I fidgeted nervously with my hands. Carlisle kept rubbing my shoulder, but I could tell that he was as nervous as me. This was the first time that a human was coming to our house of their own free will. And she was Edward's girlfriend, so if we scared her off, then Edward would go back to his mopey self. Jasper and Alice were in their room, whispering quietly. Emmett and Rose were nowhere to be seen, probably in the house that I built for them, a few miles away. I was careful to put it just outside of the range that Edward could hear from the house, so that he wouldn't be nauseated by the disturbing explicit thoughts radiating from the house.

My fantasies were interrupted by the sound of conversation.

"Wow." Bella said, sounding surprised.

"You like it?" I could practically hear Edward's new found smile.

"It...has a certain charm."

Edward chuckled.

"Ready?" Edward asked as the sound of a car door opening was heard.

"Not even a little bit - let's go." Bella sounded like she was trying to laugh, but the sound caught in her throat.

"You look lovely." Edward told her, leading up her the walkway. I stood up to stand with Carlisle on the raised portion of the floor, on the left side of the door. Edward and Bella reached the front door, and pulled it open. Carlisle and I smiled, but made no move to approach them. We didn't want to scare the human girl away when Edward had just found her.

"Carlisle, Esme, this is Bella" Edward told us unnecessarily.

"You're very welcome, Bella" Carlisle told her, carefully taking a measured step forward. Tentatively, he raised his hand, and Bella stepped forward to shake hands with her. Her scent was strong, a floral scent. I hoped that her unique scent didn't catch the attention of the visitors who were coming soon.

"It's nice to see you again, Dr. Cullen."

"Please, call me Carlisle."

"Carlisle." Bella grinning suddenly, with a sudden burst of confidence. Edward's expression beside her became relieved, and knowing him like she did, she could probably feel that. I smiled, realizing that it was my turn to shake hands, and stepped forward.

"It's very nice to know you" I told her sincerely.

"Thank you. I'm glad to meet you, too." Bella sounded like she meant it.

"Where are Alice and Jasper?" Edward asked. They appeared at the top of the stairs, so no one answered.

"Hey, Edward!" Alice called. She streaked down the stairs, stopping suddenly-and to a human, frighteningly-in front of Bella. Carlisle and I shot her warning glances that she either didn't see, or ignored.

"Hi, Bella!" Alice leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. I was shocked, and could feel Carlisle's shock at my side. How could she do this? It would scare Bella away!

"You do smell nice, I never noticed before" she noted. Bella looked embarrassed. No one said anything else as Jasper sprinted over to stand next to Alice. I suddenly felt relaxed, and watched Edward stare at Jasper with one eyebrow raised.

"Hello, Bella" Jasper said. Following Edward's instructions, he didn't get any close or offer any contact that might tempt him.

"Hello, Jasper" Bella replied, smiling. "It's nice to meet you all - you have a very nice home" she said graciously. Wow, not only was she pretty and nice, but she was polite! What a perfect match for Edward!

"Thank you" I told her. Dang, she was brave! Coming to a houseful of vampires without breaking a cold sweat! "We're so glad you came." I might have added a little too much feeling, but we weren't exactly keeping secrets from her, were we? Well, except for one, which Carlisle was telling Edward, thinking it, probably repeating it over and over. He stared at Edward, and I noticed Bella glance away. Edward nodded once, and I turned my eyes back to Bella, who was staring at the piano.

"Do you play?" I asked her, inclining my head towards the piano. Bella shook her head, making the scent around her spread out. I could only imagine how hard it was for Edward to stand right beside her like that, especially with her strong scent that smelled even better to him than it did to me. My throat was already burning, and I couldn't imagine what Edward's felt like. Nor did I want to, to be honest.

"Not at all. But it's so beautiful. Is it yours?" Bella didn't know that Edward played?!?

"No" I laughed. "Edward didn't tell you he was musical?"

Bella stared at Edward with narrowed eyes. "No."

Edward's expression became innocent. "But I should have known, I guess." she added.

How? She didn't have any powers that I knew of. I raised my eyebrows in confusion.

"Edward can do everything, right?" she asked me. Jasper snickered. I shot Edward a reproving glance.

"I hope you haven't been showing off" I scolded him. "It's rude."

"Just a bit" he laughed. The sound softened my expression, and I stared criticizing him mentally. Edward! Come ON! Don't show her EVERYTHING you can do, she already thinks that you can do everything! A quick grimace flashed across his face, disappearing before Bella saw it. I felt smug.

"He's been too modest, actually." Bella informed me.

"Well, play for her" I told Edward.

"But you just said showing off is rude!" he protested.

"There are exceptions to every rule" I shot back.

"I'd like to hear you play" Bella told Edward, siding with me. Hah! Take that, Edward!

"It's settled then." I gave him a slight shove towards the piano. He gave her an exasperated look before turning to the keys. Carlisle nudged me, and I in turn nudged Alice, who in turn, nudged Jasper. With nods of acceptance, we all vanished upstairs.