A/N: Okay first off, I'd like to let you know that this is indeed my first fanfic ever! That's why I'm starting off with a short author's note… Just to let you all know how this is going to work out. I will post the first chapter of my story, so you all can see my story. Each chapter will begin with a excerpt of song lyrics (to match the title of that chapter) followed by a quote, and then the actual chapter. Author notes are not my favorite things in the world to read (or write!), but sometimes they are necessary, so you may see a few more of these. Also, I will have a few pictures that go along with this story, and the links to those are available on my page, so be sure to check those out.

Just a heads up, this story takes place AFTER Eclipse, but for the sake of my writing, a few things are different. First, James and Laurent never came to Forks, but Victoria still went after Bella. It was because she was jealous of the lifestyle the Cullen's have. Secondly, Bella's relationships with Edward, and Jacob are the same as they are at the end of Eclipse. Lastly, Jacob and Bella are still good friends, because of how close they came to each other during Edward's absence. Okay, on with the story.


Prolouge

"Oh hey, I've been travlin' on this road too long
Just tryin' to find my way back home
But the old me's dead and gone
Dead and gone

And oh hey, I've been travlin' on this road too long
Just tryin' to find my way back home
But the old me's dead and gone

Dead and gone, dead and…"

"When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the fact that things are so bad that they have to get better." – Malcolm Forbes

x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x

Bella Swan stood in the middle of the baggage claim area at Seattle International Airport. It was mid February, so it wasn't all that crowded. Most of the people were either airport employees, or business men and women who wouldn't be staying for more than a few days. She stood there for five more minutes, before becoming frustrated with the wait. She grabbed her phone from her jacket pocket, and dialed her father's familiar cell phone number. Charlie picked up after the third ring.

"Hey Bells, did you pick her up yet?" Charlie asked. The her he was referring to was Bella's cousin. Bella had never known she had any cousins... That was until just a few weeks ago. She could almost recall every detail from that conversation she'd had with her father.

::Flashback::

Charlie and Bella had just sat down to enjoy a peacefully quiet meal together. It seemed like those were the only kinds they ever had together. Not that either of them minded, it suited them well. Bella was surprised when Charlie cleared his throat to speak.

"Bella," he began before pausing. Clearly trying to pick his words carefully. "Did I ever tell you I had a brother?" he continued.

"Um, no," Bella finally said after staring blankly at her dad for a few moments. "You never mentioned one, I always thought you were an only child," she offered.

"Nope," Charlie replied. "My brother Jeffery," he hesitated before continuing, "was seven years younger than me." Bella didn't completely understand what her dad was getting at, so she continued the conversation, hoping for an explanation.

"How come you never told me about him?" She asked, "how come I've never met him?" Charlie looked down at his plate, and proceeded to push some of his spaghetti around. Bella was unsure of how long the two of them sat there like that, but finally, he spoke again.

"We had a bit of a… falling out," Charlie told his daughter. "It was silly really. But it kept us apart from eachother. I graduated school, and joined the Forks police force, he graduated high school, and went straight on to Harvard. Finished law school, and never came back to Forks. I really should have visited him, or at least got in contact with him. But it was simply my jealousy that held me back. He had everything anyone in their right mind would ever dream of. I was stupid for letting it come between us, and destroy my relationship with my brother."

Bella was surprised by what her dad had just told her. Not only had her father never mentioned her uncle before, but no one had. "Why are you telling me now?" Bella asked.

"Well, a few years after he graduated, he got married and moved to Wisconsin. Not too long after, his wife passed away from Leukemia, but not before they had a child together." Bella was barely able to comprehend what he was telling her.

"So I have… a cousin?" She asked, surprised. Bella didn't fail to notice how her dad suddenly averted his gaze. It was like after living in that same house for so long, he just realized how interesting the kitchen tiles were.

"Yes, you do," he told her. Well… That's not something you're told every day, Bella thought to herself. Then, slowly, the conversation clicked into place.

"What do you need to tell me?" Bella asked, getting right to the point. Charlie looked nervous, and kept fiddling with his napkin.

"Just a few days ago, my brother was killed in a car accident. That leaves his 15 year old daughter, and we're her closest living relatives. She's coming to Forks to live with us, Bella."

Bella just continued to stare at her father. It all seemed like a dream. After a few minutes, it finally sunk in. Then Bella began to worry. What if she hates me? What if she hates Edward? What if she finds out what he is? Bella continued to imagine possible situations, none of them pretty.

"Her flight comes in tomorrow," Charlie informed Bella, "I tried to get my shift at the station switched, but Henry's going out of town to his sister's wedding…" Charlie's voice trailed off.

"It's okay Dad," Bella reassured him. "I don't mind picking her up."

::End Flashback::

And that was how it came to be that Bella was waiting at the airport for her mysterious cousin. Bella and her father had only been told the basics of the situation by Child Services. Bella's cousin was named Madeline Justine Swan. She was born December 22, 1994. Her mother's name had been Jillian Andrea Swan, but she passed away when Madeline was four. She had lived in Chevy, Wisconsin her whole life, and attended a prep school… Brennan-Wood Academy to be exact. Apparently she was set to inherit millions of dollars when she turned 18. Her maternal grandfather had been a famed inventor, and her mother was a world renowned surgeon. (A/N: Pictures of Madeline, her mom, dad and house are on my profile!)

She's probably bratty, fake, and stuck up. Bella thought to herself. All of the things she hated about a person, combined into one. Great, just who I want around… Bella's thought's were interrupted when she heard someone clear their throat behind her.

"Isabella?" A voice asked. Bella spun around, only to come face to face with one of the prettiest girls she had ever seen in her whole life.

The girl was about 5'3" or 5'4" tall. She had blonde wavy hair that reached a few inches past her collarbone and had a natural tan. Her eyes were absolutely stunning, the brightest shade of blue Bella had ever seen, and her complexion was flawless. The girl smiled, revealing a set of bright white, perfectly straight teeth, like the kind you always see on Crest toothpaste commercials. She was simply dressed in Adidas sweats, a black North Face and pink and white Puma gym shoes. On her shoulder hung a plain black purse, but that was all she was carrying. Bella recalled Charlie saying something about how her belongings were being shipped by movers, and would be at the house in a few days. Bella realized how awkward it must be, her just staring, so she introduced herself.

"Just Bella," she corrected, "and you must be Madeline?"

"Just Maddie," she said smiling, "it's so nice to meet you," she remarked enthusiastically. Immediately Maddie embraced Bella in a friendly hug, and then pulled back, her blue eyes looking deeply into Bella's.

She doesn't seem so bad, Bella thought to herself. Maybe things will go better that I'd expected. Or at least she hoped.

"Well Maddie, it's nice to meet you too. But if you don't mind we really should get a move on if we want to make it home by dinner time. I'd never consider leaving my dad to cook for himself," Bella joked lightheartedly.

"Your dad," Maddie muttered, looking around that airport, "is he here?" She asked.

"No," Bella replied, "he tried to get someone to take his shift, but everyone down at the station has been awfully busy." Maddie nodded her head to let Bella know she understood, and Bella smiled back. Just then, two airport employees came into the baggage claim area wheeling a kennel.

One of them checked the sticker on the side of the kennel, "Madeline Swan?" He called out looking around at the people. Charlie mentioned something about her having a dog, Bella thought to herself.

"Here!" Maddie replied, waving her hand in the air. The two airport employees wheeled the kennel over to where Maddie and Bella stood. Maddie reached into her backpack and pulled out a navy blue dog leash.

"Here you go," one of the men said, opening the kennel. Bella didn't fail to notice how Maddie nonchalantly slipped both of them a tip. Bella didn't look away until an excited angel haired lab ran right out of the kennel and to Maddie, who was now kneeling a few feet away.

"Oh who's a good puppy, you're a good puppy," Maddie said in a loving voice to the dog while she clipped the leash onto its collar. "Bella," Maddie said standing up, "I'd like you to meet my puppy, Chowder."

"He's so cute!" Bella squealed while scratching behind his ears. Bella and Maddie continued to serenade the dog with attention. Eventually Bella stood up and turned towards her cousin. "Are you ready to go now?"

Maddie stood up, grabbing her purse and Chowder's dog leash. "Yeah," she answered, "did you drive here yourself?" Maddie asked Bella as they made their way to the exit.

"Actually," Bella began to answer with a smile, "my boyfriend, Edward, is waiting outside for us." As if on cue, a shiny silver Volvo rounded the corner. "This is him," Bella informed her cousin.

Dang, he's hot, Maddie thought to herself as she saw the guy in the driver's seat. Aww, him and Bella make such a cute couple! I better stop staring, or he's going to think I'm strange…

"Edward, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Maddie… Maddie, this is my boyfriend, Edward," Bella introduced the two. Maddie couldn't help but notice how Edward had a smirk on his face, as if he was laughing at some inside joke.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Maddie," Edward offered as he snaked his arm around Bella's waist.

"Yeah… You too," She replied, still slightly dazzled. That just made Edward grin even more.

"Well, we better head home now if we want to make it home for dinner," Bella said as she opened the passenger door. Edward got into the driver's seat, and Maddie opened the back door, leading Chowder into the backseat before climbing in herself.

The ride to Forks was comfortably quiet. Bella and Edward asked a few questions here and there about Maddie, and what life was like in Wisconsin. But other than that, Maddie mostly enjoyed the scenery outside. Well, maybe enjoyed isn't exactly the right word. Maddie was from Wisconsin, so she was totally cool with all the trees and stuff… It was just… Well she'd never really been a fan of rain. And let's face it; Forks, Washington wasn't really on the top of anyone's "Places to Visit" list.

After what seemed like an endless trip and too many winding roads lined with noting but green, they pulled into the Swan's driveway. Maddie was the first one out of the car, examining the house. She liked it a lot, but it made her miss her home a lot more. It wasn't even ¼ how big her other house was, but it just gave off that homely vibe.

Back home her house was gorgeous. It was a lakefront property, on about 6 acres of land. It was a massive house that featured a large wraparound porch, which was Maddie's favorite part of the house. That is if you don't count that lake.

Maddie's father had always joked that she was born part fish, which wouldn't have really been all that surprising considering how much time she spent in that lake. She enjoyed tubing, and waterskiing, even tried knee boarding a few times. But it was wakeboarding where her heart was. Maddie had been voted all state in wakeboarding her freshman and sophomore years at school, and had won many small competitions. She was the star of her high school wakeboard team, and there was even talk of her being offered a few division one scholarships. But for Maddie, wakeboarding would always be second best to soccer.

Oh, how she loved soccer. When she wasn't being towed behind a boat, she could be found on the field. As good as she was at wakeboarding, she was about a thousand times better at soccer. Soccer, to her, was life. Maddie had made the varsity girls team her freshman year, she'd even been on the starting center offense, and was half the reason they'd gone all the way to the state playoff semi-finals. Unfortunately for the team, she fell down the stairs and broke her arm right before the big game, and the team suffered a heart breaking 2-1 loss.

She'd been looking forward to playing again this year and maybe taking her team on to a state title. Too bad that wouldn't be possible, seeing as how she'd moved to Forks only a week before soccer tryouts at her old school.

"Maddie?" Bella asked, bringing her out of deep thought.

"Oh, yeah, sorry," Maddie said clearly embarrassed for spacing out.

"I was just asking if you want to come inside and see the house?" Bella said walking towards the front door. Edward had already turned off the car, so Maddie got out with Chowder following close behind. She had taken off his leash; there was not a chance of him wandering anymore than 20 feet from her. She walked into the house, with her dog following closely behind.

"This is the kitchen," Bella said, although it was quite obvious. Bella then led her over to the next room, which was the living room. It was small, with a large flat screen T.V. that was Charlie's pride and joy. The two couches surrounded a coffee table, all of the furniture worn but not yet tattered, from being used so much. Maddie took note of the various pictures hanging throughout the room. Most were of Bella, although there were some from what appeared to be fishing trips. Maddie picked up one from the end table, and examined it closely. There were two men in the photo. The first was an older man in a wheelchair. He had russet skin, dark brown eyes, and long black and slightly gray hair that reached his ribcage. The second man, she assumed was Bella's father, although there was very little resemblance. He was old, while not quite as old as the other man in the photo. He had thinning brown hair, and eyes the same brown color as Bella. He looked much different than Maddie's father, who had had blonde hair and green eyes. Both of the men in the picture were smiling, holding up fish that they had caught.

Maddie put the picture back and turned her attention to another picture on the wall. It was of the same man whom she assumed was her uncle Charlie, and a pretty blonde woman. It was a wedding picture, and was quite a few years old based on their clothes. Maddie saw more of Bella in the woman. They had the same fragile cheekbones, and wavy hair. But I thought they were divorced? She thought to herself. It seemed a little strange that Bella's father would still have their wedding picture in his house.

"My mom and dad," Bella explained. Maddie simply nodded in understanding. "Would you like to see the rest of the house?" Bella asked.

"Yeah, that'd be nice," Maddie replied. Bella led the way up the stairs, and into her own bedroom.

"This is my room," Bella explained, before she proceeded to open the closet. "I've cleared out half of my closet for you, and these," she said while motioning to two sets of plastic drawers, "are yours as well." Maddie looked at the drawers skeptically. While she'd never really been one for having a lot of clothes, her closet back home had been a walk in, about 8 times the size of Bella's.

"Thank you so much," Maddie said sincerely, "it really means a lot to me." She meant that with all her heart and every fiber of her being. She knew it must not have been easy to open their home to a complete stranger, even if she was related.

"Oh yeah Maddie, it's not really that big of a deal, we're delighted to have you here!" Bella exclaimed. Maddie felt a little better once she picked up on the genuine tone of Bella's statement. "There's one minor requirement though…" Bella begain. Anything. I'll do anything as long as it means not going back there. She thought to herself. I miss Cate, and Jules and Davey… but not him, I'll never go back to him… "You have to sleep on the couch," Bella said with a smirk. Maddie sighed with relief, and smiled widely.

"I guess it's a deal then," she joked. Truthfully, she wouldn't have cared if Bella told her she had to sleep in the garage or something, at least she was wanted somewhere.

"Some of your boxes arrived last night, they're downstairs in the dining room if you wanted to start unpacking them," Bella offered.

"Yeah, that'd be great," Maddie responded.

"I'm just going to get started on dinner so it will be ready when Charlie comes home… Pasta's okay with you, right?" Bella asked.

"Oh yeah, pasta is perfect." And with that, Bella and Maddie went their separate ways. Bella to prepare dinner, and Maddie to unpack some of her clothes.

A/N: Okay, so I know I said I'd limit the Author's Notes… But this one is necessary, I promise! I just wanted to let you guys know, the first chapter was put up to get the story rolling. It's going to be a short wait before I post the second chapter, but after this, I will update regularly. What did you guys think about the first chapter? Is it worth me continuing? Thanks for reading! xoxox, Bam