AN- A big thanks to everyone who has read/reviewed/favourited/alerted this story. This is the last chapter as I never intended it to be a long story still three chapters longer than I expected but I just couldn't let the ideas go.
Hope you like the ending.
As the following week progressed Bella became more withdrawn into herself, rarely communicating with anyone in the house and only leaving to go to work and come home again. Everyone else was really beginning to panic about how she was going to cope on her actual birthday.
Due to the fact that everyone knew how Bella felt about her birthday Carlisle and Esme had persuaded Edward not to push Bella to much and just let her be with her thoughts and assuring him that she would come to him when she needed him. Edward was far from reassured.
It was two days before her birthday and Bella was once again curled up in Edwards room not being able to face anyone downstairs especially their concerned stares and questions as to how she was feeling. It was as if everything had come flooding back to her, since she and Edward argued over the weekend about her birthday. It was hard for Edward to understand how she felt about it. He had always been surrounded by a loving set of parents and siblings always knowing that he was wanted and most importantly loved. They had always celebrated their birthdays with parties and presents surrounded by friends and family, Bella on the other hand couldn't remember the last time she received a present. Here she was now finding it incredibly difficult to accept that people wanted to celebrate her birthday give her presents and make a fuss of her it was so alien that she didn't know how to accept.
A gentle knock at the door caused her to lift her head as Esme walked into the room.
"Bella are you awake?" She asked quietly.
Esme stayed near the door not wanting to enter if she was not wanted.
"I'm awake, come in Esme." Bella responded sitting up more resting against the headboard as Esme walked into the room and sitting next to Bella. The room was quiet for a minute each woman waiting for the other to start talking first.
Bella was the first the begin "Esme I'm so sorry for being so moody this last week, I …" But Esme interrupted her not wanting to hear any apologies from her.
"Bella there is no need to apologise in the slightest, a family is about taking the good with the bad, which includes being patient with someone if they are upset or are hurting in any way." Esme said soothingly taking a hold of Bella's hand.
"Except I'm not a part of this family, you're all so kind to me and I'll never be able to thank you enough but I know who my family is and they don't want to celebrate my birthday so why should I or anyone else." Bella said firmly.
Esme knew that no matter what was said to Bella that she wouldn't believe her in the slightest she had to find a way to show Bella that families were about people who cared about one another and only wanted the best for that person and actually had very little to do with blood.
Getting up off the bed Esme kissed Bella on the forehead and quietly made her way out the room before turning at the door and saying "Bella you are as much a part of this family as Edward, Alice or Rosalie, I will make you realise this eventually"
With that said Esme left the room, Bella stared after the woman for the longest time totally unsure of what had just happened, as tears began to fall down her cheeks once again she wrapped herself in the blanket wishing that Esme had been her mother all along. As the tears subsided she managed to fall asleep with dreams of what it would be look to actually be apart of this family once and for all.
As Esme left Bella in her room, and walked back into the kitchen she found her two daughters sat talking over the gossip mags they loved so much. Going over and kissing each of them in turn before going to grab a cup of coffee and join them at the breakfast bar. She spent the longest time just staring at her two daughters, relishing in how they had both turned into beautiful, strong and independent young women and she had no worries that either of them wouldn't find what they truly wanted out of life.
Where as Bella if she let her past with her family consume her, the way she seemed to at the minute, was going to really struggle to find her place in this world and indeed in this family.
"You all right mum?" Rosalie asked with concern.
"Yes sweetheart I'm fine, just thinking about how beautiful you two are, I couldn't be more proud." Esme responded with a smile on her face.
"We love you too mum but we also know when something is bothering you so spill." Alice said a knowing smile playing at her lips.
Smiling back at her fiery daughter she responded "How is it you always have a knack of knowing what I'm thinking, I was just thinking about Bella and how upset and lonely she is at the minute she feels so alone and I'm not sure how to help." Esme told them honestly.
"Its defiantly a tough one, she didn't have the upbringing we did, you and Dad always made us feel so loved and wanted, how could we even begin to know what she is going through at the minute. Its got to be incredibly hard for her to grasp the idea of us wanting to celebrate her birthday with her especially if her own parents don't." Rosalie responded sadly, playing with the necklace that she always wore.
In that instant Esme realised something so obvious that she didn't understand why she didn't think of it before now.
"Girls do you remember when I gave each of you a piece of jewellery that belonged to either myself or your grandparents." Esme asked as both girls nodded and smiled at their mother.
"Of course we do it was the best thing in the world, it was your way of showing just how much we mean to you and it was the first piece either of us ever had, we never take our necklaces off you now that" Rosalie responded to her mother still playing with her necklace.
As Rosalie finished speaking Alice started jumping up and down in her seat. "Mum that's a brilliant idea I love it and so will Bella." Alice exclaimed excitedly.
"Mum what is she talking about?" Rosalie asked still completely oblivious as to what Alice was referring to.
"I'm thinking about giving Bella a piece of jewellery as well, to show her she is a part of this family something she can have with her all the time." Esme told Rosalie, unsure of her reaction.
"I think…" Rosalie started slowly, "that that is one of the best ideas in the world." She said smiling.
"Are you both sure, because you know that this does not change the fact of how much I love you two and Edward it never will I just think that Bella deserves to feel loved as well." Esme said cautiously.
"Were not children any more and we love Bella to, its great having another sister she just needs to realise it and it is the perfect way to show her. I know make it a birthday present it will help her to realise that she belongs in the family and we love her." Alice said bouncing up and down.
With that the three women went upstairs in search of the perfect birthday present for Bella and so spent the next few hours arguing the pros and cons of different pieces and whether Bella would like them. Eventually finding the perfect piece that they knew she would be happy with.
~0~
The morning of Bella's birthday arrived, Bella had been awake for the last couple of hours but didn't want to move and disturb Edward who seemed to be sleeping peacefully next to her. She loved this time of day, the house was quiet and she was left alone with her thoughts. Eventually Edward began stirring next to her and once fully awake wrapped her into a tight hug pulling her back so that it was flush against his chest.
"Morning beautiful." Edward said still thick with sleep.
Bella didn't respond her heart rate picking up not wanting to hear what Edward was going to say next.
"Bella?" Edward asked again his voice laced with worry at her silence.
"Yeah" She said quietly her voice shaky.
"I'm not going to say it, I'm only going to say I love you and that we should get up aren't you going shopping with my sisters today?" He asked.
"Don't remind me, how the hell did I get roped into it any way?" Bella groaned and Edward laughed as she sounded more like herself.
"My sisters are a force to be reckoned with especially while shopping and anyway it will do you good to get out and have some girly time." He told her climbing out of bed.
"I should have gone into work." Bella moaned in response.
"Nope today is about enjoying yourself having fun and letting your hair down for a change." Edward told her sternly.
"Edward." Bella warned.
"I haven't mentioned anything about anything else just like you requested, just think of today as a bunk from work and anything else and just have fun." Edward told her before heading into the bathroom for a shower.
Two hours later Bella, Alice and Rosalie were in Rosalie's car and heading towards Seattle for a girly shopping day Edward and Esme just watched as they pulled out of the drive way hoping that Bella did manage to enjoy her self.
Edward and Carlisle headed off to work and Esme spent the morning cleaning the house, she wanted everything to be perfect Bella's birthday tea. Around lunch time she got to work making her famous chocolate cake, she had made one earlier in the week but Carlisle, Edward couldn't keep their hands off the cake and each took a large piece causing Esme to moan at them and then having to bake another. Neither of the men seemed bothered as they were able to finish of the cake and then had another to look forward to today.
Once the cake was done Esme decided to make homemade pizza for dinner, she prepared the bases and a range of toppings leaving them in the fridge until everyone got home that way they could all make their own pizza to their liking.
An hour later Edward and Carlisle walked into the door finding Esme sat at the breakfast bar with Bella's present in front of her.
"Es had you not better get that wrapped the girls are due home soon and you don't want Bella to see." Carlisle said wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"I know but I'm worried about her reaction what if she doesn't like it or take offence of what we want to give her." Esme whispered leaning back into Carlisle.
"Mom she will love anything you give her, Bella's not the sort of person who will turn down anything especially something that you will give her." Edward reassured.
At that point Bella, Alice and Rosalie walked through the front door but only Alice and Rosalie walked into the kitchen both looking slightly panicked and worried.
"Whats wrong girls?" Carlisle asked.
"Urm well we bumped into Bella's father at the store we decided to call in and pick up some munchies for when we were watching films later. He didn't even say hello to her, just walked straight past her. I'd never seen Bella look so hurt or upset how could any father or a person for that matter behave that way." Rosalie practically screamed frustrated in how Bella's father had reacted.
"Its no wonder she has been feeling so unloved and unwanted at the minute and struggling with us wanting to celebrate her birthday." Edward sighed, worried about his girlfriend.
"You guys go get everything set up and I will go and check on her, try and persuade her to come have dinner." Esme said grabbing Bella's unwrapped present and practically running out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
Esme paused at the bedroom door and took a couple of deep breaths, knocking twice and walking in not waiting for a response from Bella. She looked around the room and saw no sign of Bella until she all of a sudden heard a retching noise coming from the bathroom, placing the box on the side Esme rushed towards the bathroom to find Bella once again sat over the toilet being sick.
"Oh sweetheart, its ok I promise." Esme said reassuringly, rubbing her back soothingly until Bella had stopped vomiting.
Helping the younger woman to stand they went over to the sink and Bella washed out her mouth and brushed her teeth, before Esme guided her back towards the bedroom and sat her on the desk.
Sighing Bella began to speak "I don't know why he gets that reaction from me, I guess it's my body's way of reacting to how I'm feeling." Blushing slightly as she did so.
"Don't worry Bella everyone reacts to stress in different ways, me personally I sob for hours on end producing enough tears to fill a bath tub, and Edward sulks for England not letting anyone in until he is good and ready." Esme responded smiling.
The two women sat in silence for a long time each lost in their own thoughts replying what has happened over the last few weeks. Finally Bella spoke "Esme I just wanted to say thank you for everything you have done this last few weeks if it wasn't for your support and understanding I don't know what would have happened to me."
Esme pulled Bella into a tight hug before responding "Sweetheart this is exactly what I am here for to provide love and support where ever it is needed. This is what a family is like Bella."
Bella tried to interrupt but Esme held up a hand to silence her before continuing "This is what a family is like, this is what we are here for and yes you are not a blood daughter of mine, however it does not mean that you are any less of a daughter to me I love you just as much as Rosalie or Alice, and in turn they love you like a sister as well and Carlisle like a father. Most importantly Edward loves you beyond anything I have ever seen before.
Bella you need to realise that you are loved and wanted and no matter what this family is your family and will be for a very long time." Esme said firmly but honestly.
Bella had tears that finally escaped running down her cheeks Esme got up off the bed and went to fetch the small box from the side before going to sit next to Bella and handing her the box. Bella carefully took the box but didn't open it just staring.
"Bella just open it please, don't think just open." Esme encouraged.
Bella glanced up looking at Esme in the eyes for the first time since coming into room before looking back at the box again and opening it. What she found took her breath away it was a beautiful white gold necklace with a small heart shaped pendant with a diamond set in the middle.
"Esme I can't take this it is way too much." Bella said shakily at being presented with something so wonderful.
"Bella you can and will take it. Each of my daughters are given a piece of my jewellery as a sign of mine and Carlisle's unconditional love for them, Edward has one of his fathers watches. It is our way of showing that you are apart of this family in every way that matters." Esme responded tears in her own eyes.
Esme then took the necklace and fastened it around Bella's neck securely before pulling her into another bone crushing hug. When she pulled away Esme saw the most beautiful smile on Bella's face and knew that she was finally accepting that she did have a family and they loved her unconditionally. Grabbing a hold of Bella's hand Esme pulled her back downstairs to the first birthday celebration she had had in her life, full of laughter, presents and family that truly did love her and wanted to celebrate her being alive.
AN- Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did while writing.