A/N: Thank you all for being so patient in my absence. I am so excited to get back to writing. I will be putting chapters out regularly. Most likely weekly. I'm also looking to start a new project. If you have any ideas for a new storyline I would love to hear them in the comments. Without further adieu...I give you chapter 3. (As always Stephanie Meyer owns these characters)

Chapter 3: Carlisle's POV

I sauntered to my office with a cloud of confusion hanging over me. "What in the world is going on with me?" It's hard to make heads or tails of what exactly I was feeling. The moment we shared in the forest was still fresh in my mind. Bella's scent, her beautiful face, and her gentle touch was enough to send me over the edge in madness. Since Esme, I had locked myself away from women. Though many made attempts to tear down my walls, I never budged. I felt as if I were betraying her but I know she'd only want me to be happy.

Sitting at my desk I picked up the latest copy of a medical journal to busy my mind. Skimming over the pages of the magazine I couldn't help but find my mind drifting towards Bella again..."God she is so beautiful. Her beautiful long rich brown hair, plump lips, and those stunningly warm eyes..." Lost in my own thoughts I could feel the feeling of need and hunger washing over me. Shaking myself from this fantasy (which is exactly what this is because Bella would never think of me in such ways...would she?) I switched on my computer to begin looking over patient charts that needed my attention.

I could hear Emmett and Rosalie getting competitive playing some poker in the dining room. Jasper had his head in a video game in the living room. Sounds like WW3. The flow of the house was beginning to fall into a normal rhythm again. This brings me joy. We have lost a few pieces of us but yet we remain intact. Carlisle let out a sigh of contentment as his thoughts shifted to what Alice and Bella are in to.

"Do I dare to listen in to what they're talking about? " Carlisle let out a chuckle pondering what the girls were talking about. But he couldn't help but focus his attention to Alice's bedroom. What he heard next would have killed him if he weren't already dead...

"I think I'm really starting to feel something for Carlisle Alice...It scares me and I don't know what to do about it. I'm afraid that not only will he reject me but so will everyone else for even thinking of him like that."

OH. MY. GOD. Shock washed over Carlisle like the tide washes over the shore.

"Did I hear her correctly?! Or am I hallucinating?!" He turned his attention back to the conversation just in time to hear what Alice had to say.

"Bella, you are our family and we love you. You will find that as our immortal lives go on you will not always have the approval of everyone but you must know we love you. We want nothing more for you than happiness. Same goes for Carlisle. You've both lost your mates, and we expect nothing from either of you. Moving on is a part of this process, and I can think of no one better than Carlisle."

"Well this sure helps having Alice on our side." Carlisle thought to himself just long enough before he turned his attention back to the conversation.

"Maybe I should spend more time with Carlisle and see how it goes? I don't want to alert him to how I'm feeling just yet but maybe in time something will grow...?"

"I think that's a very rational and well thought out next step. HIs response to you would be very telling of wether it's ok to let your feelings be known."

"The problem is, is that I have no idea where to even begin. I'm not even sure what we have in common other than immortality...errrrg!"

"Bella, you just have to go for it. I have an idea. You love literature, and Carlisle has a ton of it on his shelves in his office. Go in and browse for something to read but also make small talk while you're looking. It's subtle but still gives you an in."

Carlisle couldn't believe his ears. Bella wanted to get close to him and Alice was giving her advice on how to do so. He shook his head and chuckled in amusement. He was centuries old but still could be surprised after all these years.

"What if this fails? Or worse...Carlisle finds out? I'd desiccate with embarrassment!!"

"You'll be just fine...now GO!"

"NOW? Like NOW? Don't I get a minute to think this through?!

"It's now or never, and you know you'll regret not doing it sooner if this goes the way you planned it."

OH SHIT! "ACT NORMAL CARLISLE!" Carlisle began skimming through the charts that had been awaiting his attention as he heard footsteps making their way to his office.

A few seconds later a small knock graced his ears. A knock he was desperately looking forward to.

"Come in."

The door opened and in walked Bella. If his heart were beating it would have stopped in this moment.

"Hi, Could I browse your bookshelf for something new to read? I have gone through my collection, and am bored of them."

"Sure Bella. Take any one you'd like."

Bella slowly walked over to the bookshelf sizing up the literature that adorned Carlisle's wall. She wondered what his favorite piece was, and if he had read all the books on his shelves. She sized up the books hoping one popped out at her but something else popped out at her instead...

Carlisle was standing right behind her, and she hadn't even realized he had moved from behind his desk. She drew in a sharp breath out of surprise as she felt him lean into her, and reach over her head.

"This is my favorite book. It seems silly but the tale of 2 people having to put aside their personality flaws in order to see what is right in front of them has always given me such perspective on life"

In her hands he placed a worn first edition copy of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. A chill ran down Bella's back. As she shifted to turn and face Carlisle. For just one moment she searched his eyes for some kind of sign that what she felt herself do next was ok...