Esme's Point of View
Carlisle called me this morning to tell me he was about to board his plane. I couldn't wait to see my loving husband again. It wasn't that I needed him to help me handle our five rambunctious teenage children; I truly did miss him. Everyday waking up to him was like falling in love with him all over again. Finally, I heard his care pull up into the garage.
I ran from the kitchen to the garage, I felt like a young girl again waiting for her high school-sweetheart, but I didn't care.
"Well, hello you too beautiful." He said when I threw myself into his arms almost knocking him down.
"Hmm, I've missed you sweetheart." I said before giving him a passionate kiss.
"I've missed you as well, and this." He said against my lips before pushing them back to his for a deeper kiss until we heard footsteps coming closer; even then we didn't stop.
"Ok you two, we're in the room so you can stop now." Edward, our youngest son said.
"Well, Eddie if you were ever get yourself a girl you would know how it feels when you two are separated for so long." Our oldest Emmett laughed making the other children laugh except for Edward who just scowled at him.
"Don't call me that." He growled.
"Boys, please your father is home; we do not need to fight on this happy occasion."
"Of course not, welcome home daddy." Our youngest daughter Alice squealed running up to her father and embracing him nearly knocking him down like I had.
"For a tiny little thing you really have some muscles in there somewhere, Alice." Carlisle joked.
Soon the others joined in the embrace for a short time before heading back upstairs. I stayed behind with my husband for we still had yet to decide when we should tell our children about our idea.
"The children are becoming suspicious, Carlisle. We should tell them tonight at dinner." I suggested when we were alone in our room unpacking his suitcase.
"I agree with you, Esme." He answered quietly. I knew something was eating at him, but I also knew that it was the same thing that was eating at me.
"Are you thinking about Bella?" I asked hoping he would open up to me.
"Yes, I went by the foster home while she was at school and got a copy of her file to show you all. It's in my brief case there." He sighed pointing to his unopened case.
My curiosity got the better of me so I opened it up without hesitation. I opened the file and looked at the picture of the girl Isabella.
"She's beautiful." I gasped at the young woman smiling in the picture.
"Yes she is, and she was glowing when I saw her. She loves her baby, I can tell." He said walking up behind me.
"How can you dear, sir?" I asked being playful.
"Because my sweet, she reminded me of you when you were pregnant. She's a fierce mother who would do anything for her child."
"She sounds like a Cullen already."
"I know, I can see her with us; but many things can conflict that vision my love."
"You are right, but a mother's intuition says that she will come and be part of our family."
"No one should ever doubt your motherly intuition, Esme."
"No they shouldn't, Carlisle."
We embraced each other for another passionate kiss when we heard a crash coming from the living room followed by yelling.
"Emmett, I'm serious I don't want to wrestle right now. I have to study like you should or else coach will kick you off the team if your grades get too low." Jasper was saying.
We rolled our eyes towards the door and decided to intervene.
"But I'm too hyped up and Rose won't help me with that." Emmett replied.
"Whoa dude, I so did not need to hear that. It's already bad enough since my room is next to yours." Jasper retorted.
"Well, we have to do something to drown out you and Alice." Emmett grinned evilly.
"Enough both of you. That vase will be coming out of your allowance," I scolded at them when Carlisle and I walked into the room, "Both of you go to the dinning table and study quietly until dinner is ready."
"Yes ma'am." They said then left to go retrieve their homework.
"Did I ever tell you how much I missed being home?" Carlisle asked nuzzling my neck making me giggle.
"Do you want to help with dinner?" I purred.
"Hmm, probably a good idea because I'm not ready to leave you alone yet." He whispered.
Two hours later, we were all sitting down enjoying our dinner. It felt so nice to have our family back together again, and if all went well; we would have two new additions to add to our family.
I sat at one head of the table while Carlisle sat at the other. When everyone was almost finished, I thought now would be the perfect time to tell them about our idea. I nodded my head in Carlisle's direction to give him the signal to bring up the subject. Please God, may everything go well.
"I can't tell you how happy I am to be back home." He started to get everyone's attention.
Everyone knew that now was the time to stop and listen which they did without question.
"During my adventure, I learned a great deal for my career as well as some helpful guides for both Rosalie and Edward," Both glowed with excitement for their futures, "I also learned of a tragic story that I would like to share with you."
Everyone's face turned to worry while they waited for their father to continue.
"Dad, what is it?" Rosalie asked she was never a patient person.
"I was pulled away from the conference to help with standard check-ups on a group of orphans at the local hospital. There I met one who stuck out above the rest, and both your mother and I feel that she could use some help." He explained.
"Are we getting a new sister?" Alice squealed. No matter how bad things were, this little pixie could always find the silver lining in everything. One of the things that we loved about her.
"We are trying to decide, Alice, but this girl is a different case than normal." I explained.
"Is she a teenager because in case you haven't noticed that's pretty common in this house." Emmett joked. He always loved to make people laugh even during the saddest of times.
Carlisle chuckled a bit before answering "She is sixteen years old, only a few months younger than Alice and Edward…but she's…pregnant."
Everyone was looking at each other speechless.
"So are we adopting her or the baby?" Jasper asked.
"She has already made it clear that she will not give up her baby, and wants to continue on with her life even as a young mother. Your mother and I feel that this goal would be harder for her because she is alone with no one to turn to." Carlisle answered.
"What about the father, won't he mind if both his baby and it's mother are adopted?" Edward asked.
Carlisle and I took a few seconds to compose our thoughts. Our children are closer than ever. When we adopted Rosalie and Jasper they immediately attached themselves to our biological children and have grown up with them for the past seven years. Rosalie has coupled up with Emmett while Jasper has with Alice. They are all very close, so this will be difficult to explain that Bella is alone with no one to show her love like they knew. They've never known what Bella has experienced.
"The father left her before she knew herself. Both her parents died when she was young, and she distances herself from others most likely because she doesn't want to be hurt." Carlisle answered which left our children horrified to say the least. To my surprise Edward was the first to take action.
"No one should feel that way. I say we welcome this girl into this family." Edward said rising from his seat.
"I agree, you two have always taught us that if there is something we can do to help then we should do it." Jasper stood up in support of his brother.
"Me too, I would love to have a new sister to shop with." Alice next.
"I would love to meet this strong girl and her baby." Rosalie smiled.
"She sounds like a Cullen girl already." Emmett said making us all laugh.
"Then it's agreed. Tomorrow I will call the home and arrange a meeting to see what Bella has to say."
"Oh please let her say yes." Alice yelled.
"Alice, inside voices please." I warned, but still with a smile on my face. My motherly instincts were always top notched, but there is always that chance that they will be wrong.
Bella's Point of View
It's been a week since my last doctor's appointment, and I wanted to go back to see if they could do anything for this morning sickness that was killing me. I've had to skip today because I was too weak after I came back from the bathroom. Of course, Amelia wasn't too happy about the idea; but she had no choice but to agree. I was not happy either because it was only the third week of school and I didn't want my pregnancy to take over my life. I didn't want anyone's sympathy or pity. I would not change my current situation for anything; my little one has saved me even though, the events surrounding him/her are not pleasant, I will make this work.
At about three in the afternoon, I found enough strength to get up to take a shower hoping that help make me feel better. Thank goodness it did, and I saw that my bump was getting bigger. I smiled so much that my face started hurting and I started to cry, but I'm pretty sure that was the hormones talking.
When I was dressed in my sweats—because my jeans were getting too tight—someone knocked on my door.
"Come in." I answered.
"You have visitors." Amelia replied not bothering to open the door wide enough but only enough for her head.
"Who?" I asked.
"Dr. and Mrs. Cullen. You see them in one hour." She answered then shut the door.
Dr. Carlisle Cullen and his wife are here to see me, but why. Could they want to take my baby away? No, I already told him that I was keeping my baby no matter what. Did they want to adopt me? Why would they want to only because they feel sorry for me? Like at school, I don't want special treatment because something natural is happening to me. I'm having a baby which is perfectly normal; that's what my body was designed to do. Sure, I'm still in high school and only receive some money from my father's old accounts because of his line of work. Unfortunately, I won't be getting the full benefits until I'm eighteen. Still, what could this couple want with a pregnant me or did he forget about that little detail.
An hour later, I was dressed somewhat nicely in the only skirt that I had—which was elastic and comfortable too—and was walking down the hall to the conference room to meet the couple. I had decided to let them talk, but I wrote down my arguments and practiced them until I knew them by heart. I did not want to be caught off guard.
I knocked on the door that led into the room and waited until I was called in. I heard the unmistakable heavy footsteps of Amelia coming towards the door.
She opened it wide allowing me to walk in without her having to say a word. I did so and immediately saw Dr. Cullen and a beautiful woman standing next to him. She had caramel-colored hair, a heart-shaped face with sparkling green eyes, and had a somewhat rounded figure and yet still beautiful.
"Isabella, this is Dr. Cullen and his wife Eeesmee." Amelia said.
"It's Esme actually, and it's wonderful to meet you Bella. Carlisle has spoken very highly of you." She corrected.
I sat down after shaking their hands speechless. He spoke of me? What did he say, did he tell her I was pregnant and at sixteen too?
"First of all Bella, my husband did tell me that you are pregnant; and we would like to tell you that it doesn't matter. We feel that you could use some help in your life, and we came to offer it." Esme broke the silence first.
I was right, they did feel sorry for me; but I did not want theirs or anyone else's pity.
"I don't need any help raising my child." I flatly told them.
"Don't be rude, Isabella." Amelia snapped at me.
"Bella, please I think you misunderstood Esme. We do not pity, we care for you deeply that we would like you to be a member of the family." Carlisle said carefully.
So they don't pity me, but how could they care for me when they hardly knew me. I could be the slut that everyone tells me I am; although, I know that is not true.
"How could you care for me? We met about a week ago, and here you are no asking me to join your family? May I ask why?" I wanted answers and this was the only way I could get them.
"Bella, we feel drawn to you like you were sent to us. We don't care about the fact that you are pregnant and are possibly hurting from your past. We understand if you don't want to join our family, but just know that you will be loved and will be treated as a member of the family. No one will look down upon you because we care for you." Carlisle answered, and I have to admit he had a good answer. All my arguments were lost by now.
"We've already spoken with our children and they were the ones who decided that you deserved to be loved. It seems like they love you and they haven't even met you yet." Esme added.
"Are you sure it's not just because I'm pregnant and on my own." I asked quietly looking down at my hands in my lap.
"To tell you the truth, that was one reason; but not the real reason. They all felt like you deserve to be loved like they had." Esme answered.
A single tear fell from my eye, but I wiped it away quickly. Stupid hormones.
"Where do you live?" I asked trying to spark up the conversation. Honestly, their idea of adopting me and my baby didn't sound like a bad idea.
"We don't live in Arizona Bella, we live in a small town in Forks, Washington. I work at the local hospital while Esme is a part-time interior decorator." Carlisle answered.
The place sounded familiar because it was the town I was born in. The place where my father and mother were died and buried.
"I know of Forks, I was born there. Both my parents died there when was young." Now the tears were starting to flow a little more, but this was usual.
Esme reached across the table for me, I reached for her as well beginning to feel the love that I had lost so long ago.
"We're sorry Bella. We won't try to replace your parents, but we can fill in the hole in your heart if you except us." She said with tears also in her eyes.
"Would you accept us Bella as we have accepted you?" Carlisle asked putting his hand over mine and Esme's.
I wiped my tears from my face with my free hand and gave them a smile that I hadn't used since I was a little girl for my father. "Yes." I answered.
I heard Amelia huff a breath in annoyance, but paid little attention to her. I got a new family; correction, my baby and I got a new family today and I couldn't be happier.
Esme's Point of View
I still can't believe that she agreed with us. I was concerned that she wouldn't. She probably has built this wall up to protect herself and all those within it, but that is only her baby. It has probably helped keep her safe from people she doesn't trust except that it's too well guarded to allow anyone who is willing to help come in. My family and I believe that it will take time before Bella feels comfortable around us. I just know my family is up for the challenge. From the moment we heard of Bella Swan, we have fallen in love with her. Much like a spell that she has cast down upon us; it maybe her gift for those who are worthy of it.
After Carlisle went off to call our family to tell them that we had signed the adoption papers and that Bella is coming home with us, Bella and I went back to her room to gather her things. I must say I was disappointed for she has so little; only a few books, CD's, a week worth of clothing which are torn and ratty. Alice and Rosalie will have their work cut out for them.
I did noticed how much she loves classical books and music. She reminds me of Edward, I have a feeling that they will hit it off right from the start.
I also discovered that she does have a few baby things stored up such as a baby book which she has shown me. I still have Emmett's baby book, and also Alice's and Edwards's which was difficult to keep two because they both shared many firsts that it seemed only fitting they share a book.
"So Esme, you mentioned you had other children; what are they like?" Bella asked when we were packing the baby's things.
"I have five children. Three are my biological and two are also adopted. Emmett is a year older than you and is the eldest of the children. His is huge since birth, but has always been like a big teddy bear that you would love to cuddle with." I laughed.
"Sounds like he is a protector of the family." She added with a slight chuckle.
"Oh yes he is. Trust me honey, he will be like your own personal body guard since you will be the youngest." I said.
"Can you tell me more of my older brothers and sisters?" She was already looking forward to having a big family that cared for her deeply.
"Next are the second and third oldest and the first pair of twins. Rosalie and Jasper Hale; Carlisle and I adopted them when their mother died. Rose is strong-willed, but can be pig-headed at times; and yet she is so feisty that you do not want to be on her bad side. She, in fact, wants to be a pediatrician or some other kind of doctor where she can help with kids. She loves children and babies."
"What about Jasper?"
"Jasper is quiet, but don't let that fool you. He's smart, athletic, and like Emmett is a fierce protector of his family. Also he is a great listener, if you are ever feeling that you need to talk to someone; you will always open up to him no matter what."
"He sounds like he would make a nice friend."
"Yes, but you also have my biological twins Edward and Alice."
"Are they the youngest?"
"Alice is older than Edward by three minutes and they are a few months older than you. Alice is eccentric, hyper, and loves to shop. She does come off as annoying at times, but you can't help by love that little pixie, that is what Edward calls her."
"What is Edward like?"
"He love music; plays the piano, and like his brothers is also very athletic. Like Rosalie, he wants to be a doctor; a surgeon, I believe, like his father. He also loves to read, and I believe you two may have a lot in common."
"Because of my love for the classics?"
"Yes, but you also have something in common with all of my children. You all fight to protect those that you love; like your baby. My children love our family; in fact, when we mentioned you they stood up and wanted to protect you right when they heard your name. It's like we were waiting for you, Bella, to care for you the way you deserve."
"Thanks Esme, I'm really looking forward to meeting with my new family."
"I'm glad to hear that dear."
I drew her close for a hug and felt the baby kick into my belly. I kind of miss the feeling from when I was pregnant last, but I don't really miss the double kicking match that was Edward and Alice.
A knock at the door brought us out of our embrace.
"Come in." Bella called out, and I saw for the first time that she was starting to cry.
Carlisle walked in, "Everything is all set and the car is up front so that we can load everything easily. Bella, are you alright?"
"Yeah, it's just the stupid hormones; they're starting to drive me crazy." She laughed from under the tears and I remembered the hormones.
"I remember those days, and I don't miss them." I joked.
"Well maybe my brothers and sisters can make sure to keep them in check." She joked back.
"Normally Emmett can make anyone feel better, but everyone else will help I guarantee it.
"If we are done in here we should go before we miss our flight. Ready to see your new home, Bella?" Carlisle asked and Bella's tears continued to fall, but I knew these were of joy.
"Yes, of course. Ready to meet your new family, baby?" She whispered to her stomach.
With that we grabbed her things and left for the airport. I have to say how surprised I was that no one came to say goodbye to her. I hope my family doesn't overwhelm her.
Edward's Point of View
Wow, a new sister who has been through a lot of pain and a baby on the way who doesn't deserve the life that its mother has known. I'm glad that mom and dad have chosen to take them in. Although, I have to say when I saw the picture of the girl who will become my new sister; I thought she was the most beautiful creature on Earth and the most beautiful angel in Heaven. How can such an angel carry so many burdens?
"Jazz, lift it up a little more. More. More. Stop. Down. Perfect." Alice squealed trying to have Jasper and Emmett put up the welcome home banner in the living room for Bella.
"Alice, are we done; we are going to be late if you don't hurry up." Jasper said trying not to hurt her feelings.
"Come on Jasper, I want to make sure everything is perfect for my new sister and the baby. I just wish mom and dad let us stay home so that we could see her when they get here." She pouted.
"Calm down little pixie. She's been through a lot and will need some space. Besides you don't want your coach to kick you off the team if you skip do you?" I threatened knowing that Alice loves volleyball almost as much as shopping to let it go.
"Fine, let me grab my bag and then we'll leave." She said stomping upstairs acting like the little girl that never grew up.
"Thanks man, my arms were about to fall off if she didn't stop soon enough." Emmett said grabbing an apple on our way out the door to the garage.
"Your welcome bro. I just didn't want to miss class or else we'd all be in trouble if we skipped." I said with a smirk. We sometimes did ditch without telling our parents, but we needed to start getting better with it or else.
"I wonder what Bella is like. I hope she isn't too moody." Emmett thought out loud. Sometimes he didn't think before he spoke earning him a slap on the head by Rosalie.
"Ow, hey baby. What was that for?" He asked, and sometimes he didn't use it at all.
"Don't make fun of her; she has enough on her plate without you worrying about her moods. We need to keep her as calm and happy as possible. It would be better for the baby and her in the long run." She explained. She's been reading up on pregnancies and infants since we voted on adopting Bella. I'm honestly not sure if she is interested in the baby or in Bella, but for me I guess I would be for Bella. I think she should give up the baby. She is so young and how can she possibly stay in school and raise a child at the same time?
"Hey Edward, get your head out of your butt and get in the car." Alice said walking into the garage.
I got into the front seat of my Volvo while everyone else piled in.
"NO WAIT!" Alice shouted when I was about to put the car in gear.
"What?" I groaned in frustration.
"Rose, we have to take your car. The boys have to meet up with their team before the game tonight." She replied.
I rolled my eyes.
"Why is that important, Alice?" Rosalie asked getting out of the car.
"Because we would be stuck at school until the game started and wouldn't get to see Bella. Hey, maybe we can get her to come for dinner with us kids; no parents." She was practically bouncing up and down. I just hope Bella can keep up with her.
"Alice, I know you mean well honey; but let's not overwhelm Bella. If she wants to come to dinner with us after the game then we'll let her. However, if she does not then we will not force her, alright?" Jasper calmly told her. I swear he could get a whole room to calm down instantly.
"Fine." She pouted and got into Rosalie's BMW convertible.
As I started up the car, I hoped this day would be better than the others—I really didn't want Jessica Stanly or Lauren Mallory drooling over me again—but I had a feeling that our lives would change when we meet with Bella for the first time. Wait, why do I care so much for her? True she's been through hell and my siblings understood, but why do I feel the need to hug her when I first see her and tell her that no one would ever harm her with me around?