Some of this chapter content you will recognize from Midnight Sun - so all copyrights and credit goes to Stephanie Meyers
Carlisle got home first, I smiled and nodded at him in passing as I exited the dinning room, giving him and Esme privacy to talk. Obviously something was going on, and I wasn't about to insert myself into their family meeting, even after all these years I still had my manners imprinted in my brain. I walked into the kitchen and leaned against one of the far glass doors. I only looked up when I heard the rest of the Cullen's arrive home. Edward came in first, I smiled sympathetically at him Thanks he thought at me and headed into the dinning room. He was followed by an absolutely livid Rosalie I didn't look at her for fear of another headache, I heard Emmett walk in next and come to stand beside me. I looked up at him curiously, he rolled his eyes and grabbed my arm pulling me with him, even with all my vampire strength I was no match for him.
What are you doing?! I angrily thought in his head This is a FAMILY discussion Emmett I'm not going to intrude
If there's going to be a fight of some kind I need your brawn kiddo, Rosalie is too mad to really care, and you understand Jasper better than the rest of us...AND we can converse via thoughts so I won't get in trouble for trying to make jokes.
I sighed as he pulled me into the chair next to him directly across from Esme, who nodded and smiled at me. None of them seem perturbed by my presence. Jasper came in next and I could see the determination in his eyes, he made like he was going to sit down next to me but instead stood against the wall behind Rosalie. Alice came in last, lost in thought or a vision and sat next to Esme.
Edward took a deep breath and then began "I'm sorry I didn't mean to put any of you at risk. It was thoughtless and I take full responsibility for my hasty action."
Rosalie glared at him "What do you mean 'take full responsibility?' are you going to fix it?" Note to self: never get on Rosalie's bad side I would not want to be on the receiving end of that glare.
"Not in the way you mean. I'm willing to leave now, if that makes things better" Edward continued.
"No" Esme murmured "No Edward"
"Esme's right" Emmett started "You can't go anywhere now, that would be the opposite of helpful. We have to know what people are thinking now more than ever"
Carlisle shook his head "Emmett is right, the girl will be more likely to talk if you disappear. It's all of us leave or none of us"
"She won't say anything" Edward stated definitively.
Emmett, what's going on? I don't want to be rude but if you're going to make me sit here and listen….
Emmett thought through the day's events and I watched as Edward stopped a huge van from crushing a very frail human girl. I saw the family's reactions and Edward's struggles. Then he thought back to the week before Edward came to Denali and I saw his assumption of what happened in Biology that day.
Oh…Thank you Emmett
No problemo kid, now cut it out I want to pay attention
"-It's being callous, every life is precious" I caught the end of what Carlisle was saying.
Rosalie pouted heavily, Emmett patted her shoulder "It'll be fine Rose" he encouraged.
"The question now becomes whether we move on" Carlisle stated.
"No! We just got settled…I like it here, we almost get to be normal" Rosalie countered
"Edward seems certain of the Swan girl's silence, we can wait and see if it becomes necessary" Rosalie snorted but everyone ignored her as Edward turned to Jasper.
"Jasper, she won't pay for my mistake. I won't allow it"
"She benefits from it then? She should have died today Edward, I would only set that right" Jasper responded his face was expressionless but I could tell his mind was made up.
"I will not allow you to hurt Isabella Swan" Edward stated firmly. Jasper was not expecting this response but before he could respond Alice cut in.
"Jazz…I need to ask you a favor"
"Is this really the time Alice?"
"Well I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't try to kill Bella. First Edward is serious and I don't want you two fighting and secondly she's my friend…at least she's going to be."
"But…Alice" Jasper growled
"I'm going to love her someday Jazz. I'll be very put out if you don't let her be…Ah, See? Bella is not going to say anything. There's nothing to worry about"
"What Alice? What are you hiding? Is it about Bella?" and in a flash Edward was out of his chair "NO!" he shouted
"Edward!" Carlisle shouted attempting to steady him.
"I have to leave" he whispered
"Edward we've already been over that" Emmett growled "You have to stay and deal with this"
"I don't see you going anywhere…I don't know if you can leave anymore" Alice continued
"Why are you doing this to me?" Edward groaned "love her too?" he whispered and then got incredibly angry "No! I will change the future, I will leave"
"Oh, come on!" Emmett bellowed clearly dying to be in on the conversation.
"Pay attention! Alice sees him falling for a human! How classically Edward" Rosalie hissed. I was stunned…was it even possible?
"What? Is that what's going on" Emmett's booming laugh filled the room "Tough break Edward"
"It all depends on whether he's strong enough or not. Either he'll kill her - which would really irritate me, not to mention what it would do to you Edward. Or She'll be one of us someday. It will take an amazing amount of control, even more than Carlisle has. The only thing he isn't strong enough to do is to stay away from her" Alice mused
"I suppose the plan remains the same," Carlisle thought out loud "of course no one will hurt the girl" he said looking at Rosalie and Jasper.
"No, I can agree to that. If Alice only see two ways-" Jasper responded, much more calm than before.
"No!" Edward shouted desperately "No!" and stalked out of the room before anyone could say anything else.
"Well…this complicates things" Carlisle sighed.
"I'll say" Emmett smiled
I rolled my eyes You're supposed to be supportive, not a comedian. He mimicked my eye roll and smiled at me as Jasper sat down in between Alice and I.
"That's not all" Alice continued
"What could you possibly see now Alice?" Rosalie asked wearily
"Arielle is going to be joining us at school on….Thursday"
"What?!" I asked speaking for the first time. "I…but that would mean-"
"That you would have to move in here with us" Alice beamed at me "Oh, I love the colors you're planning on using in your room"
"My room?" I questioned and deciding to look into her visions. There it was, clear as day the guest bedroom I had been staying in was painted in a deep blue, there was a large black four post bed in the middle of the room with navy comforter, red and white sheets and pillows. There was a bookshelf similar to that of Jasper's but in black against one of the walls as well as paintings and pictures. Then it switched to all six of us sitting in a cafeteria lunch table. "I couldn't ask that of all of you" I stated.
"Nonsense Arielle, we love having you here. We have the extra bedroom and it'd be so nice to have another girl in the house, even things up" Esme smiled warmly at me. "Alice what colors was she thinking of?" she asked turning to have a conversation with her.
"Not to mention you could also keep an eye on what's going on and it would take attention away from the incident today" Emmett said seriously.
"It's up to you Arielle, but I know that we would all be very happy to have you here. And just so you know, we never bet against Alice" Carlisle stated winking at me. "Would you feel better if we voted?" he continued. I nodded unsure of what to think of all this. "Alright, well Edward's vote is yes I'm sure, since he invited you in the first place. All those in agreement with Arielle moving in and become a member of the family raise your hand"
Carlisle and Esme raised their hands smiling at me, Alice of course, Rosalie I wasn't completely sure but she raised her hand next, Emmett had both his hands in the air causing me to smile. But Jasper was the only vote that really mattered to me, I turned to face him last. His hand was raised and he nodded at me when our eyes met. "There it's settled. The four of you will go with Arielle to get her things later" Carlisle smiled "Now how will she be registered at school Alice?"
"Well you could have been my twin sister…but it seems you'll make a better fit as Emmett's biological younger sister" It made sense I was taller than Alice by a good four inches and Emmett and I had the same curly brown hair. I was also more on the muscular side than Alice who was so much more lithe and graceful. "You had chosen to remain in boarding school in Alaska, but missed the family too much to stay for all four years."
"Wonderful, you will of course have to use your abilities to convince some people around town and school that we had obviously mentioned you before. As much as I know you dislike doing that"
"No, no it's fine."
"Well, now that that's all settled, welcome to the family" Carlisle said standing and hugging me. "Esme and I will go call the school now"
"Welcome dear!" Esme beamed hugging me tightly and following Carlisle out of the room.
I stood not really knowing what to do for a few minutes until Emmett picked me up in a bone crushing hug "Awww I have another little sister now! Welcome to the family kid" he laughed putting me down.
"You know I have about 50 years on you right?"
"Yeah but you're my baby sister as far as everyone else is concerned" Emmett smirked, messing up my hair.
"Alright you two…if we leave now we can make it back before tomorrow" Rosalie stated walking towards the garage, Emmett right behind her.
Alice smiled and latched on to my arm "I'm so glad you're staying!" I laughed at her enthusiasm and walked with her to the garage. Jasper was on my other side, still silent staring straight ahead with his hands in his pockets.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all…I thought to myself