I wasn't scared anymore. Well, about being killed by blood loss via Edward Cullen. Or of death by the other Cullens. Edward and Alice assured me their 'coven' was the most civilized family in the world, their appetites strictly animal. I wasn't dead yet, so I believed them. I hadn't trusted them yet, but I believed them.

I was nervous, however. Extremely nervous. Edward and Alice could tell. They tried to tell me that it was nothing and that the rest of their family would enjoy meeting me. Alice swore by it.

It still did not help me. I didn't exactly understand why I was all of a sudden nervous to meet them. Was it fear? Maybe. I kind of was afraid of what would happen. Would I make a complete fool of myself? Trip and fall? I mean, Bella was always the one falling on her face but I wasn't that graceful. I've never set foot in high heeled shoes. At least Bella and I could agree to something like that.

I just had this strange urge to impress them, like I needed to get their approval. I needed to prove that I was good enough to be around them. I mean, they were gorgeous people. Even the prettiest supermodel couldn't compare to one of the Cullens. I knew that by just looking at Edward and Alice. I just knew that the rest of them would be equally if not better looking than them. I would look like my rusted truck compared to Edward's Porsche. (He told me about it during our 20 question game earlier. It sounds fast and sleek. Like him.)

I swallowed my insecurities down forcefully as we exited Edward's room. I would just have to worry about that later, I told myself. There was no point in worrying about something I had no sway in.

I was momentarily stunned from my thoughts as we proceeded down the long hallway. I've never seen such a beautiful hallway in my whole life. It sounds lame, but seriously I couldn't help but be in awe of the detail. The walls were decorated with expensive looking wallpaper; white with gold leafs swirling around in random variations. The carpet that stretched before us was a very crisp and white, yet really soft. I could feel the softness through my dirty chucks. I felt a little bad leaving dirt on the pretty carpet. I was no expert, but who ever designed this house had incredible taste.

The staircase was designer too, though I hadn't known a staircase could be designer. I followed Alice, Edward behind me, down them. They walked slowly with me, letting me soak in the whole place, patiently let me swallow the reality that had seemed to be dreamlike before.

How much money did this family have? Apparently a lot. I guess they had plenty of time to do whatever they wanted. They were dead. If Edward really was a century old, he could have billions of dollars saved somewhere for all I knew. And I distinctly remember there being seven of them, under this one roof. I'd say they had a few stacks of hundreds stashed away in the house most likely. And Alice's designer clothes made it official.

"They'll be here momentarily." Edward sighed, his long legs gliding past me once we reached the bottom of the stairs, and sitting gracefully on one of the many plush looking couches. The living room had the same look as the rest of the house; white and expensive looking. Ranging from creative sculptures to foreign looking tapestries, everything had a touch of money.

His voice gave me chills. And I know it's stupid of me to think it at all. But I've been pretty good about it, the whole thing. I haven't really had a chance to think about this new Edward I've come to known. At first I thought he was just come big, egotistic guy who manipulated the town into adoring him. Yet now I can tell that he is everything but that kind of guy. People just gravitate towards him, his beauty and gentle nature an automatic magnet to the community. I could feel it now, the desire to be in awe of him. That had scared me at first. It wasn't natural to feel like that to someone I hardly knew. I still think it's weird. But I can see the humanity in him, even if he's anything but human.

"Trust me Gabrielle, once you meet Esme you'll never want to leave the house," Alice smiled, floating into another room. By the sounds coming from the room it sounded as if she were in the kitchen. I gulped down another wave of nervousness. Another name. Esme. Esme Cullen. I wonder who she would be.

"She's our mother, by the way," Alice's voice answered my thoughts. I was staring at the direction where Alice had gone and now I turned to Edward questioningly. He smiled a heart melting smile.

"None of us are really family, at least from our human lives. Our father, Carlisle, is the one who changed all of us, even Esme. He saved her and she became his mate. All of us are considered their children. He's centuries old, and has the most resistance to human blood. He almost has no craving for it at all," Edward told, his voice changing into an ancient like tone, almost as if it were something he told many times and heard many times.

That was interesting. And I could tell there was more to it then he let on, like he wasn't giving me the details. I silently thanked him for that, knowing that too much information might drive me crazy.

"So, are the stories true? I mean, a vampire has to suck a human's blood to change them into one of their own?" I asked, truly intrigued. All of the old fairytales and bedtime stories were somewhat real? What parts were true and which were false? My nervousness for meeting the Cullens soon was in the back of my mind, my only concern was finding out more about them. Strange how fear can turn into curiosity.

Edward's smile wilted somewhat, as if he hadn't expected such a gory question. Had I gone too far? I mean, I guess it might be strange to all of a sudden pass the freaking out stage and go straight into the understanding phase. I didn't understand it that much myself.

"How can you even ask something like that, especially the first day? Shouldn't the shock have clouded your reason," Edward muttered now staring down at the floor, looking for answers in the detailed structure of the carpet. "And why can't I read you? That must be how I hadn't known about you. Your family never thought about you, though that seems strange. Does this mean…"

"Edward, stop talking to yourself you are starting to frighten Gabrielle. You can't be a know-it-all the whole time. Duh," Alice's voice grew louder until she came back into the living room carrying a couple glasses of ice tea. I stared at it with shock. Alice had seen me looking and smiled.

"I know, you think we only drink blood. Well, we do, but we can still eat and drink human food. But it's just like when a child eats broccoli. It doesn't taste good or appetizing at all but it is edible," She explained, gracefully balancing the glasses while leaping next to Edward on the couch. His expression was stressed, looking out the window expectantly. I frowned, wishing to know what the world he was thinking.

"Edward, what are you thinking that has you so edgy?" I couldn't help but ask. I let my feet direct me to a loveseat in front of a television, just a few feet from them. Edward looked up, watching me as I sat down and crossed my legs. His expression now turned to surprise.

"You really are a total different person than your sister," He whispered, his eyes a deep golden sunset. I sighed, not even caring that this was the millionth time he'd said that today. I just couldn't take my eyes off him. This was bad. But I couldn't help it.

Alice's gaze fell on me too, suspicion in the set of her jaw. Could she tell my feelings? I hope not. I didn't need any taunting or teasing about it. And Alice looked like the type to be the first to do it.

"Is that what you were thinking or just decided right now? Again." Edward smiled carefully.

"I was thinking of how amazing you are and you must be stronger than your sister's abilities." Alice's narrowed eyes darted to Edward, who was now beaming. Was this guy bipolar or something? He must be. I hope his dad was as good as a doctor as they say.

"Um. Thanks. Even though that made no sense. And if you are referring to something inappropriate I suggest that you be more discrete than that. Especially around someone who's heard it all," vampire or no vampire, no one insults me. Even Edward Cullen. I watched his smile completely obliterate under my glare.

Before he could even say a word I heard footsteps upon the porch. Many footsteps. I didn't hear a car or anything, so I was in total shock when five extremely beautiful people waltzed right in the door and stepped into a semi-circle around the loveseat I was seated. I stared like a stupid crazy person.

Edward and Alice soon got up off their couch and took a seat next to me, leaving as much distance from me as possible. I hardly recognized their presence. My whole attention was now on the rest of the Cullen family.

A man, who must have been in his thirties, was standing directly in front of me. He was smiling a hundred watt smile, his whole face and golden hair in flawless condition. This must have been Carlisle, the ancient vampire who fathered them all. I took another one of those stabilizing swallows and extended my hand. That must have been what they were waiting for because they all seemed to relax and the tension receded a degree.

Carlisle took my hand in a gentle squeeze, and spoke in a very controlled and warm voice, "Welcome Gabrielle. It is so nice to finally meet you; Edward has told us many great things about you." Something in that voice had a magic effect of calming me a little. At least I hadn't been the burden I thought I'd be. And if I'd ever thought vampires where not the murdering bloodsucking monsters before I'd met them, I would instantly have had Carlisle's name in my head who'd be that one vampire.

Then came the next vampire. She was extremely lovely, the warmest smile on her face. I added her to the list of humanitarian vampires along with Carlisle.

"Oh Gabrielle, I'm so happy to see you. I'm terribly sorry it had to be this way, but nevertheless I am honored to be your acquaintance," Her voice sounded like a thousand mothers adoring their newborn children. The way Carlisle's adoring eyes watched her I knew she must have been Esme. And Alice had been right, I loved her instantly.

A woman with the most glamorous beauty I've ever witnessed in my existence came next. Her blond curls where all in the right place, her makeup in perfect accordance with her clothes. She had to be a model, I told myself. This kind of beauty was almost criminal.

"Gabrielle, I am Rosalie. I think I speak for us all when I say that I'm extremely sorry that we've interrupted your life. I, more than anyone, wish you could have never been put in this situation," Her voice, a chorus of wind chimes, was saddening. The others had seemed so happy and excited. Was this so called 'situation' that bad? Or had this all been fake, their smiles and warm welcoming just an illusion. If so, I didn't want it. The heaviness of my burden fell upon me again.

Edward growled deeply. I jumped, not expecting such a sinister sound to come from him. Alice's cold hand gently fell on my shoulder.

"Jasper, why don't you introduce yourself please?" Alice's musical voice muttered. I could see her glare was on Rosalie. At least she had been honest, unlike the rest of them who seemed to hide the problem. The rest of the Cullen's smiles seemed weaker, as if they had less to fuel their illusion of happiness. I then knew that Rosalie and I would get along just fine.

A young looking man then came forward, his blond tendrils hanging in his eyes. I took in a sharp breath when I seen small white scars across his face and exposed arms. Could vampires be hurt like that? I wasn't sure. But the instant my fear and nausea kicked in it was completely erased from me, as if someone pulled the plug in a tub and it all drained away.

"Don't be afraid. It's nothing to worry about," His voice was soft, but I could hear the rugged edge to it. I gulped down emptiness; the only feeling there a calmness I knew wasn't natural.

"God, you guys are too serious. Can't you see that she's overwhelmed? You need someone to put some oomph back in here. I'm Emmett," An extremely big guy stomped his way over to me, his gigantic hand swallowing mine. He seemed like he could take five guys at once. Probably tons more than that, considering he wasn't human. His huge smile seemed to embrace me along with his boyish energetic eyes. The brotherly aura seemed to wash over me, and I could feel the empty calm slowly fade. The nervousness was back again, now that everyone was introduced and they were now waiting on my reaction.

"It's nice to meet you all," I choked out, trying my best at a smile. I still couldn't get the feeling that I was being lied to out of my mind.

"Don't worry dear, we will explain everything." Esme's voice told me, but I was staring at the ground in doubt. Now that the fear of meeting them was over, I didn't know what to think or where to go from here.

They all seemed nice enough and I guess they were just trying to protect me from having a heart attack from too much information. Yet the only one here that seemed to have my best interest at heart was Rosalie.