own nothing but the story line and any characters you don't know :) I AM LOOKING FOR A BETA PLEASE! I'm new at this and don't really know how to go about getting one so please let me know if you know how. I apologize for any errors ahead of time, while I like to write, grammar and I just don't mix. This is the first thing I have written in quite a long time, I'm talking like ten years. Also, I have a very hectic life I will update when possible, I don't know how long I will make the story, I guess it depends on how it is received, this may be total crap and I may decide not to continue with it. Please understand I am shy and having a panic attack at this very moment, it has taken me a long time to gain the courage to post something here. My only hope is that others enjoy this story and that by writing this I will gain the practice I need to one day create a fabulous piece of work. I appreciate all reviews that will help better my writing, but I will not tolerate or be appreciative of hurtful words, you can help me grow as a writer without being nasty.
Summary: All Human. Hidden amongst us are people with magical like qualities. For there own protection most choose to stay hidden, some blending with society while others stay away, pretending not to exist. Bella has not really existed for the last sixteen years, after a disastrous first attempt at being in public she meets the Cullen's can they help protect her before the Volturi find her and try to kidnap her and the other gifted Cullen children?
Bella wrestled with sleep for most of the night, no matter how much she tried to relax, she just couldn't seem to shake the uneasy feeling that someone was watching her. Several times she'd sit up in bed, and dart her head over to the three sides of her room where her windows resided. Of course nobody was peering through any of the windows, but Bella still couldn't shake the strange feeling of being watched. She would wrap her lime green comforter tighter around her body, pulling it practically over her head as she curled into a fetal position, hoping to disappear, praying that she was just letting her imagination run away with her.
All of her mothers warnings were running through her mind. Her conversation with the new stranger kept replaying. He seemed so normal, but she wasn't about to trust him, he did break into her home after all. What normal person does that, she questioned. Part of her wanted to tell her parents, she knew that was the right thing to do. Never had Bella thought she was lonely. Interacting with her parents was the only way she had ever known. It unsettled her that she wanted to talk with this Emmett person more. She battled with her feelings all night, tossing and turning trying to make sense of the last twenty-four hours.
As the sun rose and Bella started to prepare for another day of schooling and chores her worries stayed, etched in her face like an open book. Charlie could see the trouble and worry written all over Bella as she sat down for breakfast. He watched her put her pancakes and fruit on her plate, stared at her as she poured what she thought was the syrup and took a drink of what she thought was the milk. She was on auto pilot, not paying attention to anything.
"You alright there Bella?" He asked, looking at his daughter with concern. He had never seen her so removed, scatter brained and tired,. Clearly, yesterdays events were on her mind and didn't get much sleep, just like him. However, his lack of shut eye was do to the fact he was kicked out of his room and forced to sleep on a too small, uncomfortable couch by his quick tempered, terrified wife.
"Uh huh," Bella said in a dazed voice, not even bothering to look up from her plate.
"Right," Charlie grumbled before shaking his head and taking a sip of his coffee. "Well, I'm not going to be working on the shed today, Renee, I figured I'd take your advice and call Dr. Cullen for some lunch at the diner." Charlie said with a sly smile on his face.
He knew he was goading his wife into another fight, but he just couldn't help himself he wanted to see her face turn ten shades of red at the realization he had taken her words literally. While the situations were never this serious, Renee had a tendency to say one thing and really mean another and Charlie loved nothing more than to annoy his wife by taking what she said literally.
One year for valentines day, she said they didn't have to do anything special. He knew she just wanted a surprise, but he was a man who spoke his mind most of the time. He didn't like pussyfooting around and frankly it annoyed the hell out of him when Renee would do that. So, he didn't do a damn thing on that valentines day, it cost him a week on the sofa, but it was worth that week to see the same annoyance he had felt broadcasted on her face. At first he thought she would learn, but for seventeen years she continued to hit his biggest pet peeve. Over the years it stopped getting annoying to him though, now he mostly did it to be playful. Unfortunately it was one sided playfulness. He knew she was being a smart ass at the time, but on the other hand, didn't think befriending the Cullen's was a bad idea. Catch more flies with honey, keep your enemies closer, and all that. If this family was up to know good he wanted to know about it. He didn't think that was the case, but he needed to know his wife was just truly judging by fear. He was sure he was correct in assuming they were just another family like his, on the run, hoping to stay off the Volturi's radar.
Renee opened and closed her mouth several times. She was replying their conversation in her head, trying to figure out what he meant by her advice. When she thought back to what she said before entering the kitchen she realized what he was talking about and could believe Charlie would choose this time to play his game and twist her words around. Leave it to her husband to through sarcasm in her face and knowingly do exactly what she didn't want him to do, if only to just piss her off.
"Guess you enjoyed sleeping on the couch ," she grumbled before going back to her breakfast.
Bella sat there the whole time, she didn't understand the whole "taking mom's advice thing" comment but from what she could gather, one of mothers smart alec remarks had come around to bite her in the butt once again. Her father was notorious for getting Renee on those. She also gathered that it had something to do with the Cullen's. She was now cursing herself for being off in her own mind instead of listening to her father.
"Yea, well, while you're upstairs in that big bed all by yourself worrying your pretty little head off that the Cullen's are going to creep into our home," Charlie started as he got up to rinse his plate, "I'll be sleeping on our oh so lovely couch with the peace of mind that I was right and they are just a normal family."
"You're a damn fool if you ever believe that!" Renee shot back, irritated with Charlie's smugness.
"Renee, look at your daughter. Don't you think the uncertainty of this situation needs to be put to rest? Our sensible daughter is so far off in lala land she doesn't even realize she poured milk onto her pancakes instead of syrup!"
Bella and Renee both looked down at her plate to see Charlie was correct. Bella blushed scarlet as she looked back to her parents.
"I'm fine dad, really. I just didn't get much sleep last night. You don't have to go to the trouble of meeting them." She tried to reassure both parents. She didn't want to cause any more stress to her mother than she already had. She definitely didn't want to put her father if any danger. If they were working for Volturi, as much as part of her wanted to get to know the Cullen's, her parents lives were far more important.
Charlie sighed resting his hands on the back of a chair. "Honey, you're not fine. Maybe your just shaken up over yesterday, I don't know. I can't help you with the incident at the store. You just need time to get over your embarrassment and time to realize everything's going to be alright. I can however help ease your mother's, yours and my fears about this family. I'm just going to call this doctor and have a chat or two with him. We'll go from there once I know more about them." He looked from his daughter to his wife. Hoping she would eventually see the reason in his proposal. He would do this whether Renee liked it or not, but it sure would make living a lot more peaceful if he didn't have to sleep on that damn couch forever.
"Fine Charlie, go have your chat, but I don't want you telling him anything of our family. You just stick to getting information about them! Not that it will do you any good, they are trained to lie for Christ sake!" Renee clipped as she angrily tossed her dishes into the sink. "Meet me in the study in ten minutes Isabella, we need to make up for the studies you missed yesterday."
Bella nodded her head before putting another mouthful of milk soaked pancakes in her mouth.
"Don't let your mother's fears get to you Bella, I can see the worry all over your face. She'll come around and calm down. She's just," he paused trying to find the right words, "she's just cautious honey, we'll talk more after I get home. Now, I think I've agitated your mother enough for one day, why don't you give up on that mushy food and get started on your work while I make a phone call."
"Sure dad." Bella answered before standing up and taking her plate to the sink, rinsing both hers and her mothers plates before walking out of the kitchen.
At the Cullen household Jasper and Alice sat hand in hand on the sofa as they watched a movie, waiting for their brothers to return. Since they had become part of the Cullen family their friendship had grown from protective friends to lovers. While their parents had accepted this, never questioning the strong bond the pair shared, they were not ready to be grandparents. Esme and Carlisle held a firm rule neither were allowed in each other rooms. A rule that was only adhered to when the elder Cullen's were awake and alert though. Esme and Carlisle were so focused on looking out for their family and keeping an eye on the youngest two Cullens they never noticed the budding romance happening between the oldest two. Which is why when Rosalie had retired for bed, her adopted parents didn't realize that she had bypassed her room and headed straight for Emmett's. Carlisle and Esme had moved to their office just off of the living room, keeping the door slightly a jar to keep an eye on the young couple while discussing the events of the day.
"Do you think the girl will call the kids, Carlisle?" Esme asked
He shook his head as his brow furrowed. "No, I think if her parents believe us to be the enemy, and if all she has ever known is to trust her parents and only her parents, the chances of her turning against their wishes are slim."
"They aren't doing her any favors, keeping her locked up like that. but, what worries me if you don't think she is going to call, is what are our children are going to do that we won't approve of to befriend Bella. And will it cost me my dream home before I even get to decorate!"
Carlisle smiled at his wife, he knew this was her dream home, and he also knew what that meant. When his wife falls in love with a place, his pocket book always gets lighter, and this place had a lot of rooms and land that would reap the benefits of said lightening.
"I gave my information to the store clerk. When he calls I will make sure this incident remains as secretive as possible. Hopefully there isn't anyone in the area we need to worry about. I think it would be wise to give the kids another week off of school. Give things time to settle down. Perhaps you can do the remainder of your shopping online and keep the kids at home as well. Just to make sure we don't have any more unwanted attention." He paused before chuckling and adding "Hopefully keeping them at home will also help keep them out of trouble for a little longer than normal."
"But what of the Swan family, you told them about our kids, I know what Emmett said, but don't you think we should be concerned about what they will do. What if this Bella tells her parents that he was there, in there home, in her bedroom!"
"I really don't think they will tell anyone, it would draw unnecessary attention towards them. I am worried about her telling her parents, but what's done is done, we can't turn back time." Carlisle replied " If she told, I imagine he will either hunt us down today or I may end up with an unexpected visit come Monday."
Esme nodded her head in agreement. They sat in silence for a moment or two before Esme turned her head towards the partially opened door.
"Hand above the blanket Alice and Jasper!" she called, earning a giggle from Alice.
"Yes mom!" Alice called as she smiled at Jasper.
" I wonder how long it will take Edward to realize he was feeling jealous of Emmett earlier." Alice mused to herself.
"Well, I think first he is going to have to come to terms with the vision you had of them making out." Jasper said with a chuckle. "Knowing Edward he is going to deny his feelings until he figures out why he can't hear her thoughts and realizes she isn't the enemy. I think it's safe to say we have a few years ahead of us before the stubborn ass figures all that out." Jasper joked, it had taken Edward a good part of a year to accept Alice and Jasper and they had been living under one roof together.
"Humph! Well, we are just going to have to figure out how to speed things along, I can't wait that long to have a new best friend,"
"What makes you think she's going to be your new best friend?" Jasper questioned.
Alice was the friendliest of the bunch, it was rare for her to refer to anyone other than Jasper as her best friend.
" I just know it Jazz, I didn't see anything, but I just have that feeling. She's going to be friends with all of us, and I'll get to dress her up, and put make up on her and do her hair. OH! Did you see her hair? That girl is in need of a serious spa day, and a new wardrobe. It looked like her mother picked out her clothes!" Alice continued her excited rant about all the different area's Bella needed work in, and Jasper just listened politely to his love's babble, it wouldn't do any good to try to interrupt until she was ready to take a breath.
"You know she isn't a doll right? She might not like any of that girlie stuff." He tried to point out.
"AH! Bite your tongue, of course she likes that sort of "stuff" even if she doesn't know it yet." Alice said with a smile.
"Leave her alone Alice," Edward said as he walked in the door followed by Emmett. "I could hear your rambling for the last mile and half, you were so loud you drown out Emmett's terrible rendition of "This is the Song That Never Ends"! He complained as he took his jacket and shoes off.
Alice just rolled her eyes as she adjusted herself on the sofa so she could turn to look at her brother.
"So…whatcha learn?" She asked as she swung her one leg that wasn't tucked under her back and forth.
"Nothing much, I think her mother has like five different personalities inside her head. She couldn't stay on one topic long enough to have any terribly coherent thoughts. But I have to agree the only thought aimed at the Volturi was fear that we were part of them. Her dad was thinking of ways to piss his wife off before he feel asleep, he decided to call Dad in the morning to meet for lunch."
"Well, that's progress I guess!" Esme said cheerfully as she walked into the room. "I trust you two didn't break any laws tonight while you did your snooping." She asked looking directly at Emmett.
"Nope, well except for trespassing. Eddie here wanted to get closer to Tinkerbella, you know, see if he could pick her brain if he was closer."
"Did it work Edward?" Esme asked curiously. Edward had been her son since he was five years old. In the twelve years she had known him, never had he come across someone who was silent.
"No," he grumbled before started to stomp up the stairs. "I'm going to bed!"
"I think everyone should head to bed now." Carlisle said to his remaining children.
"Good night kids," Esme called up the stairs, "You all need to be up bright and early, we are going to the local church tomorrow!"
They heard several different groans as they heard three doors close.
"Alice, you're room not Jasper's!" Carlisle yelled.
"You would think she would see that happening" Esme said shaking her head.
"Are you really dragging all of them to church tomorrow?"
"Hmm, I was thinking about it, what better way to blend in and get to know more people. I figured we would go to The nondenominational church in Forks this week. There are several other churches in Port Angles we can try out as well."
"Whatever you say dear, I'll make you a deal, if you get them all up, and they are dressed and ready to go tomorrow by eight am. I will cook dinner for a week." Carlisle said as he gave his wife a chaste kiss and headed up the stairs.
"Deal, but, you also have to clean the kitchen each night, I know how messy you are when you cook," she joked following him up their winding stair case. "You check Jasper's and I'll check Alice's. Then I'm going to take a bath."
Carlisle turned around and wrapped his arm's around his wife's waist.
"Mmm, is there room in the tub for two?" he asked, a smile on his face as he captured Esme's mouth in a tantalizing kiss. He moved down her neck placing several feather light kisses, waiting for her response.
"If you keep doing that, of course.," She said in a shaky breath.
Carlisle laughed softly and playfully swatted Esme's bottom before heading down the hallway towards Jasper's room.
Edward was laying in his bed , fully dressed listen to a random song on his ipod. He was beyond annoyed with life at the moment. While he knew he lived a good life, despite the whole living on the run thing, he absolutely hated this town already. Out of all the small towns his father could have picked, why did he have to pick a town with a beautiful, telekinetic, silent minded girl who had haunted his thoughts since the moment he laid eyes on her just a mere twelve hours ago. Was his luck really that rotten?
He told himself he wanted to know more about her, just to make sure that Bella wasn't a threat. But he wasn't so sure that was the case. Instead of questioning how they all ended up in the same town, he was wondering what she was dreaming about. Instead of wondering what caused her to be so scared in the store earlier today, he was wondering if what she looked like when she smiled. He knew she would most likely not be at church in the morning, but he heard Esme's thoughts earlier, they were going to Forks, the same town Bella lived in. and part of him, a small part that he didn't want to admit existed was wishing he would run into her.
All of the clocks in the Cullen household read 8:01am when Edward touched the last step on the stairs that morning. Carlisle wore a smug smile as he turned to his wife.
"One minute too late my dear,"
"Well, it would be, if I didn't go into everyone's room last night and turn the clocks forward ten minutes." She replied smiling slyly as she fixed Carlisle's tie.
"And when did you do that? I thought I had worn you out pretty well." he whispered in her ear.
"Oh you did, but you were out as soon as your head it the pillow. I decided to help the kids and you get a jump start this morning." Esme said smiling at her cleverness before her face turned serious and she whispered. " I discovered something interesting last night, we need to talk when we get back home."
Edward tried to hide his laughter, despite his mother was trying to block her thoughts by thinking about what she was going to have Carlisle make for dinner tonight, he saw an image of Rosalie cuddling up against Emmet in bed. Carlisle raised his eyebrows at his wife but just nodded his head.
"Alright, everyone out to the car, we are taking one car, we are going to act like a normal family and please, all of you be on your best behavior…Especially you two Rose and Emmett!"
"What, why me?" Rosalie questioned innocently.
"Gee, I don't know. You did set fire to a whole pew at the last church we went to." Jasper pointed out as he climbed into the back seat.
"Alright, alright, everyone get in, I want to make sure we get there early enough to mix and mingle some." Esme said as she got into the front passengers chair.
Carlisle was starting the car his cell phone started to ring.
"Dr Cullen." He said as he answered his phone shooting his wife an apologetic look. "Yes, Hello Chief Swan, what can I do for you.? That sounds like a wonderful idea, how does noon sound. Great, the diner across the street from urgent care correct? Wonderful, I'll see you then. Thank you. Good bye." Carlisle set his phone in the center cup holder near his chair, put the car in drive and started down their driveway. Alice was vibrating up and down in her sit while everyone looked expectantly at Carlisle.
"That was Bella's father," He said stating the obvious, " He didn't say much, just that his wife gave me his card and wanted to sit down for lunch to discuss some things. Alice, did you see any of this, does he know about Emmett being there, Edward?"
"I haven't seen anything yet dad," Alice replied before Edward could chime in.
"I don't think the girl said anything Dad, his thoughts last night were focused on an argument with his wife, and meeting you today."
The family pulled up to the church and saw a decent amount of people already gathering outside. It was a fairly nice day for it being the middle of September and it appeared as though the people of Forks were trying to soak up all the good weather they could get.
As soon as Edward had stepped out of the vehicle and looked around, he felt all eyes and heard all minds on his family and him. Everyone was curious about the new comers, several people already assumed it was the new doctor and his family while others, mostly the hormone driven teenagers, openly salivated at the "fresh meat". The Cullen kids stuck by there each other as family after family came up to introduce themselves. Edward went through the minds of all who approached, always on the look out for the enemy. Unfortunately he was only assaulted with quite unsavory thoughts. The woman, young and old had images of affairs with one or more of the Cullen men while the men and boys alike held similar thoughts of the Cullen woman. It was instances like this that made Edward want to stay at home and bury his head in the sand.
"Hi!" A nasally voice said from behind him. He closed his eyes, breathed in deep as he slowly turned around. He was trying hard not to be rude, but this girls thoughts were absolutely disgusting and all directed at himself and his brother Emmett. Not, a combination he ever wanted to see.
"Hello." he said coldly, but still trying to be as polite as possible.
"I'm Lauren, You must be Edward, I already met your brothers and sisters, I heard all about you. Your family is all this town can talk about!" She said as she batted her eyelashes. She had her head tilled slightly to the side, her fingers clasped together and was gently rocking from side to side. She chanted in her head, "act innocent, men love that" but that statement was null and void due to the images of her on her knees that played over and over.
"Yes, I'm sure you have, it appears in a town as small as this Podunk place, everyone has heard everything." He said in a curt voice. "Excuse me, I need to catch up to my family."
He quickly turned and walked towards his parents who were a few steps away. They were talking to the Pastor and who appeared to be his wife. A young girl looking to be around his age was standing next to him. Her head was down and she had innocent enough several thoughts running through her head. She like most girls thought Edward's copper colored hair and gorgeous green eyes were beautiful, but she was praying he wouldn't talk to her, for fear she would make a fool of herself. She was \wishing she didn't have to stand by her parents and make nice with all the parishioners, desperately wanting to go back inside and finish her calculus home work she had been struggle with. Edward smiled at her as their parents made introductions. It was nice to meet a girl that wasn't completely fawning over Edward or his siblings. Before he could even try to strike a conversation with the sweet girl, he heard that nasally voice again.
"Oh Eddie! This is my friend Jessica, we would love to show you around town after church!" Lauren said as she wrapped her arm around Edwards and tried to press her body closer to his.
He tried to untangle himself from her, but it seemed like every time he stepped back she would step with him and squeeze his arm just a bit tighter. He looked up to see if any of his family was going to help him, but they all had amused looks on there faces. Emmett seemed to be finding himself in a similar predicament much to Rosalie's disgust. Alice held Jaspers hand securely refusing to let go and shooting daggers at anyone who dared look at him.
"Thank you, but no, Sunday's are family days in our house," He replied politely and hoped for once none of his siblings would decide to contradict him.
"Edward honey, the service will be starting soon," Esme said, finally coming to the rescue with a sly smile on her face. "I didn't know today was a family day, we should get out candy land and chutes and ladders, just like old times." she teased as they walked into church.
"For rescuing me from those brainless bimbos Mom, I would play a hundred board games with you! I think I need to bleach out my brain from all their nasty thoughts." Edward whispered back, earning a playful whack from his mother.
Carlisle arrived at the small diner located across the street from the urgent care facility ten minutes before his scheduled lunch with Charlie. He had dropped everyone at the house after the service and drove around for a bit to calm his nerves and gain his bearings. This wasn't his first meeting with a parent of a gifted child, but everyone else he had met was through some time of family or friend. He wasn't sure how Charlie would act towards him, and was especially anxious to find out if this man knew of his son talking with Bella. Most importantly Carlisle was very curious to find out what information Chief Swan had on Volturi.
As he entered the run down establishment, he saw, sitting in a corner booth a man with brown haired man and a prominent mustache, wearing a red flannel shirt roughly rubbing his hands together as he looked out the window. When this man looked towards the door, he stood and made his way towards Carlisle.
"Dr Cullen?" he asked.
"Just Carlisle," He answered, extending his hand. " I presume you are Chief Swan?"
"Humph, just Charlie will do." he replied as he shook Carlisle's hand. "I got a table over here." Charlie said as he turned back towards where he had first been.
Once they had been seated, Carlisle grabbed a menu, "I imagine I will be eating here a lot come Monday, would you recommend anything in particular?"
Charlie looked over to the doctor and shrugged, "Just stay away from their chili and you'll be fine."
Carlisle smiled and placed his menu back down. "How is your daughter, feeling?" He had almost slipped and said Bella, but caught himself.
"She's fine considering, could have been worse I suppose." Charlie said before taking a sip of coffee. "Listen Carlisle, my wife doesn't want me here and I've got to say I'm not to comfortable here either so I'll just get right to it. I don't want any trouble in my town. From you or the Volturi, if your family being here is going to bring that lot, then I think you all just better move on now."
"Charlie, we only want peace, I'm sure you've already done a back ground check on us. We have moved around a lot, sometimes its been because of the Volturi coming a little too close, sometimes it's just because we wanted a change of pace."
"You've had run ins with them have you?" Charlie asked as he tried to read Carlisle's body language.
"Yes, a few," Carlisle answered hesitantly "Three of our children have been highly sought out by them. Our other two children are not on their radar, at least I don't believe they are."
"Care to explain why some of the kids are and aren't"
Carlisle sighed, he knew he would have to be the more open of the two if they were going to make any progress, truthfully he wanted a friend who he could talk openly with, but his top priority was his family, and if there was two magical families in town that meant it would be twice as easy to be discovered. Looking around carefully before leaning over slightly and talking in a hushed whisper, Carlisle started his explanation.
"My eldest Emmett, has a very unusual talent, he is extremely fast and strong, I'm talking superman. He also a bit of a ham and sometimes lets his need for showing off get the best of him. He's been on there radar for quite sometime. My daughter Rosalie is a fire starter. Before we adopted her, she was already one of their targets. We don't know for how long. Edward, my next oldest can read peoples minds. Before he learned how to control his gift there were a few slip ups that raised questions, unfortunately Volturi workers were in the area scouting out another suspected family one of the times Edward drew attention to himself. Alice and Jasper have less prominent abilities, she can see the future and he is an empath. They have only been living with us three years but as far as we know, Volturi isn't aware of there powers. I don't like having my children rely on their powers but Alice's and Edward's has come in handy a few times when the Volturi was getting close to our location."
Charlie nodded his head at the information, "So are all your kids adopted?" must have been one hell of a whammy to find think your adopting a normal healthy child only to discover they can do extraordinary things, he thought. The waitress choose that moment to come take their orders, pausing the conversation until she was out of hearing range.
"Yes, Emmett was first, at the age of two, Edward was next four years later, then when the boys were fifteen and fourteen came Alice and Jasper and last year was Rosalie."
"And you taught them how to control their powers?" He sounded skeptical and he partially was. He and his wife had a hard enough time helping Bella learn how to control her emotions and powers and they had seventeen years of trying!
"My wife has done most of the work with them,in addition to school they have almost daily classes working on control and development. We want them to be able to have a good handle on all they can do."
"You told my wife to call if we needed anything, do you think your family could help Isabella get some more control? Blend in better?"
"I honestly don't know, but I do know that from one family in hiding to another, we would love to try to help." Carlisle sat back in his chair waiting for the waitress that had brought there food to leave before continuing. "My wife had family who were special. She's watched the people she love's torn apart has first hand knowledge of the destruction the Volturi can cause and so have I. Neither one of us wish that upon anyone."
"I'm sure you understand then about my Renee's hesitation with getting to know each other. We've done a pretty good job of keeping Bella safe, we've never had to question before if people were lurking around trying to find us. Unfortunately you being here, and the experience at the store has put her on high alert. I'm not sure I can get her to come around, but I'll try. Bella is going to be an adult all too soon and I would rest easier at night knowing she is as safe as can be."
"I understand completely, you have my number, give me a call anytime. Perhaps your wife would feel more comfortable if we got together on neutral territory."
"Maybe, let's give her time to calm down first. By the way, I called down to the hardware store and a funny thing happened, boy didn't know about any accident or damages, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that, now would you?"
Carlisle smiled while nodding his head. "Yes actually, I talked to the manager yesterday and got everything squared away. I don't think you will need to worry about them saying anything to anyone."
"From what my wife tells me, there was quite a bit of damage done. What do I owe you?"
Carlisle didn't want to insult him and it was obvious by Charlie's demeanor he was a proud man, but it wasn't that much of an expense for the Cullens and he was glad to have done it.
"How about you pay for lunch and we call it even?" he replied.
"Humph, make it next Wednesday's lunch too and you've got a deal," Charlie countered as he stretched out his hand.
Carlisle shook it as he stood to leave, "Sounds like deal, call me to set up a time. See you in a few days, it was nice to meet you Charlie." He said before walking out the door, relieved that the meeting had gone well, happy that Emmett had not been caught, and feeling slightly better about moving his family here. Now he just had to keep Rose and Emmett from slipping up and using there powers in public for everything to be perfect. His mind wandered on the drive home, to his wife's earlier words about needing to talk, he wondered if Alice had snuck back into Jaspers room last night. He laughed a little at the thought, for being a good psychic, his little pixie of a daughter sure did get caught with her boyfriend quite a bit.