FOREVER

Simple Spaghetti

Simple Spaghetti

Okay, so maybe they weren't hungry looking but still, they were very intimidating. I mean, they were all gorgeous, smart and rich. And I was Bella freaking Swan. Alice must have noticed the deep breath that I took because she put her arm around my shoulders and gave them a squeeze before leading me up the steps to where they awaited. I recognized them all instantly, although Alice's mother, Esme was the most foreign. Surprisingly, however, her face was also the most welcoming. Her grin seemed to widen with every step I took that brought me closer and when I was finally close enough she lunged forward and embraced me. I thought it would hurt but Esme seemed to know what she was doing and I smiled as I felt some of my nerves dissipating. Esme, like Alice, smelled wonderful and her while some parents tried too hard to be appeasing, the task seemed to come naturally to her.

"It's great to meet you, Bella. I've been waiting for this day, when we could have a human over for lunch."

It was then that Emmett guffawed. Alice's giggling could be heard next to my ear and I smiled politely, reinforcing my mind of what Esme really meant. Or at least, what I thought she meant. Emmett was still laughing too hard in my opinion and I glanced over at him. He was even bigger this close up and I could see the well defined muscles under his tight shirt and the veins that braided his arms. It was impressive, I had to admit. But he was a bit too muscular for me and I turned back to Esme who had seemed to realize the error of her wording. Her face fell for a moment and I felt the nerves coming back, along with the desire to hug this woman who was practically a stranger.

"I didn't mean that, Bella," she said, regaining the smile although it was much duller than before. I shook my head at her and shrugged.

"I got what you meant, ma'am. Alice has told me things, and I'm not worried. I've been looking forward to meeting you," I answered coolly, surprising even myself at how much I believed them. It was then that Esme brightened to her old self and took my arm to lead me into the house. It was cold. I mean, I should have expected that but I didn't expect for it to be that cold. It couldn't have been fifty degrees in the home and I felt goosebumps arise on my arm as I followed Esme. She must have noticed something changed for she stopped and looked at my bumpy arm. Then she 'tsk'-ed in a motherly manner and sighed.

"I'm sorry, Bella. Alice should have told you to bring a jacket."

Before I could respond Alice was by my side again. She smiled up at me and pushed my jacket that I didn't know that I'd brought into my waist. "I've got it covered, mom," she said endearingly as I put the jacket on, feeling better instantly. Esme said something that I didn't catch in the ruffle of the fabric and when I'd finally zipped up the jacket and was able to look around, I realized I was the center of attention. Even if Esme was a joy, it was still daunting to see all of them standing there, staring at me, although Edward seemed to have disappeared. Alice was by my side so I could only see her from my peripheral and Rosalie was dead across from me. Her expression was something like curious anger. Maybe she just liked to scowl. Maybe she didn't give a damn about me and I was being conceited. Judging by the way things were going between her and me I would probably never know. Emmett was next to her, relaxed, and appeared to be off in another world. Carlisle and Esme were off to the side, looking at me rather endearingly. It was a bit too much to handle. My cheeks reddened but due to the cold it wasn't severe and I sighed in relief as I gathered my voice back.

"Um, you were kidding about the virgin sacrifice, right, Alice?" I half-joked before turning to the pixie. Before she could answer, Emmett guffawed again. I say guffaw because laugh just doesn't cut it. Emmett was the guy that liked to bust a gut on any and every occasion it seemed. When he finished, he straightened from his doubled over position and stepped forward, extending his hand.