Chapter 6: Embracing This Life

Oh this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

One Republic – Good Life

X-x-x-x-

Tanya smiled as she saw shy brown eyes staring at her. The brunette was currently behind a giant pine tree, obviously believing herself to be invisible. While not knowing where this sudden boat of shyness came from Tanya thought it best to let Bella approach her first. The strawberry blonde was actually surprised to see her. She had only been gone for four hours and Tanya was anxious to hear what she had concluded.

"Hi" Bella said when she noticed she had been spotted. She had been thinking of ways to approach the strawberry blonde when she saw her amber eyes practically shining with amusement.

"Hi yourself" Tanya replied, sitting down beside the tree. While unnecessary she figured it was best to look as unthreatening as possible.

"I'm finished thinking" Bella started, her body so tense Tanya could almost see her fighting the urge to run. Why was she so nervous?

"And I wanted to know if..if I-I could join your coven" Bella finished so quickly that even Tanya had a hard time deciphering it. But once she did a huge one hundred watt smile engulfed her face.

Standing up, Tanya encased Bella's hand in hers "Of course you can sweetheart. I would like nothing better."

"Its just that…I really don't know what else to do." Bella continued solemnly, as if not hearing Tanya, before breaking into tears. She couldn't return home, at risk of hurting Charlie and she definitely couldn't go back to school. Everything had been taken away from her in the blink of an eye.

Surprised at the rapid mood change Tanya embraced her. Being well over four inches taller, her cheek rested comfortably on Bella's head. Despite the cause, Tanya sighed in contentment as her mate snuggled closer to her, tunneling her wet face in the crock of her neck.

"It's going to be okay sweetheart" Tanya whispered sweetly in her ear, the husk of it making a shiver travel down her back. A sense of security suddenly engulfed Bella as Tanya's strong arms tightened around her body, as if trying to physically shield her from the outside world.

"What about my dad?" The brunette asked softly, her face still plastered to the blonde's neck.

"You can call him as soon as we get home." Tanya assured her, nimble fingers now playing in her hair.

"It's a good thing I never cut it" Bella thought, feeling the soothing scratch against her scalp. She didn't know what it was about her hair that attracted Tanya so much, but as if right now, she couldn't care less.

"Wait! Did she say home?" Running the sentence back in her mind Bella couldn't help a small smile. She had indeed said home – her home. Filled with a burst of relief Bella kissed the taller vampire's neck in appreciation, smirking a little as Tanya paused in her ministrations for a second and a small purr escaped through her lips. The sound was so soft Bella almost missed it.

"Thank you" Bella smiled, pulling away. The affectionate stare being directed at her almost made her drop her gaze but she fought against the urge. There was something comforting about Tanya. Something that made Bella want to wrap her arms around her and never let go. But deciphering those emotions was for another day – her father was probably sick with worry by now.

"There's nothing to thank me for, but you welcome all the same" Tanya smiled, and with an encouraging thug of the hand, the two sped towards the Denali home. Bella was still a little hesitant about the reception she would receive but decided to place her trust in Tanya. Something told her that the blonde wouldn't let anything happen to her.

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Huge.

That was the one word to describe the Denali's home – no mansion. Frantic as she had been to escape the restricting walls, Bella hadn't realized or taken any notice to the actual design when she had run away the last two times.

Nothing could have prepared her for this though.

Three stories of burgundy painted concrete and wood stood majestically in front of her. The lower half of the house was adorned with smooth white stone, windows flowing around the first story in an almost synchronized design. A stone arch announced the imprint of the wooden double doors. Looking higher Bella first noticed the overhanding balconies, at least four in total, each designed with smooth maple wood and stone. There had to be at least four double doors situated on the second floor. Bella could almost see herself looking out at the starry sky from the confines of the small terrace. Could evasion herself sipping tea or reading a silent novel, or hopefully encased in the arms of a lover.

Blushing at the sudden thought the brunette spared a quick glance at Tanya, who appeared to be waiting for her reaction, before looking back at the house. The third and final floor contained just a few windows, encased in a maple wooden trim, supporting a beautiful Spanish style red barrel tiled roof.

"It's very beautiful" Bella said in obvious awe. "So full of life"

The Cullen home had looked nothing like this. Yes, it had been beautiful in its own respect but with its wide arches and overbearing columns, it had looked more like a monument than a home.

"Thank you"

Bella almost jumped at hearing Tanya's voice so close to her ear. Sub consciously her gaze darted to the surrounding trees, loving how the house seemed to be designed around the forest. Big pines trees seemed to stand guard around the house, the smaller ones resting just beneath some of the wide windows.

"Are you ready?"

Swallowing, Bella simply nodded and clutched the hand still wrapped around hers.

Hearing each thud of her footsteps against the slouchy snow, Bella tried to walk lighter. It wouldn't really help walking into the house with snow caked tennis shoes.

Brown eyes simmered with apprehension as Tanya opened the doors wide, only to go wide with shock the next second.

The living room was beautiful, surrounded with white lush sofas and a few granite stone animal statues. A red velvet carpet graced the floor, bearing birth to a huge entertainment center, housing a twelve inch plasma screen television, d.v.d player and a mirage of family photos. Yet this wasn't what attracted her attention. No, it was the twenty or so books lining the carpet and sofas that gave Bella pause. Empty grocery bags could be seen peeking over the rim of the wooden divider, most lining the tiled floor of a large kitchen.

A blonde who she recognized as Kate, sat nonchalantly on the carpeted floor reading a thick volume, huge reading glasses gracing her face. She was lazily flipping through the pages, clucking her teeth periodically. Another blonde sat laying stomach down on the sofa, her red painted toes swinging cadency in the air, as she too read one of the thick novels.

"What the heck?" Tanya muttered to her side, drawing twin owl eyes towards her "What are you two doing?"

"Tsk tsk dear sister is that any way to introduce our new guest" Kate said, shaking her head in mock disgust as she sauntered towards the pair "Have you no decorum?"

The way she said it, drawling the words as the thick glasses rested low on her nose made Bella giggle.

Seeing her reception well received, Kate continued on "Now please introduce this pretty mistress so she can be greeted properly."

Snorting at the poor English accent Tanya shook her head "She already knows you as the cursing and flying blonde who broke our family chest."

"Ignore such blasphemous comments" Kate said turning to a blushing Bella, ignoring her smirking sister "She still watches SpongeBob, it damaged a couple of her brain cells."

The brunette barely contained the urge to laugh as Tanya directed an indignant scowl towards Kate. They seemed so carefree around each other, playfully goading each other the same way siblings tended to do. Being an only child Bella herself had never experienced that bond. Perhaps she would now?

Both Kate and Tanya smiled softly as the brunette continued to chuckle, glad to see that their antics had paid off.

"Anyway" Kate drawled, finally giving up her English persona "My names Katrina, Kate for short".

Shaking the offered hand, Bella furrowed her brow in consternation "Nice to meet you Kate…I'm sorry…for …uh…"

"No need to apologize" Kate immediately cut her off, grinning slyly "Most fun I had in weeks!"

Confused at the obvious joy emitting from the grinning blonde Bella chose to nod her head dumbly.

Tanya's eyes sparkled with adoration as she glanced at the confused newborn and Kate barely contained the urge to point it out, but as warned by Carmen, she wasn't about to overwhelm the brunette. No there would be plenty opportunities in the future if that love sick smile was anything to go by. The strawberry blonde reminded her of a doting parent, happy that their child had made some new friends.

"Now that you've met idiot number one, over there is idiot number two" Bella looked towards where Tanya was pointing, only to let out a very unladylike snort at the pout being directed towards her. A forlorn look graced the vampire's features as she stared at the trio gracing the doorstep in mock seclusion.

"Since its obvious neither of my dear sisters wants to introduce me" She started, getting up and walking towards the brunette "I'm Irina, the most beautiful and sensible of the trio."

No you're not! Bella thought, suppressing the urge to turn towards Tanya. While the attractive blonde was beautiful in a pair of skin tight jeans and red v neck shirt, she didn't even match up to Tanya.

'Uggh now I'm envisioning her naked' Shaking the confusing and lustrous thoughts from her mind Bella grasped the offered hand "Nice to meet you too, I guess you're not going to let me apologize right?

"Smart girl" Irina drawled.

Examining the brunette in front of her, Irina couldn't help but notice how she kept sneaking looks towards her eldest sister. While no longer anxious it was obvious her natural instincts were rebelling against her being in the face of three mature vampires.

As if sensing her fear (which she probably did), Tanya grasped the brunette's hand and it was there and then did Irina conclude that the newborn would forever be part of their lives.

x-x-x-x-x-

The black marble bathroom was misted with humidity as a very faint vanilla smell emanated around the room. Tattered clothes were piled neatly in a little ball beside a deep seated claw footed tub, which was filled to the rim with warm water and crackling bubbles.

Bella sighed in contentment, sinking deeper into the luxurious bubble bath. The heat from the water felt heavenly, as if it was diffusing into her very being. She felt almost weightless now – the tension slowly draining from her body in waves. She had already called her father, assured him that she was alright. Of course he had been frantic to know where she was and what had happened but of course she couldn't tell him…not yet at least. She knew he had accepted the Quileute's legends open mindedly but she wasn't ready to lay anymore supernatural drama on her father just yet. After ensuring that Sheila would be under his care until she returned, if she returned, she had promised to call him every day and then hung up.

To distract her Tanya had given her an exclusive tour of the house. Some of the random family photos that decorated the beige walls made Bella almost break down in laughter. The Cullen's hadn't condoned photos, fearful that some would be left behind and their secret would be discovered. The Denalis didn't appear to have such fears, some of the upstairs photos baring vivid light to their normal vampiric days. One had even shown Kate hunting a moose in nothing but her underwear.

The differences in the two family dynamics took Bella for a spin. The Denalis didn't even pretend to bare themselves on the same level as humans. Even though they looked young enough, none had repeated high school just to blend in. Instead they had earned themselves multiple college diplomas, the certificates gracing the walls of the entertainment area. They weren't well known in the area, many just believing them to be tourists that visited Denali once or twice a year.

To keep themselves from getting bored, Bella learnt that Tanya owned a small art gallery a few towns over, doing most of the management via online. While it hosted some of her own creations, those of which Bella had begged to see, it mainly catered to the struggling artists, giving them a chance to earn some money from their hard work. Kate and Irina both managed their shares in the stock market. And lastly Carmen and Eleazar, both who she had failed to meet as yet, were thinking about opening a small practice for a few years.

A soft knock interrupted her musings and Bella sunk deeper into the tub before calling out meekly "Who is it?" The humidity made it difficult to discern the scent of her guest nervously shifting from foot to foot outside the door.

"Tanya" her soft melodious voice was unmistakable and Bella blushed. "Can I come in?"

"Umm...sure" Bella said nervously, making sure most of her body was covered with bubbles before turning back to the door.

A soft creak sounded and Tanya slowly stepped into the room before closing the door behind her. Bella could tell she was a little nervous yet confidence still seemed to ooze out of her. The sure sway of her hips and the intensity of her amber eyes gave way any nervousness she might have had.

Bella herself was trying hard not to blush as Tanya's eyes examined her for a minute, her dark pupils diluting a little before she spoke. "Kate wants to have a movie night"

"Oh" Blinking slowly Bella tried to figure out what she was supposed to say "Okay?"

Brown eyes squinted in consternation, confused on why Tanya was telling her this. In the Cullen household Alice usually just tried to hurry her along in preparation for a surprise movie night. Figuring she was just a guest in the first place Bella never voiced her opinion on the type of movies they usually chose, though secretly she was a shy fan of Disney. Knowing Edward would view that as childish and immature the brunette had tried hard to show interest in the biographies he preferred, even nodding when he whispered throughout the movie about his encounter with this person and the next back sixty years ago.

Smiling at the adorable quirk on the auburn's lip Tanya shook her head in mock impatience "Sweetheart, you're supposed to say what you'd like to watch. You get first pick."

"Oh!" Surprised yet charmed at the same time Bella decided to tease the smirking blonde back "I don't think you can handle my type of movies."

Stunned silence permeated the small room for a minute before Bella picked up the snickers from downstairs. The noise seemed to snap Tanya's jaw back into place and her amber eyes danced with merriment.

"Oh, I can handle ANYTHING you have to throw at me" The strawberry blonde replied, sauntering up to the tub "The question is, can YOU handle it?"

Brown eyes dilated as the sweet lavender scent whiffed up to her noise. Tanya's roughly whispered words igniting a fire deep within her stomach. Time seemed to stand still for a minute and instant lust kneed her stomach with taunting licks. Tanya recognized the change immediately and struggled to take a step back. She should have known better than provoking a newborn. Bella looked ready to pounce, her muscles tensing in barely concealed lust. Amber eyes dilated as her mate's musky arousal started to diffuse into the air, painting the bathroom with its tempting essence.

"Hurry up in there; some people actually want to watch the movie!" Three quick raps on the door followed the statement and Tanya promised to thank her sister later.

Widened brown eyes snapped to the door in shock before Bella shook her head before looking guiltily at the statue like blonde. Bella's mouth opened but no sound came out and her eyelids quickly filled with tears that refused to fall. "Stupid, stupid, stupid" she repeated in her mind, knowing that Tanya had to smell the husk of her arousal practically saturating the bathroom. She had never had such a strong reaction to anyone in her life. Feeling searching eyes examining her, Bella refused to look up out of mortification and confusion.

Wanting to rectify the situation Tanya approached cautiously, gently taking Bella's chin in her hands when the newborn refused to meet her gaze.

"It's okay Bella" Tanya said sincerely, twirling a bit of wet auburn locks with her finger. Amber eyes locked with brown in silent conversation and Tanya smiled, white teeth gleaming "I couldn't ask for a better compliment."

The tension broke and Bella cracked a small smile before whispering "Rio." Smiling wider when Tanya cocked her head to the side in quiet question, Bella teased "I'm that distracting huh? Rio, that's the movie I want to watch."

A sudden squeal erupted from downstairs, followed closely by a loud groan.

Shaking her head in mock pity Tanya groaned "You and Kate are gonna get along fine." Straightening from her crouch Tanya walked to the door, turning around at the last second saying "And yes, sweetheart, you're very distracting" before closing the door quietly.

"There's that sweetheart thing again" Drying off Bella examined the striped pajama shorts and white camisole that Tanya had handed her. Sniffing the unique scent Bella purred as she donned the clothes, feeling content on how the scent surrounded her skin like a vise. Who would have thought such a subtle odor could smell so good.

Walking over to the white sleeked basin, she examined herself in the mirror as she brushed her hair. Instead of the pale color she had come to expect her face looked flushed from her bath. Her chocolate brown eyes still looked the seem. Her skin was still soft, at least to her, though all of the cuts and scrapes she had accumulated over the years had mysteriously vanished. Frowning a little over the lost, the brunette couldn't help but snarl as she turned around. Barely visible white scars lined her back, the four jagged lines a permanent reminder of the Cullen's betrayal.

Suppressing the urge to rip something apart Bella exited the bathroom, still amazed at the sheer size of the house.

Making a quick stop to her room, which she had learnt was right opposite Tanya's, the brunette quickly dumped her shredded clothes in the trash can and left – promising herself that she would examine the room in more detail after the movie.

Both Irina and Kate smirked as Tanya watched the brunette tentatively descend down the swirling staircase. Of course the majestic stairs was Kate's idea of having a good time. Too much t.v. was even bad for a vampire.

"Comfortable?" Tanya practically purred as Bella got herself situated on the crouch. She had tried to leave at least some moderate space between the two of them but the strawberry blonde wasn't having any of it. She couldn't help but blush as Tanya's smooth thigh brushed against hers. She wasn't a stranger to flirting, Christine trying countless ways to get in her pants – yet this felt different. Genuine even.

"Very" Bella smiled back, trying to will away her vibrant blush as she glanced at the television screen. Gasping in the next second when she saw the screen.

"You have HD?!" She squealed, surprising everyone in the room into shocked silence. They had no idea that a person, vampire or not, could make such a high pitched sound. Kate was the first to recover.

"Awesome isn't it!" Plopping herself on the other side of the awed brunette, Kate took her hand "Be prepared for the ride of your life!"

"Can we just watch the movie now?" Irina sighed.

"Just what we need another Kate" She thought, shaking her head in mock misery as Kate and Bella looked at her stunned that she wasn't as awed as they were. Turning to Tanya for support, only offered laughing amber eyes with a slightly crooked smile.

"Ok, let's get this show on the road!" Bella's eyes were shining as Kate got up and started the movie. Unconsciously snuggling into to very soft Tanya, brown eyes tracked every move of the picture in front of them. She was amazed at the high quality.

x-x-x-x-x-x-

"Ump…." The resounding silence was filled with tension and Bella's hands covered her mouth in disbelief. The charred remains of a once luxurious couch sat beside them, black fabric fell to the ground in tattered patches.

"Umm…sorry?" It had just been a simple burp really. After testing Tanya's theory that she could indeed ingest food, even though she didn't need it, Bella had started taste testing the salty popcorn by the kernel as she sat in front of her favorite movie. Of course no one could have imagined this to be the result.

"Dude!" Both Kate and Irina kept looking between Bella and the couch in shocked disbelief "That was awesome!"

Seeing no help on that end, the brunette turned to Tanya who still hadn't moved since the couch had subsequently set on fire. Her amber eyes had tracked the small ball of fire in complete awe as it had exited her mate's mouth. It had been a reddish blue orb of burning flame and only Irina's quick reflexes had stopped it from spreading. At first she had been worried but seeing that the only thing wrong with the newborn was shock Tanya had forced herself to relax.

"Well. I guess we're going to need to talk to Eleazar again" Tanya finally said as she got up, dusting off a few grey ashes from her black silk boxers before looking into very contrite chocolate orbs "As I said before sweetheart, you're very distracting."

x-x-x-x-x-

Jake's head jerked back in revolution as the sickly sweet smell of a vampire invaded his nostrils. Walking around the scent in a frantic circle, a furious snarl left his lips as Bella's vanilla scent mixed with that of the vampire's. This scent was different than the one they had encountered at the university however. Less sickly sweet. Yet there was a third vampire smell, less potent than the two combined – something was oddly familiar about it.

"We were too late" Leah said sadly, a few tears falling off her bronze cheeks, only to freeze half way down. Examining the charred remains of the tall pines, Leah wondered what had happened to them.

"The redhead got her" Jake said solemnly, looking up at the grey morning sky "But she didn't kill her."

Leah head jerked up, black eyes locking with black eyes "What do you mean?"

Inhaling one last time, Jacob met the frantic eyes of his mate "She bit her."

A/N Another chapter complete! Reviews for the last chapter was kind of disappointing though I thank everyone who reviewed with a giant smile! Antionia23 did make me smile. Early update because I missed the other week so hopefully you will enjoy,

Please Review,

Flame's Miracle