Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters used herein. All recognizable characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer and Summit Entertainment. No copyright infringement is intended.

Edward slowly turned the car around to head back towards the Cullen house, deep in thought knowing that his next conversation would be with Carlisle. When Edward arrived home, the others had returned from their hunting trip after receiving a call from Alice that it was safe to do so. As curious as the others were about the conversation that took place earlier in the day, they all respected that there are sometimes matters that needed to be discussed privately.

Edward made his way into the home and called quietly for Carlisle. A moment later Carlisle joined him in the living room. Knowing what their conversation would be about, Carlisle called for Esme, and she joined them, looking concerned and confused about the need for the three of them to speak in private. Carlisle suggested that they go for a drive, and pulled his Mercedes out of the garage. Esme climbed in the passenger side of the vehicle and Edward climbed in the back.

After they had driven down the road far enough to avoid others in the family hearing their conversation, Carlisle pulled the car over at a nearby park and turned apologetically to Esme. "Esme, my dear," he said, taking her hands in his "I am so sorry for all of the secrecy that today has involved. Edward and I would like to discuss a personal matter with you. Please know that you are under absolutely no obligation to agree to this idea, and if you do not agree, none of us will hold it against you." Carlisle rambled nervously to his wife.

"Carlisle," Esme looked at him with a concerned expression on her face, "what is going on?" she asked. "Esme, Edward has asked us to consider helping him and Bella with a very personal issue." Carlisle said to her cautiously. Esme looked briefly back at Edward, then back to Carlisle. "What is it that they need our help with, Carlisle?" "Esme," Carlisle continued, you know that I love you with every part of my being, and that I would never want to do anything that will hurt you, right?" he asked her with sincerity. "Of course I do, Carlisle, and I love you. Now, will you please tell me what all of this is about?" Esme sighed starting to sound exasperated.

Carlisle took a deep steadying breath before continuing. "Esme, Bella desires for Edward to be with her intimately while she is still human. Alice has seen that this will not be possible if Bella remains a virgin prior to her first time with Edward. Edward would not be able to control himself around the blood of her lost virginity and the adrenaline from fear and anxiety running through her veins. It would be fatal for Bella. The only option we have left to consider is for Bella to experience her first time having sexual intercourse with someone other than Edward." Carlisle said quickly, glancing at Esme to gauge her reaction. She was looking at him with a wary but understanding expression on her face. Feeling brave, Carlisle continued to speak, "Esme, Edward made this suggestion to Bella earlier this evening and inquired if there are any human boys that Bella would be comfortable with, or if she would consider Jacob Black. Bella profusely declined. It's possible that I may be the only one who can help them with this problem."

Esme sat quietly for a minute and looked from Edward to Carlisle. "Carlisle, Esme spoke softly, have you considered breaking her hymen at your office?" "Yes", Carlisle responded. "Unfortunately, Alice's vision does not change even if her hymen is broken prior to her first time. The adrenaline in her system from fear and anxiety around her first time having intercourse would still be too much for Edward and he wouldn't be able to control himself." Esme nodded slowly. "You want my blessing for you to take Bella's virginity." she stated. It wasn't a question.

Carlisle nodded. "Esme," he spoke to her, "if you are not okay with this, we will all understand. We will find another way." Carlisle began speaking again but Esme put a finger up to his lips to quiet him. "Carlisle, I think this is something you need to do. I know that Bella is not a threat to our relationship. We have a wonderful marriage and you are the love of my life. Bella and Edward need our help. You have my support." Carlisle looked into Esme's eyes "are you sure, Esme?" Carlisle whispered to her. Esme nodded, leaning in and giving him a quick kiss on the lips, then she turned towards Edward. "Edward, you have my blessing." "Thank you, Esme, you have no idea how much this means to me. I will leave the two of you to your private conversation and Bella and I can meet again with Carlisle in the morning." Edward said before exiting the car and running towards Bella's house.

It was after dinner now and Bella had just finished getting ready for bed when Edward climbed in through her window. Joining her on her bed, he began to speak. "Bella, Love." Edward spoke cautiously to his fiancee. We have come up with another idea, a possible solution to our struggles. Can you promise me that you will at least consider it?" Bella looked briefly into Edward's eyes before nodding slowly. "Yes, Edward. I promise to consider your idea before making a decision. Now, what is it?"

"Bella," Edward continued "there is another way that Carlisle can help. Before I tell you the details, I want you to know that after Carlisle made the decision to help us, Alice was able to see in her visions that this will work. If you are willing to go through with this idea, Alice has assured me that we will be able to be physical together in every sense of the word while you are still human."

Bella was starting to get a very uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Edward," she said, "please tell me what the idea is." Edward took another breath before continuing to speak. "Bella...Carlisle can be the one to take your virginity. I know you aren't comfortable with Jacob or any of the boys from school. There is no one that I trust more to be gentle and patient with you than Carlisle."

"Edward... Carlisle, he's.. he's.. married." Bella stuttered. He's a vampire just like you. He..." Edward interjected "Yes, Bella, he is married, and Esme has given us her blessing for Carlisle to help us with this. Yes, he is a vampire, but he is also a doctor and he is in complete control of his blood lust. He has more self-control than any other vampire I've ever known, and he would treat you right."

Bella was at a loss for words. She didn't know how to feel about any of this. She had promised Edward to consider the idea and she was trying to make good on her promise. She trusted Carlisle and she knew that Edward was right about him being gentle and patient and treating her well. She respected Carlisle, and she reminded herself that he is one of the kindest creatures, human or vampire, that she has ever known. But, Bella was also terrified about going through with this.

Edward could see Bella shaking from anxiety and he enveloped her in a hug. "Edward, I trust Carlisle, but I'm petrified of being with anyone but you." Bella spoke into Edward's chest as he held her. "I know this is the only way if we want to be together while I'm still human, while I still want you this way." Edward nodded and kissed the top of Bella's head and sighed before speaking. "Yes, it is the only way, Love." If you want to wait until after I change you to make love for the first time, then I can be your first, but if you wish to be together in that way before your change, this is our only option. Unless you are willing to reconsider Jacob, another member of the pack or a human boy..." Bella shuddered at the suggestion of her being with anyone else that he had mentioned.

"Edward, there is something else that I've been wondering" she said quietly. "What is it, Love?" He asked her. "Well, I know we've never done more than kiss. Could we, well, I mean, could we do other things together without you hurting me?" Edward sighed and shook his head sadly. "No, Bella, we can't. Alice's visions showed that you are only safe from harm if Carlisle is your first experience with everything. After you have been with him, I'll be free to take you away after the wedding on our honeymoon and love you in every way possible while you're still human" he said.

Bella felt tears filling her eyes and she blinked them back as she was forced to acknowledge that, as anxious as it made her, this was the only way. Edward ran his thumbs across her cheeks to wipe away her tears. "Alright, Edward" she said. "I agree to be with Carlisle and let him help us." Bella whispered.

"Bella, I know you're scared, but I promise everything will be ok. I know this is all very overwhelming, but Carlisle will talk you through it and nothing will happen until you're ready." Bella nodded, hiding her tear streaked face in Edward's shirt.