CARLISLE POV

I should have known Alice was up to something when she took a job at a diner. Now that I think about it, my suspicion should have begun when she suggested we move to Woodbury, NJ. It was a rural setting outside of Philadelphia. She said something important awaited us there. So, the family packed up and moved, even though we weren't due to move for another 2 years. And then, she insisted that she would not go to school with the others, that she preferred to get a job at a local diner in Philly. She'd been working there for about 3 weeks. She seems to like it, and I thought maybe this was a turning point for Alice. Although she hadn't been with us for very long, only a couple of years, she was obsessed with her visions. Some of them she was very secretive about, some she shared when it dealt with matters that concerned the rest of the family.

She came to me one day and told me that she had seen that someone, a fellow vampire that still fed on humans, would need our help. He hated the way he lived and would greatly benefit from being in our unique coven. She knew that would hook me. I wasn't one to try and convert others to our unique lifestyle, however, if someone were to show an interest in feeding on animals instead of human blood, on their own, I would help as much as possible.

So, when Alice and I were leaving the house this morning, and she insisted we take separate cars, I asked her why when usually we commuted into the city together. She told me we would meet the vampire, that was to join us today. She said I should have my break a little later than usual and drop by the diner.

I waited until I received a phone call from Alice, and I took my break at 12 noon, about 30 minutes later than I normally do, and headed for the diner. It was pouring rain, so I grabbed my umbrella and headed out of the hospital, as the diner was only a block away.

When I arrived, I smelled a most enticing scent of another vampire, even the rain didn't wash it away, so I knew he must have been close. He smelled of fresh air, cucumber, and green pear, with a hint of musk. As I walked into the diner and flashed the water from my umbrella, his scent hit me again. I placed my umbrella in the umbrella stand near the door, when I turned in the direction the scent was coming from, I saw him. Alice was standing at his booth. There was surprise in his eyes but there was something else I couldn't quite place. Maybe a little apprehension. I wanted to dispel that feeling, so I put on a smile, and quickly walked toward Alice and him. Once I reached the booth I stuck my hand out to introduce myself

"Hello, I'm Dr. Carlisle Cullen, but you may call me Carlisle," He stood up to shake my offered hand, and as soon as our hands touched, the feeling I felt, made me feel alive, as I knew I had been dead for the past nearly 350 years of walking this earth as both human and vampire. There was a spark of electricity, followed by a warming that went straight to where my heart should beat. "MINE!" I wanted to growl, but I held back, as I knew that would expose us for what we are. And as if I had been hooked up to a joined defibrillator, both our hearts beat, one single solitary beat as one. I heard it, I felt it. I immediately snatched my hand back from his.

It took me a minute to register what had happened. I had heard of this, Rosalie spoke of it when she first found Emmett. Others have told me what it felt like to find the one that completes your soul. I always dismissed it, as vampires we no longer have souls. Then it hit me, Alice saw this happening. I grabbed her by the shoulders. It took everything in me not to shake her.

"Alice, You knew about this." I accused. "Is this why you were so adamant I needed to meet him?" Then I felt a strong sense of disappointment coming from him. The feeling was so strong as if I was feeling the emotion myself.

"It's okay, Carlisle I understand," The handsome young vampire stood to take his leave. Now, I really did feel disappointed, in myself. I couldn't explain it, but I needed him to stay. I needed to get to know him, I couldn't just let him walk out of my life. As he brushed past me, his scent sent chills up my spine. I grabbed his arm. He looked down at my hand attached to his arm.

"Please, don't go. I'm sorry, it has nothing to do with you. I just don't like to be surprised is all." I told him as I slowly slid my hand down his arm, the feeling warming me as it went until I was holding his hand. I looked down at our conjoined hands, and I did start to feel a little uneasy, people were not accepting of homosexuality, so I lowered my voice to speak at vampire level.

"And this is certainly a surprise outcome, I didn't expect when I left for work this morning. But please, will you come to my house later and meet my family?" he gave me a warily look. I can certainly understand why. I was inviting him, into a strange house, with a coven of vampires he didn't know. How stupid of me.

"I don't know about meeting others just yet. Is there somewhere we can go, to just talk and get to know each other first? he asked me.

"Why don't you come by the hospital, we can sit in the hospital cafeteria, once my shift is over. Which will be in another three hours. If you don't know where it is, Alice can give you the address and directions. But I'm afraid I must leave now. Please say you will come?" I pleaded with him, using my eyes to convey my anticipation. I had a strong desire to get to know this man.

"Yes, I will get what I need from Alice. I will see you at 3:30 then?" He asked me, to confirm the exact time as he checked his watch.

"Yes, yes. Thank you, see you then. Alice…" I gave her a stern look and a quirk of an eyebrow. "…I will see you at home." Alice nodded and bowed her head. I gave him a quick smile, before turning and leaving.

If vampires could faint, I would have fainted as soon as I walked out the door. The joy, anticipation I felt over finding my true mate. When I think back on all the times I'd scrutinized the existence of true mates. Right now, my mind could think of nothing but him. The way he looked, his honey blonde hair just shoulder length, that looked like spun gold. His strong angular jaw. And I could get lost in his fiery crimson eyes. But they looked lost and pained and I wanted to take every ounce of the pain away. And then it hit me. I don't know his name. What the fuck! I stopped, I looked back in the direction I'd just come from, then back down at my watch. SHIT! I would just pray he would still come, that I hadn't frightened him away with my stupidity.