CPOV
It took me an hour, but I finally managed to find out what happened while I was hunting. Charles is a bastard and he deserves to rot in hell for what he's done to my angel. Once I calmed her down, we talked about this rationally. She isn't breaking the law by being here and if someone saw her during our shopping trip, it's unlikely they know my address. She won't be able to leave the house until we get this taken care of, but it will all work out.
It's about three in the afternoon and Esme and I are cuddling on the couch reading. We're each leaning against one of the arms of the couch facing each other with our feet intertwined. We're supposed to be reading, but neither of us are. Esme is staring into space with a serious look on her face and, of course, I'm watching Esme. I didn't notice that Esme is wearing my shirt until after I got her calmed down. She looks so gorgeous in my clothes. It never even entered my mind that a woman could look sexy in men's clothing until Esme. She takes my breath away. With my vampire sight, I can see her womanly curves through the sheer material, and when I saw the beautiful pink of her nipples, I almost moaned out loud. She isn't ready for that and I'll wait as long as it takes, but my body apparently hasn't gotten that message.
The phone ringing interrupts our "reading" and I hurry to get it. No one ever calls my cell phone except for the kids. The caller id tells me its Alice and I answer it before it rings again.
"Hello Alice"
"Carlisle! How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Well I'd think you were doing better than good but whatever. I'm doing well. School is out for winter break and we are all packing to come home. I wanted to call and give you a heads up in case you need to do anything or talk to anyone before we get there." I can almost see her devilish grin. Sometimes it pays to have a psychic daughter.
"Thank you Alice."
"You're welcome. We're still packing so it will be a few hours before we get there."
"Okay, I will see you then."
"Bye Carlisle." She sings back before hanging up.
Sighing I walk back into the living room with my phone in my hand.
"Everything okay?" Esme asks looking up from the book she's pretending to read.
"Everything is fine. That was Alice. The kids are all coming home for winter break today. They'll be here in a few hours."
"Okay um I'm sure there's a hotel or something in town that I can stay at. Let me find a phone book, I'll call for reservations"
"Esme, no" I tell her as I sit down and pull her bare feet in my lap. She's not going anywhere. "I don't want you to leave. I was just telling you so you wouldn't be surprised when they get here."
"Carlisle" she sighs "You need time with your kids. I don't want to be in the way of that."
"You won't be. Trust me, they would be upset if my mate wasn't here, especially the girls, they've been waiting a very long time for the numbers to be even."
"Are you sure?" she squirms in her seat and its adorable.
"Positive" I shoot her a smile and after a minute, she returns it.
"So tell me about your kids." Esme says.
We're in the kitchen cooking her dinner, well she's cooking, and I'm watching her. She's still wearing my t shirt and it's very distracting.
"Well Edward is my oldest, if you go by vampire years. I changed him in 1918. He was 17 and dying of Spanish influenza. His whole family had died from the disease and I was their doctor as well. As his mother was dying, she begged me to save him and I did, the only way I could. Edward and I are closer than I am with any of my other children. We share a special bond. He was my best friend for many years and all the family I had until Rosalie. He is very compassionate, but he can come off as hard and brooding. He's gotten a lot better since he met his wife Bella."
"My second child is Rosalie. I found her dying in an alley in Rochester, New York. She had been attacked and brutalized by her fiancé and a gang of his friends. They left her in the street because they thought she was dead. I could hear her strong heartbeat when I found her and I just…I couldn't let her die. I briefly considered that she could be Edward's mate but the two instantly shot that down when she awoke. Rosalie is the one who resents me the most for changing her. She hates what she is and she hated me for a long time. After she found Emmett, things got better, but she'll always resent me a little. Her and I will never have as close of a relationship as I have with the others. Sometimes I think that I shouldn't have changed her or forced her to live as something she hates, but as soon as that thought enters my mind, I quickly shove it away. She's my daughter and I love her so much. I just hope one day she can fully forgive me." Esme places a comforting hand on my arm and I grab it to intertwine our fingers before continuing.
"Emmett came next. Rosalie found him one afternoon when we were living in Tennessee. She was out hunting and found him dying, he had been attacked by a bear. She quickly picked him up and brought him to the house. She begged me to change him to save his life because she knew he was her mate. I think in that moment, I started to have hope that she could forgive me one day for changing her, after all she asked me to do the same for her mate. Emmett was like a breath of fresh air for our family. He softened Rosalie and really made life fun to live again. We started playing sports and games, vampire style, of course. Emmett never regretted becoming a vampire. He took to this life like a fish to water."
"Alice and Jasper were next. They were already changed and mated when they found us. Alice has the ability to see the future and as soon as she saw us, her and Jasper didn't stop until they found us. They aren't connected to me by venom but I love them just the same. Alice doesn't remember her human life, in fact she's been researching her past to try and find out about it. Jasper, however, is an all southern boy. He was in the confederate army when he was changed and manipulated into fighting in a different kind of war. I'll let him tell you the rest if you want to hear it. Alice and Jasper are complete opposites, just like Emmett and Rosalie. Alice is very energetic and gets excited about the little things. Jasper is very laid back and the only person in the world who can reign Alice in. They both would also do anything for their family."
"Edward's mate, Bella, was the last to come into our family. Edward met her about 20 years ago when we were traveling. We had a connecting flight through Phoenix and Bella was leaving Phoenix to go live with her dad in Forks. Edward saw her and just knew. They exchanged phone numbers and parted ways. She was only 17 at the time and Edward refused to take her from her family. That's just how Edward is: sacrificing himself for the happiness of others. It was that evening that Alice had a vision of Bella in pain from being separated from Edward. He flew to her and stayed in Forks in this house. He couldn't be seen by anyone in the town because we planned on coming back here in a few years, but he had to be with her. They got to know each other and built their relationship. Right after her eighteenth birthday, Bella's father was killed. He was a police officer and he died in the line of duty. Bella chose to go with Edward and finish her senior year of high school online. She's been with us ever since. Edward changed her shortly after she graduated. Bella is very compassionate and she would lay down her life for someone else. She has built a special relationship with myself and each of my children. She is quiet but stubborn and she's Edward's perfect other half. That's everyone. We've been through a lot together and we love each other as much as any human family…maybe more."
By the time I'm finished, Esme has eaten dinner and is listening to me mesmerized by my stories. It strikes me just how much I've lived through compared to her 24 years of life.
"That's amazing the way you all found each other." She says and I nod in agreement.
"And now that I have you and peanut, our family is complete." I tell her.
She blushes at my comment but smiles.
"Do you think they'll mind that I'm human?"
"I know they won't. They just want me to be happy. Besides, Bella was human for over a year after her and Edward mated."
"Okay" she says biting her lip "I'm going to go change clothes. They should be here soon."
I nod at her and she walks out of the room, turning around at the last second.
"Carlisle?"
"Yes?"
"Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Are you happy?"
"Blissfully so." I tell her and it is the God's honest truth.
ESPOV
Okay, here's my dilemma: what do you wear when meeting your mate's vampire children who are all easily 50 years older than you? I'm pretty sure there's no Cosmo article for that.
I already took my hair out of the braid, curled it into soft waves, and did my makeup. Now I'm standing in front of my closet in just Carlisle's t shirt, trying to decide what to wear.
I finally choose a black and white striped tunic that comes to mid thigh, I pair it with black leggings and black flats. The shirt hides my baby bump so they won't know until I am ready to tell them. I'll have to ask Carlisle about what his thoughts are on telling them I'm pregnant. With one last look in the mirror, I pick up Sammy and head downstairs.
Carlisle is in the living room reading when I find him. He's changed out of his casual outfit and into a black button up shirt and dark jeans.
"You look handsome." I say from behind him. He turns and smiles at my blush.
"Thank you. You look gorgeous as always."
"Such a charmer, Mr. Cullen"
"Only for you sweetheart." He winks at me and I giggle. I'm glad we still have this effortless ease and silliness around each other.
"I wanted to ask you something" I tell him.
"Okay" he sits up and pats the sofa cushion right next to him.
"I was wondering when you want to tell the kids about peanut."
"Hmm well I don't think we should wait long. If they get close to you they'll be able to hear the heartbeat and the farther along you are, the easier it will be to hear. It's even gotten louder in the last few days."
"Really?" I smile. I'm glad he can hear the baby. I can't wait until I can feel him or her.
"Yeah" he smiles back and puts his hand on my belly "he's strong."
"It could be a girl you know."
"Good, she'll be strong enough to beat up any boys who try to kiss her. Although with me and 3 vampire brothers, I'm not sure she'll have to."
He laughs and I join him. Suddenly he turns his head sharply to the left.
"They're here. They just pulled into the driveway."
I stand and smooth out my clothes and he grabs my hand.
"Don't fidget angel. You look beautiful and they're going to love you." He kisses the back of my hand and intertwines our fingers before dropping them to our sides.
The front door opens with a clamoring of voices.
"Why did I have to ride with Emmett again? He has horrible taste in music and he won't leave my radio alone. I swear if you blew the speakers in the Volvo again, I'm going to tear your arms off, throw them into the Pacific ocean, and tell you to fetch."
"Seriously Edward, do you have to be so dramatic? Bella and I had to listen to you complain the whole way here, and it was almost as bad as Emmett's music. Alice and Jasper are lucky they drove the Porsche."
"Come on Ed, you know the eighties were rockin."
"Actually Emmett I have to agree with Edward on this one, your taste in music is horrible, but so is his. There's only so much piano one can take."
"Aw come on Rosie, I thought you loved my CD collection."
"No. I love you…big difference."
The blonde woman is still talking to the big guy as they come into the living room. They're holding hands as are the two couples that follow them. I want to gape when I see how beautiful they all are. I don't even compare.
"Hey old man did you finally get a nurse? That's probably wise, you know with your age and all." The big one says as he comes over to hug Carlisle who lets go of my hand as the Hulk wraps him in a bear hug. I hear a snicker and look up to find the bronze haired boy smirking at me.
"Watch it Emmett. I may be 400 years old, but I can still kick your tail."
"Bring it." Emmett says smiling at Carlisle and showing of his dimples.
The blonde woman snorts.
"Emmett we haven't even been here five minutes and you're already itching for a fight. Besides, you know the old man can take you."
"Thank you Rosalie." Carlisle says and kisses her on the cheek. He hugs and kisses each of the girls and does a manly one-armed hug with each of the boys before coming back to my side. The short pixie-like one is bouncing up and down looking at me. I smile as the blond man tries to calm her down.
Carlisle puts his arm around my waist and turns to the group.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Esme, my mate." The smile on his face could light up the sky and I can't help but grin at him. Each of the kids are looking at us shocked except the short, bouncy one and the bronze-haired, smirky one.
"Esme this is Emmett and Rosalie, Edward and Bella, and Alice and Jasper." He points to each one as he says their names and I wave at them lamely.
"Hi" I squeak.
Suddenly I'm hit by a small body and wrapped in a hug.
"It's so nice to finally meet you! You're even more beautiful than I saw." Alice is hugging me as her mouth goes 100 miles an hour.
"It's nice to meet you too, Alice." I tell her, patting her back awkwardly and looking to Carlisle for help.
"Alice come on, let her go. You just met."
He pries Alice off of me and she frowns in response.
"Hi Esme, I'm Bella. It's so nice to meet you. Welcome to the family." The dark haired woman next to smirky holds out her hand for me to shake and I do. She has a nice smile and kind eyes, I like her immediately.
"I'm Emmett McCarty Cullen, the handsome one." Emmett says pushing Bella out of the way and holding out his humongous hand for me to shake. I flinch back when he moves his hand to me, but I quickly recover and put my hand in his. I see something flash in his eyes before they soften.
"Hello Emmett. It's nice to meet you."
"I'm Rosalie and I'm married to this big dope." Rosalie says coming up next Emmett. She doesn't try to shake my hand or hug me, but she does give me a kind smile.
"Esme, I'm Edward. Ignore Emmett. Everyone else does." The bronze haired smirky one offers his hand to me and smirks at me again. I shake his hand but frown at him. Why does he keep looking at me like that? It's creepy. He chuckles softly and lets go of my hand.
"You didn't tell her?" Edward asks looking at Carlisle.
"I got distracted." Carlisle says looking sheepish.
"Esme what my father forgot to tell you is that I can read minds."
"Not all minds" Bella mumbles behind him and he turns to smile softly at her.
"Yes, love. You are the exception." She smiles back at him and winks.
"Wait…you can read my mind?" I squeak out and he nods. "So you heard the hulk remark?"
He laughs out loud and nods.
"Yes and I quite enjoyed it. You have a very lovely mind."
"Um thank you." What do you say to respond to that?
"Esme this is my Jasper." Alice says while pulling the blond man behind her.
"Hi Jasper" I say to him.
"It's very nice to meet you, ma'am" he says before taking my hand and kissing the back of it.
A sound rumbles from Carlisle's chest and I look up at him shocked.
"Did you just growl?" I ask him surprised.
He wraps his arms around me from behind and sets his chin on top of my head. His hands are open and the way he's cuddling peanut makes me love him even more. Edward's head shoots up and looks from my stomach to Carlisle to me with a shocked look.
"Looks like the old man still has some spunk in him after all." Emmett says laughing. Jasper grins and winks at me and Carlisle growls again when I blush.
"Don't worry Esme, that's just Carlisle being possessive of his mate. Jasper knock it off." Bella says and glares at Jasper.
"Sorry Carlisle. Emmett dared me." Jasper says smiling.
"You are all a bunch of children." Carlisle moans behind me and they all laugh.
Their laughter is interrupted by loud, squeaky barks. Sammy is awake and is officially not okay with all of the new vampires in his house.
"Oh my gosh! He's so cute!" Bella squeals and runs to pick Sammy up. He hides under the end table and growls.
"That's Samson. He's still getting used to the scent of vampires." Carlisle tells them.
"He likes to growl whenever Carlisle comes near me." I tell them.
Emmett snorts.
"I bet that goes over well with the old man." Emmett says and winks when Carlisle growls again.
"Do you guys have another dog?" Rosalie asks. "I hear another heartbeat."
Carlisle's arms tighten around me, and I turn around to look at him.
"We don't have another pet." Carlisle says quietly holding eye contact with me. I can see the question in his eyes and I decide to take over.
I turn and look at them before taking a deep breath.
"I'm pregnant."