Charlotte found herself in the kitchen, positioned opposite Esme and Carlisle. The expanse of the elegant kitchen island was the only thing dividing them. Charlotte had opted to extend her stay, particularly since Bella's vampire transformation decision was still pending, leaving her to tackle Edward's brooding demeanour. While Bella handled that, Charlotte took the opportunity to engage with the rest of the family, eager to deepen her understanding of them. Amidst their conversation, Esme said something that elicited a hearty laugh from Charlotte.

"I must say, you have a lovely home," Charlotte remarked, her gaze drifting through the expansive windows encasing the surroundings. "It's secluded, surrounded by nature," she continued, her breath almost swept away by the natural beauty surrounding them.

"Take it, you're a big outdoors person?" Carlisle spoke, prompting Charlotte to turn her gaze back to meet his golden eyes.

"Oh, absolutely," Charlotte replied, her voice filled with passion. "Nature has always been my sanctuary. There's something so refreshing about being surrounded by trees, feeling the earth beneath your feet. It's where I feel most connected, to be honest," she spoke with such fervour, letting her words flow freely as if she was pouring her soul into the conversation. "My Grams and I -- we have a garden filled with herbs and spices of all kinds. Tending to it brings me happiness. Mostly because I spend time with her," She shared with a smile, noticing the gentle gazes Carlisle and Esme offered in return. Their smiles stretched to their ears, indicating their enjoyment of her conversation.

"It's evident that you love her deeply," Esme responded, her tone reflecting understanding.

"She's everything to me," Charlotte replied with admiration, her voice tinged with sadness as she acknowledged her grandmother's pivotal role in her life. With her parents deceased, her grandmother was her sole anchor.

"Are you hungry?" Esme swiftly changed the topic, sensing the weight of loss in Charlotte's words. They all understood grief, and they didn't want to push her to speak further if she wasn't ready. "I can make you something?" Esme inquired, already halfway turned, ready to prepare a meal at Charlotte's command.

"Thank you, but I ate before I came," Charlotte responded with a warm, sweet smile. "Knowing that you don't..." Her words trailed off, and she hesitated, rolling her wrists a few times, mindful of the fact that the family didn't consume regular food like humans.

"That's considerate," Esme acknowledged, turning her attention back to Charlotte. "Please, have a seat, Bella should be done soon," Esme added, her voice gentle as she extended her left arm toward the threshold separating the living room and kitchen.

Charlotte smiled in acknowledgement, silently bidding farewell to them as she stepped back into the room. Her eyes wandered the marvels of the house, taking in the meticulous decorations and the pristine cleanliness. Every item seemed to be carefully placed, adding to the overall ambience of elegance and comfort. Unsure of how long Bella might take, Charlotte slid her arms out of her leather jacket, feeling the material brush against her skin as she grasped it by the collar. With deliberate movements, she made her way over to the grey-coloured couch and lowered herself onto its cushions, gently placing her jacket beside her.

With the room now emptied of its previous occupants, each pursuing their own activities, Charlotte found herself in solitude, a welcomed respite from the need for constant conversation. Bella had always been the one with whom she could engage in meaningful dialogue, drawing her out of her shell. Now, left to her own thoughts, Charlotte appreciated the quietude that enveloped the room. With fluid, feline grace, she crossed one leg over the other, her gaze wandering leisurely across the expansive space before her.

"Hey." The sudden interruption caused Charlotte's heart to skip a beat, her attention abruptly drawn to the rough, deep voice echoing through the air. With a sharp intake of breath, she turned to find Emmett standing a few feet away, his presence seemingly materialising from the shadows like an apex predator silently stalking its prey.

Caught off guard, Charlotte instinctively pressed a hand to her chest, her expression a mix of surprise and bewilderment. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Emmett quickly apologised, his tone sincere as he acknowledged the startle he had caused.

Charlotte's hand retreated from her chest, her pulse gradually steadying as she regained her composure. "No, it's fine," she replied, offering a reassuring smile to Emmett. "You probably could hear how fast my heart was beating," she joked lightly, attempting to ease the tension that lingered in the air.

"Pretty fast," Emmett responded with a smirk, his deep voice resonating through Charlotte like a rumble, sending a shiver down her spine. Despite her efforts to remain composed, she couldn't deny the undeniable allure of his rugged charm.

"Emmett, right?" Charlotte inquired, her mind momentarily grasping for his name before recognition settled in. His nod confirmed her guess as his golden eyes locked onto the emerald hues of her own. There was a curious intensity in his gaze, and Charlotte couldn't help but feel captivated by the golden depth of his eyes.

"That's me," Emmett replied with a grin, his arms folding over his broad chest, emphasising the sheer strength concealed beneath his casual demeanour. "You're Bella's best friend, huh?" he continued, his tone casual yet attentive, as if seeking to unravel the mystery behind Charlotte's connection with Bella.

"Yeah," Charlotte replied, her voice carrying a warmth that mirrored her feelings towards Bella. "I like to think we are," she continued, a soft smile gracing her lips. The bond between her and Bella was undeniable, and Charlotte cherished it deeply.

"I'm sorry to ask this," Charlotte interjected, unable to contain the question swirling in her mind any longer. "Are you and Rosalie together? Of course, you don't have to answer that," she added hastily, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I just thought because of the others. And I just wondered," she rambled on, the words tumbling out in a rush as if to alleviate the awkwardness of the moment.

"We were," Emmett finally disclosed once Charlotte had ceased her rambling. "Decades ago, we thought we could make it work," he explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "But she's more like a sister to me," he added, emphasising the depth of their bond despite their romantic history.

"It's good to hear that you still get along," Charlotte remarked, recognizing the complexities of past relationships. "She seems... Nice," she ventured, searching for the right word to describe Rosalie. Emmett's chuckle at her choice brought a smile to her own face.

"Once you get to know her, she'll open up," Emmett reassured, his tone carrying a hint of fondness for his sister, though not really his biological sister. "How are you handling it all?" he inquired, prompting Charlotte to release a brief sigh. It wasn't one of despair, but rather one of acknowledgment, as she understood the subject he was broaching.

"It's like stepping into a supernatural soap opera," Charlotte chuckled, veiling her awareness of the creatures' existence with a light-hearted tone. Emmett cracked a boyish grin at Charlotte's words. "I'm glad Bella trusted me enough to share it. And I swear I won't tell anyone," she stated with sincerity, her tone turning serious. Her commitment to keeping their secret was evident, and Emmett could sense her loyalty.

"You must be pretty special if she told you and wanted you here to have a vote," Emmett remarked, maintaining his position. As the words sank in, Charlotte studied Emmett more closely, her gaze lingering on his chest. She noticed that it didn't rise or fall with his breathing, or it was irregular.

"Yeah," Charlotte whispered, her voice barely audible, her eyes returning to meet the golden hue of his gaze. "So, do you guys like sleep? Breathe?" Charlotte rolled out her questions, eager to learn about the vampire lifestyle.

"We don't sleep, eat, blink, or even breathe," Emmett replied casually, his voice rough against Charlotte's ears. "But we train to do these things, so people don't suspect," he added. Charlotte opened her mouth to ask another question but quickly shut it, earning a raised eyebrow from Emmett, silently encouraging her to proceed.

"I won't ask that one," she remarked with a sheepish smile, before releasing a hearty giggle. Emmett's laughter echoed through the room, a hearty sound that filled the space between them. It was as if he anticipated Charlotte's unspoken question, a silent acknowledgement passing between them.

"Well, if you have any more questions, I'm here," Emmett offered, his tone casual yet genuine, indicating his readiness to assist.

Charlotte's smile widened at his offer, touched by his willingness to help. "Thank you," she replied sincerely, gratitude lacing her words. As Bella's footsteps approached, Charlotte locked eyes with Emmett, sharing a brief moment of as she knew he knew she was coming. Bella's voice broke the silence.

"Okay, I'm ready," Bella announced, prompting Charlotte to rise gracefully from her seat and retrieve her jacket. She and Bella would be sharing a ride back home.

"It was nice meeting you, Emmett," Charlotte said, inclining her head slightly and offering a warm smile as she prepared to leave. Emmett could have sworn that for a split second, his cold, un-beating heart had stirred. "It was nice to meet you all," Charlotte addressed the entire family, her gaze sweeping over them as they stood in the threshold of the kitchen, seemingly emerging once more from thin air.

"You are always welcome, Charlotte," Esme's motherly voice enveloped her like a comforting embrace, warming Charlotte's heart with its sincerity.

As Charlotte bid farewell, she made sure to exchange a warm gaze with each member of the Cullen family, her smile widening as she waved. Her eyes lingered a moment longer on Emmett, feeling a peculiar connection that she couldn't quite explain. With one last wave to the watching family, Charlotte and Bella descended the stairs and made their way outside to Charlotte's grandmother's truck. The engine roared to life as Charlotte steered them away from the Cullen residence.

In the quiet of the truck, Bella was lost in her thoughts, undoubtedly mulling over the events of the evening. Meanwhile, Charlotte's mind was abuzz with impressions of the Cullen family. She couldn't shake off the feeling of warmth and acceptance she had experienced in their home. Despite the unusual circumstances, she found herself admiring their kindness.

As the night wore on, she discovered herself unable to wipe the smile from her face, basking in its warmth until the wee hours of the morning.

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