Edward's POV

Fourteen eyes. Fourteen eyes were trying not to glance my way at the head of the table as we attempted to enjoy dinner. All 7 sets were avoiding my gaze… and the very empty seat at the other end of the table.

We all knew it. The fraulein was late.

Suddenly a set of flurried footsteps resounded from around the corner. Fraulein Isabella rounded the door frame into the dining room, her step slowing as she entered. Her cheeks were becomingly flushed, and she looked a touch embarrassed.

"Good evening," she nodded to me with a pasted smile on her face. "Good evening, children." Her dark brown eyes roamed the table. Her hair was slightly messed. Had she been napping?

"Good evening, Fraulein Isabella." My children echoed in unison. Fraulein Isabella made to sit down at her seat opposite me. She slowly bent down to sit-

"WHAaaa!" She shouted once she lowered, quickly standing again. Each one of my children held in a laugh. She looked down and back at me, a startled expression on her face. What could it be? Certainly not another snake. Fraulein Victoria had been most difficult to calm. You would have thought the little garter snake was the Devil sent straight from Eden the way she carried on.

"Enchanting little ritual," I smirked. "Something you learned at the Abbey?" I took my napkin from the table and unfolded it in my lap, shaking it out a little. If one of the children had done something, now was the time for me to see her response. Her eyes met mine, I could see a challenge burning there.

"No, um, it's um… rheumatism…" She finally muttered, shaking it off. Interesting answer. Clearly not the truth. How could she help run my household without strict levels of discipline? If the children and done wrong they should have to pay for their-

My thoughts stopped in their tracks as I watched my children sigh a breath of relief. I saw in their eyes not mischief, but a sense of growing respect. Fraulein had not called them out, and had in turn, bought a measure of their trust. How un-military.

I picked up my fork to signal that we should begin eating. The children immediately followed suit. We had been waiting for the Fraulein. Surely our dinner was beginning to cool.

"Excuse me, Captain, but haven't we forgotten to thank the Lord?" Fraulein Isabella interrupted. I glanced up from my plate, she was watching me closely. She was biting her bottom lip awaiting my answer. I wanted to reach out and- I stopped chewing and shook the thought out of my head. I swallowed, the bite I had taken going down like a shard of glass.

But she was right, their mother would have wanted our meals to start with prayer. If anything good came out of this experience with Fraulein Isabella, perhaps this was it. The children set down their forks and quietly folded their hands in their laps. I might not have done everything right as their father, but they at least knew what it looked like to pray.

Fraulein Isabella bowed her head. "For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen."

"Amen." The children and I responded. Now we could finally get back to our calm and quiet meal. Definitely no thinking about lips. After a busy day, I did look forward to our restful meals together, silently enjoying our food. Frauer Stanley had outdone herself tonight for our new guest. Creamy mashed potatoes with-

"I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the precious gift you left in my pocket earlier today." Each one of the children snapped their heads up. Alice made a small grimace. Michael looked like he might pee himself.

"What gift?" I questioned. We had not prepared any gifts. Why was the fraulein bringing up gifts? At my quiet dinner table?

Fraulein looked around the table again. "It's meant to be a secret, Captain. Between the children and me."Her brown eyes sparkled in amusement.

"Uh uh, and I suggest you keep it and let us eat." My patience was wearing razor thin. Not only was the fraulein making me think about things like lips and sparkling eyes, she was ruining my brooding silence.

"Knowing how nervous I must have been, "Fraulein Isabella continued, "a stranger in a new household, knowing how important it was for me to feel accepted, it was so kind and thoughtful of you to make my first moment here so warm and happy, and pleasant."

Slowly each of my children looked down at their meal, a sick expression blooming across their faces. Heidi openly began to weep, she lifted her hand to wipe tears from her eyes.

"What is the matter, Heidi?" Maybe she could explain all this to me. Our disrupted meal. A mysterious gift. Seven very suspicious children. One preening governess. The fraulein was looking proud as a peacock. No longer was she biting her lip, instead it was upturned in a soft smile.

"Nothing," Heidi whimpered pitifully. Fraulein Isabella winked at me. My heart raced. I think my palms began to sweat. She went back to eating joyfully as Angela, and to my surprise, Jane, also began to cry. Michael looked down in destain. The Fraulein never paused as she continued eating her meal in peace. She tackled her meal with fervor, apparently Frauer Stanley was a much better cook than anyone at the Abbey.

"Fraulein, is it to be at every meal, or merely at dinner time," I paused to wipe my face, "that you intend to lead us all through this...rare and... wonderful new world of… indigestion."

Fraulein Isabella caught my eye, "oh, they're all right, Captain. They're just happy." A grin lit the corner of her mouth as the sobbing increased. Well played, Isabella.

I had to respect her tactics even if I didn't enjoy the battle disrupting my dinner. This was her war, she didn't need me to fight in it. She had her own strategy for winning. And in that moment, as a sudden and unfamiliar smile found purchase on my face, I really hoped she would.

Note:

Hope everyone is enjoying the story! I would love any feedback. Let me know if you think I should continue writing. I have plans to add in Jasper (Rolf), Rosalie (the Baroness), and Emmett (Uncle Max), but am not sure how to bring in Carlisle and Esme. If you have ideas, let me know!