CHAPTER 18

"So, how will I know what to take if you don't tell me where we are going?" I asked. Edward smiled and lifted up a small suitcase.

"I have packed for you," he replied. I looked at him quizzically for a moment, trying to decide if I was mortally offended he had packed for me or secretly flattered he was so loving. In the end I decided it wasn't a big deal; I hated packing anyway.

"Well you should know that if we're going somewhere hot, I need at least factor fifty because I burn real easy," I said, looking at his face to gauge his response. He merely shook his head and chuckled to himself, before opening the passenger door of his Volvo for me.

"Put your seatbelt on," he said, as he climbed in beside me.

"You always tell me to put my seatbelt on," I replied. "And my seatbelt is always already on."

"Just concerned for your safety, love," he replied, turning the key in the ignition.

He pulled away smoothly, without the speed that he usually employed and I glanced across at him. He had attempted to tame his hair today, but had had little luck as already it was springing up. His finger tips drummed against the wheel as he steered and his golden eyes were fixed on the road ahead, but his lips were slightly curved in the hint of a smile.

"It is somewhat distracting, my love, trying to drive, with you staring at me," he said, eventually.

"You stare at me all the time when I am working," I countered. Edward grinned; he had no argument for that because it was true. When I worked, he hovered in the bar area, or occasionally at the manager's table and watched me the whole time, his eyes boring into me. Strangely, I didn't mind; it made me feel safe. He reached across and patted my leg, then left his hand on my knee, keeping his other hand on the wheel. I brought my hand down to cover his and wondered again at how smooth and cold his skin was. "Edward?"

"Yes, my love?"

"Did you speak to Jacob before we left?" His hand tightened momentarily and his lips twitched before he responded.

"Yes, I spoke to Jacob. You need not worry about anything; his pack has the area secure."

"Pack? Why do they call it a pack? I thought packs were dogs. Surely gang would be a more appropriate term?"

"Perhaps you should ask Jacob about that," replied Edward, smoothly.

"I did. He changed the subject."

"I'm sure he did," muttered Edward. I glanced across at him.

"You don't like him much, do you?"

"I have no problem with your friend." But his jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed. Recognising a change of subject might be a good thing, I squeezed his hand.

"Where are we going?"

"To see Dr Cullen," he replied, after a brief pause. My eyes widened and I stiffened.

"Your parents? You're taking me to meet your parents?" He heard the panic in my voice, because he turned to look directly at me for a moment.

"Esme is very keen to meet you," he said.

"Esme?"

"My mother," he replied.

"So your parents are vampires too?" I asked.

"They are my adoptive parents. Carlisle was the one who changed me and Esme is his wife. They brought me through the difficult transition period and taught me their way of life. As you are aware, not all vampires hunt and feed on animals."

"I can't believe you didn't tell me we are going to meet your parents," I said, after his words had sunk in. "What if they don't like me?"

Edward laughed and brought my hand to his lips.

"Oh Bella, I am taking you to meet two vampires and you are more concerned with whether or not they will like you," he said, softly.

"Well, what if they don't?"

"That is their business," he replied, with a shrug, but then he smiled. "Bella they will love you, as I do. Trust me."

I didn't respond, just sat and stared out of the window, watching the scenery flash by, as wave after wave of anxiety washed through me. They would love me? I was human, while they were immortal, probably stunning, vampires who would no doubt wonder if their adoptive son had lost his mind becoming involved with a waitress at his club. Particularly a waitress with a chequered past. Edward sighed.

"Love, what are you thinking?" he asked.

"Nothing," I murmured. Edward suddenly turned the wheel sharply and veered into a lay-by, pulling up and getting out of the car. He was at my side so quickly I didn't have time to register he had stopped the car. He unfastened my seatbelt and lifted me out of the car, folding me into his arms.

"Bella, please don't be so nervous. I should not have told you where we are going. Maybe if you had just gone straight in..."

"I would have killed you," I responded, managing a small smile. Edward smiled back, knowing that even if I really wanted to I couldn't kill him. "Well maybe not have killed you. Maybe just withdrawn all kissing privileges."

"You might as well have killed me then, my love, because without your kisses I could not live," he replied, dropping a light kiss on my lips as if to prove his point. "Now, will you try to relax? My parents are not monsters... well I suppose technically they are, but they are not..."

"Edward, it's fine," I said, before he could ramble himself into a discourse about his own monstrous nature. "I'm ok now. Let's just... let's just get there."

We drove the rest of the way in silence; I was still very nervous about meeting his parents, but Edward seemed content that he had eased my anxiety levels a little. He headed down a long lane which led to a large, modern house. From the front, it looked as if the whole house was made of glass, with wood panels in between. Trees grew all around it, but far enough away that it was bright and light in the clearing. Standing on the doorstep, in front of the door, was a tall, slim man with short blonde hair and a petite woman with reddish brown hair swept into a forties-style chignon. Both were elegant and impossibly beautiful. I glanced down at my blue jeans and pink sweater a little doubtfully, but Edward squeezed my hand.

"You look beautiful, my love, just perfect. Come on!" He hurried round to open my door and handed me out of the car. "Carlisle, Esme, may I present Isabella Swann."

Carlisle smiled at me, warmly and took one of my hands in two of his, shaking it, before Esme pulled me to her for a motherly embrace.

"Hi," I said, a little shyly.

"Oh Bella, it is so wonderful to finally meet you," enthused Esme. "I have heard so much about you! Alice was just on the phone, saying you would be here within minutes."

"A pleasure to finally meet the girl who has captured Edward's heart," said Carlisle, looking at his son, proudly. I flushed.

"I don't know about that," I mumbled.

"Oh I do. You're all he's talked about for the last few months," said Esme, easily. Edward rolled his eyes.

"You make me sound like an obsessive," he said, as Carlisle took one of our bags from him. Esme laughed.

"You are obsessed, darling, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Come, Bella, let me show you to your room. I am sure you would like to freshen up before dinner."

"Thank you," I said, a little overwhelmed. Carlisle and Edward followed us into the house, as Esme linked arms with me, easily. She seemed completely relaxed and I envied her that; my own heart was thumping so hard I was sure they could hear it.

"I am sure you are very nervous, dear," she said, suddenly. "We were too when Edward said he was bringing you home for the weekend. He has never brought a girl home before. I do so hope you like your room; I wasn't sure what your taste might be. Alice suggested lilac; she said it was calming." Esme opened the door to a large bedroom. The walls were tastefully painted in lilac and cream and a pair of thick cream curtains hung at the window. There was a four-poster bed in the centre of the room, with lilac voiles hanging around it and a beautiful floral eiderdown. Another door led into an en-suite bathroom with a large claw-footed bath, separate shower cubicle, wash basin and WC. I stared open mouthed.

"Wow!"

"You like it?" asked Esme, anxiously.

"It is beautiful!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, I am so pleased," said Esme. "Human tastes can be so varied... well. I will leave you to settle in. Edward, have you got Bella's bag?"

Edward came into the room and smiled.

"Of course. You've done a good job of the room. It looks amazing," he said, dropping a light kiss on Esme's cheek. She smiled up at him, warmly.

"Perhaps next time a little more notice, Edward," she replied. "A week to get this ready was not really enough time. I wanted to have a heated floor in the bathroom..."

"Honestly, Esme, it is fine," he said, dropping another kiss on his mother's brow.

"I will go and see what Carlisle is up to. Dinner is at seven."

"Thank you," I said, as she closed the door, leaving me alone with Edward. He smiled at me, warmly and pulled me to him, kissing my lips softly.

"They love you, as I said they would. Esme was more nervous than you were. She was worried you would hate your room or judge them for being vampires."

"Why would I do that?" I asked.

"Bella, you were worried they would judge you for being human," he said, with a smile. I blushed and ducked my head.

"I guess," I replied. "Well, I might have a shower and change before dinner. What should I put on?"

"Just jeans and a top; we don't dress for dinner, love," he said, with an easy smile. "There are towels in the bathroom that you can use and probably a robe behind the door. I'll give you an hour, ok?"

"Ok," I said. He gave me a gentle kiss and then left me alone to shower and change.