after much research, bella concludes that edward has mysterious powers resembling a vampire. he eventually confirms this, but says he and the other cullens only consume animal blood. the pair fall in love, and edward introduces bella to his vampire family. carlisle cullen, the family patriarch, is a doctor at the forks hospital. esme is carlisle's wife and the family matriarch. alice, jasper, emmett, and rosalie are their informally-adopted children. the family's reaction to bella is mixed, concerned the family's secret could be exposed.