Consideration

The sun had only been down for an hour or so when Bella and I slipped out of the house with nothing more than a murmur to Charlie.

He was sitting stiffly on his chair in the living room, watching a football game. His eyes were too glazed to be giving much attention to the screen. My guess is that he was working to distract himself from the stress of being a father. He must feel so helpless in not be able to protect his daughter from the pale faced creatures that lurk in the shadows as we do. Although ignorant of what we really are, Charlie seemed to sense the danger we posed. I felt bad for him.

He stiffened when she informed him of Alice Cullen's invitation, but didn't give more than a tense nod of acknowledgment. I could see his jaw clench.

"I don't think we'll be long, dad," Bella said quietly.

I prayed it wouldn't be. I was in no mood to go play house with the Cullens tonight. I'd didn't owe them half as much as they'd taken... James... But I was over that. Bella had chose me.

"What do they want," Bella wondered out loud. The rumble of her truck made it hard to think at all. After all this time of being this superior being, the height of my senses could still agitate me. I remember how overwhelming it all was as a newborn – the radiance of colors and light, the smells, the textures. I relished the strength but never the consequences.

We hadn't spoken much since the blow up with Charlie. Only a word or statement here and there. Despite my boredom with the general mood of the house, I was too nervous to try to taunt her in to forgiving me, so when she broke the silence in the house with a smooth kiss on my neck, I was surprised.

"Let's go," had been the command that followed the affection.

The girl who had been Edward's and the girl who had chose me were becoming contradicting in behavior. I couldn't tell if Bella was suffering from some strange hormonal spike that was building up her self-confidence or if she was coming down from the whirlwind she had been before falling from Edward's grasp.

It was Esme Cullen who answered the door, giving us a sweet smile. I liked that it wasn't faked or forced. She generally felt the warmth she expressed at our arrival.

Much like the Swan residence, the Cullens' house was relatively quiet. Apart from the foot steps, the hum of music, and the creak and rustle of furniture and fabric, there wasn't much action from the occupants the way there was my last visit. Again, it seemed like this was going to be another dramatic interaction.

Esme led us through the house in the direction of the study, Carlisle Cullen's study. The house really was wonderfully decorated, even the smells of the wood complimented each other, giving the house a glowing warmth, despite its open spaces. I offered this thought to Esme. It was received with proud agreement.

"Of the few house we have," Esme said with her bell toned voice, "this one is my favorite."

"As it is mine," Alice chimed in, appearing on the right of Bella. I occupied her left.

Alice looked as if she wanted to greet Bella with a little more than the friendly smile she gave. I could see the hesitance sweep through her body. She wanted to hug her. Esme had the same shiver when she had opened the door. I was beginning to see how much these women really did dote on Bella. Rosalie was the only Cullen I knew to not openly enjoy Bella's company.

When we reached the study, Carlisle stood from behind his desk in greeting, as was the custom of his era.

"Good evening, Bella, Victoria" he welcomed politely. Like his wife, Carlisle meant his kindness.

I had been to this room in my last visit to this house. A lamp had been broken. I noticed it had been replaced. If only I could replace the memory I had here with a new one. My first experience in this house had been a ridiculous, suffocating one.

Carlisle offered us the couches to the corner of the room. It seemed that the business we had today would be sorted with a smaller number of Cullens than the amount I had received. The two couches were positioned in an L form. Bella and I chose one couch while Carlisle, Esme, and Alice moved to the other.

Once situated, Carlisle asked. "How are you, Bella?"

Bella shifted a bit in her seat but raised her head. "Considering everything that has happened, things are okay."

I remembered the blow up I caused this morning and regretted it. She really didn't need the added stress.

Carlisle nodded thoughtfully. Esme's eyes softened with pity, and Alice frowned. I rolled my eyes and looked out the nearest window. What more did they expect her to say?

"And you, Victoria? How are you?" Alice asked softly.

I looked to the Cullens and they were all focused on me, waiting. Not the type of pretentious waiting I was expecting to see. They earnestly waiting for my reply, completely interested, almost anxious... as if they cared.

Taken aback by their attitude, I awkwardly shrugged. "Yeah, I'm fine." Frustrated by being caught off guard, I couldn't withhold my impatience. "Hey, will you please tell us why you called us over. Charlie probably won't sleep until Bella gets back." And the man needed to sleep. I had plans for Bella that night that was to be better accomplished if Charlie wasn't listening, if you know what I mean.

Clearing his throat, purely a human habit, Carlisle began, "Yes, well, we wouldn't have bothered you two so soon after... Well, Edward has left again."

"We blame neither of you for that," Esme interjected, looking more at Bella than me.

Looking straight at me was Alice. "Edward's leaving before had consequences, and we understand that."

Consequences? That was a smooth way of putting Bella leaving him for me.

"Of course," Carlisle confirmed. "Which is why we asked you over to discuss what to do now."

"Now?" Bella was confused as was I. What was there to discuss. She chose me. She's with me. What does this have to do with them?

At this, Esme stepped in again. "Bella, we love you. You've become a part of our family... I pray you feel the same about us."

"You are in more danger than you were before now that the Volturi is involved," Carlisle entered.

Bella stiffened and then relaxed. "I become a vampire, and they leave me alone. That's the deal," she said simply.

At that Esme frowned. "It shouldn't have to be that way, Bella. You shouldn't be forced in to this life, and we're willing to protect you from that."

Esme's eyes were passionate. She would not let Bella be harmed in anyway. I could see this. She considered Bella her daughter.

Shaking her head, Bella explained, "But its what I want. I want to be a vampire."

"What about Charlie, Bella," Alice submitted, "and your mother? Your friends? Are you really ready to say goodbye to your humanity so easily?"

Bella grew silent, guilt taking over her features again. Had she really not considered that. And anyways, who were they to try and change her mind.

"Bella will die if she is not changed," I stated angrily. "If not slaughtered by the Volturi's dogs then by some freak accident or, god forbid, old age."

Carlisle spoke gently. "Death is the natural order of things, Victoria. Bella has a right to that order."

I narrowed my eyes. "You just proclaimed to love her, and, yet, you sit there, willing to let her die. That's a little backwards."

"Victoria," Esme tried to sooth, "We understand your point, but Bella should have a choice. In our family, we consider mortality to be a gift, a gift to be respected."

"Then how is it you have such a large family? Clans don't often form and hold with simple alliance. They are born into." I couldn't help my voice from carrying the chill that made Esme frown.

"That's different," Alice defended.

"And Bella's case isn't?" I countered sharply.

I was getting worked up. It felt as if they were challenging me personally with this talk of keeping Bella breakable. It was the warm pressure of Bella's hand on my arm that settled me.

Again, raising her head in independence she spoke, "I understand both arguments." She looked to me, an apology carved into her features. "I will consider both. I have time, right?"

It was Carlisle who answered for the Cullens. "As much as God allows."

Bella wasn't looking for their guarantee but mine. It would have been right to assure her, but my spite wouldn't allow that kindness. "As much as the Volturi allows, Bella."

That reality didn't effect her as much as I thought it would. She just sighed deeply and looked back to the Cullens. That's mature, I thought to myself.

Silence lingered around for bit before being broken by Papa Cullen. "Do you two plan on staying in Forks?"

Looking back at me, Bella answered unsteadily, "We haven't talked about anything like that yet. Victoria?"

"If you were, we'd stay to insure your safety," Carlisle assured.

"That is," Esme cut in, her face twisting in nervousness, "if you wanted us to. We'd not bother you or try to come between you and Victoria. We just want you safe." Esme voice was pleading.

At Esme's devotion, Bella reached out and touched her twitching fingers. "I care for you all just as much as you do me. If Victoria would stay with me, I'd like to stay in Forks, finish school, and be with my dad, you know."

Well, then, I thought, it doesn't really matter what I want now, does it? I felt like I'd been set up. If I contradicted staying in the shitty little town, I'd be the ass. I know now that she wasn't trying to be manipulative or pushy. That's not her nature, but in that moment, I felt a wave of resentment. How dare she corner me like this?

Carlisle's business tone drew me out of my angry thoughts. "Any legal documents needed to secure your residence, Victoria, I can have drawn up by the end of the week. You're too mature to attend school with the rest of our children, but if you had any aspiration for further education or a career, it could be organized easily. We have many connections as well as a great supply of funds."

"You're welcome to anything we can provide," Esme promised, her face hopeful. Was she looking for a new daughter? I highly doubted I could be anything so precious. Me? A Cullen? Jesus Christ, how did I get here, I asked myself.

Trying my best to sound polite, I asked the burning question. "Why?"

Esme and Carlisle both seemed surprised by my question, but it was Alice that answered me.

"Bella is a part of this family as much as Edward was." Was? I noticed the word instantly. She didn't linger on the statement. "Bella was accepted by this family through her relationship with Edward, and we are offering you the same treatment."

The logic was clear, but the reasoning wasn't. I was their enemy not too long ago. I know they care for Bella, but can that make them completely rewrite their opinion of me? Can I reverse my option of them? They killed James. I hate them. Hated them? They were offering pretty heavy opportunities to me this evening. Why weren't the others here to give me and Bella their sincerity?

I voiced this thought. "Strange that Rosalie isn't here to try to persuade me. I know she's not Bella's biggest fan, but I thought me and her were really growing something."

Carlisle's posture became sharp. "Whether you believe it or not, Victoria, we are a family. We are a family that has lost a member. They are grieving."

Feeling as if I've overstepped a line, I backed off.

Luckily, it was Bella who had the next word. "I am grateful for all you have offered tonight. I really do love this family."

At that declaration, Alice leaned forward, excitement wide in her eyes. "You'll stay? You'll stay in Forks? We'll all stay in Forks?"

Smiling sweetly, Bella replied. "I want to, but too much is going on right now for anything to be sure." Grabbing my hand, Bella explained, "Its not just about what I want. We'll need to talk about this."

Bella knew that I would be where she was, so, in that moment, she seemed the most considerate, caring person I had ever met. In my marriage and in my love with James, my opinion was hardly ever considered. Bella really wanted the Cullens. She really wanted Forks. Despite this, she was willing to chance it all because she cared about how I felt.

A/N: This was suppose to be a lot better, but I got too tired by the end. Anyways, let me know what you think. I would very much appreciate constructive criticism. I know my writing needs improvement. I've gotten rusty. Help by telling me where, please.