A/N: LoveTwilight500 asked if this was AllHuman or not and I've decided to keep them the way they were in Twilight, but I may change Bella a bit.
Disclaimer: Twilight related things belong to S.M. Everything else me.
Somewhere along the drive Bella fell into a deep sleep. Her head rested on her duffel bag that was sitting on top of Alice's lap. A warm blanket covered her, wait a minute. Blanket? Bella shot up, and the blanket pooled around her. She blinked a few times and saw that it was still dark.
"Good morning sleepy head," Alice's sing-song voice broke her out of her foggy memory of a fleeting dream.
"How long was I asleep?" Bella rubbed her eyes and mouth making sure she didn't accidentally drool on Alice while she slept.
"Only about an hour or so," she began to tuck the blanket around Bella as though she would freeze to death.
"I'm fine Alice. It's not that cold," Bella squirmed as she tried to move her arms that Alice had managed to trap under the blanket.
"Sorry," she said grinning sheepishly, and Jasper chuckled quietly.
"Are we almost at your house?" There were lush forests on either side of the streets, and there was not even a speck of light to be seen in the distance.
"We'll be there in about five minutes Bella."
"Okay," Bella could feel her eyes drooping shut again. They felt like lead weights when she tried to fight them open.
"Go to sleep Bella, I'll wake you up when we get there," Alice pulled her head back onto her lap and stroked her hair, and with that Bella fell into darkness.
-x-
Sunlight was streaming in through the windows and the heat concentrated around her eyes so she rolled over on the bed.
Wait a minute.
Bed?
She rolled around and felt around her without opening her eyes scared to see where she was.
"Are you awake?" A woman's voice asked from behind a door. Am I at a hotel? Did I sleep with someone? What the hell happened yesterday? She slowly opened one eye then the other, and gasped. All around her were all the possessions she only dreamed about: a canopy bed, rows and rows of music CDs, records, an expensive looking computer and sound equipment in the corner, and a black leather sleigh couch. Instead of the normal four walls, one was made entirely of glass and it overlooked the lush forest.
"What the hell's going on?" She tried to yell, but it only came out as a squeak.
"Bella?" The voice asked again.
"Huh?" She looked at the door and wondered where her duffle bag was.
"May I come in? I have your breakfast ready and a change of clothing for you," the voice said.
"Um yeah sure, I guess," she still didn't move from her bed still scared that this might all be a dream or a setup. The doorknob slowly turned, and the sunlight made the knob sparkle as though it were made of diamond.
"Here you go dear," the woman set a tray on a small table then curiously looked at her. Bella blinked her eyes, this woman looked like she stepped out of a fairy tale. Her feminine face, her red lips and soft caramel colored hair cascading down her back. Bella felt a pang of remorse realizing this woman reminded her of her birth mother, Renee.
"Um, excuse me? Are you Alice's mom?" The woman looked nothing like Alice from afar, but they shared the same pale and flawless complexion. The woman smiled before answering.
"Yes, I see her as my own. I'm Esmeralda, or Esme." She beamed at Bella but came no closer. Her hands fluttered to her sides as if she couldn't decide what to do with them.
"I'm Isabella, but I prefer Bella," Bella grinned shyly back at Esme as though they were sharing a secret. They remained still for a moment just simply grinning and basking in each other until Bella's stomach gurgled. Bella could feel her cheese flushing red, and hoped that Esme didn't hear it, but no luck.
"Oh I'm so sorry dear for keeping you from your breakfast," said Esme as she put a chair in front of the small table, "and there should be a change of clothing for you hanging in the closet. Alice flitted in and out of here this morning."
"Thank you Esme." Bella pulled the covers off her and edged herself to the side of the bed once Esme exited the room, when she realized she wasn't in her own clothes. Instead she was dressed in a nightgown. A silk nightgown. Alice.
The scent of bacon and eggs drew her out of bed and towards the small table. Bella paused for a moment when she felt tears spring to her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time someone did something so nice for her. Maybe her birth mother had at some point, but memories were fading. Just as she sat down and picked up her fork, a knock on the door interrupted her.
"Bella," Alice's voice chimed through the door. "Are you decent?"
"Yeah," said Bella as Alice burst through the door.
"Good, hurry up and eat."
"I was trying to but you came barging in," Bella said rolling her eyes.
"Oops. I was just so excited," Alice dragged a chair from the computer desk and sat across from her.
"Excited about what? Getting rid of me?" Bella said reminding her of their previous arrangement.
"Oh please. I don't think Esme will let you leave anyway. She enjoys cooking for you so much since the rest of us like to eat out all the time. And I don't think you want to hurt Esme," she pushed the glass of orange juice towards Bella.
"The rest of you?" Bella asked after devouring the eggs. She was much hungrier than she had thought.
"Yeah, I should say I have a lot of siblings. There's me. Jasper, who you've met. Emmett the bear, you'll soon see why, and his girlfriend Rosalie. And then there's Edward," Alice said counting off her siblings. "And my dad, Carlisle."
"Wow, you make it sound like they all live here. I mean Jasper and Rosalie that is," That seems a little odd. Living in the same house as your boyfriend/girlfriend? What kind of parent allows that?
"Yeah they do," Alice looked into Bella's eyes and held her gaze, "Esme and Carlisle adopted all of us. It just happens that we all ended up pairing off. We aren't blood related or anything."
Bella could feel the warmth coming off her cheeks. Alice and her family were more than welcoming and she felt ashamed for jumping to conclusions.
"It's okay Bella. I know it sounds odd, believe me. But it's just so right," Alice said before jumping up and walking towards the closet, giving Bella time to absorb the information.
"I'm sorry. It's just I've been an only child and I've been in the foster care system nearly my whole life. I just can't imagine siblings getting along that well," Bella admitted looking down at the floor.
"It's fine Bella," Alice said poking her head out of what seemed to be a walk-in closet. "Come here if you're done eating."
Bella was wary as she walked over to the closet, wrapping her arms around herself feeling self-conscious. Her mouth fell open when she saw the contents of the closet. Mostly she saw men's clothes but on one wall there were rows and rows of women's clothing.
"Let's see," Alice looked Bella over once then hummed to herself as she threw articles of clothing out of the closet and on to the bed with deadly accuracy.
"What's all this Alice? I have a change of clothes in my bag," Bella looked back out at the room looking for her duffle bag.
"Yeah, like I'm going to let you wear that stuff," Alice said rolling her eyes.
"Where's my stuff Alice," Bella growled and Alice paused for a split second.
"Under the bed," Alice huffed as Bella raced out of the closet and threw herself on the floor to grab her bag under the bed. "I honestly don't know what's in there that's so important."
"Not everyone has everything available to them to live in the lap of luxury Alice," Bella murmured as she pulled out her spare clothes, "Where's the bathroom?"
"Right across the hall," she handed her a set of fresh towels and wheeled her out the door.
"Thanks," Bella said closing the bathroom door. When she turned to face it, her eyes bulged out of their sockets. Wow, they must have a lot of money. The bathroom appeared to be bigger than the room she had in her last foster home. There was a shower, as well as what appeared to be a Jacuzzi, and a his-and-her's sink. Most of the surfaces were varying colors of real marble, not the sheet marble that covered most home's bathrooms. I could just live in here and be content.
Not wanting to monopolize the bathroom Bella quickly jumped in the shower basking in the warmth of hot water. It had been so long since she had a hot shower that didn't go cold in two minutes and the water pressure massaged her back. She didn't linger too long in the shower, being considerate enough to save some hot water for the rest of Alice's family.
When she walked back into the room she was staying she found Alice staring out the glass wall.
"Alice?" Bella closed the bedroom door as she began to towel dry her hair.
"Oh hey Bella. I must've spaced out," Alice was suddenly animated then paused looking Bella's attire, "Really Bella?" Bella glanced down at her outfit not seeing anything wrong with plain black T-shirt, frayed jeans, and a pair of black Converses.
"It's comfortable," Bella shrugged.
"But they're so worn! I think I could see a side-boob there Bella," Alice chided.
"No you can't!" Bella dropped her towel to analyze her favorite shirt, and found there to be no gaping hole.
"Please Bella! Can I dress you? I can promise you a black shirt, jeans, and you can keep those tennis shoes on," Alice conceded.
"I can't pay you back Alice," Bella shifted uncomfortable when on the topic of money.
"You don't have to pay me back Bella! How about this? You can wear my clothes. No money spending involved. Happy?" Alice pointed to the closet.
"I guess," she bent to pick up the damp towel and continued to dry her hair.
"Finally," Alice let out a theatrical sigh then plucked out two articles of clothing and handed it to her. "As promised, a black shirt, and a size two pair of jeans."
"A size two?" Bella looked at the pair of jeans as though they offended her. "I may not be eating right but I'm pretty sure I'm not size two Alice."
"Bella, I'm pretty sure you can't even read the size written on your jeans because they're so faded, but trust me. You look like you lost a lot of weight since those jeans look so loose on your hips. So until Esme can get you to eat regularly again, these will do." Alice handed her the jeans after her speech that Bella unwillingly took. "And plus they're skinny jeans!" Alice then glanced at her watch, "I have to talk to Carlisle but come downstairs when you're ready okay?"
"Fine," Bella sat on the bed looking at the shirt and jeans that Alice handed to her. Once Alice was gone, Bella changed into the pair of jeans and found that it actually fit her. Her hip bones were jutting out in an unhealthy fashion but for the moment these pants held their own without a belt. When she reached for the black shirt Alice left her, she let out a groan.
It looked more appropriate for a nightclub than her plain t-shirt. She wandered back into the closet to look for something more comfortable and warm when she spotted a black hoodie. When she put it on it was loose and comfortable and didn't remind her of her famished looking body.
Bella ran her fingers through her still damp hair to comb it hastily and walked out the room. She walked around until she found the staircase leading down and found several people in the living room.
"Hey Bells!" A large man with a baseball cap leaped over the couch, much to the discontent of the striking blonde that he was sitting next to. Bella stood by the last step taken aback by the unusual graceful leap the large man had just made as he parked himself in front of her. He too had golden eyes but two large dimples surrounding his grin put her at ease.
"Hello," Bella said awkwardly, "Emmett."
"Hey isn't that hoodie Edw—" Emmett started but Alice cut him off as she walked in.
"You finally made it down," Alice left Jasper's side and tugged Bella to the middle of the living room where the rest of her family sat. The blonde had her legs crossed but was idly bouncing her foot as though she was listening to a fast paced song. "Everyone, this is Bella, Bella, this is everyone," she continued.
"Hello Bella, I'm Carlisle, and this is my wife Esme," the short-blonde haired man stood up with his wife and shook Bella's hand gently.
"You have a very nice home," Bella said as she glanced around the living room.
"I'm Rosalie," the sultry looking blonde woman stood up and Emmett slid his arms around her waist.
"It's nice to m-meet you Rosalie," Bella stuttered taken aback by her stunning beauty. Rosalie smiled before excusing herself, taking Emmett along with her.
"Sit down Bella," Jasper said softly.
"So Alice tells me you ran away from home?" Esme started. "How rude of me, you don't have to answer if it makes you feel uncomfortable.
Bella glanced at Alice then Jasper who surprisingly gave her a look of support.
"It's okay. It wasn't my home. It was my foster home. I've been in the system nearly my whole life. I just couldn't take it anymore," Bella sighed, "I know I shouldn't have committed arson but the man I was staying with was just a monster."
"Arson?" Alice perked up along with everyone else.
"No one was in the house at the time. I suppose Steve was at the strip club getting drunk as usual. All they ever want are the free checks." Bella shrugged.
Jasper frowned but sat down near Bella absentmindedly earning a surprised look from everyone but Bella. Bella's tense shoulder's relaxed a bit then she leaned back on the couch.
"Well you're welcome to stay with us. Right Carlisle?" Esme looked at her husband expectantly.
"Of course. For as long as you want or need," Carlisle reached over and patted Bella's knee. Bella gave a small smile as she looked at the parental figures. She was surprised how young Carlisle looked even though he was looking after what looked like a bunch of older teenagers and twenty year olds.
"Thank you very much. I'll be out of your hair as soon as I am able. I truly appreciate all that you've done for me already." Bella felt as though her burdens were lifted from her shoulders and silently promised herself she would do anything to help them. Jasper suddenly broke into a wide smile, and Alice elbowed him.
"Well I'll let you kids go about your day, I have to get to the hospital," Carlisle stood up and his wife appeared at his side with his jacket.
"You're a doctor?" Bella asked suddenly piecing together the reason for their wealth.
"Yes. At the Forks Memorial Hospital," he glanced at his watch, "oh, I'd better get going before I'm late. It was great to meet you Bella." He kissed his wife and walked towards the garage.
"You too sir," Bella stood up automatically as he exited.
"Ugh, Sundays are so boring," Alice began fiddling around with the television remote.
"You say that about every day Alice," Jasper said grinning. "Well until yesterday that is."
"Why until yesterday?" Bella had picked up on Jasper's double meaning.
"Nothing Bella. I just had a feeling yesterday wasn't going to be one of those horribly boring days and I was right! We met you," Alice looked away from the television to look at her.
"Your welcome for breaking your mundane existence," she said rolling her eyes.
"Alice, could I speak to you for a second please?" Esme said as she walked into the kitchen and Alice quickly stood up and danced to the kitchen.
"Is she always like that?" Bella asked Jasper who grinned.
"Mostly," he glanced towards the kitchen.
"You must love her a lot," Bella stated earning Jasper's attention.
"I do."
"No I mean, it pains you to be away from her even for a minute," she studied Jasper's reaction.
"You don't miss a thing do you? You're very intuitive," Jasper smirked then glanced back at the kitchen.
"I like to watch people," she said shrugging when she felt Jasper's gaze fall on her again.
"But you don't enjoy being watched," Jasper stated as he saw her cheeks stain red. He was suddenly tense but at the same time didn't want to leave her side. Alice rushed back into the room.
"Go Jasper," she quietly waved him away, and to Alice's surprise he stayed seated. Bella could see his eyes were now a darker color.
"So Alice, didn't you say you had another brother?" Bella quickly said trying to alleviate the tension emanating from Jasper.
"Yes, well," Alice said distractedly, "he's away for now. You know how guys can be."
"Yes I can," Bella growled thinking about Steve and the many other male figures in her life. To her surprise Jasper growled too.
"Do you want to go shopping Bella?" Alice tore her gaze away from Jasper.
"Huh? Now? It's so early," she whined. Shopping was not one of her favorite activities as she never had money to actually purchase anything.
"It's never to early to go shopping! Come we'll go to Seattle or maybe Portland Oregon, or maybe even Los Angeles." Bella could feel Alice's excitement growing exponentially, and Jasper's mood seemed to be growing positive as well.
"Don't you have school tomorrow Alice?"
"School, schmool, lets get out of here Bella. I'll get Rosalie and it'll be a girl's day." Rosalie appeared at the doorway already dressed.
"Did someone say shopping?" Rosalie grinned.
"I don't have any m—" Bella started.
"What did I say about that topic Bella?" Alice stood up and gave Jasper a quick peck on the cheek.
"That I could wear your stuff. Like hand-me-downs?"
"Right. Now lets get out of here." They walked towards the garage to get into Alice's canary yellow Porsche. Wow.
A/N: Edward's coming soon I promise. Just introducing the family to Bella. Comments and everything appreciated. I mostly scrapped about 10k worth of words as they didn't seem to fit with Twilight and currently writing more so any ideas of things you may want to see is very much appreciated!