Author's Note: What's this? Another update so soon?The absolute barrage of emails I've received since last night was awesome (and a little overwhelming!) I know that a few of you are eager to get to Jasper's closet, but I do have a somewhat logical order to this madness.

Also, if you are enjoying this, I have two other stories on here that I'd love to get more feedback on.

In this chapter, Bella finds herself in peril – from the tool shed.

Chapter Four:

Esme

"You need to get more fresh air," The 'mother' of the Cullen family commented as we walked out to her tool shed. "Edward keeps you far too cooped up."

"I don't mind." I said as we entered the building, almost as large as my house. It was filled with everything from flower pots to an antique sewing machine. I felt more than a little intimated at the hammers, nails, drills, and soldering irons. I could easily die just considering the dangers this miniature warehouse possessed.

"Okay," said Esme as she surveyed the area, seeing the fear on my face. "Why don't you carry the stacks of empty paint cans to the dumpster outside?"

I quickly agreed and tried to lift a few cans in each arm, only to discover that my human strength had failed me once again – I would need to carry them one at a time. I made my way to the rented dumpster, already filled with the clippings and throwaways of Esme's earlier work that day.

Halfway across the lawn, I took a moment to breathe; it was hot out today. I lost all breath, however, when a stone angel appeared in front of me.

"Edward!" I yelled in surprise. I was thankful that I had just set down the paint can; my toes were already aching from an unfortunate accident on the stairs this morning.

"I don't know if this is the best place for you to be helping." He looked me in the straight in the eyes, daring me to disagree.

"All I'm doing is moving empty paint cans." I explained. "And as long as you don't pop up in front of me like that again, I won't be getting hurt."

He nodded and left, but not without a cautionary expression across his perfect features. I finished my trip to the dumpster, mentally praising the beautiful and caring wonder that was Edward, before I realized that I, yet again, had no idea where he was or what he was up to.

"Do you like working outdoors?" Esme asked as I retrieved the next empty paint can.

"I've never had much of a yard," I admitted, with a hint of sadness in my voice. Every little kid wants to grow up with the pretty lawn behind the picket fence where they can run through the sprinklers and play with the dog. Right?

"Maybe I can help," she suggested. I nodded in acknowledgement, but moved outdoors before she could finish. The Cullens made a habit of doing too much for me. I hoped that I hadn't seemed rude.

Esme was still flitting around, moving objects heavier than four humans could carry, when I returned.

"Would you like to try and keep a flower bed?" She suggested, as turned again for the door. The idea did strike my fancy – Charlie would certainly appreciate the home-y touches.

"That sounds fun," I nodded, turning to face her. "I would need help, though."

"Don't hesitate to ask!" She sounded overjoyed that I'd taken to her suggestion. Maybe a little too enthusiastic – but I shook off the thought. Caring as she was, Esme was the one Cullen with the least sinister intentions when it came to "giving Bella stuff".

When I came back for the last can, I found her carting a box of gardening supplies.

"I'm going to leave this out here. Why don't you take it to the car when you're done? You've got three different packets of seeds, with instructions on the back – you're a smart girl, but if you've got problems I'm as good a flower diagnostician as my husband is a human diagnostician. There's a trowel in there and a hoe in case the ground is tough. No need to make that face, Bella, I've put some gloves in here as well!"

I tried not to laugh at the somewhat questionable name of a gardening tool in front of the oblivious vampire. I took a deep, calming breathe as I made the last trip to the dumpster, slightly envious that neither my boyfriend nor his family could sweat.

Suddenly, Alice ran out to me, and I did drop the paint can on my toes.

"Alice!" I groaned, sitting down to massage my ailing feet.

"I need the keys to your truck." She said, bouncing like a four-year-old getting a balloon animal.

"No," I replied, semi-automatically. I had vowed never to let a vampire drive my vehicle again; Edward had pushed it to its limits one too many times. He claimed that the creakings and groanings were a sign of old age, but I reminded him that he was one to talk when it came to old age; he'd used the word "antithesis" in casual conversation earlier that week, and thrown Mike Newton into a dictionary-wild-goose-chase frenzy.

"Bella, we're running out of space in Edward's Volvo, and you don't like Emmett's Jeep." I turned warily towards where the silver car was parked. The black bags, boxes, and other loose items had increased exponentially in the short time I'd been out here.

"I have no need for a massage chair." I stated plainly. Complaining didn't work with these vampires.

Apparently, neither did reason. "Charlie does."

"And won't he wonder where it came from? Where all of this came from?" I raised my voice slightly.

Jasper must have noticed my irritation from inside the house, because I lost the urge to keep fighting.

By the time I made my way back to the tool shed, there was no longer just a box sitting there. Rakes, shovels, hedge clippers and a weed-whacker all sat waiting for me.

Edward appeared beside me once again.

"You can't give her a shovel!" He shouted, loud enough that I could hear.

"Thanks –." I began, glad that my boyfriend was considering my wishes for once.

" - She'll hit herself on the head with it! Or trip over it! And a rake? She'll end up with millions of cuts all over her, instead of just one. She'll cut her fingers off with the hedge clippers, and lose her feet to the weed-whacker. This is ridiculous."

"She wants to do some gardening." Esme replied calmly from inside.

"I'm not happy about this." He folded his arms.

"Me neither." I folded my arms to match his. I can't be angry at my wonderful, slightly overprotective but in a good I-know-he-loves-me way boyfriend even though I was slightly insulted, but his amazing eyes – even when he's mad - totally make up for it -

"Oh, thank goodness, Alice has gone to get your truck." Esme noted as she walked backwards from the shed, dragging something ominously large with her. "Wouldn't it look odd if we had to walk the lawn mower all the way to your house?"

Jasper must have still been working his magic, because I no longer had the heart to tell his mother that we didn't even have a lawn.