AN ~ and now after that dramatic chapter, it's Fluff Time!
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Chapter Ten: Meeting Bella Swan
Carlisle:
"She's with him!" Esme exclaimed cheerfully, dancing over to the piano to stand beside me. "I knew this was going to work!"
"Patience, love," I cautioned. Given the rollercoaster of emotions that had been their relationship so far, it was unreasonable to rest so much hope on Bella and Edward's love.
"Of all forms of caution…" Esme reminded me, grinning. Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness, Bertrand Russell's quote finished. I had to laugh.
"Just don't crowd her," I reminded my enthusiastic wife, kissing her ear before I straightened. A moment later, Bella crept nervously into the room. Edward followed the object of his affection very carefully, gauging all our reactions to her.
"Carlisle, Esme, this is Bella," Edward introduced.
"You're very welcome Bella," I greeted, smiling warmly. I measured my steps as I approached, and tentatively reached my hand out. Now she knew why it was so cold…This was the first time in a long time I have been as nervous as a human was in my presence.
"It's nice to see you again, Doctor Cullen," Bella greeted, shaking it with some measure of confidence that was not matched in her face. I suppose having a Police Chief for a father teaches you something about shaking hands properly.
"Please, call me Carlisle," I brushed off her formality.
"Carlisle," Bella repeated, testing the word on her tongue. Edward stepped up behind her at that moment, the fringes of his clothes brushing hers, and her heartbeat quickened. I controlled my expression, pretending I hadn't noticed, but Esme didn't bother to hide her reaction: her smile widened considerably, and Bella blushed furiously as the two shook hands.
"It's very nice to know you," Esme said, beaming. It sounded more like a promise than a greeting. I chuckled quietly: dear Esme and her romantic notions.
"Thank you. I'm glad to meet you too," Bella said, smiling timidly. Esme looked up at me as if to say; see? I didn't scare her.
"Where are Alice and Jasper?" Edward asked. There was no answer needed; they had just appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Hey Edward!" Alice called enthusiastically. She raced down the stairs – nothing more than a blur to Bella's eyes – and came to a graceful stop right in front of the poor girl.
I thought we'd agreed not to crowd her? I pursed my lips and shot Alice a warning glance, which she ignored. Oh well; perhaps it was better they meet this way, so that we wouldn't have to break Alice's exuberance to Bella later.
Edward raised an eyebrow at me, and I realised I had just considered a 'later' in his relationship with Bella. I worried this was somehow the wrong opinion, but the smile that replaced the surprise on Edward's face told me he had well and truly given up on getting Bella to run. As I watched the two of them, it became more and more obvious that Esme's romantic notions were more accurate than I had dared believe.
"Hi, Bella!" Alice exclaimed, kissing Bella on the cheek. Esme and I simultaneously jumped, staggered. It was just like Alice to be so enthusiastic…but maybe it could have been toned down a little, at least for the first meeting?
Edward tensed.
"You do smell nice," Alice commented suddenly. "I never noticed before."
I shook my head pitifully. Oh, Alice…how do you follow that? How do you start a normal, human conversation after that?
Jasper, of course: the soothing antidote to his mate's electric vibe. He glided down the stairs, letting a calm atmosphere radiate over the room. Bella's heartbeat slowed to a resting pace.
"Hello, Bella," Jasper greeted, stiff and uncomfortable. He made sure to keep his distance, never approaching the girl. I smiled at him assuringly to let him know how much I appreciated what he was doing for his brother…for all of us. He was handling the situation well.
"Hello, Jasper," Bella greeted, smiling shyly. "It's nice to meet you all," she added, addressing the rest of us too. "You have a very beautiful home."
"Thank you. We're so glad that you came," Esme said, with feeling, in an effort to make Bella feel secure. I realised she must have been attempting to speak for Rosalie and Emmett, who were of course absent. Rosalie had taken her leave as soon as she heard Bella was coming and Emmett, being possibly the only person brave enough, had chased her.
Now that I thought about it, I recalled a vision of Alice's from earlier this morning. I turned my gaze to Edward.
I should tell you; last night, Alice saw some strangers come to visit. They're just curious, but I'm not sure whether to tell Bella…the news might frighten her…Edward nodded, but gave no sign as to what he intended to do with the information.
...
Esme:
Bella's eyes scanned the room, lingering on Edward's beautiful, beloved piano. I wondered if they shared the same passions.
"Do you play?" I asked. Bella shook her head.
"No. Not at all," she said, "but it's so beautiful. Is it yours?"
"No," I replied, nearly laughing at the idea of my attempting to make something even remotely beautiful come out of such an instrument. "Didn't Edward tell you he was musical?"
"No." Bella shot a glare at Edward, whose face dropped from amusement to total innocence. "I should have known, I guess." I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"Edward can do everything, right?" Bella joked. Jasper snickered, and I turned to Edward.
"I hope you haven't been showing off," I scolded. "It's rude."
"Just a bit." Edward laughed freely, and I had to lighten up.
I always knew Bella would make you happy, I thought, feeling quite smug.
"He's been too modest actually," Bella put in. Of course he had; Edward was such a gentleman.
"Well, play for her," I encouraged, waving him towards the piano. How could he let this girl miss out on his beautiful playing?
"You just said showing off was rude," he objected, half-teasing and half-complaining. He was nervous. Ha.
"There are exceptions to every rule." It's beautiful, Edward, she'll love it.
"I'd like to hear you play," Bella said, modestly.
"It's settled then." I pushed Edward towards the piano with gusto, and he took Bella with him. He gave her an exaggeratedly pained look before putting his fingers to the keys and playing my favourite song. Behind Edward and Bella's backs, Carlisle and I danced to it, our feet not making a sound on the polished floor. Edward hid his grin.
I turned under Carlisle's arm as the music weaved around us, and suddenly we paused; I still halfway through the turn, Carlisle still holding his arm over my head. Bella's eyes were wide, her jaw hanging open in astonishment.
I told you she would love it, I teased. Carlisle and I chuckled quietly to ourselves as we picked up where we had left off.
"Do you like it?" Edward asked Bella.
"You wrote this?" she gasped.
"It's Esme's Favourite."
I told you she would love it, I repeated as Carlisle put his hands to my hips and lifted me into the air like a ballet dancer. He let me back to the ground, kissed me gently and whispered in my ear.
"I think its time we gave them some privacy." I nodded like a seal, glowing with happiness, and Carlisle led me out of the room, wearing a matching smile.