Emmett and Rosalie didn't have much of a warning when they came home to a newborn vampire. It had been a marvelous weekend, full of mountain lions and bears and each other. Twenty years together had gone by in a blur, the both of them barely noticing the passing of time. The honeymoon phase still hadn't worn thin, much to the chagrin of the rest of the household.

Though, they weren't much to complain. Alice and Jasper were as much enraptured with each other as anyone else. Carlisle, of course, remained devoted as ever with the matriarch of the clan, Esme. All of them had found their other half, their mate. All of them except one.

Edward, the sole Cullen who spent his eternity alone. He was content, and so his family respected his solitude. They all had each other, they were never truly alone. And, yet, Esme found herself yearning for a change in Edward. If only he could find the one, if only he could experience the same happiness as the rest of them.

For the most part, she was able to keep her thoughts safe around him. But sometimes, they would slip through, when she wasn't careful. When she would watch her children giggle and kiss, and then watch Edward's small smile. He knew what he was missing out on, but he remained alone.

It didn't always come easy. Perhaps it was luck that brought Rosalie to Emmet. Or perhaps Edward chose his path.

Whatever it was, Esme's bursting happiness was undeniable when Carlisle brought home the newest member of their family. She was perfect, thought Esme. Absolutely perfect for Edward. If he was as smart as Esme believed, he would see it for himself.

But much to her surprise, it took no persuasion from her to spark the flame. Edward had eyes for no one but Parvati once she walked through the door. It was as if the two were frozen in place, yet trapped in each other's orbit.

He was quiet, careful not to overwhelm the newborn. Staying at a distance, he was attentive as he observed her, reading everything he could in her movements. She was still too jerky, unused to her power and speed. Grace and fluidity would come soon. His lips quirked at the thought; that would be a sight to see.

She caught the sudden movement, the slightest hint of mirth on his face. Her curiosity ate at her. What did he think of? Specifically, what did he think of her? Parvati didn't have the same advantage as he, the privilege to be able to detect his thoughts. Though, she quickly came to learn of her own ability. It was something much, much more disastrous.

They could never touch. The thought was alarming, heartbreaking. The sense of loneliness would have suffocated her if she wasn't immortal. Not only would humans now be attracted to her because of her unnatural beauty, but they (along with vampires) would fall under her spell at the slightest touch of skin.

With a touch, they would momentarily lose all sense, only come to know her. All because of a single touch.

The bitterness rolled off of her in waves, alarming Jasper at the intensity of the feeling. Sharing a glance with his brother, Jasper gradually calmed her emotions, giving her any sense of peace that he could. The vampires stayed on guard, wary around the burgundy eyed girl. It would only take a wild emotion to set her off, to get her out of control. But Edward had faith in her, already. She was strong. She would be marvelous.

When Emmet and Rosalie arrived at last, the new girl was sitting on the couch, flanked by Edward and Esme, with Jasper and Carlisle also in close proximity. When Parvati moved at an alarming rate to stand up, her new family moved as well. Rosalie's hisses sounded throughout the room, but quickly ceased at Parvati's expression.

She never intended to harm anybody. The only thing she craved, besides the sweetness of blood, was for her new family to like her.

Emmet smiled broadly at the tiny girl. "Welcome to the family, sister!" he crowed, arms open wide for a hug.

Before he could move closer, Edward was by his side, a warning hand on his shoulder. "Don't touch her," he breathed. The seriousness in which he spoke took Emmet by surprise.

"Already territorial, I see," he said, cocking an eyebrow. With a firm shake of Edward's head, he finally lowered his arms in defeat, and took a step back.

"He's not," Parvati quickly spoke up. Her voice, which was already sweet even before she turned, was now enough to make a mass of humans sigh. Edward immediately turned back to look at her, his steady gaze distracting her, making her stumble over her words. "You really can't touch me. It's... this power I have."

Carlisle placed a hand on his wife's shoulder, both of them sharing a sad smile. "Anyone who makes skin on skin contact with her succumbs to instant... attraction," he explained hesitantly. "It can be, ah, overwhelming."

"I didn't take you for the egotistical type," Emmet admitted with a chuckle. The girl looked so small, nervous, as if she wanted to hide behind her mother's skirts. The power she brought with her into her new life looked certainly contradictory.

"She's a born entertainer," Edward said proudly. When her eyes turned accusing, he shook his head. "Sorry." He always tried his best to not invade other's private thoughts, but he was too curious this time. He needed to know everything about her, everything about who she was and will be.

"I make my living pleasing people," she softly agreed. "I'm an opera singer."

"You were," Rosalie corrected. For the first time, Parvati locked eyes with her, watching as Rose stepped up besides her mate, locking hands with him. Parvati observed the site, jealousy coursing through her dead veins before Jasper quickly eased the hurt.

"I'm sorry?" She asked, tearing her eyes away from the marble-like clasped hands.

"You were an opera singer," the soft spoken blonde repeated. The gentle tone of her voice didn't stop the hurt that pierced Parvati's frozen heart. She might have died, but they couldn't kill that part of her. It was all she knew, all she could remember of her human life.

She remained silent, the gears in her mind began spinning in a frenzy as she thought through all the possible responses she could give. Even with all the newfound power she had, she still couldn't think fast enough in that moment. It was so rare to the others, to see such speechlessness in a vampire.

"It wouldn't be wise," Alice interjected softly, seeming to appear out of thin air. She floated across the room to comfort her new sister. For just a moment she reached out to touch her, before swiftly pulling her hand back to her side. A human wouldn't have even noticed. "It would be too dangerous for you to continue such a career, drawing so much attention to yourself," she continued. She gave an apologetic smile, but Parvati gave none in return. It wasn't fair what they were saying. She didn't even know the people and they were already taking everything away from her.

Edward dipped his head in shame, and took a step back.

"Not to mention," Jasper said, always ready to support Alice, "you'd be on a stage in front of hundreds of humans. Not quite the best place for a mess up."

"But that's who I am," Parvati argued. She surprised herself with the strength in her voice. It sounded throughout the room, monotone but sure. "It's what I was born to be."

Silence fell, and Jasper no longer tried to quell her emotions. They were too strong, her heartbreak growing almost overwhelming.

"Perhaps," Carlisle agreed, the regret evident in his low voice. "But you're a vampire now." He looked down, giving her a sense of privacy as she grieved. "I'm sorry."

"Parvati," Edward murmured. She was out the door in an instant.