."

Her eyebrows lifted and she than smiled. "Try it on. Let me see."

And so I went into the dressing room. I felt thankful I didn't trip or bump my head. Instead, I just hefted the dress on over my head and tried put on my peach heels. Normally, I wouldn't wear any. But these were only one inch and the heels were square. So I wouldn't fall.

The skirt of the silky peach dress came to rest just above my knees and the sheer material came just below it. The dress had a U-neckline that didn't swoop too low. And it had sleeves that came off of it that ended around the middle of my upper arms, the sheer flowed around them. In the front, the dress had a silky belt that was fitted around my hips and tied in a little sowed in bow in front. All in all, the dress was pretty and modest, yet fashionable. And I adored it.

"Alice, what do you think?"

I waited patiently for her to come back from her vision and when she did, she smiled. "You will knock him dead with that outfit Bella."

"That might be a little hard, considering that he's already dead and that I couldn't knock him over as he has the mass of a boulder."

Alice laughed lightly and had me try on a few more dresses. None like my favorite, but nice none the less. And than, we were on our way back to Carlisle.

A/N Alright. I only require one review. I'm sorry these chapters have been so late in coming. But don't worry! I'm trying to catch up. :)