The couples surrounding Carlisle and Esme's house were all vastly different - though they were all pleasant, friendly and seemingly perfect for one another. Esme thought the people they'd be surrounded by would be a perfect fit. They were friendly, welcoming and genuine.
Alice and Jasper were the first to share a formal, yet casual, visit. Chatter between the two women came natural within just a few minutes of beginning to snack on cheese and crackers in the early evening hours.
Carlisle and Jasper's conversation took some time to flow, though once they found common ground the pair were bouncing in depth questions off one another about science, medicine and even talks of war came up.
Esme picked up on how contrasting their personalities were. Alice was bubbly, outgoing and artistic. Jasper was quiet, reserved and practical. It was a perfectly paired yin and yang, or so that's what Esme thought.
Two days later on the second Sunday after their arrival, Renee and Charlie finally managed to get their schedules coordinated and came by for brunch.
Esme had been friendly with Renee in the times they had been outside in their respective yards together, whether it was hanging laundry or planting flowers. Their conversations revolved mostly around talks of having children, Isabella, the area's best little shops and, if Renee was in the mood, some small town gossip.
Like Alice and Jasper, Esme found Charlie and Renee so different from one another. Charlie's dry demeanor had both her and Carlisle laughing when he slipped in a subtle joke in between his praise of fishing and hunting in the area. It felt easy being in their company.
The last couple Esme and Carlisle were introduced to were the McCartys. On a late afternoon walk close to the end of the next week, the tall, broad man gave a whistle and a wave.
"Hello!" He bellowed with a wave. From far away Esme could make out his boyish dimples on the sides of a wide smile.
The two of them slowed to a halt and waved back as the young man jogged to greet them.
"Carlisle and Esme, correct?" He motioned to each of them with his pointer finger.
"That's right," Carlisle nodded as Esme replied with a simple, "Yes."
"Emmett," he reached a hand for Carlisle's and shook it with enthusiasm and another big grin. Without warning he gave Esme a bear hug and then motioned to his mailbox, "McCarty," he finished off his name.
Esme snickered, taken off guard by his forward greeting, though she couldn't help but smile at how friendly the young man was. Carlisle cleared his throat but could see Emmett meant no harm.
"My wife's out back," he went on, "Rosalie. I'd get her out here but she might-"
"I might what?" A woman's voice called.
"Babe." He waved her to them with a big, meaty hand. "Come meet the new neighbors."
Rosalie joined then, a smile finally forming on her stern, beautiful face as she greeted them. "I'm sorry we haven't formally met. I'm Rosalie McCarty. I see you've already met Emmett. I hope he hasn't scared you away."
"Of course not," Carlisle told her.
"Well why don't you join us for a night cap then?" She eyed Esme up and down, "Or maybe we can do a cup of tea." A smirk formed on her lips as she instinctively knew that Esme was pregnant.
"That, uh.." she looked at Carlisle and then back to them, "That would be nice. I don't want to impose."
"Never." Emmett assured her as if they'd been life long friends. He nodded toward Carlisle. "Ladies can enjoy their tea. I've got the good stuff for us!"
"Oh, I.." Carlisle decided to accept a drink offer, "I could do one."
"Emmett never lets anyone do just one," Rosalie tugged on her husband's dirty, white T-shirt and they shared a little smile as he winked at her.
They're adorable, Esme thought, picking up on their subtle interactions.
"Come on," Rosalie waved them toward the house, "Tea for the girls. Bourbon for the boys."