Author's note: As promised, the first chapter of the weekend. I hope to get as many posted as possible before I go back to work on Sunday, so as I get them written to my satisfaction I'll be tossing them up here.*bribes EPBs with gifts of chocolate and cheezburgers*

I do have a question for everyone. In my last chapter, I drew a line at the idea of Bella possibly being able to conceive. However, I did leave a loophole. Which leads me to my question - should she be able to have a child with Edward? In the book they do, but as this has morphed into its own alternate little hole in reality, I'm undecided. So I thought I'd see what you all thought. :-D

That said, on with the show.

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They all sat in the living room, everyone but Alice insanely curious. As she was the only one who was aware of what was going on in his head, but she wasn't speaking, conversation of course revolved around what on earth he might be thinking that would necessitate calling a family meeting - especially as the family patriarch and their resident human were in another country. Esme was just as curious as the rest, but she was also content to watch the family dynamic, sitting there patiently and observing everyone's moods as was her habit.

"Come on, Alice, tell us!" Emmett pleaded, gazing at her with puppy-dog eyes. She just laughed and patted his head.

"Nope. This is Ed's show, not mine. He gets to be the one to explain this."

"Explain what?" the vampire in question asked, sauntering in from the kitchen. Emmett bounded over to him.

"C'mon, Ed. You call us back from our run, gather everyone here - and then don't show up for three hours while we all sit here in silence." Edward just arched an eyebrow.

"Emmett, I don't believe it is possible for you to do anything in silence."

"You know what I mean. And then all Alice will tell us is that it has something to do with you and Bella and us. So what's up, man?" Edward walked past the big vampire to stand casually against the picture window, staring outside. Esme could tell somehow that he wasn't quite as nonchalant as he appeared, but a lot of the strain he'd been wearing like a jacket lately seemed - if not gone, then muted, at least. Now she really was curious.

"So I've been giving things a lot of thought lately. I know you're all aware of my...lack of carnal experience, for want of a better term. And I do apologize for winding you all into my own personal hell of fear and repression. But Bella is my life, and I am loathe to do anything to hurt her. However, as has been expressly pointed out to me by...well, everyone...it hurts her far more to be pushed away as I have been doing.

"I don't feel angry or bitter about it. I do feel a bit like an idiot. But I seem to have come up with a solution that - I think - will work. And it doesn't involve me giving up my virtue to anyone but Bella, which is what I've really wanted all along." He turned away from the window to face them all.

"I would like your permission, each of you, to see your memories of the time you've spent with Bella. I believe as a voyeur to occurrences that have already happened, I should be better able to control my reactions and learn to hold myself in check. But on this, as I won't only be picking up what you saw, but everything you felt as well, I won't go delving without permission. So what say you all?"

Esme looked around at the faces of her children. Alice was impossibly happy and bouncy, but she had been all day. Esme could only assume that their seer already knew how it would turn out. Rosalie seemed thoughtful, Emmett interested. Jasper was the only quiet one, and when he looked up at Edward it was with a question in his eyes. Edward apparently responded, because almost immediately Jasper's expression changed from worry to agreement. No one had spoken, however, and in the absence of her husband it was usually her job to get the ball rolling. She looked up at Edward, waiting until he turned to her.

"I think it is an excellent idea, and I for one will be happy to share my memories of your beautiful future wife with you. But I want to know that you've taken it all into account. Everyone in this room loves Bella, but we love you as well. Have you thought about what seeing all of these intimate moments may mean? Will you still be able to look at her and see just Bella, not Bella in conjunction with the rest of us?"

"I believe I will. Jasper-" the other vampire leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, "and I have already done something of the sort, and while it hit me hard, I believe that was mostly because I wasn't prepared to see Bella through another's eyes, especially another who cared for her. Then too, there was the fact that I could feel everything that Jasper was feeling, including the overwhelming need to drain her dry." He laughed and Esme blinked in surprise.

"Jasper showed you that night? And you are still willing to go through with this?" He nodded once.

"In a way, it was that memory that gave me this idea. As much as I wanted to hurt Jasper for even thinking about harming Bella, it gave me a startling view of my own thoughts as well. I've been mulling it over in my head since then and I came to the conclusion that my biggest issue wasn't watching him have sex with Bella, but the thought that he might have hurt her. I'm afraid I'm not explaining this as well as I could," he muttered.

"I believe I understand," Esme said, standing and stepping over to him. "You weren't feeling jealousy, really, but fear for her safety. And that confused you." He nodded.

"Exactly. I've been baffled as to why I'm not more possessive, but I think I understand now. She loves me. As hard as it is for me to believe, I have to trust her. Because to constantly assume that she doesn't know what she's talking about is just...wrong. Bella is one of the most level-headed people I've ever met, and the way I've been pushing her away is nothing short of insulting." He laughed once, a short sound of mild self-derision. "You were all right. I haven't been saving anything with my attitude, my stubbornness.

"Do you remember that first conversation we had about our family's openness?" Esme nodded. "I've decided. My jealousy is not worth losing Bella forever. She won't be my sacrifice on the 'altar of needless pride'." Esme smiled, drawing Edward into a comforting hug.

"I am so proud of you, Edward."

"So, when do we start this love-in?" asked Emmett, as usual shattering the tenderness of the moment. Esme looked at Edward, laughing when he rolled his eyes.

"I'm not quite sure yet. I do know I'd like it to be a one-on-one between myself and whoever I'll be reading. I feel like it would be less...overwhelming that way. And I know I can't handle all of it at once."

"Can I go first?" the big vampire asked eagerly. Edward shook his head and Emmett's face fell. Esme couldn't help but laugh.

"Actually, I was thinking I'd listen in on Alice's thoughts next. Jasper has already shared his first night with Bella with me, so it's only right to get the other side of that night. Then...we'll see." He turned back to Esme, his eyes seeking a reassurance that he probably didn't really need, but he did need to know he wasn't alone. She simply reached over and stroked his cheek.

"We're here for you, Edward, whenever you're ready."

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They'd walked down the beach for a long while, Bella loving the feel of the sand shifting under her sandals, the cool salt breeze against her skin. She resolved to walk barefoot in the damp sand as soon as possible. But her stomach was demanding food, so she was letting Carlisle lead her to breakfast. His arm around her waist was light, yet still solid, and she leaned against his shoulder, sighing.

"So what would you like to do after breakfast, bella mia?" She looked up at his eternally young face, blushing. He just laughed.

"What?" she asked, pretending to be incensed.

"You are delightful!" he said cheerfully. "But as tempting as the idea is, I didn't just bring you here so I could spend every moment inside your gorgeous body. I plan to show you a good time outside of bed as well." She sighed in mock resignation.

"Okay. What is there to do around here?" He didn't say anything for a long moment, then he paused, turning her to face him.

"Do you trust me?" His golden eyes, searching hers.

"Absolutely," she whispered under the force of that gaze.

"Okay. Then for the rest of this weekend, I want you to leave your inhibitions at the door. I can promise I won't do anything to hurt you, but I will need you to banish that self-doubt for a few days." She was puzzled, but he seemed so earnest, and her resolve was putty at best in the face of his sincerity.

"Okay...I'll try." He smiled at her.

"Then today, love, I plan to show you some of the sights of this beautiful playground of Caralla's, and tonight I am going to take you dancing." She hesitated, but he grasped her chin and kissed her firmly. "No ifs, ands, or buts, Bella. Just believe in me, and yourself. Trust me, and I can show you things you never knew existed."

"Carlisle..." she began, but he silenced her - quite effectively - with another kiss.

"Have I mentioned how absolutely erotic it is to hear my name on your lips, il mio angelo?" They were walking again, and her head was spinning, and she was glad of his arm around her waist. Soon - a bit too soon for her tastes, as she was enjoying the walk - she saw a building appearing in the distance. Her stomach took that moment to growl loudly. To her utter surprise, Carlisle stopped, leaned down, and pressed a kiss right above her bellybutton.

"Quiet, stomach, we'll feed you soon enough." She looked at him, laughing when his eyes began to dance with amusement. "What?"

"Did you just talk to my stomach?" she asked between chuckles.

"Well, it was talking to us, so I figured it was only polite." She shook her head.

"Well, I'd prefer it didn't talk anymore." She stepped forward, pressing against him, loving the small moan he made as she wound her leg around his and looped her arms around his neck. "There are so many other parts of me I'd prefer to let speak to you." A distant part of her was amazed at her forwardness, but for the most part she was completely content with pressing up against him, feeling his solid body flush with hers. She could have laughed as he swallowed convulsively, the unneeded action spelling out his desire in ways words never could. After she yanked his head down for a brief kiss she released him and began walking again.

"Now - breakfast." She glanced back at where he still stood, looking at her. "I'm going to need my strength for later." In a flash he was on her, holding her a good foot off the ground as he kissed her roughly, and she shivered with need. ~How does he do this?~ she wondered. ~How the hell does he make me want him so much?~ At that point he could have laid her down in the sand and taken her, hard and fast and in full view of the few people who were already wandering out to the beach, and she wouldn't have objected in the least. Unfortunately he put her down, releasing her slowly. She saw his eyes were dark with pure lust, and she couldn't help pressing her hands against the waistband of his pants - the ones that did absolutely nothing to hide the fact that he was very much ready for her. He shivered, growling as he kissed her again before pulling her along with him.

"We're going to get breakfast, and then I'm going to carry you back to our beautiful little beach house, lay you down in the sand, and fuck you senseless." He grinned at her. "Unless there's something you'd rather do?" She swallowed, hard.

"Nope...that sounds fine to me."