Carlisle Cullen: Twilight

7. Bella Swan

It was still earlyish in the morning when I heard Bella's truck rumbling towards the house. I waited with Esme in the piano room. The noise of the truck cut and I could hear Bella talking to Edward. Their footsteps came closer and then they were in the house. I smiled welcomingly. Esme did too. Bella took in our appearances, I saw her chocolate brown eyes looking at us both with wonder. She was wearing a long khaki coloured skirt with a blue blouse, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She looked pale, nervous. She smiled shakily though.

"Carlisle, Esme, this is Bella." Edward made the introductions. I walked carefully over to Bella, not wanting to frighten her. I held out my hand.

"You're very welcome, Bella," She shook my hand too.

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

"Please, call me Carlisle." She grinned, and I could tell she was feeling a bit more confident now.

"Carlisle." She agreed. Esme stepped next to me, hesitantly. She took Bella's hand as well.

"It's very nice to know you." She said.

"Thank you. I'm glad to meet you too." Bella told my wife. I heard footsteps as Edward asked,

"Where's Alice and Jasper?" Alice and Jasper appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Hey Edward!" Alice called. She ran down the stairs, human pace but still a bit much. She stopped right in front of Bella. I looked at her with a warning in my eyes but Alice blanked me and Esme, instead kissing Bella on the cheek while Jasper walked down the stairs and stayed at the bottom of the staircase.

"Hi Bella!" Alice said in delight. Edward glared at Alice as well. "You do smell nice, I never noticed before." I widened my eyes at Esme, she shrugged cheerfully. Suddenly a feeling of ease and calm spread around the room. Jasper.

"Hello Bella." He said. He didn't approach her. I didn't blame him after Edward's warning. Bella did not seem to mind though, she smiled kindly and shyly at him.

"Hello Jasper," she looked around the room before saying. "It's nice to meet you all. You have a very beautiful home."

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

I caught a scent of Bella's floral whiff and frowned thoughtfully. I glanced at Edward.

Those nomads are definitely coming. Alice has seen it. Will you tell her?

Edward nodded once in reply. We looked away from each other. Bella's eyes were on the piano. Esme had been watching her.

"Do you play?" She asked Bella. Bella smiled wistfully as she shook her head.

"Not at all. But it's so beautiful. Is it yours?" Esme laughed softly.

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

"No," Bella glared at Edward. "I should have known I guess." Esme looked confused so Bella spoke again to explain, "Edward can do everything right?" Jasper snickered, I smiled in response and Esme frowned at Edward.

"I hope you haven't been showing off, it's rude."

"Just a bit," Edward laughed. Esme relaxed and the pair shared a glance. Esme looked smug now.

"He's been too modest actually." Bella corrected. I saw the look they exchanged too and my heart almost beat again at the love my son had for this girl.

"Well play for her." Esme said.

"You just said showing off was rude." Edward objected.

"There are exceptions to every rule." Esme corrected herself. She pushed him toward the piano. He smiled, tugging Bella with him. They sat on the seat together and Edward began to play. A tune very familiar to us started. I put my arm around Esme's waist as we watched Bella and Edward together. Jasper had his arms around Alice from behind, they too were watching Edward and Bella. Bella's mouth dropped open at the piece of music and we all laughed softly.

"Do you like it?" Edward asked Bella.

"You wrote this?" She said with a gasp.

"It's Esme's favourite." Esme smiled warmly next to me and I pressed my lips to her temple. Alice looked over at me and I gestured for us to leave. We walked out and I went upstairs with Esme. She looked at me in wonder.

"He's really happy." She whispered to me. The music below had changed to something slower and softer. I squeezed Esme's hand.

"That he is."

"I'm going to go do some washing." She told me. I nodded and kissed her lips lightly. I then walked to my office and started to read one of my books. I had started it a while ago but I hadn't found the time to finish it yet. I was therefore so absorbed in the book that I didn't hear when the piano had stopped and footsteps instead took its place until the footsteps stopped right outside my door.

"Come in." I said. Edward opened the door. He was holding Bella's hand. I smiled at them as I marked my place in my book and stood up. Bella was looking around in wonder.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.

"I wanted to show Bella some of our history," Edward told me. "Well your history actually."

"We didn't mean to disturb you." Bella said, an apologetic tone in her voice. I smiled at her.

"Not at all. Where are you going to start?" Edward spun Bella around to face a certain painting, I could hear her raised heartbeat at the simple touch they shared and her cheeks flushed with color.

"The Waggoner," Edward replied. Bella examined the painting closely. I walked close behind them, lost in my own memories. "London in the sixteen fifties."

"The London of my youth." Bella jumped, startled but I chose to ignore it, still lost in my memories. Edward turned to face me.

"Will you tell the story?" Bella turned to face me. I caught her stare and smiled sadly.

"I would. But I'm actually running a bit late. The hospital called this morning, Dr Snow is taking a sick day. Besides..." I grinned at Edward. "You know the stories as well as I do." I smiled once more then left. I found Esme, kissed her quickly then left in my Mercedes to get to the hospital. I had been running late but now I was in fact early. I quickly got started in my work, thankfully my shift was only going to be a few hours into the night.

TheEmergency Room was busy tonight with someone who had been bitten by a dog, someone who kept throwing up and a lady with some concerns over light spotting while pregnant. It kept me busy and I returned to my office for a quick ten minute break when I threw open the door to see Jasper and Alice. Alice was sat cross legged on the desk, spinning around in my 360 spin chair. Jasper was leaning against the wall, reading a file.

"Erm! Why are you here?" I asked, whipping the file out of Jasper's hands. I closed and locked the door behind me. Alice stopped spinning in my chair and wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"There's thunder tonight..." Her voice was singsong and she kept looking at me like she was going to eat me or something.

"Stop looking at me like that. But of course I'm in." She giggled.

"Yay! You sure you finish in a couple of hours?"

"Of course. Anything to enjoy baseball."

"It's been a while since we played." Jasper agreed. I collapsed into the chair opposite Alice, the seat usually occupied by me. It was definitely weird for me to be on this side of the desk. I looked over at Jasper.

"How are you coping?"

I'm fine. She's definitely a nice scent but I can keep it in check."

"Good as long as you are sure." Jasper nodded.

"I'm sure."

"Good. Now I've got to get back to work," I stood up. "You two had better get going."

"We'll see you at home." Alice said, also standing. I nodded and unlocked the door, opened it then went back to the Emergency Room.