Dining

"I can do this," I told my reflection firmly, "I can do this. I can go into a house full of vampires and have dinner with them. They won't kill me. And even if they do, I'm likely to go quickly…" In the end my little pep talk didn't make me feel any better and I swore quietly under my breath. I tried to distract myself by shifting my salmon pink dress into a more flattering position, a dress that Alice had bought for me. It fell to my knees in a sheet of chiffon. The top was a halter neck held by a thick black ribbon. My left leg was encased in a black opaque stocking and ended in what Alice called Christian Loo- Loobot-Looboatan - ah fuck it, someone French - black ballet flats. My right leg however did not really fit in with the whole picture: it still had cast on it but at least it was black.

She also did my make up and hair, much to my displeasure. My hair now fell in smooth waves around my shoulders, and she had pasted simple but pretty make up upon my face. For the first time in my life, I looked like a girl. A reasonably pretty girl. Going out to a dinner never meant anything much: maybe change my sweatpants to jeans but not to this extent. I felt a little uncomfortable, to be honest: like I was out of my own skin. I tried thinking of it as camouflage. This was all going to protect me from bloodthirsty vampires: mascara and lip-gloss. Great.

"Bella honey! Your ride's here!" I heard Charlie shout up to me. I took a deep breath, gave my reflection one last encouraging look before grabbing my black clutch and crutches and headed downstairs. Charlie was sitting in the living room, cleaning out his fish bait. "Wow Bella, you look…uhm…good," Charlie said a little awkwardly. Coming from Charlie this was the equivalent of any other person saying, "Bella, you are the most stunning person I have ever met and ever will meet," so I guessed I looked good.

"Thanks Dad," I replied, "If I don't return today, have search parties look for my body in the forests around the Cullen mansion."

His face turned grim, "not funny Bella."

"I'm not jokin'," I replied, "Jake can have my C.D. collection and my car. You can have all my jewellery and my books."

He scowled even deeper, "Get outta here, Bella. I've told Cullen to drop you off as soon as this thing finishes."

"Kay," I muttered, "See you soon…or not."

I ducked as one of Charlie's fish bait was lobbed at my head and I darted out of the front door. I hobbled out onto the front porch and stepped down the stairs. Cullen was sitting against his car again, looking very striking in casual black slacks and a pristine white shirt. As soon as his lime green eyes locked on me they darkened to form lustrous dark green emeralds that looked like they were thinking very dirty thoughts. As I drew closer he said, "You look very, very, beautiful today, Bella darling."

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Come on. Let's do this before I run screaming for the hills."

I don't think he was even listening to me; he was staring at my jugs. I clicked my fingers in front of his face and said, "Cullen! I suggest you take your eyes away from my boobs and start driving." His eyes snapped up and he grinned that crooked smile that was meant to help drop panties by 50 yards.

"Just looking at your outfit," he replied innocently.I snorted, "Yeah and I am the Queen of England. C'mon we've wasted enough time already."

He continued to smirk as he opened the passenger door for me and I slipped inside. Once he was in the driving seat, we pulled away from my home and we were on the road to what could be possibly the biggest disaster in living memory. We sat in a solid silence for almost the entire journey. I was trying to keep my rising panic under control. I tried breathing exercises but that just irritated me. I tried thinking of…Shaggy and Scooby-doo. I wondered why they were so scared all the time, I wondered if anything bad had happened in their past to make them so scared. Was it some terrible childhood accident? Or were they just dipshits? I wondered how Scooby could talk, whether he had fallen into a vat of toxic waste or was bitten by a- vampirevampirevampire - FUCK!

I clenched my fists and growled under my breath, causing Cullen to glance at me, "You alright?"

"I'm fine," I replied, closing my eyes and massaging my temples.

"Do you have any idea how frustrating it is?" Cullen burst out suddenly.

"What?" I said, snapping my eyes open to look at him.

"Do you have any idea how frustrating it is that I can't hear your thoughts at all? I'll tell you: it is as annoying as hell."I raised my eyebrows at him, "You can read minds?"

"Most minds, most minds except yours. With the one person that counts I can't hear even a whisper from you. You're my own personal mystery," he was smiling a confusing little smile that had a mixture of amusement and chagrin.

"How does it work?" I asked, genuinely curious about his ability.

He now seemed surprised about something, "well…it's like being in a crowded room where everyone is talking. I get images as well, rather than just talk. I can pick and choose who I listen to. As I said, I can listen to most people's thoughts…except yours. With you its just…silence. It's quite peaceful actually. Liberating, almost. I don't feel like I am intruding on you."

"Well just as well you can't read my thoughts, because I'd hate you even more," I quipped.

He didn't reply and the smirk he had worn quickly slipped off his face. I felt like smacking my head with my palm. That was probably the first friendly conversation we had had and instead I had to ruin it with me and my big mouth. I had taken our conversation in the kitchen seriously and had tried to make an effort with him. I figured that since I am going to spend what looked like the rest of eternity with him, I might as well try to get on better terms with him. But then there were moments when I simply couldn't help myself and I blurted out an insult. Old habits die hard I suppose.

What I couldn't understand is why he won't say something back. Anything. Not one jibe. He hadn't insulted me at all. I was expecting him to insult me. There was only so much a guy could take, even a vampire one. It would certainly even the playing field if he just called me something as harmless as 'idiot' or 'meanie'. But nope. He refused to utter one blasphemy against me. Weirdo.

It felt like hours before we finally turned off the main road and onto a gravel paved road that twisted and turned through the trees. It finally opened onto a gravel courtyard that was attached to a giant house. And I mean giant. My house looks like a shed compared to where Cullen lived. I hadn't managed to get to proper grips with the house the last time; I was just so focused on getting home. Now I could see properly just how rich these people were. It was a big beautiful house that reminded me of those big colonial style houses which I only ever thought existed on T.V. An off white colour, it had climbing red ivy crawling up the walls, making it look like the walls were bleeding. There were many windows that decorated the front of the house. The roof was made of soft grey slate that sparkled in the weak sunlight.

As Cullen parked beside several other sickeningly expensive cars, I pulled in a deep breath. "Are you ready?" Cullen asked me quietly.

"Ready as I can be Cullen," I replied gripping my purse slightly.

"You'll be fine, I promise. I won't let them hurt you," Cullen firmly said

."Thank you," I said and it was sincere. A part of me knew I could trust Cullen; it was just the matter of convincing the rest of me that he was trustable as well.

"And on a side-note," he said, making to open his door, "Don't call me Cullen in front of the others, especially in front of my mother. She still likes to believe that you have some shadow of affection for me. Call me Edward. Please."

"Ok," I grumbled."Say it now. I want you to say my name," he said this with a smirk.

I scowled at him before spitting out, "Edward. There happy?"

He smiled triumphantly, "Yes, very."

He got out of the car and was at my door before I could blink. He opened it and gestured for me to get out. I pulled myself out and steeled myself for what was to come. Cul-Edward was staring at me, as if waiting for my permission. "Well what are you waiting for? Let's go in."

We headed for the front oak doors of the mansion. As I finally made onto the porch they swung open and Esme Cullen, wearing a green dress with a wide skirt and fitted bodice, stepped out, a large beaming smile on her face, "You came! Oh my dear, how are you?" She glided towards me; her arms opened wide, her smile still fixed in place.

I stiffened as she drew closer. What did she want? Was she going to attack me? However Esme Cullen simply kissed both of my cheeks, her action simply meant as a greeting. I wasn't used to being greeted like this. The only people I had ever been to dinner with were the Rez people. I was used to being swept into bone crushing hugs and having my hair ruffled like I was one of the boys. But this? Being treated like I was an actual girl was an entirely new experience for me. Things were either going to go extraordinarily well or horrifically badly.

Esme was now looking at me expectantly. Crap. I was supposed to say something, "Uhm…I'm well, thank you?" my squeaky reply came out as a question. "How are you?"

"Wonderful dear, just wonderful," she said beaming. She turned to C-Edward and said, "You had a safe trip?"

"Of course, Ma," Cullaaa-Edward said quietly, "Bella has been looking forward to this, haven't you darling?"

I arched my eyebrow at him before saying in a singsong voice, "Oh yes, just couldn't wait!"

Esme never faltered, she only seemed to grin wider. "Come, come, the others are dying to meet you."

I couldn't help but mutter, "I'm sure they are," as she grabbed my hand and led me through the door. When we entered the large foyer, decorated in tasteful shades of cream, we turned to the left leading to appeared to be a sitting room, decked out in shades of blue and white. There was a fire place on the opposite wall above which was what appeared to be a family portrait of Carlisle Cullen, his wife and three sons. But that was not what I was focusing on. I focused on the room full of vampires and their mates. The mates weren't so bad. Alice for once wasn't wearing her black corsets with pink and black striped stockings but was wearing a blue dress that fell to her knees, with a frill around the neckline. Rose was wearing a purple strapless dress that also fell to her knees. Alice, Rose and Esme all gave me encouraging smiles that spoke of knowing of what I was going through. It was the vampires that had me scared shitless.

Carlisle was just as cold looking as before, sitting in one of the plush arm chairs, looking at me like I was some kind of interesting experiment of his. I almost expected him to start bringing out syringes and a scalpel and start the tests he was clearly dying to do. Cullen-Edward's brothers were like the worst sort of wild animals: calm ones. Ones that you were sure were plotting your demise by some horrific means. Emmett was standing up by the fire place behind Rose; his large hands were clasped around her hips. He was huge up close, at least two heads taller than I was. His bicep probably was the same thickness as my thigh. His eyes were at the moment, a deep violet colour and his dark curled hair was a cloud that almost suggested a cherub like quality about him. But I didn't think he was neither that innocent nor that naïve. He was grinning at me like I was a new toy he was looking forward to playing with. If I could compare him to a wild animal, I would say he was a bear. And not the kind that fucked around with honey. Jasper Cullen was quite different from his brother. He was sitting on one of the couches, arm around Alice's tiny waist, his wavy flaxen hair glimmering in the light. He wasn't smiling, but his teal eyes held an amused curiosity rather akin to his father's. He was a wolf, one that liked hunting people.

"I believe you have not met my other two sons," Esme said warmly, "The strapping young lad with Rosalie is Emmett. The handsome man on the sofa is Jasper. Boys, this is Isabella Swan, Edward's mate."

Jasper smiled widely at me, "I believe you wished to castrate me, Isabella. With a 'rusty spoon', if I remember correctly. Am I wrong?" I did not answer, my throat felt parched, my stomach heaving. Why had I said that? So fucking stupid. Jasper smiled satisfactorily and pressed his lips against Alice's with a look of triumph in his eyes.

Edward growled softly hands clasping over my hips. I resisted the urge to push him away. "Pleasure to meet you, Isabella," Emmett said, grinning even wider. He squeezed Rose's hips, "Rosie here has told me all about you."

"Please," I said quickly, finding my voice, "Call me Bella."

"Of course, Bella," Esme said, she gestured to the one of the couches as we started to move further into the room, "Please sit. What would you like to drink?"

We did so, and as I settled down into the seat I answered her question, "Uhm…orange juice, if that's ok."I didn't miss the spark of surprise in her eye before she said, "Of course."

While she was gone, Carlisle leaned forward in his seat, honey coloured eyes focused on me. "So…Bella," he said in a low yet powerful voice, "Tell us about yourself. You have joined this family and I hardly know a thing about you."

I swallowed my nervousness down and spoke, "There's not a lot to know," I said, my voice surprisingly even yet quiet, "I'm 17 and live with my father, Charlie Swan, Chief of Police of Forks. My parents have been divorced since I was 5 years old.""Yes I know your father, he helped us when a pair of hooligans vandalised our home. He's a good man. You're lucky to have him as your father."I was taken surprise by the sudden praise, "Uh… thank you. He's…cool that way."

It was at this point that Esme entered, carrying an orange juice. She handed it to me before going to sit on Carlisle's lap. His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her closer into his chest. I couldn't help but notice that every other couple in the room was touching each other, while Cu-Edward and I sat on the sofa rather stiffly next to each other. And I knew the others noticed this too. Emmett was grinning at C-Edward and began to trail his lips across Rose's neck and shoulder as if to prove a point. Jasper smirked too, but didn't make a move towards Alice.

Cullen-Edward's jaw clenched and his eyes briefly flickered to me. Rivalry thrummed through the room and it wasn't being kind to C-Edward. My hand suddenly crawled to his and grasped it. His long fingers laced with mine and he rose my hand to his lips and kissed it, his lips felt like a summer breeze against my knuckles, clover green eyes locked on mine. My breath caught in my throat. No one had ever looked at me that way. No one had ever looked at me that intensely. You'd have to be a heartless bitch if you could ignore the look of devotion, admiration, longing, desire and other emotions that don't even have words to describe, that played across his face.

"So tell me Bella, what do you plan to do after leaving school? I trust you have plans?" Carlisle's question made me break eye contact from Cull-Edward. Strangely my nervousness had disappeared, my trepidation gone, now that one part of my body was now attached to Cu-Edward. It was like all of my fear flowed down my arm and into Culle-Edward. What the fuck?

I stared into Carlisle's cool gold eyes and said evenly, "I want to get out of here. So...uh..." suddenly my plan's for the future looked so stupid, amongst all this glamour, it seemed...pitiful.

He raised his eyebrows and said, "You don't know what you want to do?"

I replied quickly, "no, I do. I hope to get into Berkeley, if they have me. The English program is pretty good down there but its so expensive." I took a deep breath, "so I'm hoping to take a year out to save some money from the waitressing job at Newton's and the babysitting things I do for neighbours. After I've got my degree, I hope to well...become a journalist." My face was beet red now, as everyone stared at me, as I bared my life plan to them all.

"Writing what?" Carlisle asked, his eyes still calculating.

I shrugged, "stuff that matters. I want to go to places where things are happening that are affecting the world. I want to see it, with my own eyes, so I know that its not all bull- I mean lies. I want to tell the truth."

There was a silence. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Carlisle slowly began to smile and Esme said quietly, "sounds like you have a passion, Bella."

Why am I not collapsing from blood loss? It feels like most of the blood in my body is in my face not anywhere near my vital organs. "Thuh-thank you."

"That explains a lot then," I heard Jasper mutter.

I stared at him quizzically and was about to ask what he meant before a woman in navy blue dress entered the room. "Dinner is served," she said.

"Ah good," Carlisle said, "I was starting to get thirsty."

We all rose to our feet and trooped out, my hand still in Edward's (yes!) hand. "You didn't tell me you had staff," I hissed at him, "How rich are you people?"

"Well, we only really have a cleaner and a gardener. Otherwise we only hire a caterer when we have dinners like these, so Esme doesn't have to cook."

"Oh," I said, "Wow, amazing to be privileged."

He rolled his eyes at me and smirked as we entered the dining room. The walls had cream coloured wallpaper covering their surfaces. There was a roaring fire within a white marble fireplace, with a picture of a mother and child above it. A beautiful table was set up in the centre of the room, the chairs upholstered in yellow and white striped fabric. "Wow," I said stupidly, as we circled around the table.

"I'll be sitting opposite you," Cull-crap!-Edward whispered in my ear before walking around the table. I noticed my name beautifully inscribed on a white piece of card by one of the chairs. I was sitting next to one of the chairs that were set at the end of the table. I quickly glanced at the cards next to mine. Esme was sitting at the head of the table to my left and Emmett was sitting at my right. Emmett was sitting next to Alice, Carlisle at the head of the table, Jasper on the other side of Carlisle, Rose next to him and finally Edward (getting the hang of it!) opposite me.

"Please, sit," Carlisle said politely and we all did as we were I sat down, I suddenly noticed an array of cutlery sitting next to my plate. Shit. There were at least 10 pieces sitting there which I had no idea what to do with. I remembered that Leonardo Di Caprio had the same problem in Titanic, I just couldn't remember what the fat lady next to him gave as advice. Panic fluttered in my stomach again.

The woman entered again, carrying trays loaded with food. "Starter for the ladies is a zucchini soup with tapenade crostini. For the men, it is a fine sanguis from an 18 year old girl from Northern Italy, non-virgin."

As she set a plate of creamy green soup and bread with this dark paste on top. I stared at it for a bit, wondering what the hell it was. I had no idea what the soup and bread contained; the names didn't help me out much. I saw while all the women received the same as me, the vampires had a wine glass filled with thick red liquid. I also noticed that they didn't have any cutlery, their table areas were blank. So that's how vampires 'dine'. I tried not to vomit at the thought and stared fixedly at my soup. The smell that was coming off it wasn't half bad.

Everyone had started know, and I still had no idea which cutlery to use. Panic stirred again in my stomach before there came a nudge from my right, "Start from the outside and work your way in," came the deep voice of Emmett Cullen. I glanced at him quickly, and he flashed a dazzling smile at me. His lilac eyes portrayed a cheery helpfulness that hadn't been in his face at all earlier and came as a surprise to me. He seems half decent almost.

"Thank you," I whispered before finally picking up the spoon on the outside and began to eat. I ate in silence for the starter, more listening to the others talk about the company and the new vampire regulations that the government was putting into place. I managed to stay invisible until our starters were replaced with the main course (mushroom ravioli for the girls. A non-virgin youth from Morocco for the boys) when things started to get interesting.

"So, tell me Bella, you have lived in Forks your whole life?" Esme asked me, her brown eyes settled on me.

"Yes, unfortunately," I said drily.

"Oh, you don't like it here?"

"Not particularly," I said, "I don't like how small it is. Everyone knows everyone. Gossip is the only way people entertain themselves. There's such a big world out there, I hate being in such an isolated place." I was impressed with myself on that answer. That was a very eloquent way of saying that Forks with a shithole full of narrow-minded people with little imaginations.

"I see your point," Esme said emphatically, "I'm not a terrible fan of it myself. I come from Columbus, Ohio and am certainly not used to the coldness or the rain here. And the people here are also so bigoted! I can't even do the groceries without a bodyguard," she sighed, her face sad for a moment, "I do miss being able to do normal things like that. I used to do it all the time before the Unveiling."

"Unveiling?" I asked smiled, "vampires call the day when vampires were revealed as the Unveiling. Anyway a lot has changed since I first met Carlisle. I have seen how truly cruel people can be."

I winsed at that, remembering what I had said to her the last time I had seen her and said, "Uhm…I believe the last time I talked to you, I wasn't exactly… courteous. I must apologise, I was very upset then. And what happens when I am that upset I lash out at other people. I am afraid you were my nearest target. I am deeply sorry for what I said to you."

She reached forward to grasp my hand slightly, before pulling away and smiling at me, "I've forgiven you, Bella. The Marking can do odd things to girls. I remember I craved eggs and beans for a solid week, after it was done to me," she gave a wind chime laugh, "And anyway, we already know you're a little bit different. But we'll figure it out. Won't we Edward?"

Edward turned from his conversation with Emmett and smiled at his mother, "Bella and I have already talked about it, haven't we Bells?"

I jumped slightly at the nickname but held my ground, "Yes we have. I believe we have come to an agreement."

"An agreement?" Emmett joined in, his tone playful, "You've agreed when you have to be nice to you and when she doesn't? I didn't believe it was that bad! Though I always knew you were a pussy. Do you have to agree when you get to kiss her, when to fu-"

Edward suddenly growled threateningly under his breath, his forest green eyes sparking with fury. His fists were clenched on the table top as he said, "Don't talk about her like that."

"Edward Anthony Cullen, no growling at the table!" Esme snapped, suddenly going into full Mama bear mode, "I don't know how many times I have had to say it! And you Emmett George Cullen don't pick fights and watch your language! Do you want me to get a bar of soap?"

Emmett pulled his hands up in a mock surrender, grinning widely, "Sorry Ma, I was just surprised that's all."

"Sorry," Edward ground out, his eyes still fixed angrily on Emmett.

"Don't do it again!" Esme finally said, her features still furious. They softened however when she turned to me, "Now I must apologise to you Bella. You must think my boys are hooligans now."

I laughed for the first time that evening, "Trust me; you've done a better job than my own mother at raising children, so I don't mind."

Underneath the cool facade though, I was raging at Emmett's words. What the fuck was his problem? Its not his business on what Edward and I had decided. I felt obligated to defend it. It was a shit situation but we were dealing with it the best we could. "And for your information Emmett, Edward is more of a man than you can even comprehend. At least he's dealing with this situation a lot better than most grown men would have. Dealing with it much better than myself. I don't think you can rate a man by how many women he can take, but by how many women he can respect. It is quite fascinating to see how many modern day men think it is manly to beat their women into submission or to think that they do not have to earn a woman's affection- they can just take it. There'd be a lot less crime if all men were that…manly." I grinned at his shocked features and became aware that the room had fallen silent.

I turned to see everyone staring at me, seemingly quite stunned. Carlisle was the one who finally said, "Well said Bella, well said." A smile twitched his lips as he looked at me.

I blushed scarlet and stared at my plate to avoid making eye contact with anyone else, realising what I had just done. I had word-lashed a vampire twice the size of me. What can I say? Girl power and...crap like that.

Carlisle spoke, "I've underestimated you. I thought you were just a stupid ignorant little girl who did not want to understand the people she is surrounded with."

This time an outright snarl came from across the table, Edward looked livid, ready to launch himself at his own father. "Edward!" Esme snapped, smacking the back of his head, "I've told you!"

Carlisle barely glanced at Edward, "Keep your temper, Edward. You're going to have to learn to control yourself," he focused back on me, "A storm is coming Bella, I trust you know that."

"Uh...yuh-yes, I think I understand," I stuttered. There was no amusement on Carlisle's face this time, "We've managed to fight them off for the time being. But this peace that we have is not going to last very long. We need to be prepared as much as possible. You need to be prepared as much as possible. When a vampire finally finds their mate, that mate is usually eased into our world. I'm afraid we are going to have to take a very different tactic with you my dear. We'll have to teach you everything there is about our world: its traditions and its culture. We also have to figure out why you feel absolutely no effects from the Marking." He rested his chin on his hand as he stared at me quizzically as if I was a particularly hard puzzle, "you don't feel any attraction at all towards my son?" he asked.

I licked my dry lips as I stared back into those lemon coloured eyes and said "Uhm…no. Not at all. Well not yet anyway, if he goes the way he's going…" I trailed off, biting my lip.

"How…odd," he stressed. Everyone was now listening with rapt attention to Carlisle's and my conversation, their eyes flicking between me and Carlisle. "It's not your prejudice that stops you feeling anything for my son," he said, completely oblivious to anyone but me, "That would have been obliterated when Edward Chose you. I've known sworn vampists who fell head over heels for vampires when they were Chosen. Yet you run away. And my son can't read your mind nor can he see past the mental Tie that all vampires have with their mates, another factor to be considered. What goes on inside your head? What do you know? What do you feel? You're just an… anomaly. What are you?"

There was a pause, before I said, with a tremor in my voice, "I'm…complicated."

There was a ripple of chuckles that broke the mounting tension that had been in the room and even Carlisle smiled, "Hmm, we'll see." He clapped his hands suddenly, "Are we enjoying the meal?" he asked loudly.

There came murmurs of agreement from the rest of the table and the tensed atmosphere dropped several notches and easy chatter filled the space. I began to talk with Rose and Alice. I thanked Alice for the dress, "I would have been utterly lost otherwise," I told her as the woman swept in again to take away our plates and replace it with a plate of profiteroles drizzled with hot chocolate sauce topped with a strawberry.

She waved her hand, "Seriously, it was my pleasure. I need to take you shopping sometime though. Your wardrobe is seriously lacking."I grimaced, "Just shoot me now, why don't you?"She laughed before taking a sip of wine, "I think you are the only girl I know of who doesn't like to shop. Or have makeovers. Or dress like a girl. Or-"

"Thanks Alice, it's great to know you have such faith in my feminine side," I said dryly, "Should I go for a sex change?"

Edward choked on his glass of virgin girl from India and Rose had to thump him on the back, "You will not!" he managed to gasp out.

"Oh come on! It might be fun!" I teased, feeling relaxed for the first time since I entered the house, "Let's see how controversial we can get. Maybe the whole town of Forks will drop down dead from the scandal." I said the last word exaggeratedly as if it was a swear word.

"You wouldn't dare," Edward challenged, "I would personally drag you from the operating table."

"Sounds nasty," I teased again, "Would you be doing it caveman style with all the grunting and banging of chest?"

"Be careful or you'll see how caveman I can get," he replied a mischievous twinkle in his eyes now.

"Edward Cullen, caveman extraordinaire," I said, mimicking a deep ominous voice, "That'll be a sight."

He only smiled back and took another sip of his sanguis (It was Jasper who told me that sanguis was Latin for blood and it was used in polite conversation so as not to freak humans or mates out. And also at dinners so that others would not be put off their food).

For the rest of the evening I relaxed considerably and once dinner was finished, we moved to the living room again for coffee. Carlisle sat next to me and we began to discuss what was going to happen in the near future, "Is it possible if you could come to live with us from now on?" he asked, concentration furrowing his brow.

I jolted at the offer, not expecting it. I had to think for a moment before replying. I shook my head, "My father barely knows how to cook or clean. He tries-God bless him- but it never turns out alright. I need to stay with him."

"Do you think your father could also come and live with us?" he asked.

"No, he's too proud to live at the expense of someone else. He likes having his own home which he pays for," that was a trait all Swan's share. We don't like charity. From anyone.

"Hmm, we need you under constant surveillance, otherwise who knows what might happen. Can Edward come to live permanently with you?"

"We don't have enough room, unless Edward's happy of sleeping on the couch," I said, eyes flickering to Edward."If you're safe, I don't give a damn where I sleep," he said, solemnly face serious.

Something like butterflies quivered in my stomach as that look from him came back again. I swallowed and gave him a small smile back.

"That's settled then," Carlisle said, "Edward will live at your house from now on until you are prepared to move to your house to ours. I wonder however, how free are you at the weekends?"

"Well," I said, screwing up my face slightly, "Since most of my friends hate me now, my weekends are pretty empty, apart from working at the diner on Saturday and Sundays but that's usually in the evening. Why?"

"As said earlier, you need to know as much as you can for when the other vampires finally arrive. I'm willing to give you classes during the weekends to get you up to speed. Can we set a time?"

"Uh, ok then," I said, a little bemused. We then agreed that I would come both on a Saturday and Sunday at 1 o'clock for two then smiled at me, "I hope this turns out alright Bella, after such a bad start."

"Hopefully yes," I said, trying to stifle a yawn. The evening had drawn on and I felt fatigue drag at my mind.

Edward was suddenly at my side, "Bella needs to go home now. She's still pretty weak from the Marking," he informed his nodded, "Yes, she should get her rest."

"I'm not pregnant you know," I grumbled but allowed Edward to hoist me up and give me my crutches.

"It was a pleasure to have you here, Bella," Esme said, she drew towards me again but this time I knew what was coming.I kissed both of her cheeks and smiled back, "Thank you for having me. Its been certainly enlightening for me and that was a delicious meal."

She inclined her head still smiling, "Thank you and I hope to see you soon."

Alice practically bounced up to me, "We'll see you in school!" She chirped before hugging me tightly.

Rose smiled at me from the fireplace, Emmett's arms again around her waist, "See you soon."

"Goodbye," Jasper said simply, "It was pleasure meeting you."

"Bye, see you all soon," I said as Edward practically dragged me to the door.

"Farewell, and remember next Saturday," Carlisle called.

I smiled back before Edward and I were finally out onto the porch the door closing behind us. He turned to me and grinned, "There, that wasn't so bad was it?"I

let out a whoosh of air and chuckled, relieved, "It could have been a lot worse." I admitted as we made for the car. "Thank you," I said.

"No," he said, his arm slithered around my waist, "Thank you."

I'm a lot happier with that then I was the first time round...

Thank you for the favourites and alerts! You guys are amazing!

Bones

Random Fact # 6: I have been playing the cello since I was 7. It is only now that I can start playing the pieces that I want.