Chapter One- Are You An Angel?

Place and Time- Wilderness Maine, January 1992.

Edward's Point of View

I had just finished draining a moose and I was driving back home when I saw the black metal of the car, its front end wrapped around a tree, its back end unscathed. The white dust covering the car told me the accident happened last night during the storm. I got out of my car to investigate the accident, I couldn't hear any thoughts so either no one is in the car or the accident was fatal to all its passengers.

The closer I got to the car I was overwhelmed by the most intoxicating smell I had ever inhaled throughout my existence. What is that smell? I cannot hear anything; surely there is no one alive in the car.

I was sure the smell was coming from the car though; I continued to walk towards the accident, slowly, even for a human. As I crept closer the smell was beginning to unleash the monster in me, my throat was burning and the monster inside me was ordering me to get to the smell. I stopped briefly to pinch the bridge of my nose, when I was able to gain control over myself I held my breath and started back towards the accident. I needed to investigate the car; there was something inside me screaming to.

I finally reached the car and I heard a slow steady heartbeat, someone was alive in the car. I wiped the dusting of snow off the back window and was met with the sight of a small girl asleep in a car seat clutching a stuffed bear. Her skin was extremely pale for a human, but the red flush that filled her cheeks told me that the steady rhythm was coming from her. Her mahogany colored hair flowed down her tiny body and her full pink lips were parted slightly to breathe.

I couldn't understand why her thought were blocked from me, but it was in that moment I knew how special she was. I opened the door to get a better look at her; I let my guard down and let out the breath I was holding when I looked at her. She was an angel, I was sure of it. When I inhaled out of habit to take in unneeded air the smell, the smell of her blood consumed me. First came the pain then the monster was unleashed and was ordering me to kill her. I cried out and clutched myself, sinking to my knees, willing the monster away. I could not hurt this helpless girl, this angel no matter how much the monster told me to have her.

All thoughts good or evil when something warm touch my cheek. I looked up to find large warm eyes staring down at me. I took slow deep breathes and noticed the monster and the pain were subsiding; instead I was overwhelmed with love as well as many other feelings that were hard to describe. I felt the need to protect this girl, the need to be near her. How insane was it that her scent had brought the demon inside me stronger then it had ever been and one into her eyes could make me feel more human then I have ever felt.

My thoughts were broken by a small whisper that would have been lost if said to an actual human.

"Are you an angel?"

Was I an angel? Of all the ridiculous things I have heard in my existence, but when I looked back into her eyes I saw she truly meant what she had asked. Her face was lit up in awe and her eyes shown with admiration by my very presence.

"Are you here to take me to heaven?"

What? No she wouldn't be going to heaven any time soon, not if I could help it, I was too selfish to let heaven have its angel back. She continued to stare at me with wide eyes, waiting for an answer.

"No I am not, why would you ask that?"

"To be with mommy and daddy."

It was then the stench of death filled my airways, I turned my head to the front of the car and noticed the two dead bodies in the front of the car. Their bodies were mangled from the accident, there was no chance either one had survived. Had my little angel spent the entire night in the car with her deceased parents? How could something so horrible happen to her? How in the world did she survive the crash and the night in the freezing cold? Not being able to read her mind I would never know these things, the only thing I did know was I was never letting her go, the connection I felt with her was to strong.

"Come on angel you are going home with me."

I unbuckled her from the car seat and carried her in one arm and the car seat in the other as I made my way back to my car. I buckled her into the back seat of my car and made my way home with her. I needed to do something about her parents' bodies, but I would worry about that later, bringing my angel to Carlisle to make sure she was indeed alright was my first priority. I could not see any bruises or any other mark on her, but I needed to make sure she was going to be alright.

I drove extremely slow, I didn't need to freak her out any more then she probably was. I needed to know more about this girl so I started asking her question about herself.

"What is your name angel?"

"Isabella Marie Swan," she said in a matter of fact tone which brought a smile to my face. "But you can call me Bella."

Bella-it was Italian for beautiful-how appropriate. "Bella…such a pretty name for a pretty girl, my name is Edward."

I looked into my rearview mirror to see heard head bent down, a deep crimson blush across her lips, and a shy smile upon her lips. It was too adorable, my smile involuntarily grew larger.

"How old are you Bella?"

"Four!" she exclaimed while holding up four tiny little fingers. Her sweet high voice and excitement made me laugh. "How old are you?"

"I'm seventeen. When is your birthday?"

"September thirteenth."

"Where do you live Bella?"

"We move a lot, we were going to look at houses."

"Do you know where you lived before you came here?"

"Arizona."

"How long have you been here Bella?"

"We were driving for a very long time. It was so boring! We just got here, my daddy told me before the bang….I'm not going to see my mommy and daddy again am I?"

I looked into her eyes and I saw the sadness, but I knew I couldn't lie to her, I couldn't say yes and have her waiting anxiously to see them, I sighed and responded.

"No baby you're not, I'm sorry."

She turned her head to the side and began to stare out the window. The comment she made earlier told me she knew her parents were gone, but she needed me to confirm it, she was very intelligent for being so young. Her lip was trembling and her face was contorting, she was trying real hard not to cry, but was failing. I really wanted to know what she was thinking; I couldn't understand why I couldn't hear her thoughts. My nonbeating heart was breaking looking at her.

"It's okay to cry Bella," I told her and the tears broke free. She began to sob into the teddy bear she held, I wanted nothing more then to stop the car and hold her to me, to console her, but I needed to wait until we got to the house, it was going to take three times as long to get home driving at this speed.

She finally got calmed down and asked me something that shocked me, "can I stay with you then?"

"You have no other family Bella?"

Whether she had any other family or not it didn't matter, I wasn't letting her go; no matter how dangerous it was for her to stay with me and my family. I was thinking irrationally yes, but I needed her and she needed me, I wasn't letting her go, no matter what my family said, we can make it work so she can stay with us.

She shook her head fervently and looked back at me with wide eyes.

"Yes Bella you can stay with me."

Her smile grew wider and it made my insides feel warm, I decided to go back to questioning her.

"So Bella…what's your favorite color?"

"I don't know…I like all colors."

"You have to have a favorite," I prodded.

"Hmm….what's your favorite color?"

I thought about it for a minute, I began to stare at her, she was wearing a blue coat, the color complimented her pale skin wonderfully and intensified the color of her eyes, it was officially my new favorite color.

"Blue."

"That's my favorite color too!" She exclaimed and it made me laugh. I looked in the mirror to see her blushing and giggling. She continued to giggle and turned her head to the side to avoid my gaze. She slowly turned it back to see if I was looking and quickly looked away giggling when she saw I was. This went on the rest of the ride home.

When I finally reached the house Alice was outside waiting for me, she must have had a vision about me finding Bella and bringing her home. She was smiling and as soon as I parked she danced over to the car.

I saw everything Edward! She as adorable as in my vision! No one knows you are bringing her home, don't worry I want her to stay too. It's going to be so fun having a little sister! Everyone is going to lover her, the only person you really need to convince is Carlisle, don't worry I'll help you convince him…trust me!

I smiled; at least one person was on my side and didn't feel this was a horrible idea. This was going to work out; Alice would see if something bad was going to happen and we could protect her, everything would be alright.

Alice opened Bella's door and introduced herself to her.

"Hey Bella! My name is Alice! It's nice to meet you!" she exclaimed. I looked at Bella and she looked a bit apprehensive of Alice.

"How do you know my name?"

Whoops…smart cookie. Don't worry I'll fix it!

"Edward told me as I was walking to the car."

"Oh..."

She may be intelligent, but she was still innocent and naïve, I smiled.

"How do you know Edward?"

"He's my brother sweetheart."

"Edward said I can stay with him."

"Yes Bella you will be staying with us…don't you worry," Alice smiled and winked at me.

"What's going on out here," Esme's kind voice came from the doorway. Alice moved out of the way and Esme's eyes connected with Bella's.

Is that…

"Mom I would like you to meet Bella, I found her in a car coming home, her parents…"

I understand Edward.

"Edward and Alice said I can stay with you."

Esme's face became shocked and when she regained her composure she gave Alice and I a scolding look. She looked back at Bella and her face fell, Bella's face was enough to make the Devil himself bend to her will.

Edward this is a bad idea. You were always the sensible one! Think about her! How dangerous it is to live in a house full of vampires! Especially Jasper who has enough trouble controlling himself at it is.

Alice had unbuckled Bella from her seat and brought her into the house so I could finish my conversation with Esme.

"I know Esme, but I can't let her go. I don't know what it is; I feel this connection with her. I know it's selfish and stupid, but I know she'll be okay. She's been through so much and I know we can protect her!"

"Edward…"

"Just let me finish. Alice said she wanted her to stay too, would she say that if she really thought something horrible was going to happen to Bella. This can work out I know it can! Alice can see if something bad happens and no one will be alone with her. I mean when I first smelled her, it was horrible, stronger then Jasper's urges-"

"Then why are you insisting she stays, if you are lusting for her blood like this!"

"When she looked at me the monster vanished, she makes me feel human; I need to protect her Esme. We can work this out so she's safe here I know it. I mean wouldn't it be nice to take care of a child for once, you don't need to take care of us, but she needs someone to take care of her, she needs a family Esme, she needs a mother."

I knew it was wrong of me to take advantage of maternal instincts and I would have felt guilty if I didn't know that she wanted a child to take care of. This could work out for everyone. Bella would get to stay and be part of the family.

Esme sighed and gave me a hug. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this. This is such a bad idea, but I can't say no. She really is a special girl and I can see how much you adore her. I've never seen you this happy and I can't take this away from you, we'll find a way to work this out, but Edward everyone has to agree to this! Understand?"

"Yes mom," I responded by kissing her on the cheek. Alice already told me the only person we have trouble convincing is Carlisle.

We walked back inside and were greeted by the sight of Alice introducing Bella to my siblings, Carlisle wouldn't be home for hours so Alice, Esme, and I had time to work on my siblings to convince them that Bella staying was a good idea.

"Bella this is Rosalie…"

"You're so beautiful," Bella said, her voice filled with awe, I looked over at Rosalie to see a smug look on her face.

What a smart little girl, she's adorable too. Hopefully she can stay and I can teach her all I know, she can be just like me.

Normally I would roll my eyes at her narcissism and grimace at wanting to influence Bella to be just like her, but if she was letting Bella stay I'll let her think whatever she wanted. Rosalie smiled at me and I forced myself to give a heartfelt smile back.

"This is Jasper," Alice went on introducing my siblings.

"Hi Bella it's nice to meet you," he responded kneeling down to her height, but kept his distance. She went over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck; everyone held their breath except Alice. Jasper slowly hugged her back and gave her a slight smile, I guess the effect Bella had on me was happening to my family.

She made me feel so calm…maybe this can work. She smells amazing, but I need to have control, she's family now and I can't hurt my family.

Maybe her effect wasn't as strong on Jasper, but it was still working, he just couldn't be alone with her. None of us could for that matter; she needed to have three people in the house with her at all time if this was going to work.

"And this is my brother Emmett," Alice finished.

"Hi Emmett," came Bella's tiny sweet voice, the involuntary smile was coming back to my lips.

Emmett got down to his knees as Jasper did to be the same level as her, but it didn't quite work out so well, he was still at least twice her height and three times her size. He moved forward and hugged her, Emmett was known for his strength, I felt fear for Bella and Jasper noticed, but when Emmett let her go she was fine. I let out a breath of air I didn't know I had been holding; this didn't go unnoticed by Emmett.

I may be bigger and stronger then her, but I know how to control my strength, I would never hurt my baby sister. Oh my God it's going to be so fun having her around! She's going to be so entertaining!

I smiled again, five down one to go, we needed to make a plan to convince Carlisle, he was the one who was the one who was going to need the most convincing, hopefully all of us working together…

"Hey Bella! I got your nose," Emmett said, he playfully grabbed her tiny nose and stuck his thumb through his fingers; the look on Bella's face told me she wasn't buying it.

"No it's not."

"Yes it is Bella! I stole your nose! How are you going to get it back?"

"That's not my nose, my nose isn't that big," she said in her matter of fact voice. Everyone burst out laughing except Emmett who looked disappointed.

"It's all right, you tried," Bella said, putting a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, this only made us laugh harder. Emmett's head fell, feigning disappointment, but his thoughts were anything but.

"Emmett don't you even think-"

"Hey Bella did you know that you can fly?"

"What are you-?"

Before she could finish her sentence he lifted her up in the air, spinning her and running around the room with her.

"Emmett put her down!" I exclaimed, but he ignored me. What if he dropped her? She was so high up she was sure to crack her skull or break her neck if he dropped her.

He continued 'making her fly' I calmed down a bit when I heard her giggling, but her enjoying herself didn't expel the danger from the situation.

"Emmett put her down sweetie, you'll make her dizzy and she needs to eat, lord know when she last ate," came Esme's calm voice. How could I be so careless? I was so worried about her staying with us that I didn't think about her needs. Stupid vampire.

Emmett stopped spinning her, but held in his arms, she smiled up at him trying to catch her breath, she was having trouble breathing, stupid Emmett.

"I'll take her Emmett," I told him in a stern voice while snatching her from his arms and walking towards the kitchen.

Go ahead Edward…take your girlfriend

His thoughts made me stop in my tracks; his booming laughter rang through my mind. What the hell is that all about?

"What?" I responded through gritted teeth.

"What's wrong Edward?" I looked down to see wide eyes staring at me.

"Nothing Bella we're going to get you something to eat," I smiled down at her. She smiled and blushed in response and held me tighter, my smile grew wider.

Someone has a crush on you Edward! I can feel it, she adores you…it's so nice you finally have a girlfriend, we all have been waiting so long for you to find her.

Jasper's snickering invaded my mind, what the hell are they going on about? I turned around to see three of my siblings snickering at me and the other looking guiltily at me.

Alice didn't need to read minds to know that I wanted to know what was going on.

I had a vision when I touched Bella and I told the others when I went inside, don't worry she didn't hear me tell them.

"Tell them what Alice?"

Suddenly flashes of myself kissing a woman were going through Alice's mind. What…that's not possible. When the woman pulled away I saw her face, she had pale skin, luscious plump pink lips, long mahogany hair, large warm eyes, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, it was strange, but she almost looked like an older version of-

"I love you Bella."

My eyes became wide, that wasn't possible, what the hell is going on?

"Mom can you take Bella to get something to eat? I need to talk to my siblings."

Edward I would love to, but we have no food in the house.

I inwardly groaned, of course we had no food; we had no need for it.

"Here my keys mom, her car seat in the back."

It's no problem Edward, we'll be back later.

"Bye Edward," Bella whispered in a sad voice, it made my heart wrench. I walked over to her and brushed her hair from her face.

"Hey don't be sad, I'll see you soon," I smiled; she gave me a slight forced smile.

"Okay…I have a question first," she replied.

"Go ahead, you can ask me anything."

"How come you all are so cold?"

My eyes widened, "I…uh…I…you're just really warm, that's why we feel cold to you, you also lived in a really warm place, you are use to the heat and we have lived her a while so we are used to the cold."

She pursed her lips and looked at me apprehensively before responding, "Oh….okay!"

She smiled at me before Esme carried her outside to my car.

Awe…she has a crush, adorable even if it is on Edward.

I glared at my siblings; they were all smiling at me which only made me angrier. This is so unbelievable, this can't be happening; I wasn't attracted to a four year old child.

"Alice your vision is wrong! That isn't possible! I'm not a pedophile! I do not have feelings like that for her!" I exclaimed.

"We know Edward; if anyone knows it's me. You adore her like we all do…we just like torturing you," Jasper responded.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, why did everything always have to be so complicated.

"Edward you may not have any romantic feelings towards her now, but that doesn't mean in ten or so years that won't change," Rosalie commented.

"Shut up," I growled. How can they be so calm about this?

"Edward I think she's your soul mate, I think you were meant to find her," Alice reasoned.

No! She's a child! She's not my soul mate, even when she's no longer a child she will still be an angel and I will still be a demon and it's not plausible.

"Edward it's alright we know you are not a pedophile, Bella was an adult in Alice's vision," Emmett said.

"No! Shut up…just shut up!"

"Well we all think she's your soul mate, but we'll let it rest for now since you are so uncomfortable. We'll keep our mouths shut…for now," Jasper tried comforting me.

"But can you shut your minds," I growled, they all looked away. "No I didn't think so."

"Edward we may humiliate you every chance we get, but we really love you and we just want you to happy and she makes you happy, and in the future she'll make you even happier, but we'll try our best to let it go, we know you're know a weirdo, but we also think she's good for you. We just want you to be happy."

They let the subject go; instead they focused all their attention on how much fun they were going to have with Bella. Rosalie and Alice talked about how much fun they were going to have having a living Barbie doll to dress up. Flashes of Bella dressed up looking like one of those child beauty queens invaded their minds and mine, I involuntarily shuddered. Over my dead body…wait….never mind…it was just not happening.

Jasper and Emmett talked about teaching her sports and playing pranks…why were my siblings so weird, my thoughts wondered to what Bella and I would do together, maybe I could teach her all about music, hopefully we could convince Carlisle to make her part of the family.

An hour and a half passed and they weren't back yet…why weren't they back? It does not take that long to get food! I growled and continued pacing; my siblings were starting to get annoyed.

"Stop pacing! They are fine! You're going to wear a hole in the floor!" Jasper yelled.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair and sat down. Why was I so worried? I knew she was fine, Esme would never let any harm ever come to her, Esme herself had never even harmed a human, I wish I could say the same.

Ten minutes later Bella came skipping through the door followed by Esme. She tripped while skipping, but I was faster and I caught her before she could fall.

"Edward!" she exclaimed and I pulled her onto the couch to sit next to me.

"What took you so long?" I questioned Esme.

"I picked up some food and some of the necessities she needs like clothes, toys, soaps, a toothbrush, and some other things," Esme replied. She was so smart and motherly, I wouldn't have thought to pick those things up for her.

"Thanks mom, you're such a great mother," I smiled.

"Thank you Edward now be good children and get her things from the car and put them away," she ordered us in a sweet voice.

By the way Edward she's sort of accident prone, that wasn't the first time she tripped today, she tends to trip over air.

This wasn't good, children were naturally accident prone, but Bella being more so and living in a house full of vampires was not good. But if she tripped a lot maybe it would help her to live in a house full of vampires with quick reflexes to save her from injury, this was good for her. I just have to keep telling myself that.

"Yes mom," we replied, we brought all the things Esme bought her into the house and unpacked them in the guest room, Bella's room if Carlisle says she can stay.

Later on Bella had eaten dinner Esme cooked dinner for her, Bella asked why none of us were eating with her and I had to lie to her and said we had eaten earlier, technically we did. Esme had her take a bath and put her in her brand new pajamas, they had snoopy all over them, she truly was adorable. Alice and Rosalie got her in their clutches and began doing her hair, they braided it into pigtails.

"Oh my! You are so adorable," Alice squealed…Bella looked displeased and uninterested.

I watched her as she played with her teddy bear as my sister played with her. Why was I so fascinated with a four year old? Was it because I couldn't hear what she was thinking and it was driving me crazy.

As I was watching her play and pondering theories on why her thoughts were blocked from me, we were all pulled from our distractions by the door opening.

Home sweet home…what is that smell?

The moment of truth was here, we had worked on our plan all day, and worked on Bella to be extra adorable in order to convince him, as he turned the corner he was met with the sight of all of us. His eyes widened and he dropped his medical bag.

What the bloody hell is going on here…

I rarely have ever heard Carlisle curse, out loud or in his head. As soon as Bella saw him she got up and ran straight up to him, tripping right before reaching him. He caught her with no problem and straightened her up.

"Hi I'm Bella," she said shyly looking up at him with wide eyes, how we all managed to keep from smiling I don't know. She was good, his facial features softened while looking at her, but when his head snapped up to look at us it wasn't pleasant.

He looked back down at her with a pleasant smile, "It's nice to meet you Bella, I'm Carlisle. What are you doing her dear?"

"Edward said I could stay with you," she replied smiling, his face looked shocked and then he smiled at her.

"He did?" She shook her head up and down. He hadn't expected to hear that I said she could stay; I was the logical one in the house, the one with my head on my shoulders.

Edward are you out of your bloody mind? Out of everyone here I thought you would know better! Do you know how dangerous it is for her here?

"Can we keep her? She is so cute and fun! Please daddy please!" Alice pleaded getting on her knees next to Bella. Next to plead was Rosalie, followed by Jasper and Emmett, then me.

"Can she stay…she'll be safe I promise. I promised her she can stay, she has no family, she needs us Dad, please," I begged, I would get on my hands and knees if I needed to.

The last to join us was Esme; she stood behind us as we allied to convince him to let her stay.

Not you too….am I the only sane one left in this house?

"Honey I think it would be good for all of us if she stayed with us, if she became part of the family," Esme worked on him.

Carlisle had a hard time saying no to any of us, especially his wife, with all of us working on him this would surely work.

She's going to go to sleep and then we are going to discuss this as a family.

"Bella you look tired," Carlisle spoke to her.

"A little…Edward said I had to see the doctor before I can sleep," she told him. I was being stupid and careless with her life by not taking her to the hospital, but they knew I was my father's son and there were five Cullen children not six, we couldn't explain her without her being taken away and she seemed fine, having Carlisle look at her was just to be on the safe side.

"She was in a car accident….her parents didn't make it…we need to do something about that by the way," I whispered in a low voice so my family could hear me, but Bella couldn't, he shook his head at me.

He smiled at her and held out his hand, "Well Bella if you come with me I can take a look at you and make sure you're alright."

She bit her lip and looked up at me, I gave her a reassuring smile and nodded my head, she took his hand and walked off with him towards his study.

All of you stay there; we are going to talk about this when I get back, after I examine her and if she's fine put her to bed. Don't worry she looks find, but Edward what are you thinking?

Alice winked at me when he turned his back, I'm thinking that maybe things will turn out the way I hope they would.