Chapter 3: Becoming Family

BPOV

It has been five years since we left Oregon and moved to New York. Dad—which I call Carlisle now—told me that my memories should return to me soon, but how soon? It's already been a five years of waiting and I still know nothing of my past! All I can remember is waking up to see that vampire trying to make me his next meal. Anything before that time is completely blank. My brother Jasper thinks that my mind is suppressing a horrible event that happened just before my awakening, like Alice.

Over the past few years I tried to fit in with the other kids, but there was always this feeling holding me back. I felt like I didn't belong with them, though when I'm with my family I feel right at home. They had told me that they were vampires about a year after I stayed, I wasn't at all surprised and I wasn't scared like I should because I knew they wouldn't hurt me.

It took some time getting used to living with them. At first Emmett would always pick on me, I don't mind so much now. Rose would glare, but it's become softer now. Jasper won't come ten feet of me, he's coming around now it's just seven feet. Alice won't stop using me as here life-size Barbie, hasn't changed at all. Mom and Dad are always worried, still the same. Then there's Edward….my best friend! He hasn't treated me any different than the day we met. He's been the most over protective of me too, I just wish he would lighten up a bit but the funny thing is that everyone has told me this is Edward lightened up.

I just finished school about an hour ago and I'm now doing math homework. It's so boring! I tried to convince mom and dad to home school me but they didn't buy it. They told me that it was in my best interest to mingle with other humans. Huh, oh well it was worth a try right?

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EPOV

I can't believe it's been five years since Bella's been with us. Has that much time really passed? Sure, normally five years would be nothing but considering Bella being human, it means everything. Ever since she stepped into our lives, our family hasn't been the same.

I can't explain it, I've always felt that there has been something missing in my life and the instant I found this little girl in the woods, and I knew she was it. This whole time I've been searching for someone who has needed me much more than I thought possible.

"Edward!" I could hear Bella scream from her bedroom, her cry had snapped me out of my train of thought. In an instant I rushed to her side to see what all the commotion is all about.

The instant I walked in I was tackled by an enthusiastic 10 year old who kept screaming, "Play with me! Play with me!"

I couldn't help but smile at her antics.

"Come on Edward, you promised you'd play with me this weekend!" Bella whined

"I know, I know. Just calm down for a second, ok?"

"Fine" She scoffed

"So what do you want to play?"

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Jace POV

I glanced at the image of my dear Bella playing with Edward. It saddened me that I couldn't be the one there with her. For 5 years I've watched her grow.

It should be me with her!!!!!!!!!!!

CRANK! The walls of my room started to crumble.

Damn, I how could I be so careless.

I focused my powers to repair what damage had been done.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in" I sat down on my chair and dispelled the mirror displaying Bella's activities.

Caleb opened the door and quietly stepped in.

"How is she?" typical Caleb, straight to the point.

"Better than anticipated." I said scowling. True it's unbecoming of someone of my status but when it came to Bella I threw such matters out the window.

"I guess I was wrong about the Cullens after all." Caleb stated with a sigh.

"It couldn't be helped considering what they are, but I am quite shocked to see how much their species have grown in the past few centuries." I contemplated.

"Not only that but what surprises me more is Dr. Cullen and his exceptional control over blood. One would think he was one of us." Caleb smirked.

I laughed. "You give him too much credit, not matter how incredible his control over the bloodlust is there's no way he is one of us. I know his history."

I stood to get myself something to drink. "Are you thirsty?" I said while walking towards the fridge.

"No thanks, I won't be troubling you for much longer. I just came by to see how you were fairing and by the noise I heard earlier, you don't seem to be doing well."

"It's always the same, I have no choice but to leave her with them." My knuckles started to turn white.

"So you're really planning to go through with it? I swear you must be insane."

"If you disapprove of me so much why do you stick around, even after all this time?" I joked.

"I guess you're just too much fun. Besides who else is going to clean up the mess you make?" Caleb retorted.

Caleb walked toward the mirror and activated it. "She's growing quickly. How much longer do you intend to 'protect' her from him?" His tone became serious.

"If I had it my way, she would never know of my existence and remain in this life that she now lives in." As much as it hurt to admit this, if it was for Bella's sake, I would willingly give her up.

"You love her that much, huh?"

"More than you'll ever know." I turned to her smiling face as she played with Edward. Caleb must have seen something in my eyes because he dispelled the mirror.

"I'll leave you now, but are you coming to the party later?" He turned to face me.

"Of course." I didn't need to say any more, Caleb and I have been friends since childhood and he could read me like a book. He was the only one other than Bella who I completely trusted. Caleb nodded and exited through the door.

I sat there in silence for some time, I was thinking about when this all began. He hadn't reappeared since the incident.

Deciding to avert my attention from him, I turned to the window and look up to the heavens.

Mother, Father I'm sorry all this happened but I will keep my promise. I gave a sad smile. I will make things right, especially for Bella.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my mother's locket, it is a round purple opal stone surrounded by tiny gold leaves.

My father had it made for my mother for her their wedding day. Mother told me that it was the very stone that witnessed the beginning of their love.

(Flashback)

She was tucking me into bed when the pendant appeared before me, dangling from her neck.

"Momma, what's this?" I asked as I grabbed onto the jewel.

"This is a very precious stone, my darling. It was the only witness to mine and your father's love." She answered back.

"How?"

She smiled down at me. "There was party that all the noble families were obligated to attend. I had no desire what so ever to go, but my parents insisted. I really liked parties, unfortunately I had attended a million of them some time before and the repetition tends to get to you. " She paused thoughtfully before returning to the story. "Anyways, as soon as I arrived I retreated to the gardens. As fate would have it your father was there too."

"To smell the flowers?" I scrunched my nose.

She laughed at me. "No sweetie, he was running away from his admirers. Your father was quite popular among the females of our kind, he however is quite shy and had shown no interest in any of our female kind until…."

"You!" I interrupted happily.

She presented me with her best smile. "Yes, not until me. I guess you could say that the rest is history."

"Nah uh! What does the pendant have to do with your love?" I pouted

"Oh of course! Silly me, in his attempt to escape, he didn't realize that I was not too far from him and crashed into me. Before I realized it there he lay on top of me, his face inches from mine. Looking into his eyes that day, I knew that he was the one."

"But what about the stone!" I whined.

"Alright, alright. This stone was one of the eyes for a statue in that garden we first met, it just so happens that that statue was looking in our direction as we experienced our 'love at first sight'. Your father may not seem like it but he can be quite the romantic when he wants to be." She giggled.

"Moooooooooooooom, that's it? That's so boring! No fights? No damsel in distress?"

She sighed. "What stories has your father been reading to you? I swear you're growing up so fast, there was a time you used to love to listen to my boring stories." She said feinting hurt.

At this we both laughed.

(End of Flashback)

I missed those days. I looked down at the pendant. I think it's time for me to pass this down to its rightful owner.

I placed my hand over the necklace and it began to glow an eerie green, when I finished the incantation I called forth one of my loyal doves.

"Take this to Bella, make sure you're not seen." I handed it the necklace and with a nod it flew off.

Knock. Knock.

"Enter"

"Master Jace, the party is about to begin. " My butler reminded me.

"Thank you, I shall leave momentarily."

I got up and left my study, disappearing into the darkness.

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A few hours later at the Cullen's residence (BPOV)

I was just about to go to bed when I heard a tapping at my window. I looked to see if anyone was coming up to check up on me. When they didn't, I figured that it mustn't have been that bad.

I turned towards the window and saw nothing. Was it my imagination? Thinking just that I tried to return back to sleep when I heard the tapping again!

I looked towards the window and decided what the heck, fine I'll bite.

After I opened it I looked out into our yard and saw nothing. I was about to close it again when I saw the most beautiful piece of jewelry I'd ever seen. I picked it up and placed it around my neck. Somehow it seemed right, like I was meant to have it.

YAWN!

Now that that's over, time for bed. I slipped back into my covers and drifted off to sleep.

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Unknown Location

"Is he ready yet doctor?" a cloaked figure asked another.

"No, we need more time. He sustained a lot of injuries, despite his abilities it's not fast enough." The doctor replied.

The man looked in the direction of an enclosed tube filled with a dark red liquid, submerged in it lay a prone figure hooked up to multiple wires to track his progress.

"Soon Master, you will not only get your revenge but you will have her by your side." He stated before he left.

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A/N: I'm baaaaaaaaaaack! Man school took forever! I'm glad it's summer, but sadly I still have lots of stuff to do. Don't worry I'll still be writing.

Here are some answers to your questions:

Bella was 5 years-old when Edward found her in the forest

It was not Caleb that said "my Bella" at the end of the last chapter, it was Jace.

If you were a little kid and just witnessed a violent scene, you'd be quiet for a while too.