Please review, please read. Someone, anyone.

This Is What You Came For by Calvin Harris

Salut d'Amour by Elgar

I heard his heart rate pick up, smelled the release of epinephrine in his rushing blood. The cab of the truck was so warm and mouth watering; I didn't want to leave when I pulled in front of the house.

It was lit up, Esme's doing, and even I could admit that it was a pleasant site at night. Edward gasped, but let me pull him inside. His feet were shuffling, and his shoulders were tight, but his face was still flushed from our hike and his hair was deliciously messy. I wanted to consume him.

"Are y-you sure.. I m-mean m-maybe.. w-will th-they.. you sh-sh-should t-take m-m-me b-back to Charlie's," he was so uncomfortable, tugging at the sleeves of Carlisle's shirt, his eyes darting around. He looked like a hunted animal.

"Is something wrong? Did I do something?" I was normally so skilled at concealing my nature, but everything was so easy with him, perhaps he picked up on something. We were standing outside the door, I could hear everyone shuffling around inside, likely both trying to listen and trying to provide some privacy.

"I'm all s-s-sweaty and w-what if th-th-they-they don't l-like me," he was nervous about meeting my family, not terrified of me! This gorgeous, silly boy wanted to impress my family, as if simply being my mate wasn't enough. A soft sound emerged from my chest, not a growl, but something softer. Like what Rose and Esme did. I smiled up at him, and pulled at his hair, trying to smooth it out of his face.

"C'mon, Esme has dinner ready," I twisted our fingers together and pulled him inside. His hand was stiff and warm in mine, the adrenaline still pushing through his bloodstream, keeping him nervous and jittery.

The house smelled like humans, and I immediately worried that Emmett misinterpreted Esme saying I was bringing Edward home for dinner. But then I smelled the wood, and smiled. I knew it wouldn't be appropriate today, but it would be here when he was ready to play it for me.

It wasn't like the smell of the human movers could have been remotely tempting, the air was heavy with disgusting human food. But Edward's stomach rumbled softly, and he inhaled in deeply through his perfect nose, and I knew Esme had done an excellent job once again.

Carlisle came to us first, smiling warmly and in full physician mode. They were going to introduce themselves one by one, Esme shuffling around the kitchen and biding her time until she could finally see my Edward.

"Carlisle. It's nice to meet you, Edward," he introduced, giving Edward's hand a firm shake. His heart rate picked back up, and he pulled his hand from mine to scratch roughly at his wrist. I quickly grabbed his wrist and pulled it away. He didn't have to hold my hand, but he couldn't bleed in this house.

"Why don't you take Edward into the kitchen and get him something to drink, Bella?" Carlisle offered, sensing the tension between us. There would be questions on that later, I was sure.

I led Edward past the set up mahogany dining table into the odorous kitchen. The oven was still running, but there was a cake on the counter, and slabs of meat resting on the stove. And ever- present Esme, grinning kindly.

"Hello, dear. Thank you for joining us for dinner," Esme leaned in, softly holding his shoulders in a kind of makeshift embrace. It was closer than I had ever gotten to holding him, I felt almost jealous. "Now, tea or water?"

"W-water," Edward whispered, pulling at his sleeve. He still hadn't made contact with anyone since we had walked into the house, neither Esme or Carlisle had put him at ease. I reached out automatically, touching his lean bicep softly. He tensed up for a moment, but his stance shifted open, and he looked at me finally.

His thick brows were pulled together, his deep green eyes were widened and concerned. His bottom lip was glossy and protruding and I wanted to suck it into my mouth and kiss away the pain, but Esme handed me a cup of tea and Edward water before I could do anything he might regret.

"Why don't you two go into the dining room and I'll bring out the food," Esme shooed us away, adding quietly, "Rosalie and Emmett thought it best to stay away for dinner. Your poor mate seems nervous enough as it is."

Nervous. I hadn't thought that he was nervous, but uncomfortable and afraid. What did he have to be nervous about in the calming presence of Carlisle and around kind Esme? Was it me, then, who made him nervous? I had always been friendly with humans, but I supposed I had never put them at ease.

I continued to question myself as Esme brought out the serving dishes, looking like she had just cooked Thanksgiving dinner. Carlisle slipped into the room and took the plates from Esme, thanking her and giving us a kind smile, before sitting down at the head of the table on the east side of the room.

"Did you two have a pleasant hike? Get a lot of work done?" Carlisle asked, serving Edward a pile of orange, rancid smelling mush. Edward fidgeted, but his stomach was still grumbling and I could smell the drop in sugar levels in her blood.

"Yeah, it was very productive," I answered, "so what's for dinner, Esme?" I wanted to side-step conversation about this afternoon, lest it make Edward more uncomfortable or nervous than he was.

"Ok so we have steak here," she placed a slab on Edward's plate, "I hope I cooked it ok, dear. And here are some mashed sweet potatoes, and Parmesan broccoli with roasted pine nuts." It all looked and smelled disgusting, but Edward did seem pleased.

"He's very observant," I commented under my breath, a warning that they should both make an attempt to eat the food on their plate. I was grateful Rose and Emmett weren't there to complain about human food and intimidate Edward. Esme nodded almost imperceptibly as she sat to Carlisle's left and let Carlisle serve her.

"Th-this looks w-w-wonderful," Edward told Esme, eyes on his plate and fork swirling through the potatoes. His cheeks were pink, but his eyes were sparkling and his voice was genuine, and I knew Esme immediately adored him outside of my love for him.

"Thank you very much, Edward," her smile had never broken, and I could see how she was already ready to fawn over him, to mother him. I wondered if he had ever been mothered before, what his family life was like both inside of the foster system, and before. I forked a floret of broccoli and swallowed it quickly, feeling it slide heavily down my oesophagus.

"Bella, did you get the books I left for you yesterday?" Carlisle asked, heading a conversation. But I literally had no idea what he was talking about, I hadn't been in my room for longer than a moment in days. I shook my head in response as I chewed on the piece of cooked meat, almost gagging as the rotten blood dropped down my throat.

"I suppose not," Carlisle expertly consumed his food, both he and Esme had attended many a human event for hospitals, "I found a research thesis on art at the height of the Italian Renaissance I thought you might be interested in. There were some interesting portions I had never heard of, I was wondering about your take on them. Bella is quite the expert, you know." Edward's eyebrows rose in surprise, and he turned to meet my ever-present gaze.

"R-really?" Little did he know that the reason I was an expert was because I lived it.

"Well, yes, I suppose I am, but so is Carlisle," I offered.

"It's something they bond over," Esme added to Edward, serving him more potatoes without him even asking, "Their 'father/daughter' moments. It's really quite funny when they get deep in conversation."

"L-like what?" Edward was still only looking at me, but I wasn't sure who the question was directed at. Esme chose to answer.

"Oh you should hear it. Once, quite recently actually, they began arguing loudly over the true genius of Leonardo da Vinci over other artists of his age. Carlisle is a bit of a Michelangelo fan ever since he found out about the story behind the statue of David, but Bella is a staunch da Vinci supporter." Esme giggled, and Carlisle stifled a laugh at the memory. It was a loud argument, and turned violent when I hurled a metal book end at his head.

"D-do you m-m-mean how it w-was c-c-carved out of w-worn and-d d-di-discarded m-marble?" Edward was still looking into my eyes, and I felt my jaw drop open in shock as I fell into his piercing green eyes. This amazing, intelligent, worldly boy dazzled me, even my quick vampire brain couldn't function quickly enough to compute what he had just said. He knew of the history of Michelangelo, of the Renaissance, of my childhood?

"Too right you are, Edward! I admire a man who has the courage to use a discarded material in a commission even Bella's precious da Vinci was passed over for," Carlisle said, recovering first. His eyes were sparkling and excited, his smile even more genuine than it had been before.

"Oh please," I rolled my eyes at Carlisle, "Leonardo was the greatest of his time, end of story." The argument had to end there, before it turned personal for me and I became too consumed in defending my friend. Carlisle scoffed, but allowed the conversation to end, turning to Esme. Edward spoke before Carlisle could, though, surprising me in usual fashion.

"I d-disagree, e-espe-espe," Edward took a breath, "especially as an a-artist. M-Michelangelo or at-at l-least R-Raphael h-had b-better e-ex-execution." I narrowed my eyes at him playfully and smiled, silently overjoyed that he was engaging with me, that he felt comfortable enough to do so. Maybe I misinterpreted the increase in his heart rate so often, the pink that coloured his cheeks even now.

"I can't do this," I threw up my hands and pushed away my half eaten food, grinning like a fool, "This is a witch hunt. You two don't understand."

Edward was smiling down at his plate, eating the last of his second serving of broccoli. His shoulders were shaking, and for a moment I worried that he was afraid of my teasing anger. But he was laughing! Carlisle joined Edward's silent laugh with his own, and soon, we were all chuckling loudly at the dinner table like a real family.

"Stop laughing at my expense," I jokingly demanded, standing up and collecting the dishes. Edward rose from next to me and immediately took the plates from my hands, blushing and pulling his plush bottom lip between his teeth.

"Can you blame us!" Carlisle exclaimed jovially after us as I followed Edward into the kitchen. He hadn't allowed me to carry any of the dishes, nor did he heed my request when he started in on cleaning the dishes. His gorgeously long fingers were rinsing away the masses of disgusting human food, and he made even that look attractive, his soft bronze hair falling into his eyesight. I urged to push it away.

Esme immediately came in and shooed him away from the sink.

"You're our guest, Edward. Please. Carlisle will clean," she smiled at him like a content mother, and I pulled Edward towards the living room. He was being too sweet for his own good, Esme would make him stay with us forever if he kept it up. I smiled at the idea of Edward being here, being a part of my family, for the rest of eternity.

It was then I heard the crunch of gravel under the tires of an M3 as Rose and Emmett pulled through the driveway. Edward had finally relaxed, he had a small smile on his face and his brows were knitted together in concentration as he browsed through Emmett's massive DVD collection next to the entertainment centre. I wasn't sure how he would react to my intimidating siblings: would he draw back and tense up and scratch at his wrists? Or would he grow comfortable around him as easily as he did with my parents, effortlessly merging into my family.

"Can we come in, B?" Emmett asked from the garage. I was relieved they asked first, and took a moment to evaluate the options and consequences.

"Yeah, but you'll have to eat cake," I replied quickly, and they bounded in, Emmett singing loudly.

"She keeps Moët et Chandon

In her pretty cabinet

'Let them eat cake, ' she says

Just like Marie Antoinette

A built-in remedy

For Kruschev and Kennedy

At anytime an invitation

You can't decline."

His voice was loud but pleasant, and Rose was smiling up at him as he swung their arms together. Seeing them so relaxed, they looked far less mean and imposing than they did at school. Emmett always seemed to be able to defuse tension, even if he didn't know it.

"Hey, Edward, nice to see you," Rose smiled at him from the hallway, "Sorry about this screeching monkey." Edward actually smiled at them, though his ears turned pink and he began tugging at his sleeves nervously. But his heart rate didn't pick up, and his divine face showed no signs of being so extremely nervous like he was earlier in the evening.

Rose pushed Emmett into the kitchen, to Esme and Carlisle who were sitting in there, as she made her way to one of the chairs. One at a time.

Edward was still standing next to the DVDs, seemingly at a loss for what to do next.

"Emmett's got quite the collection, doesn't he? I don't understand where he finds the time to watch all of them," Rose was carefully measuring her words, ensuring she sounded as kind as she meant to. It was working, Edward still didn't seem nervous as he perched at the edge of the chair next to Rosalie. I relaxed into the couch, ready to just enjoy the rest of our short time together.

"I-its cool," Edward said softly, turning to look back at the DVDs. I was just glad Emmett had finally moved into the 21st century and away from the agonisingly slow VHS tapes he had previously been obsessed with.

"I'm glad someone thinks so! All he ever seems to do is watch his movies or play video games, it's so taxing sometimes," I heard Emmett scoff from the kitchen, Carlisle hold him back from trying to come out and defend himself. We still needed a few minutes with just us three before Emmett joined.

"It's n-n-nice th-that he h-has someth-thing," Edward was gazing longingly at the collection, and my heart broke as I understood what he was saying. My perfect mate would never again go without; he would never ever have to say that he didn't have anything ever again.

Rose turned to look at me while Edward's eyes were averted, mouth open and face awash with pity. I nodded sadly at her, looking back at my lost-in-thought mate.

When it was clear that both of us were at a loss for words, Emmett came bounding in, always immune to an uncomfortable situation.

"If you think that's cool, you should see Bella and Carlisle's library sometime. And they say I'm obsessed!" Emmett joked, falling back into the couch, next to me. I heard the couch groan from under us, and glared at Emmett out of the corner of my eye. He seemed unaffected.

"I-I'd l-like to," Edward's stare was piercing, and I forgot to breathe, or to fidget like a human. He was dazzling.

"Of course," I said softly, easily falling into his deep emerald eyes. I fantasised about spending days in the library with Edward, reading and discussing and curling up together when the books stopped holding our interests. But he was cold and hard in that thought, and I shied away from my innermost thoughts. I couldn't think about Edward in this life unless he had learned about it and chosen it for himself.

"Soooooo," Rose drew out, fidgeting on the chair next to Edward.

"Yo, Esme, can we get some cake?" Emmett boomed loudly, breaking the consuming connection between Edward and me. Esme's tinkering laugh carried into the room, and I heard the clang of silverware against china as she sliced the cake up. Emmett would be getting some new video games in thanks for him being such a good sport and voluntarily asking to eat human food just to make my mate feel comfortable.

Something like that would never have happened in the Guard. A human would never have been accepted as a mate, and it would have been near disgraceful for a vampire to offer to eat to selflessly help another in their coven, whatever the circumstance would be for a situation like that to occur. But we Cullens had always been more of a family than a coven, especially with the addition of Esme and my siblings.

"Well here we are, my famous strawberry rhubarb cake," Esme said, her and Carlisle carrying plates with more mushy human food out into the living room. Emmett made a show of jumping up and trying to grab a plate from Esme, but she kept it from his grasp, purposely waiting until all of us had our plates and were seating before handing Emmett his.

Edward hid a laugh behind a cough, and dug into his slice of cake. He seemed to enjoy it because he scarfed it down, but I had no idea how he could even eat anymore. Esme had given him double servings of everything at dinner, but perhaps I wasn't well enough acquainted with human eating habits yet.

Emmett also scarfed down his cake like a typical teenage boy, asking Esme for another slice while he was still chewing on his last bite. Esme grabbed his and Edward's plates, the perfect excuse to get another slice for Edward. I politely swallowed as much of the cake as I could stomach, but I left half the slice on the plate. I noticed Carlisle did the same, but he had the ability to discard the cake behind his chair as Edward was staring at me and not anywhere near him.

In fact, I was almost ever out of Edward's line of sight. He barely even looked at Esme when she handed him his second serving, and certainly didn't look down at his food often. I would have been a bright red by then if possible, even so I was grinning wildly back at him. Here he was, surrounded by five dangerous vampires, yet he wasn't at all concerned for his safety. He seemed more at ease with all of us than he ever did at school!

How could I complain when it just meant I got to stare into those beautiful eyes for so much longer. I had all night to spend studying the rest of his face, but his eyes seemed a much rarer occurrence, and I wouldn't squander away the opportunity to learn every colour in the varying pigmentation between the peripheral and ciliary zones of his iris, to note exactly where the two freckles in his eye lay. They were precious, and gorgeous and as deep as the ocean, and I wanted to spend my life swimming in them.

The evening came to a close much too quickly. Edward didn't speak but to give a monosyllabic reply to a direct question, but he was otherwise engaged in the conversation. Emmett and Rose fabricated a story about their date night, then Esme and Emmett bantered about the viability of a vegetable garden while Rose and Carlisle talked cars. Edward fell right in with me, usually the natural observer when it came to normal conversations in the Cullen home.

I had always been content to just listen to their familial banter, but now I was distracted, enamoured with the way Edward's lashes framed his eyes, how each one was a different length and varying shade, how the collarette in his iris was different between each unique leaf of his eye. I felt a dull ache in my chest, and a soft grumbling sound erupt from it, thankfully inaudible to Edward's ear. My emotions were uncontrollable; it was impossible not to conceal my unlimited adoration for my stunning mate.

Once I began making the noise, Carlisle decided to end our night there.

"It's getting rather late," he mentioned, staring pointedly at me. I suppressed the noise, swallowing and drowning it with the burning venom. I couldn't wait to regurgitate the food, it was making me feel heavy and bloated, not exactly the comely style I wanted to have for my mate.

"Th-th-thank you s-so much f-for d-dinner," Edward said shyly from the door, staring at the ground and pulling at his sleeve. Esme had none of it, and pulled him into a delicate and fleeting hug, trying to convey the extent of the motherly love she already held for my mate. He definitely didn't understand the weight of it yet, but he was blushing bashfully, and I wanted to hug him too.

Carlisle waved from the hallways, and Emmett yelled his goodbyes from the couch.

"It was very nice spending time with you, Edward," Rose said from next to Carlisle, "We'll see you Monday?"

Edward nodded in reply, and I pulled him to the car, using any excuse possible to wrap my fingers through his and he close to him. Every time we touched, I felt electrified and warmed, more human than I had felt since being turned. I felt like a girl again, giddy and excited with the prospect of my first love being my only love, of spending an eternity with a beautiful boy. I wanted to skip and dance around in his arms to the music he would compose.

And being in a car didn't stifle my fantasies, but exacerbated them. A tight, enclosed space with the blanket scent of Edward's intoxicating blood, rushing under my palm as we joined hands again once I pulled onto the highway. I wanted to pull off the road and have my dirty way with him, wanted to complete our bond and sink my teeth into his soft, yielding skin.

My thoughts were interrupted by Edward turning down the stereo, Led Zeppelin melancholically strumming over the radio.

"I really l-like your f-family," he said, squeezing my hand softly. I wondered if he felt how hard and cold my skin was, if he understood that it meant I was just an animated corpse. Of course he didn't.

"I'm glad you had a nice time. I was a little worried it would be too much too fast," I confessed.

His brows knitted together in confusion, and he moved his gaze from the rushing green outside the window to my face.

"Wh-wh-what d-do you m-mean?" His blood was rushing a little faster, but nothing abnormal.

"Well, honestly, most girls don't bring home the boy they like so quickly," I could have sworn I was blushing, my face felt hot, and I couldn't meet his piercing stare. I just fake-concentrated on the rushing road in front of me, nearing the home of Chief Swan.

"S-stop d-doing th-that," Edward said angrily, scratching at his wrist roughly once he pulled his hand from mine. I immediately felt the loss, felt a little emptier inside again.

"Doing what, Edward. What am I doing?" I cried, frustrated with the lack of outlet I had for all of these pent up feelings I had to bottle until the time would be right.

"M-making f-f-f-f-fun of m-me," he whispered, and I smelled salt in the air. I finally looked over and saw a glisten of water fall from Edward's gorgeous face. I had made him cry. My sweet sensitive mate was crying and it was entirely my fault. I pulled into the driveway and turned to face him, pulling both of his hands into mine, forcing him to face me.

"I am not making fun of you, Edward," I said as he sniffles a little, pulling his delectable bottom lip into his mouth. I wanted to lean forward and track the trail of his tears with my lips, down to his mouth, and kiss away the pain he felt. He was completely consuming me from the inside out, how could he not see that.

I took and deep breath, working up my courage.

And that was the first time I asked a boy on a date.

What was it like when you met your first love's family?