A/N: It's Girl's Day! I think we need to hear it from Esme's POV.

Esme's POV

Today was Girl's Day, so I decided to try making breakfast on my own. Not that I didn't love working with my newest daughter in the kitchen. It was one of the highlights of my day. I loved how Bella just relaxed and had fun when we were cooking. It all smelled so disgusting, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.

I got out a cookbook and looked up French toast. Yes, I could do this. I studied the picture to make sure I knew what it was supposed to look like, and got out all of the ingredients.

I had missed this. With no need of food, and no family that needed it, I was missing a nurturing outlet. And I'm one nurturing vampire, let me tell you! Edward could read minds, Alice could see the future. Jasper was an empath, and Emmett was very strong. Carlisle is a healer, and Rosalie can tear apart and rebuild anything motorized. My gift is mothering, and I'm a bad-ass at it! My family knows that they are loved and valued. My children know they can come to me for comfort.

My husband knows that, after all of these years, I still want to eat him with a spoon, he's that delicious.

I hummed as I plated the toast, just as Bella and Edward came into the kitchen from the back stairs. "Just in time!" I sang. "I wanted to try this on my own, to see what the Master Chef had to say about what I've learned."

"Mom, that smells wonderful." Bella sat at the table, grabbing the syrup and digging in. She hummed with her mouth full, her eyes fell shut, and her face was a mask of bliss. She chewed and swallowed, then said, "Oh my god, this is the best French toast ever. Just enough cinnamon, and you added vanilla?" At my happy nod, she moaned, "You're a culinary genius."

Edward laughed, "Maybe you two are the soul mates. I'm feeling pretty unnecessary here."

Bella pointed at her plate, "When you can make French toast like this, you'll be necessary again. Until then, I need my mom." She grinned and continued shoveling the food.

Her mom. Somehow, that made me feel warm and fuzzy. No mean feat, considering how cold I am. Ha.

I loved how comfortable they were with each other. I'll admit, I had my doubts when I first learned that my favorite son, (yes, my favorite. Don't tell the others) had mated with a human. In the past, I had high hopes for Tanya, but he obviously felt nothing for her. The heart wants what the heart wants, or in that case, doesn't want. Luckily, Bella turned out to be the most wonderful woman my son could have ever found, and I was thrilled. I already loved her to bits.

Well, not literally. I'm not a monster.

"Alice already has the car out front. We're taking the Mercedes, so when you're done eating, say your goodbyes, because we're off to Seattle for the day!" I usually don't like to shop with Alice. She's a bit of a retail tyrant. But I was really looking forward to a day with my three beautiful daughters.

With Rosalie driving, and Alice and Bella tucked in the back, I took shotgun. Rosalie drives as fast as Edward, so the usually three hour drive took us just over two. The ferry slowed us down a bit. It was a perfectly sunless day, so we got to stand out on the deck of the ferry. Bella and Alice strolled around, chattering happily, which allowed me a moment alone with Rosalie.

"Sweetheart, I know you haven't been very supportive of Edward and Bella, and I'd like to know what it is that's bothering you." I stroked a lock of golden hair off her face.

"It's nothing. I just worry," she wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Rose, I won't say there isn't anything to worry about, but really, can't you be happy for them? I know we've never seen Edward happier. She's his mate, and she's really wonderful, once you get to know her." My fiercely loyal daughter hates change.

"She's human, mother," she spat. "She's going to bring ruin down on our heads. I just know it."

"Rosalie! You know no such thing! Look, Alice has seen her as one of us. Can't you at least try? For Edward? For me?"

She looked at deck between her shoes, "I won't promise anything, but I'll be civil. And I'll try to find some redeeming character in her, all right?"

I kissed her forehead, "Seek, and ye shall find, dear daughter of mine. It's there. She loves your brother, and she already loves us. Give her a chance. I think she'll surprise you."

She sighed, looking out over the water. Finally, she nodded shortly. It was all I could ask of her. You can lead a vampire to water...

I turned to watch my other two daughters, smiling and chatting away. No worries about Alice. That child had never met a stranger; the world was her friend. I was happy that Bella could experience siblings. She had grown up so alone, it nearly broke my heart thinking about it. I was warmed knowing that she saw me as a maternal figure. My heart got fuller every time she called me 'mom'. Once she was changed, and she married Edward, our lives would be complete, and completely full and rewarding, I had no doubt.

Now to get my wonderful son over his aversion to Bella as a vampire.

Alice led us from store to store, and it's a good thing the trunk of the Mercedes was huge; we soon had it packed full. In the first boutique we entered, Bella found a blouse that was lovely, and headed for the cashier to check out. As soon as she pulled out her wallet, Alice stole it, tucking it into her capacious purse, "Not today, sister! Today, the only money spent is Cullen money."

"Alice, don't be ridiculous! I'm not poor," Bella laughed.

Alice cocked one eyebrow, "No one said you were. But this is a family trip, and that's the end of it."

After a bit more arguing, Bella finally gave in with grace. It was a bit of a struggle, because Alice wanted to buy everything Bella looked at. I finally stepped in, asking Alice to reign it in.

The bulk of our purchases seemed to occur in a adorable little lingerie shop. Apparently, Alice believed that Bella's underthings were in scandalously short supply, and soon had the checkout counter piled in lace and silk and satin. Over Bella's objections, she soon had enough bras, panties and other assorted frilly things to last her for a year. If Edward was anything like his father, she would need every bit of lingerie Alice picked out, and more. The men in our family aren't known for their patience, and our clothing tends to pay the price. It's a good thing we had Alice and her proclivity for shopping.

I loaded up as well. My Carlisle could use something new to tear off of- I mean, to look at. Yes, that's what I meant.

We took Bella to the restaurant she had said was her favorite. Canlis was a charming establishment. I can't comment about the food, but the ambiance was relaxing and intimate. I wasn't blind to the fact that our table was the object of attention from every male in the place, and most of the women. With my three beauties together, who could blame them?

We all ordered food, and my vampire daughters and I were expert at cutting and pushing food around, dropping bits into our napkins. This entire pantomime amused Bella to no end. Even Rosalie smiled a bit at her delight.

Honestly, for a human to be so accepting of us was still a marvel to me. I loved this girl more every minute.

We moved on to the day spa, only ordering services that would keep our non-human cover, while we insisted on the whole nine yards for Bella. At one point, Rose and Bella were in tubs, side by side, up to their necks in mud, while Alice and I had eucalyptis wraps. It did nothing for our skin, but the smell was soothing. I hoped some time alone together would help them sort themselves out.

Unfortunately, Bella emerged a bit on the subdued side. I glared at Rosalie, who shrugged and looked only the tiniest bit apologetic. I didn't pry, but I hoped that Bella would come to me if Rose had upset her. She appeared to shake it off, however, and soon was chatting with Alice and I, just as she had all day. I put it out of my mind. I was sure Bella would tell me or Edward if something was bothering her.

On the trip home, she seemed relaxed and happy. I did notice that Rose and Bella never directly addressed each other, and that had me worried. I decided, though, that I had interfered enough, and I would have to let them sort this out on their own. They were both adults.

Back at home, we sent the boys to unload our purchases, as usual. They knew what a trip to Seattle with the girls meant, and they moved with alacrity, especially Emmett. He loved when Rosalie brought home new lingerie, the horn-dog.

After Bella and I made dinner, we took the extra food down to the Hersheizers. Bella had started to come with me, saying she thought the older couple were the most adorable people she'd ever met. I'll admit, they're pretty cute. Mr. Hersheizer has a bit of a crush on me, and I shouldn't encourage it, but he's completely harmless. I think Mrs. Hersheizer reminds Bella a little of her grandmother. Tonight, she had presented us with a potted cutting of her prize winning silver roses from her garden, in appreciation of the food we provided, and I knew just where I would put it in my garden.

The lovely thing about roses is that I can dig them up and take them to our next home. This bush was definitely coming with us.

We returned to the house, and Bella drifted off with Edward to their spot by the river. I slipped into Carlisle's office, and he wasted no time putting his musty old books away. A day away from my mate sure made him attentive.

"Did you have a good day with your sons, my love?" I slipped into his lap, making the chair squeak.

He gave me a gentle kiss, "I did. Emmett didn't whine once, and Edward never got morose. We hunted, and then we cleaned out that shed at the back of the property, and they did it without complaint. I think they were happy to have busy work to keep their minds off of their mates," he laughed. "How was your day with your daughters?"

"It was the best day! Oh darling, I'm just so happy! We're a complete family now, four perfectly mated pairs. Edward is so happy, I almost can't believe it," I gushed.

"It's wonderful, I admit. Although it worries me about how adamant he is regarding changing Bella. The poor child will be stone deaf soon, and when her vision starts to go... her quality of life will drop to nothing. Edward thinks he can do everything for her, but as you've observed, she's quite independent. She likes doing things for herself. I hope he can be made to see reason." He said all of this very quietly, knowing that Edward was still within hearing range.

Personally, I hoped he'd hear it, the stubborn boy.

I nuzzled his ear, "Shall we have an early night, Dr. Cullen?"

"Did you buy anything in... red?" His mouth skimmed down my neck.

"I did."

Before I could blink again, we were up the stairs, our bedroom door slamming behind us.

My new red teddy didn't survive the night.

E/N: I never see enough of things from dear Esme's POV. I just love her to bits.

Review, please! I can't get enough!