Chapter 10: Family

Winter's POV

I looked around me, at the faces of those who were once strangers but are now my family. My uncle left a couple of hours ago. And here we are, all confused and worried about the things he'd said, contemplating what to do next.

"So Alice can you, I don't know, see or look for what's coming?" Emmett asked.

"Well, he didn't really give us any specific or helpful information so it's quite difficult but I guess I can look for anything involving Winter." Alice replied, staring at the floor, deep in thought.

"In the meantime…" Everyone turned to look at Edward, who seemed to be the only one with an actual plan.

"In the meantime, what?" Emmett asked, always impatient.

"Well, you could always enrol in our school." He replied with forced nonchalance.

I laughed as though he was joking but then realised everyone seemed to seriously consider the idea, in fact Alice is practically bouncing on her seat.

"Oh," I muttered, "you're being serious."

"Come on, Winter, it's a brilliant idea. We can't really do anything yet, so you might as well continue on with living your life as you should like a normal human being."

"Dude, her uncle is a vampire who tried to kill her, then changed his mind and left after telling us someone is after her but did not specify who or why. What's normal about that?" Emmett asked.

"Not to mention, she's living in a house full of vampires." Alice added.

"Whom I've only just met a couple of weeks ago." I continued, which earned us all a glare from Edward.

"What?" We all asked at the same time, which I would have found amusing if it wasn't for my situation.

"School is still important, regardless of what's happening."

"What about my cousin?" I asked, remembering my decision to look for him before my uncle attacked me.

"We can always hire someone to look for him. It's not safe for you to go roaming about, especially since we still don't know who's coming for you. Or when he or she plans to make a move." Edward answered.

"Like a private investigator?" I inquired, a little bit excited with the idea. It feels like I'm in one of those investigative TV series I love to watch.

"Yes. We know someone who's very good and trustworthy." Rosalie replied.

"I guess a private investigator would have more luck finding Blake than I do," I conceded, "but do I really have to go to school? It seems troublesome. I don't have records from my previous school."

"Don't worry. Carlisle can handle the formal paperwork. Just let him know which school you used to go to and he can arrange it." Esme responded confidently with a hint of pride for her husband. I was about to argue he doesn't have to go through all the trouble but Carlisle himself cut me off.

"As Edward said earlier, school is still important, especially for you since you will only be a high school student at one point in your life. You need to graduate, it's important for your future."

Darn it. I find it incredibly difficult to argue with Carlisle. Everything he says sounds reasonable. Plus, he's so nice and I really would hate to disappoint him by saying no, even though I'm not sure I'll have a future. After all, someone is trying to… you know… kill me.

I sighed knowing I already lost the argument. "You're right. Maybe studying would take my mind off you know what."

"Yay," Alice cheered then her eyes went wide, "Oh we have so much to do. We've got to buy you school stuff and more importantly, clothes. I can't wait! When should we go?"

"Calm down, Alice." Edward said.

"I can't calm down. She needs new clothes as soon as possible. I'm not sure how much longer I can handle having her wear Rosalie's clothes." This earned her glare from Rosalie.

"Where can I go buy what I need?" I asked Alice.

"Well, there's nothing good within the town. We will have to go to Seattle. There's a mall there with all the good stuff." I could see the sparkles of excitement in her eyes.

"I guess Seattle is the closest decent place to buy clothes and other things you'll need. We can go during the day. Tomorrow would be perfect since it's Saturday, it will be packed so there's less likelihood of an attack." Edward planned out loud.

"Yes, one thing that's the same for all vampires is we value the secrecy of our existence." Jasper muttered.

"Well, that's perfect then. I'll accompany Winter tomorrow." Alice exclaimed, a bright smile on her face, then turning to me, she beamed, "Oh it's going to be so much fun!" I gulped nervously.

"Don't worry. I'll be going with you both." Edward whispered but Alice heard him.

"Come on. We'll be fine." She pouted.

"Babe, we won't let you go on your own," Alice glared at Jasper, "Not because we think you can't handle it but because we," he looked at Edward for help.

"We love shopping." Edward said with serious look on his face. I couldn't help the smile on my face.

"Yes, sure. In all the time I've known you, I can count on one hand the number of times you've gone shopping." Alice argued.

Edward was about to respond but Carlisle spoke instead, "Alice, let your brothers go with you. It's for Winter's sake." Alice looked at Carlisle, then at Jasper and Edward. Finally, she nodded and muttered 'fine' under her breath.

"Emmett and I will contact the private investigator and give him the Blake's information." Rosalie said.

"And I will go handle your school arrangement before going to work." Carlisle added.

"Oh, about that," I grabbed my bag and started to take out some of the money my mother packed for me to give to Carlisle, "I don't really know what or how much is needed for enrolment and what not."

"Winter don't worry about it." I was about to argue but he cut me off, "I have more than enough money, trust me. I've had centuries to save up." He smiled.

It took me awhile to grasp what he meant and then I realised. "Oh," was the only thing I could bring myself to say. I can't believe he's centuries old, I mean he doesn't even look thirty. The Cullens giggled at my reaction. "Alright, then. Well, thank you for taking the time to arrange everything for me." I turned to Rosalie and Emmett, "I suppose you won't be taking my money for the private investigator's fee?

"Oh no, we'll even charge you extra for our fee." Emmett joked, "Oomph, ouch. That hurt." He complained to Rosalie as he clutched his ribs, which Rosalie just elbowed.

"He's just joking. Don't worry about the fee. Just use your money for shopping tomorrow." Rosalie said as she ignored Emmett.

"Alright. Thank you. I would like to meet him in person once he has any information, if that's okay."

"Absolutely. I'll let you know what happens and set up a meeting with him once it's time." Rosalie nodded.

Emmett clapped his hands, "All right gang. Meeting's over! Let's disperse." Everyone looked at him then turned to go without saying anything. Rosalie grabbed his arm and dragged him out. Emmett winked, and I chuckled.

Alice bounced to where Edward and I were standing and grabbed my hands and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh. Should we plan tomorrow? There's a big mall in Seattle, but there aren't that many good stores inside. So, we might have to walk around the streets but don't worry I know some really amazing places. There's ginger frank, merci and costa's, which are local. Then there are the branded ones Versace, Gucci, Valentino, Givenchy… Ooh and -,"

"Alice, let Winter rest. She'll need it with what you're planning for tomorrow." Edward interrupted and as much as I love Alice, I'm kind of grateful for it.

I smiled apologetically at Alice, who gave me a sheepish look, "My bad. I keep forgetting that you need to sleep." Jasper caught my eye and gave the same sheepish smile Alice wore, they then followed the rest of the Cullens outside the room.

"Looks like you've got a busy day ahead of you tomorrow." Edward looked at me with a faint smirk on his face as we walked.

"I can't wait." I muttered already tired. We stopped outside my room.

"Hey, will you be fine?" He asked in a softer tone, his teasing smile replaced with worry.

"Yes, I will be," I replied, "I'm just glad you found me. I don't know where I'd be or what I'd do. I owe you and your family so much already." I sighed.

"I don't know how many times we've already told you not to worry about it. As far as I'm concerned, and I know everyone agrees, you're already part of the family. So, don't hesitate to accept our help." He placed a hand on my chin and lifted my face, so I was looking at him.

"With everything that happened to me, I'm grateful I ended up here." I whispered as I stared, mesmerised by his beautiful golden eyes. I couldn't help but notice his dilated pupils.

"Me too." He whispered back, his face slightly leaning closer to mine. My heart raced, there were butterflies in my stomach. But the kiss never happened, he touched his forehead to mine and with a shaky breath he whispered, "Good night."

"Uhm, good night." I muttered and not knowing what else to do, I opened my door and got inside.

I headed to the bed where I lied facing the ceiling. What just happened? He was about to kiss me. Wasn't he? Am I making assumptions? Was I imagining things?

My heart ached. How I wish my mother was still alive, we could laugh about it together. She could give me advice. And my father, I bet he'd demand to talk to Edward at once. He'd tell me no man's allowed to play with his daughter's heart. I fell asleep thinking about all the things that could be, about my mother and father, about my cousin, the Cullens and Edward. I dreamed my parents and the Cullens were good friends, that there were no murderers, that my uncle was still my uncle. I dreamt that I was home.

And then I woke up.

Author's Note:

It has been far too long. Three years. I forgot what was happening, so I had to read through everything I've written so far. Sorry about the hiatus, it was unplanned, and I feel it's bound to happen again in the near future.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

4