“Esme….” I didn’t know what to say. The rebuttal I was certain that I would have completely evaded me.

She finally turned to face me again, all the generosity and gratitude in the world filling her eyes as she captured my hands between her own. “Thank you, Bella. Thank you so much.”

I was still rendered speechless as she swept me in to a maternal and compassionate embrace.

“I don’t care how much danger you think you put us in, I will always be indebted to you for what you have done for Edward. I think of you as a daughter now, Bella, and as a family – there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you. Any ounce of trouble that may befall us due to your presence is entirely worth it to me. I love you, Bella, and I couldn’t imagine a better person for Edward to have met.”

“Thanks, Esme. I couldn’t imagine a better family to be a part of either.”

She smiled triumphantly at my lack of opposition to her graciousness.

“But,” I reminded her, “I still wish they wouldn’t act like I’m such a hazard. Even Emmett looks afraid of me.”

“Between you and I,” she winked, “I think Emmett is just nervous that there is anyone in the house that could beat him up.”

I permitted myself a slight giggle for Esme’s sake. She grabbed my hand firmly in hers and we began walking back to the house, swinging our hands optimistically as we went. As we neared the house, we heard a transforming melody drifting from the bedroom.

“You should go talk to him.” Esme encouraged. “I can tell he has been worried about you too, lately.”

“I guess that’s fair.” I allowed.

She gave my hand a final squeeze and patted me on the butt reassuringly. I shook my head wondrously at her cheery mood and trekked back up to the house and up the stairs.

Edward didn’t look up when I walked in the room, he continued to work vigorously on the sheet of music sprawled in front of him. I crossed the room and sat on the bench beside him and watched him scrawl out an assortment of notes that I could not comprehend on the lined paper in front of him. When he finally returned his fingers to the keys, the sound he emitted was magnificent. My jaw dropped in awe as the beautiful notes glided over one another gracefully and serenaded the peaceful air. He stopped mid note and scribbled down some final lines and resumed the song until the last note rang in the air with a surreal finality.