Chapter Seven

I could hear low whispers around me, pulling me from my deep sleep, but couldn't motivate my eyes to open. Sleep had felt so good, and knowing what would be waiting for me when I opened my eyes, I willed it to come and wrap me up once again, but to no avail. Slowly coming to my senses, I could make out random words from the whispers.

"Got to keep her away."

"Does she know she cried most of the night?"

"Probably not. It didn't wake her."

"Poor girl."

I could recognise Edwards liquid voice amongst Esme and Jaspers. Turning over, they stopped suddenly, probably listening to my breathing.

"We'll leave you two for now. Come on." the door shut, and I could only assume the other two had left. I felt the bed dip behind me, and cool strong arms wrapped my duvet closer, holding me on the edge of sleep still.

"Good morning," a whisper in my ear made me shiver with delight. "How did you sleep?"

"Not long enough." I mumbled, my voice scratchy with the morning. Edward chuckled, and shook me gently.

"You need to get up. You must be hungry, you hardly ate at dinner." As if on cue, my stomach gave a low rumble, making me groan and Edward laugh louder. "that answers that question. Come on."

"No, not yet. It's so peaceful. Don't make me enter the war zone." It was silent long enough to make me turn over to look into my boyfriends face. He had his eyebrows raised, but his eyes were distant, listening to something my humans ears couldn't detect.

"Don't tell me. Your family have had enough and they have given up their vegitatrian diet and eaten Renee for breakfast?" Edward scowled, his eyes zeroing back to me and shaking his head.

"Don't be silly."

"Just me hoping then." This earned me a loud barking laugh from somewhere below. Emmet was suddenly at the door, bounding onto the bed the other side of me.

"If we did decide to go back to a human diet, I can assure you Renee would not be the first one we would eat."

"Too sour for you?"

Emmet chuckled. "Something like that. Esme has food downstairs for you. Your mother," he grimaced at the word, "Is out in Forks meeting Charlie at the station for breakfast. She wanted to call in on the ex. Carlisle drove her on his way to work." Sighing loudly, but relieved that I wouldn't be running into my mother for a little while, I got up. When Emmet had gone, I threw on some clothes from the over stocked wardrobe, and let Edward lightly pull my reluctant body from the bedroom and down the stairs.

The smell of pancakes and fruit drifted through the downstairs hallway, and I picked up my pace. Edward laughed at my sudden eagerness, and let go of my hand once we entered the kitchen, pulling out my chair for me before going to the fridge to find something for me to drink.

"Good morning darling," Esme smi;ed softly, putting the plate of food down in front of me and handing me cutlery. "Sleep well?" There was concern in her voice that made me look up suddenly from the food in front of me to look her in her eye. Indeed, her brow was creased with concern. I smiled at her reassuringly.

"I slept great actually. This food smells amazing." she smiled back, ad I took this as my cue to dig in, dripping fruit juice down my chin.

"And they say i'm a messy eater." Jasper had entered with Alice, who had her arms full of what looked like various brochures. Jasper smirked at me as I wiped the food off my face quickly, blush already tainting my cheeks.

"I thought we could give these to your mum and see if she wanted to go to any of these places. It would be a good excuse to not be in the house and not have to talk all the time." Alice gave me a meaningful look, and appreciation for this tiny vampire burst from my chest.

"Perfect!" I said, taking the brochures from her and looking through the options. "There is no way we are going to get Renee to the zoo Al.. or the aquarium. Away from living things is probably best." the vampires all exchanged looks but I ignored them, continuing to flip through glossy pages. "Maybe we could go up to Seattle. She loves to shop? And the concert on at the school tonight might be good." I looked up to see Jasper and Edward looking at me weirdly. "What? Anything where my mother feels like she is being sophisticated will be a good shout. Plus, she can't talk if she's watching a concert." Everyone, including Esme, laughed at this.

"The concert it is! Seattle tomorrow will be great too. Maybe we could go just us girls?"

"No!" came a shout from somewhere outside the kitchen, and Rosalie's beautiful face suddenly came into view.

"Come of Rose, it will be fun." Rosalie scowled, but then looked at Esme. I looked too, and became quickly aware that the vampires were having a conversation not made for my ears. Choosing to not get involved, I returned to my food. I heard Edward snigger, and looked up at him, but his eyes were trained on Rosalie, who was still having her near silent conversation with her own mum. I finished my food with Edward stroking my back gently. My thoughts returned to my mother, and poor Charlie, who was being subjected to her all on his own. He didn't have the protection of the Cullen's like me. Although, he had managed to date her at one point, so I figured he could watch out for himself.

"Fine." I heard Rosalie sign, resigned. Her words had brought me out of my thoughts so suddenly that I jumped. This made Jasper and Alice laugh gently. Esme took my plate and I jumped down, offering to wash it up.

"No, I have got this. You go and get ready. Edward has gone to relieve Charlie. You're mother will be back soon." I turned to find Edward had indeed disappeared, and sighed, knowing he had gone without goodbye because I would have complained. Alice appeared in the doorway holding a curling iron, a devilish look on her face.

"Alice, she's already seen me. I think we all know there is no impressing her." I chuckled lightly at my words. Alice's frown hadn't graced her face for even a second before it was replaced with a childish smile.

"Yes, but its not everyday I get my very own barbie. Come on doll." she winked, and I sighed dramatically, following her up the stairs. Sensing someone behind me, I turned to look over my shoulder and almost tripped.

"Jesus. How have you lived so long human?" Rose said seriously, but her smile was reassuring. I laughed uneasily, continuing up the stairs, and was surprised when Rosalie followed me into Alice and Jasper's room, and perched herself gracefully on the bed while Alice did my hair.

"I am sorry about Renee." I said to no one in particular. I saw them both exchange a brief look before Alice replied.

"Nothing to apologise for, Bella. We love you, and we can deal just fine with your mum." I smiled at her, knowing that i couldn't say anything to them without being more supported than ever.

"It's nice, you know, in a way." I said, and saw Rosalie frown in the reflection form the mirror in front of me. "I mean. She's not a secret anymore."

"You shouldn't have to keep your family secret Bella. And don't apologise for them either." said Rose, seriously. "We don't care how nice or horrible she is. It's not us that have to live with them. It's not us they should be trying to impress." I didn't completely understand what the blonde beauty was getting at, but I felt so happy that she seemed to be on my side with this one. "I was surprised." Rose continued. "If my mother had spoken to me that way there is no way I would have sat there and taken it."

"Rosalie." Alice warned, stopping her attack on my hair and turning to her sister.

"No, Al, she's right. I don't need to just sit there and take it. But, when you have lived with it for so long. I suppose I have gotten comfortable. I had forgotten that I have grown up and have a voice now too."

I stole a glance in Rosalie's direction, and saw that she was almost looking proud. My heart sped up a little and crimson flooded my cheeks. The girls laughed softly, and I felt Alice's had on my shoulder.

"You do have a voice Bella. We are ere to support you in any way that you need. You don't have to out up with that." I smiled at them both, but it faded quickly. I knew I didn't have to put up with it, but that is the way it had always been.

"What is it?" Alice asked, returning to my hair but watching my face carefully in the mirror.

"I want to tell her. I want to scream and shout, but the fight's not there. Besides, its only a week, and then she will be gone and I can forget it all." I heard Rosalie sigh frustratedly and stand from the bed. She walked towards the door, but turned suddenly, staring at me right in the eyes.

"That's the problem." and she left.

I was silent for a moment. She was right. I should do something, but it was easier not too. Still, one good thing from all this. Maybe Rosalie doesn't hate me so much after all. Alice didn't try to pull me out of my thoughts, but the front door slamming and a high nasal voice drifting up the stairs did.

I turned to look at Alice, who did the once over before declaring me ready.

"Lets go and face the fire."


Hello everyone,

A long time since I have updated but I have decided to carry on with this story. Thank you to those who are coming back, and as always, reviews are appreciated.