A/N: If you haven't read the Love Child, do it now...the story loses its potency if you don't. This story is in the works. Please review!!

Chapter 1

It was quiet. Too quiet. It was awkward intruding in their lives. I was the oddball and felt like it. Uncle Edward tried to comfort me with his perfect smile. He peak at me trough his rearview mirror and I flashed a smile back. Aunt Bella would turn to me and smile. She was so beautiful. Both of them were beautiful. But as soon as they would turn around, I felt alone again. Maybe music would lighten up the mood.

"Umm...could we turn the radio on or something?" I asked.

"What would you like to listen to?" Aunt Bella inquired. I didn't know. Anything was better than this silence and smiling.

"I don't have a preference. Anything is fine," I answered. Her nimble hands went over to the dial and she scanned through stations until she found a variety station. I relaxed and let the music soothed me as I sang along, horribly, with the singer. Then, I heard another voice starting to sing along as well. It was Aunt Bella. Her voice was not high and musical like Aunt Alice. It was soft, but a powerful flow of an alto melody.

It seemed like we were riding in the car forever. I glanced over the steering wheel to see what our speed was. My eyes widen in horror, but they didn't seem to notice.

"Uncle Edward, Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?" I asked.

"No, why?"

"Because you're going 40 mph over the speed limit," I explained in a shaking voice. I tried to keep calm, but nerves kept slipping through my composed face.

"Thank you, that could have been disastrous," He thanked. But his tone had a hint of sarcasm. Clearly, he didn't take me seriously. But his speed did break down to a reasonable 10 over.

But, he turned on the unpaved street located in the woods. I was confused, why were we headed into the forest. Soon, the trees were the only landscape against this stretch of road. A tan building started to show through the trees. Little by little it revealed itself, until we broke through the trees and I could see it fully. I was taken aback.

Their house is massive. It looked like a mansion. The front of their house was framed with a porch that showcased cherry wood floorboards. It was very detailed and still comfortable and warm.

"This is the house?" I asked still in shock. They both turned to each other and cracked a smile.

"Yes," Aunt Bella answered.

The car pulled around to the front of the semicircular steps leading to the door. Uncle Edward stopped the car and grabbed my bags. Aunt Bella hopped out of the car and helped me scramble out of the back seat. I was still in awe. She reached out for my hand and I secured mine around hers. I felt a tickle of chill run through me. But not a chill of fright, but a chill of excitement.

"It looks better inside," Aunt Bella assured me. I smiled at her and took a deep breath.

We climbed up the steps; Uncle Edward already disappeared inside leaving the inside.

"I'm ready," I said confidently. She laughed and led me inside. I didn't understand how I could feel so comfortable with my Aunt Bella, a relative I hardly knew. But I stepped inside to look around my new home.

I was dumbstruck with what I saw. With my two tour guides, I was in awe over the beauty of their house. In the atrium, there was a delicate chandelier reflecting tiny rainbows onto various surfaces. Floating among my uncle and aunt, they lead through multiple rooms: the open kitchen, a dining room with a massive dining room table for twelve, a game room, and a large sitting room housing a huge plasma TV. Leading up to the second floor was a spiral staircase winding amongst the wall. Sitting underneath the stair niche, was a beautiful white baby grand piano.

"Who plays?" I asked. This is the only thing I muttered since my jaw dropped at the door. Uncle Edward grinned and answered "I do. Would you like to hear?"

"Yes, please!" He slid down onto the bench and flitted his fingers while I awkwardly followed suit. Aunt Bella stood by us admiring the sight. Uncle Edward made anybody standing next to him look good. Then, the music started to play. His fingers moved swiftly and quickly creating trill musical scores. The quiet tinkling put me in a trance. It was only when my aunt and uncle chuckled lightly, that I noticed that the music-like ambrosia ended.

"There is still more of the house to see..." Aunt Bella assured me. She took my hand, a slight shock pulsed through me, and we made our way towards the bedrooms.

The first one was the master suite, spacious - yet it felt frigid. The next two were just as eerie. They were two guest bedrooms both equally decorated.

"So, do I get to choose which room I want?" They both glanced at each other quickly and smiled. I didn't know what that meant.

"Hope, wait until you see what's behind door number 3..." Uncle Edward promenaded toward two French double doors. He gently cracked opened so I could only peak inside.

"AAHHHHH!" I shrieked exuberantly. I pulled one of those "Home Alone" faces. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. this was my room. My suite. It was characterized with a sitting room, snack bar, and study area AND a queen-sized bed. All decorated in a sunset purple and silver displayed in retro circles.

"I LOVE MY ROOM!!" I immediately jumped onto my perfect bed, ruffling the covers.

"Glad, you like it, Hope," Aunt Bella shouted back at me. I took that as a hint to regain my composure. I hopped off the bed -leaving it disarray- to grant my Aunt Bella and uncle Edward a hug.

Surrounding them in an embrace, I instantly knew I would be happy here. If only for a while...

They left me in my room so I could respectfully become acquainted with my new living quarters. I ran into the bathroom and walk-in closet. The closet was filled with cute ensembles, courtesy of Aunt Alice. The bathroom was bigger than my room back at home with mom and dad. Mom and Dad. They were probably wondering how I was doing right now. I would call them later so they can stop worrying about how I'm adjusting.

I ran down stairs, still in disbelief. Knowing I shouldn't have, I hopped down two by two. "Aunt Bella, I-"

My genes must have kicked in because I had the wind knocked out of me as I tumbled towards the landing of the spiral staircase.