A/N-As Chuck Palahniuk said "Nothing of me is original, I'm the combined effort of everyone I have ever known." The same can be said for my writing. My writing is the combined effort of everything I have ever read. Nothing is intentionally borrowed, just influenced by everything I have read. Original characters belong to SM.

I didn't really change much here accept to add more detail in my description of the house. Plus I listened to the reviewers and added some scenes where Bella struggles a bit with her strength.

Thanks again for those who have stuck with me; and thanks to those who are new to this story for adding this story to their faves and/or follows list. All reviews are appreciated! Happy reading!

Chapter 4 – Meeting the Family

Bella's POV

We slowed down as we broke through the trees and I got to really see the house for the first time. It was a log cabin except it was massive. It was three stories with every bedroom having a balcony on the second and third floors. The roof steepled at four points with the middle two steeples set further out from the rest of the house forming a very large covered porch. Since vampires don't have to worry about the cold, the porch was set up like a living room complete with sofas, tables, and a fire pit in the center. There were stairs leading up to the porch from the left and right though we didn't head to the main entrance; since I was covered in blood from my first hunt, we decided to jump onto our balcony so I could shower first.

Edward jumped first, and paused long enough to give me a reassuring smile before walking in through the door to wait for me. I was just as scared about leaping up as I was about jumping down so I took a running start and pushed off with my right foot. I ended up overshooting the balcony and landing on the roof. I walked back to the edge and lined myself up so I could just drop down to the balcony. I gave Edward a sheepish smile before walking by and heading towards the bathroom. Before I could get very far, Edward grabbed my hand and pulled me to him giving me another mind blowing kiss. All too soon, he pulled away and said, "Come back to me soon."

I walked to the bathroom in a daze. Based on the smirk I saw on Edwards face, he knew exactly what he was doing to me. I was thankful that I no longer had my heart beat and blush to give me away but it seems that Edward still knew how much of an effect he had on me. Cocky Vampire! I glanced in the mirror and did a double take. I couldn't believe that the person staring back at me was actually me. She looked so alien, yet so familiar. If I looked close enough I could see characteristics of my former self in the inhumanly beautiful creature in my reflection. She still had the heart shaped face and similar lines but all my imperfections were now flawless. My skin was pale and smooth. My limbs were stronger and I could see muscles that weren't there before. My hair had more shine and the red highlights seemed more defined. Then I saw my eyes. They were crimson like James and Victoria's. I gasped. Edward showed up right beside and slightly behind me.

"The eyes," I said as an explanation.

"They'll become darker in a few months. Animal blood dilutes the color quicker than human blood. First they'll turn amber. Then gold."

"So long?"

"Never have red eyes looked more beautiful," he said in his velvety voice trying to dispel my anxiety.

His voice sent shivers up my spine. I closed my eyes trying to control the lust that was building within me. When I opened them again, Edward was gone. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and proceeded to prepare for my shower. I pulled the shower curtain to the side but I must have pulled too hard because I tore the curtain out of the first few rings. Oops! I keep forgetting that I'm stronger now. Looking in I see that my favorite strawberry shampoo and conditioner were in the shower caddy as well as the dove body wash that I normally use. Very slowly I reach out and grab the knob to turn on the water monitoring my strength so I don't break it.

The temperature of the water didn't affect me the way it did as a human. The water was never too hot or too cold. I turned the water up as hot as it would go and washed away the blood without looking down to see it turn the water pink as it went down the drain.

Thinking of blood reminded me of the human I smelled on the trail today. Just thinking of how good that blood smelled made me want to hunt. If that is how I smelled before to Edward, I don't know how he managed to kiss me before. Who would want to kiss that? And Jasper, since he struggled the most out of all the Cullens, then I definitely have to apologize to him, when I see him, for making it that much harder to resist. I don't know how long it has been since he last slipped but I feel really guilty for being the cause of him falling off the wagon

I wonder how his power effects his thirst? Surely hunger is a physical feeling that he can feel and manipulate. No wonder he struggles so. He is not only dealing with his own thirst but that of 6 other vampires. Yet Edward treats him like a second class citizen; making him feel like its a personal failing and not the unfortunate side effect of his gift. With Edward's gift, he should be more understanding. But maybe they haven't come to the same conclusion that I have. I need to talk to Jasper. I need to make sure he is OK.

I wanted to stay in the shower for hours to delay meeting with my "cousins." But the hot water didn't do anything to dispel my anxiety like it would have if I had still been human. After 30 minutes, I couldn't delay any more. I got out, dried myself and put on a robe that I saw draped on a hook and that's when I realized that I didn't know where my clothes were.

When I stepped back into my room, I saw Edward waiting for me lounged on the bed the way he would wait for me at Charlie's house. Charlie. I wonder what the cover story is and how he is dealing with it.

"What are you thinking?" Edward asked, making me smile because it reminded me of every time he asked that question while I was human. At least that part of me didn't change. I was still the only person whose thoughts Edward could not hear.

"Anything and everything. Meeting the Denali's. I was never comfortable meeting new people. Clothes. Where are they and what am I going to wear? Charlie. What has he been told and how is he dealing with it? There is so much room in my brain that I can think of all this and more. It's a little hard to adjust." I babbled.

"You're doing great, love. You have more control then any newborn I have ever seen, but it is still an adjustment. Give it time. As to your clothes, I took the liberty of hanging them up in the closet to your right. I'll let you change and then address your concerns about Charlie."

I went into the closet and was surprised to see that there wasn't a whole new wardrobe waiting for me. I guess Alice didn't have time to go shopping during the madness of the past few days. But I'm sure she'll have loads of stuff for me when she arrives. I'd actually prefer that to being dragged around shopping with her. I guess since I'm a crazed newborn I get a reprieve from the mall. I smiled at that and giggled.

"What?" Edward asked.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about one of the good things about being a crazed newborn, is that Alice won't be able to drag me to the mall anytime soon. That's one nightmare I will definitely be happy to live without for the next year or so!" I explained giggling some more.

"Unfortunately, that won't stop Alice. She's probably shopping for you right now." Edward said as he got up and walked toward me. He grabbed my hands saying "I hope now that you are one of us, you won't mind if we spend more money on you. As a Cullen, you are entitled to everything you want just as everyone else is."

"I'll never be comfortable having money spent on me but I will tolerate it more now that I'm part of the family." I say looking down shyly. I don't think Edward will ever understand where I'm coming from with this. Even when he was human he was spoiled and got everything his heart could desire. Spending the last century as Carlisle's pride and joy just spoiled him more. I turned around to continue looking through the closet and Edward sensing I needed space went back to lying on the bed.

After picking out a pair of black skinny jeans and a red sweater that looked soft and comfy, I went back to the bathroom to change. I managed to get my legs in my pants just fine but when I was pulling them up and over my butt I broke both belt loops that I was using as leverage. I tamp down my frustration so I can avoid any further mishaps as I put on my sweater. Luckily it is long enough to hide my new tassles.

When I reemerged, Edward was in the exact same position but he had a worried look on his face. I walked up to the bed and laid down next to him cuddling against his side.

"So what's the cover story?" I asked.

"You swerved to avoid hitting a deer and went off the side of the bridge on your way home. Emmett had a blast staging the accident." he said the last part with a chuckle.

I couldn't help but chuckle with him.

"And Charlie?" I asked, unable to hide the anxiety in my voice.

"He was distraught. But according to Alice they will declare you dead when they can't find your body by the end of the week. Charlie loves you very much but it is better to give him closure then for you to have just disappeared. Otherwise he would never give up hope on finding you."

"I know. I just worry about him. I know he's a grown man and can take care of himself and did up until 8 months ago. But I think he has come to rely on me. I don't want him to be lonely."

"I understand. I can't imagine how I would have felt if I became like this while my parents were still alive. It will be difficult, but just remember that I am here for you. Now are you ready to meet your cousins? I can hear from their thoughts that they are anxious to meet you."

I sighed and slowly rose from the bed while Edward raced to my side and grabbed my hand steering me towards the stairs.

When we reached the living room I saw 6 vampires waiting for us. I had forgotten that Laurent had joined the coven after the incident with James. I was a little uneasy seeing him here but I reminded myself that he warned us about James. I would count him as a friend until he proved otherwise. Next to him stood a beautiful woman with pale blond hair, almost silver, that hung straight to her chin. Next to her was another woman with long pale blond hair which reminded me of corn silk. When I saw the strawberry blond next to her I knew that she was Tanya. The one who tried to seduce Edward on multiple occasions. She was as beautiful as I feared. I tried to keep my insecurities at bay but it was difficult. I could tell that she was sizing me up just as I was. I held my head high and she smiled. Next to her were a pair of olive toned, yet still inhumanly pale, vampires with black hair. The woman smiled at me reassuringly and I could see that she had a motherly way about her like Esme. This made me like her instantly. The male looked at me the way Edward does when he's trying unsuccessfully to read my mind. I wonder what his power is. It obviously isn't working.

"Bella, this is Eleazar, Carmen, Tanya, Kate, Irina, and you remember Laurent," Edward explained as he gestured to each in turn while I smiled to each in greeting. "Everybody, this is my Bella," he looked down at me and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back.

"It's nice to meet you all and thank you for welcoming me to your lovely home," I said in greeting.

With that, Carmen came forward and gave me a hug. "You are family now, mi querida, this is your home now too." She said in this beautiful lilting Spanish accent. She gestured to the sofas around us and we all sat down.

"So how was your first hunt?" Carmen asked.

"It was fine I guess," I responded not wanting to get into nearly attacking a human.

"She was amazing." Edward said, not catching on. "She took down a moose with no problem. But as we were tracking a wolf, Bella caught scent of a hiker."

Everyone gasped. "Did she …kill him?" Eleazar asked the question that was on everyone's minds.

"Edward you should have been more careful." Carmen said assuming the answer to Eleazar's question.

"No, she didn't. She was fully focused on the hunt but when she sensed me behind her, she stopped and took off in the other direction."

Everyone gasped again and then looked at me with awe.

"He left out the worst part. I hissed at him and nearly attacked him," I said looking down so I wouldn't see the shame I knew they would all feel.

"Of course you did, mi querida. It was only natural to protect your hunt." Carmen said reaching over and squeezing my hand.

I looked around and saw that everyone agreed with her, so I smiled at her and nodded my thanks.

We continued to talk for some time and I eventually became more comfortable. Even with Tanya and Laurent.

Edward's POV

The evening was going rather well. Everyone seemed to accept Bella. Even Tanya. I was expecting a little trouble form her because she doesn't take competition well, or at least that is how she viewed Bella, but she has only been polite. Even her thoughts were complimentary. I could sense that she was holding something back though. I will continue to watch her carefully. I will not have her upsetting Bella.

I also paid close attention to Laurent. He came off as very open and friendly, but I was wary of trusting him.

Suddenly Eleazar's thoughts caught my attention.

She is definitely a shield but I will need to talk with her to find out a bit more before I can begin working with her.

"Did Edward explain my power to you, Bella?" Eleazar asked,before I could question him about his thoughts.

Bella shook her head.

"I can detect the type of power a vampire has and I can even detect a latent ability in humans. When I worked for the Volturi, this came in handy. Did Edward tell you about them?"

"A little. He told me that Aro, Caius, and Marcus sort of police the vampire world to make sure the secret of our existence stays safe."

"Yes, that is the main rule they enforce but there are others. Aro, is a mind reader similar to our Edward here except … different. With the touch of a hand, he can hear every thought you've ever had. Where Edward can hear only what you are currently thinking but can do so at a distance. Aro is a collector of sorts. He likes to have powerful vampires under his control. So when we were executing justice I would let him know which vampires were talented. Your talent would definitely be coveted by Aro. You are a shield. Now, Edward tells me that even as a human he couldn't hear your thoughts. Is that correct?"

"Yes. But Jasper could feel my emotions and Alice could see my future."

"Hmm… interesting." Maybe her shield only protects her mind. She would be protected from any vampire with a mental ability. I wonder if Kate's ability would work. I wonder if she would be willing to test it.

I growled.

Everyone looked at me then followed my gaze to Eleazar.

"What's wrong Edward?" Bella asked me.

Before I could answer, Eleazar explained. "Bella, I think you may have a mental shield. And since the majority of vampire's talents manifest in the mind, I think this could benefit you greatly. Edward was just a little upset with an idea I had to test your ability. Kate has the ability to run an electric current over her skin that would send a vampire to their knees." Bella tensed next to me and looked at Kate out of the corner of her eye warily. "But this is a mental ability. I was just wondering if you would be willing to test that your shield would in fact protect you from it."

Kate seemed just as eager for this test. She had never met anyone that could block her before. She's almost as intrigued as I was when I discovered I couldn't hear Bella's thoughts.

Kate stood up and walked to the center of the room and held her hand out like she wanted to shake hands. "I promise I will only use the lowest setting, so to speak. If your shield doesn't work it would only seem like a little shock. I could show you on Edward first if that would make you feel more comfortable," she said shooting me a smirk.

I was about to stand up when Bella stood up and reached out her hand saying "No, it's ok, I'm not afraid."

I watched tentatively for their hands to touch and released the breath I had been holding when nothing happened. Thank God for that. I can't stand to see Bella in pain.

Hmmm, I wonder. I heard Kate think as a she concentrated harder. "She's shielding alright. I pumped up the wattage, so to speak, to maximum," and she didn't even flinch.

I couldn't help but be relieved. My Bella would be protected, at least from mental attacks.

"I wonder if she'll be able to project," Kate continued.

"Project?"

"Yeah, my power originated in my hands. With a lot of practice I was able to get it to cover all of my body." She said a little smugly.

"I'd like to work with you, Bella, if you'd like," Eleazar said bringing Bella's attention back to him. "I'm curious if you would be able to protect anyone besides yourself. Or if you could remove the shield at will exposing your mind as well."

"Sure, sure." Bella replied nonchalantly as she joined me again on the sofa.

After that, the conversation reverted back to trivial things. After a while everyone went their separate ways. Kate and Tanya decided to hunt and the couples went to their rooms for some private time. I took Bella back to our room and we discussed what we had learned from the evening.