A/N - Thanks so, so, so much for all your nice words. Let's get right to the next chapter, and meet some new characters.
Chapter 48 - Meetings
After doting over Alice, I looked behind us, and noticed Rose and Maria walking up to the Emmet and Jasper. Maria reached out and took Jasper's hand. Emmett stepped up to Rose. "You were great, Rose. Here." He said, handing her the bouquet. "I didn't know if you'd like them, or…"
Rose cut him off, thankfully. "Thank you, Emmett. They're beautiful. Lilacs are my favourite." She said, stepping forward and kissing his cheek, causing him to turn red in embarrassment.
She turned to her parents. "Mom, dad. This is Emmett Cullen. Emmett, these are my parents, Peter and Charlotte."
Emmett put his hand out to shake their hands. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hale." He said. It would have been comical to see a guy as big as Emmett speak so softly, if he wasn't so sincere.
"Likewise." Peter said with a smile.
"It's a pleasure." Charlotte said. She looked so small next to Emmett. "That was so nice of you to get flowers for our Rosie. Thank you." She had a southern accent. Neither of the Hale girls did, so I assumed it was only Charlotte who was from the south.
Emmett blushed a bit deeper. He turned to look at us. "Introduce us." I heard Esme whisper to him with a wink.
"Oh, yeah, right." Emmett said. "Rose. This is my mom and dad, Carlisle and Esme. Mom and dad, this is Rose."
"It is so nice to meet you, sweetheart." Esme said with a smile, taking her hand. "You were so graceful on stage. Absolutely beautiful."
"Yes, you are quite the talent." Carlisle added. "It's nice to finally put a face to the name."
It was Rose's turn to blush. "Thank you, both. It's nice to meet you, too."
"It's nice to see you again, too, Maria." Carlisle added.
"You, too, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. Hi, Bella and Edward." Maria said, with a cheerful smile.
Emmett was looking a little more relaxed. "Mr. and Mrs. Hale." He said. You've met my brother, Jasper, but this is my older brother Edward, and his girlfriend Bella. They're home from UW Seattle for the summer. And the little ballerina is my baby sister, Alice." I was proud of Emmett for speaking up.
"Nice to meet you both." Edward said, shaking their hands. We all finished our introductions. The Hales were a beautiful family, and very friendly. I was glad the girls had such a supportive family, as well.
Jasper, Maria, Emmett and Rose all stood together, talking. I heard Emmett inviting Rose to Jasper's game the next day. Esme and Carlisle went over to talk with Peter and Charlotte. It seemed that the two families got along amazingly well.
Edward took Alice's hand. "Do you want to introduce us to your friend?" He asked her. I looked over and saw the little dark-haired girl, that Alice was with during the final bow, standing with whom I assumed to be her mom.
"Yeah." Alice said excitedly, pulling Edward forward. He laughed at her, reaching back to take my hand in his other one. "Hi, Bree. This is my big brother Edward, and my best friend, Bella. She's the one that painted my nails."
"Hi, sweetheart. It's nice to meet you." Edward said with a friendly smile.
Bree looked up at us and blushed when she looked at Edward. I could relate to that reaction. "Hi." She said quietly.
"Hello, I'm Bree's mom, Victoria Tanner." The woman standing beside Bree introduced herself. She was about 5'6, and slender. She had dark red hair, that was pulled back into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck. She was wearing black dress pants, with a pale blue blouse. It appeared to just be the two of them. It was too bad we hadn't met prior to the recital. She could have sat with us, too, instead of alone.
"It's nice to meet you." I said, reaching out to shake her hand.
"You, too, Bella. Edward." She said, shaking his hand as well. "Bree talks about her friend Alice from Forks all the time. It's too bad they don't live closer together."
"Yes." Edward said. "I was just talking to Alice about that. Would it be alright if we came to pick Bree up for a visit once school is out?"
Bree's face lit up. She looked over at Alice with a big smile. "That would be great, actually." Victoria said, with a smile. "It's just the two of us, and I work all week, so that would be great if you could pick her up. She usually stays with my dad, during the summer, and he doesn't drive."
I was surprised she had opened up to us about her situation, but she seemed genuinely happy that Bree had such a close friend.
"Well, it's really no problem." Edward assured her. She gave us her phone number, so we could call her. I was glad that Alice would be able to keep in touch with her friend over the summer.
Alice gave Bree a hug, and told her they would see each other soon. Esme walked over to us and introduced herself to Victoria. We each kissed Alice goodbye, and told her we would see her tomorrow. Esme and Victoria walked together as they took the girls backstage to get changed.
Edward turned to me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me to his chest. He sighed.
"Are you tired?" I asked him. Wrapping my arms around his waist.
"I'm exhausted." He chuckled, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. "Eating a big meal and then sitting in a dark room for a few hours, made me so tired. My eyes feel heavy."
"Do you want me or Emmett to drive home, babe?" I asked, pulling back to look at him. He did look really tired.
"That sounds really good, actually. You wouldn't mind, honey? I don't want you to have to drive in the dark." Out came Edward, the worrier.
"No. I don't mind at all." I said. I didn't have my own car, but I considered myself to be a pretty good driver. "Let's go collect your brothers, so I can get you home and tucked into bed." Edward laughed at me. I took his hand and pulled him over to his brothers.
"Okay, guys. You ready to go?" Edward asked them. They looked back at him like he crazy for thinking they would want to say goodbye to Rose and Maria.
Charlotte must have heard Edward, and she came over to her daughters. "Actually, we should be getting home, too. Rosie, you should go and collect your things. It was nice meeting you all."
"Thanks." Edward said to her. Emmett and Jasper gave Rose and Maria a hug, before walking over to us. We waved to the girls, before letting Carlisle know we were heading home.
"You look tired, Edward. Are you sure you're awake enough to drive?" Carlisle looked concerned.
"Actually, Bella's going to drive." Edward said, looking at me with a smile.
"Good. Thanks, Bella." Carlisle said. He gave me a hug and patted Edward on the arm. "Have a safe drive We'll be home probably about twenty minutes after you."
"Thank you, Carlisle. And thanks for dinner. I had a great time tonight." I told him sincerely.
"Oh, you're very welcome, Bella. Alice was so excited that you were here." He said.
We walked to the parking lot and to Edward's car. Edward opened the driver's side for me and I got in, adjusting all of his mirrors. Edward got in the passenger side and Emmett and Jasper got in the backseat.
Edward guided me through town, back to the highway. Once we were driving, I looked over and noticed that Edward's eyes were closed. It was already dark out. "Okay, guys." I said to Emmett and Jasper. "You've got to keep talking to me and keep me awake." I wasn't that tired, but the monotony of the highway at night, plus with Edward being asleep, I didn't want to risk it.
"No problem." Emmett said. He reached forward and grabbed Edward's iPod, scrolling through it. He found some fast-paced music and started to play it. I looked over at Edward, and he didn't even stir. I thought for sure he would wake up. "So, what's up with Edward?"
I laughed. "Just tired I guess. I must be wearing him out."
"Too much information, Bella." Emmett teased.
"Oh, shut up, Emmett. That's not what I meant." I laughed. "I think he's stressed about this trip next week. He's probably worried about meeting my mom, and making sure I'm happy." I explained. "You know your brother. He worries so much, and he's always trying to make everyone else happy."
"So, Bella. Do you not want to see your mom?" Jasper asked. I guessed no one told Emmett and Jasper about her.
"Oh, I do. She's just one of those workaholics that cares more about work, than family. It should be okay, though. I haven't seen her since last August." I told them.
We spent the rest of the drive talking and getting to know each other even better. I liked Emmett and Jasper, and it was nice that we were comfortable enough with each other that we could talk without Edward be there, or awake, in this case. The drive home flew by.
