A/N: Okay. In the past I've tried to stay with the books as much as possible, but I found one scene from the movie that I really like. I know there are mixed reactions from the movie, but I'm going to go ahead and use this anyway. It wasn't in the full film; this is actually part of a deleted scene titled "She Brought Him to Life". I was so bummed they didn't use this after I saw it and I can tell you, my beagle was too. I wanted to add it and I had a space where Stephenie doesn't touch on what Esme and Carlisle are doing. I figured, why couldn't they be doing what they did in the deleted scene?

So here's the next chapter. I want to see if you guys like this scene as I put it, with some minor changes. Please give me feedback and try to forget the rest of the movie while you read this, especially if you didn't like it. Read, Review, Pass it on!

-Wish

P.S. Thanks to you guys for letting me make the revisions I needed to so that I could follow Stephenie's books as much as possible. If you didn't know I was making revisions, then just know that is was a simple change towards the end and it had to do with Alice's vision. It will be important later on. Thanks!

Chapter 30: A Formal Introduction

When Bella first became a situation, I thought it would be best for, not only Edward, but Bella and the family, if Edward stayed away from Bella. Remove the situation. I was only reassured when the car accident happened. Edward couldn't tell what Bella was thinking. He couldn't know what she would do, and that was dangerous for all of us. But Bella didn't say anything. The only rumors that came from the accident were started by bored students who were looking for some sort of entertainment.

It wasn't until that night, March 8th that I began to wonder if Bella and Edward were meant for each other. It became obvious that Edward couldn't keep away from Bella. He was compelled to protect her. Bella brought out the best in Edward. The control he exhibited with Lonnie proved that much.

The days after Edward officially began to date Bella Swan brought with them, a new Edward. He was happy. Happier than I'd ever seen him in the almost one hundred years I've known him. But he was also more in control of himself. Being with Bella tested his control over his thirst. Edward's strength grew the more time he spent with Bella; the more times he resisted her blood's call.

At the end of the week, Edward announced his intentions of bringing Bella home.

"I think it's time she finally met you all, officially," Edward added.

"Finally!" Alice squealed. She jumped up from the couch where she lounged with Jasper and rushed to Edward, hugging him. "Thank you so much! I've been seeing glimpses of something, but that you for finally making up your mind!"

"You're welcome Alice?" Edward replied, hesitant.

Rosalie huffed from her place with Emmett in the kitchen. "Don't count on my being there," she informed him. "I won't be." She got up and sauntered off at vampire pace. Emmett followed.

"Aw, c'mon Rose," we could hear him say, "Lighten up!"

"She'll come around eventually," Alice said.

"Liar," Edward accused.

Alice shrugged.

"Are you sure you want to bring her over so soon?" Esme asked. "She only found out about us a few days ago! Surely she needs some time."

"No," Edward replied. "Bella seems to be taking all of this surprisingly well. I keep waiting for her to run away in terror when I tell her something new, but she just seems to want to stick around even more."

That's interesting, I thought.

"More like suicidal," Edward corrected.

You don't give yourself enough credit, Edward.

"You have too much faith in me," Edward countered.

"Perhaps," I replied. "But I don't think so. I think you deserve so much more."

Edward came back only to change the next morning and then left again to return to Bella. It was Sunday. Before being changed, I'd attended mass with my father every Sunday, diligently, faithfully. Afterwards, I had still tried to attend mass, but over the years my faith began to change. Three hundred years later, I marked my Sundays by a period of reflection and prayer. Sometimes Esme would join me, but most of the time I was alone. This period wasn't just for praying to God, but it was a time I set aside for thought. My thoughts drifted to my family.

Rosalie and Edward were at such odds ever since the accident. Rosalie had been willing to kill Bella to protect the family's privacy. That had, of course, been out of the question. Now Rosalie was angry with Edward, not only because he'd let Bella live, but because he'd then told Bella the whole truth. And he'd made the public connection to her. Edward had taken away all room for error. His actions were a constant source of tension. I was having a hard time understanding why Rosalie was so angry about Bella. She'd proven her trustworthiness. Everyone else accepted Edward's decision. What was I missing that caused Rosalie's hate?

I contemplated Rosalie a bit more, until my thoughts drifted on. Alice's visions of Bella's future weren't set in stone, but they were possibilities. One possibility, mind it was growing more and more obscure but it was still present, was the possibility of Edward attacking Bella. I didn't think that would happen, especially now. Edward's control was growing exponentially. The other possibility was of Bella, changed. Edward was determined not to let this one come true. It would be the easiest, for the entire family, but Edward didn't want it. He didn't want Bella to be a vampire. I honestly wasn't sure what my view was. Bella was new. What I knew of her had come from the brief interview I had in the emergency room after the accident. There had been other things on my mind at the time. I would have to get to know her better before I could decide whether changing Bella would be a good thing.

Alice's visions were beginning to get more complicated. She wasn't just having visions of Bella. After Edward had left the night before, she'd had a vision of a group of nomads who would be in town within the fortnight. They knew we were here and they were curious, she said, about how we could live in such a large group. It was unnatural for our kind to have more than four in a coven. The complicated part was that they didn't share our life choice. They drank human blood. That put everyone in town in trouble, but Bella especially. Edward's scent must be all around her and her home. If the nomads went into town, they would wonder why Edward's scent was so strong at that particular house. It could be extremely dangerous. Edward would need to know as soon as he returned.

My attention was drawn to the sound of Edward's Volvo turning off the highway. He was back. And he had someone with him. There was a soft knock on the door of my office and Esme opened it.

"I was just about to come down," I told her. I stood up from my chair and left the office, offering her my arm. Esme took it gently and we walked down the stairs as Edward parked his Volvo. He turned off the engine as we took places next to the piano. Esme all but thrummed with excitement as the door handle turned and Edward pushed it open. He gestured Bella through.

The human scent hit me almost immediately. Bella's was sweet and flowery, like freesias. It was different now, not mixed in with the smell of chemicals from the hospital. It was more natural. Bella looked around, taking in the view of the house first. She looked surprised. I must admit, our home is not like the typical vampire lair from movies. I smiled as her attention turned in our direction, but I didn't make any move to approach her. Edward had said Bella was taking everything surprisingly well, but there was no need to push her. Humans are delicate creatures. Being a vampire makes you realize just how so.

"Carlisle, Esme," Edward addressed us, "this is Bella."

"You are very welcome, Bella," I said gently. I took a careful step forward, trying to read her expression. I reached my hand out tentatively when Bella didn't seem scared or startled. She stepped forward and shook it.

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

"Please, call me Carlisle."

"Carlisle," she repeated, smiling. Edward looked relieved.

Esme took my success as the signal it was alright for her. She stepped forward and reached for Bella's hand, saying, "It's very nice to know you."

"Thank you," Bella replied. "I'm glad to meet you, too." She seemed sincere.

"Where are Alice and Jasper?" Edward asked.

Alice and Jasper appeared at just the right time at the top of the stairs.

"Hey, Edward!" Alice called. She raced down the stairs, much too fast, and came to a halt right in front of Bella. I gave her a warning look, attempting to remind her that Bella was new to everything. But Bella didn't seem at all disturbed by Alice's obvious display of vampire speed.

"Hi, Bella!" Alice greeted enthusiastically. She bounced forward, her usual self, and kissed Bella on the cheek like a good friend. I was shocked and on edge. We were being careful with Bella, and Alice had completely ignored everything. Edward stiffened. "You do smell nice, I never noticed before," Alice commented.

Everyone was awkwardly speechless after Alice's greeting. A wave of calm washed over us from Jasper. "Hello, Bella," he said from where he stood, a safe distance away. Jasper was being safe. He wasn't as good at controlling his thirst and he was being responsible about it.

"Hello, Jasper," Bella replied, shy. She turned back to the rest of us. "It's so nice to meet you all—you have a very beautiful home."

"Thank you," Esme replied. "We're so glad that you came."

As Bella looked around, I turned my attention to Edward. Alice had a vision while you were out. There are going to be others of our kind in the area in the next few weeks. I don't know if you want to tell Bella or not, but I think it would be best.

Edward nodded his understanding and I saw Bella look away quickly. She'd caught the exchange, though she didn't know what it was about. She looked around more, her attention eventually falling to the piano.

"Do you play?" Esme asked, seeing the source of Bella's attention.

Bella shook her head. "Not at all. But it's so beautiful. Is it yours?"

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

"No," Bella replied. She shot a glare at Edward who had suddenly looked innocent. "I should have known, I guess."

Esme gave her a confused look.

"Edward can do everything, right?" Bella clarified.

Jasper laughed and Esme gave Edward a scolding look. "I hope you haven't been showing off—it's rude," she said.

"Just a bit," Edward laughed.

"He's being too modest, actually," Bella said.

"Well, play for her," Esme prompted.

"You just said showing off was rude," Edward countered.

"There are exceptions to every rule."

"I'd like to hear you play," Bella added.

"It's settled then," Esme finished. She nudged him towards the piano.

Edward sat down with Bella and the rest of us began to back off and give them some privacy as he played.

Esme and I retreated to the kitchen. We could easily hear Edward's music as he played the song he wrote for Esme. My angel closed her eyes and listened to the complex melody that described everything about her. Her beauty, her caring, and above all, her love. I wrapped my arms around her waist and listened with her.

"She's brought him to life," Esme said softly. "I haven't seen him so happy in a long time."

"He's been alone for too long," I agreed. But underlying misgivings broke through. "But how will it end? Alice—"

Esme reached up and pressed her finger to my lips, silencing me. "Alice has been wrong before."

"Not often," I interjected around her finger.

Esme sighed and, placing her hands over mine at her waist, pushed me back. She didn't use a lot of force, but it was more than a human could have handled.

"Carlisle, he loves her. Some how, everything will work out."

I chuckled and leaned down so my face was barely inches from hers. "You are a hopeless romantic!" I accused her. I kissed her, gently first, but then a bit more passionately. Esme broke away when her song came to an end.

"Be good," she scolded. "We have a guest."

"Our first human guest since Chief Swan paid us a visit when we first moved in," I commented, "Like father like daughter?"

"Perhaps," Esme replied. She stepped back, albeit, reluctantly. "I'm going to see if I can help Emmett with Rosalie."

I nodded. "Good luck. I'll be in my office." I watched her leave out the back door before I silently made my way up to my office. I heard Bella's and Edward's conversation over the softer melody he was playing. I recognized it as one of his newer compositions. A lullaby.