A/N – (I don't own twilight or the characters in any way. All credit goes to Stephanie Meyers)

Dinner Party

Carlisle's P.O.V.

"Come on Esme, we're going to be late!" I leant against our new house's stair banister, waiting for my magnificent wife to come down the stairs.

"I'm coming!" She called back down.

I sighed, crossing my arms across my chest.

"You know what it's like for a woman Carlisle," Edward laughed from beside me. "It's always their looks that they're worried about..." I shook my head as he carried on. "Esme's no exception."

"Edward's right!" Esme called.

"I'm sure he is," I mumbled sarcastically. "I'll be waiting in the foyer for you."

I went to walk away, but was tugged back by Edward's hand.

"That won't be necessary, Carlisle...look." I turned my head towards the top floor and there, I saw the most beautiful thing I could ever lay my eyes on.

Esme was stood by the top step, her Cobalt blue dress flowing down her body like an elegant waterfall. My unnecessary breath caught in my throat. Her hair was pinned back casually in curls, some escaping the sapphire jewelled butterfly slide she wore in her caramel coloured hair. She had a black muff over her hands, which was of course, unneeded, but still, it suited her.

"Esme," I breathed through forced breath.

"Carlisle," she replied.

I must've been gawking as Edward delivered a sharp nock to my side.

I immediately straightened up, offering my hand to the staggering woman in front of me. She smiled widely, her teeth glittering in the dim light as she elegantly made her way down the stairs.

"You look absolutely dazzling," I mumbled into her ear.

She laughed her famous laugh, making me break into an enormous grin.

"Thank you, though I must say you look rather dashing yourself." She tugged my bowtie lightly with her slender fingers.

"You don't know what you do to me," I whispered.

Her soft hands cupped my face as she placed a feather light kiss on my lips.

"The feeling's mutual."

I pulled her in tighter making her squeal from the sudden closeness.

"Come on then, you wouldn't want that beautiful dress going unnoticed."

She hit my arm while pretending to angrily pout. "Beautiful dress?"

"Or its splendorous owner," I added.

Her grin widened and I knew I was out of the firing line.

"Thank you." I grabbed her small hand, pulling it away from my face and twirling her around.

"You're welcome."

Edward's exasperated sigh broke our dream like trance and I let my eyes wander to meet his unimpressed face.

"You were saying about being late?" Sarcasm dripped from every word and I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, let's go, come on!"

I wrapped my arm around Esme's waist, placing her coat around her shoulders, even though I knew she wouldn't need it. Edward walked past us, obviously annoyed.

"Talk about hypocrisy. Look who's making us late now."

I laughed under my breath which made him sulk harder. Esme smirked next to me and Edward half walked, half jogged to the car. We both followed in his footsteps and got in behind him so we were sat in the back.

"Let's just get this over and done with," Edward mumbled under his breath.

Esme shot him an unimpressed look.

"What?"

"Edward, I know you don't enjoy these "human" parties, but would you please behave for me – us – tonight?

His tight lips turned up into a crooked smile and I knew he was playing.

"After all, I couldn't miss Esme's reaction..." He mused. "It'll be a picture, I'm sure."

She huffed next to me, her face a scowl as she tried to ignore her son's comment.

"Thanks for the support, Edward."

"Anytime." I shook my head at my son's approach to Esme's first time at experiencing food.

"You know, you weren't so easy going when it was you Edward." He frowned again as I reminded him of his first encounter with human food. I pictured it all in my head, watching him nearly gag. He scowled at the memory which made me shake with laughter.

"That doesn't need to be repeated," he moaned.

The final turn was made and an audible gasp made its way from Esme's mouth.

"Carlisle, I don't think I can do this."

"Esme, you can do anything." I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand, letting the warmth of her skin capture me in a peaceful trance.

She sighed, looking out the window to the state house we were driving up to. The car slowed and Esme's hand squeezed mine tightly.

"Come on." I snaked a hand over her torso to open the door as the car came to a stop. She breathed in unevenly and I could see the venom that had pooled in her mouth, slide down her throat as she gulped it back. "Look, if this is too much for you..."

She brushed it away with a flick of her hand. "No, no. I'm completely capable, just..."

"Nervous," Edward finished.

Edward helped her out of the car and I followed after her. I put an arm around her waist, feeling her body lean against mine for support. She was so nervous for such a small occasion.

"It's the...eating," she forced out, "that I'm worried about."

We continued on to the doors, greeted by Dr. Howls, who I assumed, was the owner of the incredible house. Our whispers stayed silent to human ears as Esme continued to out her worries.

"You're capable of literally everything," I reminded her.

We were led up a grand staircase that knocked the breath out of the woman next to me. Her gasp was audible throughout the massive room as it echoed off of walls.

"The architecture is amazing," she mumbled to herself.

I nodded in agreement, Edward laughed behind us.

"Great minds think alike," he laughed.

I smiled slightly despite Esme's discomfort.

"Mr and Mrs. Cullen," a woman greeted us. She was about mid 40's, her hair wavy as it fell around her lining face.

"Thank you Mrs..." She smiled kindly at us, taking our coats before giving us her name.

"Mrs. Howls, but please, call me Claire. I've heard a lot about you Dr. Cullen."

I felt immediately at home and even Esme smiled slightly at the kind woman in front of us.

"Please, call me Carlisle, and my wife, Esme." Her smile broadened as did ours and we were soon talking to one another freely. We were led into a drawing room until we were called for dinner with the other guests who had unnoticeably piled around us.

"Edward?" I questioned quietly. He seemed to have disappeared; it was only when he weaved himself out of the crowds that I could see him properly.

I breathed a sigh of relief, sitting down at my designated seat, which was fortunately, beside Esme.

I could hear the mumbling of people as I sat down. I was being introduced to the community as the new doctor. It was quite nerve racking and Esme's nerves mixed with mine weren't helping the problem.

The sound of a glass being tapped with a fork was clear as it chimed sharply through the room. Everyone on the grand table ceased to talk and a silence invaded the fairly large room and Dr. Howls stood up.

"Tonight it is important for two reasons. First of all, there is a new perfectionist in our mists. He has just come down from Canada with his wife and her younger brother. He's a great man and an even better doctor. I'd like to introduce Dr. Cullen."

He beckoned me to stand up which I politely rejected. Instead, I waved a little, my chagrin stopping me from getting up in front of so many awaiting eyes. Everyone smiled at me, and I knew it was only a matter of time before going through the ritual of saying hello to fellow employees and the public.

"Secondly, I would like to say that we have a new sponsor for our hospital." Everyone gave a small cheer, some exhaling in relief. "I knew we were on the edge, but with the help of the Hale family, our hospital is back on the road. They've donated a lot of money towards our cause and for that I am truly grateful." Nods and murmurs of agreement circulated around the table.

The Hale's raised their glasses and their daughter, about 13 years old in appearance, tusked while rolling her eyes. She obviously wasn't very interested.

"You can say that again," Edward whispered.

I had to hold back a small laugh as the starter was being served.

"All she wants is the attention," Edward continued lowly. "She doesn't really care about the gratitude towards the help her family has to offer. She's quite nonchalant actually."

"What's her name?" Esme asked.

"Rosalie Lillian Hale," Edward responded. I nodded my head.

"She's a pretty girl," I countered.

"Indeed," Edward agreed. "Pretty but greedy, very unappreciative."

"Edward!" Esme scorned.

"It's true, her mind is shallow, very shallow, and it'll only get worse as she grows older." I shook my head at my son's belatedness.

"No need to be so..."

"Upfront?" Edward innocently continued.

Esme arched an eyebrow but a smile pulled up the edges of her mouth.

"Exactly that."

The starter was served and Esme's face set into a worried picture.

"Just...eat," I started, weakly.

She looked at me, her eyes sparking with uncertainty.

"How?"

"Watch."

I lifted a spoon full of soup, putting it into my mouth. It tasted like dirt would to a human, completely disgusting, but I smiled through it, wiping my mouth as I finished the bowl.

She looked at me, completely dazed as Edward snickered in between mouthfuls of soup. She didn't question me though, she just followed my lead. She let her mouth open reluctantly to let the soup in, and although I hated to agree with Edward, he was right. Her face was a picture, absolutely priceless.

She squished her nose up in disgust as she swallowed the liquid. Her eyes tightly shut. I had to suppress my volcano of laughter as she continued to eat the stuff. Edward chuckled silently in front of me as she struggled through the course.

"One down, two more to go," I encouraged sarcastically.

She shook her head. "Then what?"

"You cough it back up," I replied, honestly.

"Lovely."

Edward choked on his soup as the dishes were being collected. He couldn't stop choking as his laughter consumed him.

"Thanks for your support, Edward," Esme sighed, frustrated.

Edward laughed harder, running human speed outside of the room, and onto the balcony beyond the French door opposite us. The blonde beauty flipped her hair over her right shoulder, obviously bored. Her mother gave her an unimpressed look, but did nothing to show she was in the wrong. Edward was right. Talk about ignorant.

Two courses later, Esme was officially finished. She gave me a pained look and I had to sympathise with her. It wasn't exactly nice having to eat, what to us, was mouthfuls of dirt.

"Esme, stop, you'll make yourself sick..."

"Is that even possible for us?"

"I'm not entirely sure. I mean, if you want you can find out." She dropped the fork immediately, a frown on her face.

"Well, thank you."

Music picked up in the background and a small smile played around her lips.

"If there's one thing I would like to learn is how you dance. Come on." She grabbed my hand, pulling me up. I didn't refuse. Instead I was led onto the dance floor, where we continued our night in each other's arms, oblivious to the world around us.

A/N – I'm so, so sorry I haven't updated in like FOREVER. I've had so many exams and ontop of them, I've had my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award practice trip.

I'll try to be faster, promise!

Anyways, thanks for the reviews, faves, and story alerts so far guys! It means a lot to me.

If you liked this chapter, Please Review! Thanks, Katie1995 :)