Bella

Garrett appears to be everything that Edward wasn't, he's open to the point of bluntness. He's extremely touchy feely, I'm not complaining don't get me wrong. He has an awesome sense of humour and can laugh at himself without reservation. All in all, he's all that I didn't know I wanted, but since our meeting, just a couple of hours ago my world has turned upside down.

The only thing I see as a problem is, well he's a nomad! I don't really know how I feel about that kind of life? Would I be able to handle the continual moving, no roots per say? We have to discuss this, maybe a trade off, six months on the road and six at a permanent base. That's what Peter and Charlotte do, so it could work for us, couldn't it.

We're all sitting around Esme's living room chatting, Jasper is catching up with Peter and Charlotte, Rose and Alice are planning a shopping trip while Charlotte's here and the rest of us are just talking back and forth, but I want to talk to Garrett alone soon, I'd like to know all about him and see what he wants for our future.

Alice

I can see Bella's mind working overtime and as usual she's trying to sort out the practicalities. She has much more common sense than Edward gave her credit for, in fact, she always thinks a couple of steps ahead, just like my Jazzy. She weighing up the pros and cons of being a nomad at present, hoping to offer Garrett an option. Little does she know he would do anything for her, including living in the city permanently. I love my brother, but he was all wrong for Bella, she needs the challenge Garrett will pose. Unlike Edward, Garrett needs her, wants her happiness above all else and he desires her intently. He would move heaven and earth for her, all she has to do is ask and it's hers for the taking.

Edward

I'm not sure if Alice is intentionally not blocking her thoughts, but she's right I underestimated Bella all the time. Stifled her, tried to keep her dependent on me and It really was a waste of time. She outgrew me while I was away and I could never re-capture the bond and her naiveté was gone, all my doing I know, well they say hindsight is 20/20. I don't know what it is I'm looking for but I know it's not a woman or in high school, I need to change my life and I need to let go more, why I need to control everything is a mystery even to me.

Garrett

I can't take my eyes off of her, it's as if she'll disappear if I do. That's corny I know, but this is overwhelming and wonderful, fuck it bleeding marvellous! I never knew how intense mating could be, I also know it's less for her as a human, but it's there and that's all I need for now. I just have to go slow, fuck I don't do slow! I'm well and truly screwed. She seems lost in her thoughts just now and if she doesn't stop biting her lip like that, I'll do something rash.

Taking her hand I asked " What's got you looking so intense, beautiful? If you're worried about anything just run it by me. I don't bite... much!" I laughed, she broke out in a huge smile and told me she was wondering about the future, would we be nomads or settle down, could we do it like the Whitlock's and be half and half. Wow, she's planning ahead for our future! God, I love this woman-child, she was just perfect for me.

She would be a steadying influence on me, not constricting but the guiding hand that I've longed to have. "It's up to you little Swan! Whatever you want for us I'll do" I told her seriously and was surprised when her brows scrunched and went down "Oh no Garrett! We decide together, it's not what I want anymore, but what we want together, from now on, okay" she told me and I was amazed, her nature was giving and unselfish, there was no me! me! me! with my mate. I nodded and she relaxed smiling happily.

Carlisle

Thank goodness Edward took this all so well, in fact, I'd venture he's relieved. I knew deep down they weren't right for each other, but I'd hoped it would come right in the end. But seeing Bella light up as Garrett talks, prove's to me how wrong I was. He would never have changed her, signing all our death warrants. This is how mates should be, like Esme and I, it's a pure and spectacular thing and should never be less than that. I hope Garrett intends to proceed slowly as Bella has a family and can't just disappear. Yes, this needs a little tack and diplomacy, so it's not a red rag to a bull for Charlie, he's so much like his daughter. They don't miss much, I wonder sometimes if he knows more than he lets on about us.

Esme

I'm so happy for Bella, but I know now she will never be a part of this family, extended family yes, like the Denali's but not close as we once thought. Garrett doesn't need a mother and father like the others, well except Jasper really, he just plays the part for Alice. So I'm going to lose her as a daughter before I really got her. Edward should have known better, he has to stop playing with others life's and concentrate on his own, so what if he doesn't ever mate, it's not always set in stone that you will, look at Tanya, she's over 1000 years old and never met her mate yet. He glance's up at me hearing my thoughts and nods in agreement.

Bella

"Garrett? Could we go for a walk by the river? I ask and he jumps up immediately, takes my hand saying "My pleasure Little Swan" he's so cute. We walk slowly hand in hand and I tell him to make sure I don't fall in as I'm a bit of a lemming and it's highly likely I will trip at some point. Everyone else's laughter can be heard in the background and he looks at me seriously "Really?" he enquires "Yup, all the time, prize klutz here!" I say laughing, I stopped worrying about it years ago.

"So tell me all about yourself please Garrett?" I asked and over the next couple of hours he gave me a blow by blow account of his life, pulling no punches and giving me the plain and simple truth, about his eating habits and everything. It was so refreshing to be treated as an equal and a grown up. He showed me some of his scars, nowhere near as bad as Jasper and Peter's were.

He's done so much and been so many places I was envious and in awe of him, that's when I realised just how old he really was. about 25 in human years, he wasn't exactly sure and 224 approx in vampire years so 249 years old in total, wow just wow! The others called him 'The Patriot' he told me as he was turned during the War of Independence, fighting the British or the 'Redcoats' as he calls them. His life was fascinating and he didn't hate being a vampire like Edward did, there was no angst from Garrett at all.

He wanted to know all about me and I laughed telling him my life story could be written on the back of a postage stamp compared to his, but he insisted Saying "Not only do I want to know all about you, Little Swan but after your change you might lose your human memories and I'll keep them safe for you!" that was the nicest thing ever and I couldn't stop myself throwing my arms around him hugging as hard as I could and saying "Thank you, my sweet soldier, that would be perfect"

He smiled and hugged me back, leaning down to me lifted my face with a fingertip asking "May I kiss you? Little Swan, I so desperately want to feel your soft lips on mine". I barely completed a nod when his mouth descended onto mine and this was like no other kiss I'd ever had. Good god almighty, kissing Edward had been like kissing my grandmother compared to this.

He touch was firm and demanding, gentle but insistent, he gave his all and took mine in return. As our tongues met I once again felt the jolt of electricity surge through my body, but this time, it all headed down to one place and I didn't even attempt to stop myself when I wrapped my leg around one of his bringing me some much-needed friction. He growled sexily deep in his chest and that just spurred me on more.

In a swift movement, not breaking our kiss, he was sitting on the edge of the dock and I was straddling his legs and it was his very hard erection that was creating my friction now, I was in paradise. If this was a taste of things to come, imagine how much better this will be naked. I was moaning, cursing (who knew!) and grinding down on him and his hands were everywhere at the same time it felt like, I knew I was close and I intended to take him with me.

I ripped my lips from his and started licking and biting his jaw, earlobe and neck, still grinding down on his quite substantial erection ( Thank fucking you). But it was when I sucked his Adam's apple that he let out a such a loud animalistic growl, I exploded into a million tiny pieces, ecstasy and joy ran through me, while he followed me into our own personal heaven. We were both panting and breathless, as we sat there, with our arms around each other's bodies.

I laughed slightly as we came down from our high, "That was not what I intended when I asked to talk, but oh my! I wouldn't have missed that for the world!" I told him. He laughed too and asked "Where did you learn to swear like that, my sexy mate? cause I love it and hope to hear it again and again for eternity!" I did what I usually do and blushed deeply and he groaned, once again hardening under me.