Сумерки

           "You’reverywelcome,Bella."Carlisle’sstepwasmeasured,carefulasheapproachedme.Heraisedhishandtentatively,andIsteppedforwardtoshakehandswithhim.

           "It’snicetoseeyouagain,Dr.Cullen."

           "Please,callmeCarlisle."

           "Carlisle."Igrinnedathim,mysuddenconfidencesurprisingme.IcouldfeelEdward’sreliefatmyside.

           Esmesmiledandsteppedforwardaswell,reachingformyhand.Hercold,stonegraspwasjustasIexpected.

           "It’sverynicetoknowyou,"shesaidsincerely.

           "Thankyou.I’mgladtomeetyou,too."AndIwas.Itwaslikemeetingafairytale-SnowWhite,intheflesh.

           "WhereareAliceandJasper?"Edwardasked,butnooneanswered,astheyhadjustappearedatthetopofthewidestaircase.

           "Hey,Edward!"Alicecalledenthusiastically.Sherandownthestairs,astreakofblackhairandwhiteskin,comingtoasuddenandgracefulstopinfrontofme.CarlisleandEsmeshotwarningglancesather,butIlikedit.Itwasnatural-forher,anyway.

           "Hi,Bella!"Alicesaid,andshebouncedforwardtokissmycheek.IfCarlisleandEsmehadlookedcautiousbefore,theynowlookedstaggered.Therewasshockinmyeyes,too,butIwasalsoverypleasedthatsheseemedtoapproveofmesoentirely.IwasstartledtofeelEdwardstiffenatmyside.Iglancedathisface,buthisexpressionwasunreadable.

           "Youdosmellnice,Inevernoticedbefore,"shecommented,tomyextremeembarrassment.

           Nooneelseseemedtoknowquitewhattosay,andthenJasperwasthere-tallandleonine.