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Chapter 4

Cullen Family 1

Early in the afternoon, I was lying on my bed reading one of my favorite books, when there was a knock on the door.

Why doesn't Charlie just come in, I thought to myself, but got up to open the door.

In front of me, however, stood not Charlie, but a wryly grinning Edward. My heart immediately continued to beat twice as fast and as if he could hear it, his grin became even wider.

Or was it because I was blushing?

He raised his hand and gently stroked my reddened cheek.

"It looks nice when you blush."

Could I get any redder? I think so, because he laughed.

"Can I give you a hug, Bella," he asked.

I had to swallow, but nodded.

He pulled me into his arms.

It felt so good. I wonder if he felt the same way. I could not imagine that.

"Umm ..."

He grumbled pleasantly.

Okay, he probably felt the same way after all.

I began to beam and returned his embrace. I don't know how long we stood like that. At some point, however, he broke the silence.

"Will you come into the living room, Bella? Then I'll introduce you to my father and my two brothers!"

He probably liked the idea, but I was a little queasy.

What if they don't like me or get mad because I didn't talk to them?

However, he calmed me down by taking my hand and slowly circling his thumb over the back of my hand.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure they'll like you ... and I've already told them that you don't speak. My family was curious why, but they won't ask about it, I promise!"

I looked at him gratefully and he squeezed my hand lightly, showing me that he understood.

Arriving in the living room, the first thing I saw was Charlie. He beamed at me, and I was briefly confused as to why he was doing this. Then it struck me - Edward was still holding my hand.

I was blushing again. I looked around the living room and once again my breath caught.

There, on the other side of our couch, stood three men who couldn't have been more different.

Edward began to introduce them to me.

"Bella, this is Carlisle, my father."

I took a closer look at the man he was pointing at.

That was his father? He looked like he was in his mid-twenties, had blond hair and looked very friendly. His clothes were very stylish. I think he could well be mistaken for a Greek god.

When I looked into his face, he smiled at me.

And ... wow ... he had golden eyes too! This man was really handsome, not as handsome as Edward ... but handsome, without question!

Carlisle came up to me.

"It's nice to meet you, Bella. Edward was raving about you a lot yesterday."

I gave Edward a sideways glance. He looked a little embarrassed and I had to grin. I nodded to Dr. Cullen and hoped that he didn't resent me for not talking to him.

But he just smiled at me in understanding and took a step back.

The next person Edward pointed to was a boy with black hair.

He was tall and broad like a boxing pro, but still looked like a giant teddy bear. I guessed he must be eighteen or nineteen years old.

"This is my oldest brother, Emmett," Edward explained to me.

Emmett took a step toward me and grinned mockingly.

Wait a minute, he also had golden eyes. Strange!

He took me in his arms and spun me around in circles. I really had to gasp for air.

"Hello Bella, nice to meet you. If you ever need any help, for example if my brother is teasing you, you can always come to me. I will take care of you."

I smiled at him.

I would like Emmett. He already felt like a big brother I had found again.

The last person Edward pointed to after Emmett released me was a boy I would guess to be eighteen.

He had slightly longer hair that was slightly curly. It reminded me of a lion's mane. He was not as muscular as Emmett and not as broad, but he was as tall as him.

"This is Jasper, Bella," Edward snapped me out of my thoughts.

Jasper smiled warmly at me and came up to shake my hand.

I noticed that he also had golden eyes.

He held out his hand to me and I noticed that it was quite cold.

As I thought about it, I realized that it was the same with Edward, and Carlisle and Emmett had had cold hands, too. Why hadn't I noticed that?

I would get a little nervous.

What was the reason for that?

I noticed Edward tensing up a bit next to me and Jasper, who had by now stepped back again, looking at him questioningly.

The next moment I felt normal again, my nervousness was gone, and Edward also relaxed again.

So that was Edward's family. I wondered if he had a sister and what his mother looked like. Was she also that young?

And again it happened as if Edward could read my mind.

"If you want, I can introduce you to my mother and my two sisters in the next few days. They are looking forward to meeting you."

I nodded at him, but that wasn't enough. I reluctantly let go of his hand and went to the kitchen where the note was.

I would love to meet them.

It's really nice to meet you guys!

I wrote these two sentences on the piece of paper. The first was addressed to Edward, who grinned at me when he read this.

The second was directed to Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper because I didn't want to be so rude and say something too.

Would you like to watch baseball with the others, or would you come to my room with me?

This I still wrote on the note and Edward beamed at me, Jasper grinned as well I noticed and with a glance around the living room I saw that Emmett, Carlisle and my dad were also grinning so mysteriously.

I blushed, but Edward saved me.

"Come on, let's go upstairs," he said to me, adding, turning to Carlisle, "Let me know when you're leaving, and I'll come down."

Once upstairs, Edward sat down on my desk chair, and I flopped down on my bed.