But I was going to find out. I had to.

I held Bella in my arms for at least ten minutes in silence before I finally spoke.

"Bella?" I whispered in her ear. Her face was now buried into my chest. She looked up at me, "Bella, this is my family." I gestured around us. She looked up at them and tried to smile, but she failed. I continued, "This is my mother, Esme; my father, Carlisle; my sister, Alice; Alice's fiancee, Jasper; my brother, Emmett; and Emmett's fiancee, Rosalie." I gestured to each person.

When I'd said mother, she had flinched. I instantly felt terrible. I hadn't been thinking about her mother. I was so stupid.

BPOV

He had a mother. A father. Siblings. Friends. I didn't have anything left. Sure I had Scooby. I loved him to death. But he's a dog.

Esme smiled kindly at me, "Hello, dear." She frowned when she saw me flinch. It was her motherly tone. It reminded me of my mother. Oh how I missed her. Her laugh, her smile, her voice, even her grounding tone.

I smiled at her, I didn't want to be rude.

Edward pulled me closer, as if to protect me. I looked up at him, and smiled at his beautiful face. He smiled back. So sweet, I thought, as he carried me over to the grass.

"So what's your name?" The brotherly 'Emmett' one asked.

"Isabella Swan," My voice was coarse, so I cleared my throat, "but you all can call me Bella." I said, smiling at them.

"So, Bella, if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?" Edward's dad, Carlisle asked, "It doesn't look like you've been home in awhile." He added.

I nodded. My clothes were somewhat torn, like I'd worn them a lot, and in the wilderness. My hygiene was fine though. The waterfall created enough water to bathe/shower, brush teeth, and clean myself, so I didn't look too bad.

"I ran away." I whispered, looking down. I knew these people weren't going to try to force me to go home, though I knew they cared. I could feel it in my broken heart...

I continued, before they could ask, "My mother died and I had to leave." Edward rubbed calming circles into my hand, "Charlie, my dad, started to drink when Renee left him. He beat me whenever I came over to his house, which I was supposed to do, under the law. I didn't tell my mom. And when they got back together, he stopped drinking. He drinks whenever he's depressed, so I knew something was going to happen to me if I'd stayed any longer, so I ran. I took my truck and the necessities." I whispered, looking thankfully up at Edward when he'd pulled me into a comforting embrace. He was concerned.

He knew how much it hurt when I mentioned them. It's like we are connected somehow. He knows exactly how I'm feeling, and I know how he's feeling.

I felt so serene in his arms. His arms were so soft, yet hard at the same time. So safe. And whenever he touched me, no matter what I was feeling, a shock shuddered through my body.

As they sat there taking it all in, I looked up at Edward, smiling. I knew something good was about to happen. Whatever it was, it had to do with Edward. Possibly everything to do with Edward.

It may have to do with the fact that I am completely and utterly in love with him. Love at first sight...