SHE'S GOT MY BLOOD RUNNING COLD

Chapter 3. Am I still breathing or did I forget to take the air in?

Edward and Avelina stood absolutely still for several very long minutes. I shifted uneasily, not able to tell a single thought that Edward or Avelina were thinking. Seth sat down, completely at ease.

I was beginning to worry. What did Edward see in Avelina's mind? Was I right about her? Was I horribly wrong? Crap. She was evil, wasn't she? I could sense it now, she was just trailing me along like the fool I was.

Chill, man Seth advised. You're working yourself up. Yeah. Yeah, probably. Maybe. Wait, was she…blocking him or something? Did she know about his powers? It kinda looked like it. I was standing there, stressing out for over 15 minutes before something happened.

To my immense surprise, Avelina moved first. Very slowly, she raised her head, took a step forward and held her hand out straight in front of her. Stretched her fingers out in an open gesture to Edward. Edward, also in an annoying slow state, stepped down from the porch and walked until he was only have a foot away from Avelina.

I was holding my breath with tension.

With a final step Edward reached forward and pulled Avelina into a hug.

I was stunned. I heard Seth echo my wonder. It wasn't a weird, awkward kind of hug either. It was that grateful, awkward for everyone else in the room kind of hug.

Psh. Vampires.

"Avelina." Edward said in a friendly, disbelieving tone, pulling back to look at her. She smiled. My mouth dropped open in awe. That wasn't the smile I hated so much. What was going on?

"Edward!" She said jubilantly. I only wasted a second wondering how she knew his name, then I remembered how she'd known my name too. And, of course, Edward was a mind reader.

"Would you like to come inside?" Edward asked her. Avelina leaned around him and peered at the door, cocking her head to the side. Her white hands were still on his shoulders, his hand resting on her hips.

"What's going on?" She asked lightly. I tilted my head too, listening to what she heard. Bella's odd heartbeat, her labored breathing. At that moment Rosalie asked Bella if she needed anything. Bella just panted a couple times and declined.

"Well…" Edward said awkwardly, "My wife is expecting."

"Pardon?" Avelina asked, raising her eyebrows slightly, "Your wife is expecting? Expecting what? A baby?" Edward nodded stonily. Avelina looked kinda stunned, she still looked pleasant though. Edward, on the other hand, looked extremely uncomfortable. Avelina pulled back the tiniest bit. It looked like she was going to pull away from him but Edward didn't move at all, his hands were still on her hips. Her palms left his shoulders until only the tips of her fingers touched him. "How?" Avelina asked softly. Edward raised his eyebrows, too. Avelina giggled. Seth, who hadn't heard her laugh before, became off balanced.

Steady kid I told him.

She's pretty He said dazedly.

Snap out of it I warned him

I was just surprised is all.

Too bad she stinks. I pointed out grumpily.

Oh yeah. Vampire. Right. He responded gloomily. I almost laughed.

"I meant…" Avelina tried to corrects herself, still giggling.

"I know what you mean." Edward assured her.

"Then how?" Avelina repeated, serious again.

"I'm not sure." He whispered.

"Can I meet her?" Avelina asked enthusiastically, then tilted her head. "Them?" She added in surprise, hearing the other Cullens talking and moving in the house. "Who's in there?"

How did she know Edward without knowing the other Cullens? They seemed like friends. It seemed like they had already known each other before I dropped Avelina in front of him.

"My family." Edward said softly. Avelina gave in a perplexed look. "My adoptive family." He clarified, "And Bella., my wife." Now Avelina glanced at Seth and me. Edward shrugged. "Long story." Jerk. He gave me a quick smile before turning back to Avelina.

"May I meet them?" She asked tentatively. Edward nodded, dropping his hands. As he turned for the front door Avelina asked after him. "You're married?" He froze, then turned extremely slowly.

"Yes." His eyes were proud, but he still seemed a bit awkward. Avelina's face was unreadable. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Edward demanded. Avelina shook her head and smiled.

"I guess I just never thought you the type is all." She said with an amiable shrug.

"Really?" He said. He seemed surprised.

"Yeah."

"Huh." Edward looked at her thoughtfully, "Why?"

"I don't know. You just always seemed so…independent and scared."

"Scared?" He was definitely surprised this time. "Scared of what?"

"People." Avelina said simply, "Loss, understandably. Relationships."

How observant of her, I grumbled to Seth.

I hadn't noticed. Seth thought.

Neither had I.

"Scared?" Edward repeated again. Avelina nodded. Now that I gave a moment it did seem kind of weird. Edward afraid of Bella. Crazy.

"Your family?" Avelina asked.

"Oh. Right. Follow me." He lead her inside. Seth and I moved over and squatted to peer into the living room window. Bella was on the couch, she waved at us. Blondie was sitting in one of the chairs. So were Carlisle and Esme. Alice was curled up on the floor in front of the couch. We saw Edward enter, Avelina at his elbow. "Everyone." He said to get their attention. I saw Bella smile before even look at him, she turned her head.

Then her eyes zeroed in on Avelina. That little crease between her eyebrows puckered, her smile faded.

"This is my old friend, Avelina." He presented, she curtsied. I wondered how long they would have been friends for the rest of the Cullens not to know about her. "Avelina, this is my family. My parents, Carlisle and Esme. My sisters, Alice. And my wife, Bella. My brothers aren't around right now but you'll meet them soon enough." Did that mean she was staying? They all greeted her kindly, Esme even stood to give her a hug. "Why don't you sit?" Edward suggested. Avelina smiled.

What was Edward up to? After the weird way he had been acting the last few days I didn't think he would allow something like this.

The only open seat was on the couch next to Bella.