A.N: I see some story alerts and author alerts...Now I wait for those reviews everybody is holding back. I appreciate all the readers but just let me know how you're finding the story in a review! Or if you want to recommend me a fanfic, let me know through a review.

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assonance-asphyxiation.

Chapter Ten

All the sappy shit had to stop, unfortunately. I was rather enjoying Jacob's soft lips glued to mine but people began to stare and just as the senior citizens passed by, our windows steamed up. I always saw this scene in teen drama shows, but to actually experience it was...weird. I cringed as a middle-aged woman strutted past us and threw us the most evillest glare this world ever saw. She put Voldermort to shame.

So, we scrambled away from each other and Jake determindly drove to the address on the sheets of paper which had taken up permanent residence on my backseat. Our re-getting together had given me a bout of much needed confidence and nothing could throw me off my high horse now. The sun set, and the humid air cooled down infitesmally. The indigo skies took reign of the horizon as we drew to a stop in front of the quaint little house on Salisbury Terrace. There was a large garden at the front, lined with small colourful flowers. Two cars, one a VW beetle and the other a large SUV were parked on the long and narrow driveway leading to a side garage. I took a deep breath and exited the car.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Jake asked quietly.

I nodded; I didn't want to get him involved if things turned ugly. This was my 'outer-demon' I needed to face. I hesitantly rang the doorbell which sounded light and airy. I could only hope that the occupants were like that too.

What seemed like eternity later, a charming woman opened the door. She her eyes were bluer and more perceptive that the ones in the picture in my car. Her hair was blonder and shorter too. She was dressed in black jeans and a navy t-shirt as she connected her eyes with mine and some sort of recognition dawned in her eyes.

"Can...can I help you?" She stuttered.

Although I claimed to not care if this woman rejected or accepted me, I knew I wasn't fooling anyone. Of course I wanted her acceptance. I wanted this woman to know who I was and to love me for who I am. I didn't know what to expect, but I sure as hell wanted her to know I existed.

Cue, the Cullen charm. Once, Grandpa Carlisle told me I had a smile to kill. It was just like his; lopsided. Just a little twinkle in the eyes and the person was a goner. Strangely, it was my first memory. I guess we Cullens love us some praise. I smiled extra crookedly, and let my eyes, hopefully shine with pleasure. I mean, how the fuck can you make your eyes twinkle, on purpose?

The woman's pupils dialated and I heard her small but sharp intake of breath. I straightened up and let my hair flow around me as I put forward a manicured hand to for her to shake. I had attended to my nails just to make a good impression.

"Hi! My name is Carlie Cullen." I smiled hugely. I know I was laying it on, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

The wheels were turning in my grandmother's head. She was making the connection and as soon as she had registered me fully, she grasped my hand and shook it vehemently. Reneè Dwyer gasped and let her hands fly to her mouth in shock.

"Oh...my...God! Is that really you?" She asked breathlessly.

I nodded politely.

"Come in dear, please come in!" She ushered me in and quickly, I made a thumbs-up sign behind my back to Jake.

I entered the house and was shocked to see how personal everything was. It felt like I had entered a life size diary, filled with pictures and ornaments instead of words. The place represented thousands of words with just one image. Pictures of a grown man and his family blurred past as well as a few pictures of a happy couple, which were my Grandmother and her husband. It was the stark contrast of my own home, which was craftly decorated by Aunt Alice. There were generic photos and decorations which only matched with everything surrounding them, not the occupants' personalities.

Reneè lead me to a drawing room which was impeccably clean and airy, but still held the same atmosphere as the rest of the house. Or the part I had whizzed past. She sat me down on a large blood-red sofa and said that she'd be right back. I heard her hollering up the stairs and on the phone before she charged back down and sat down opposite me excitedly.

"I'm sorry, I still can't believe it's you!" She apologised with a shake of her head.

"It's alright; I didn't mean to barge in like this," I gestured to her house.

She shook her head frantically and took hold of my hand, "Carlie, dear, this is just unreal...the last time I saw you was when you were a few months old, and now you've blossomed into a beautiful young woman! I can't believe you found me! All these years I've been looking for you..." She sighed.

My heart thumped loudly at her revelation.

"You looked for me?" I asked incredulously.

Reneè's insightful eyes searched mine, probably to see if I was playing some sort of joke on her but really, I was just fucking confused.

"How can you even say that?" She asked in a pained voice, "I looked near and far for you. I tracked every record I could. I didn't even know what you looked like; the only pictures I have are of the day you were born! I was literally threatened to keep away from you when I wanted to bring you here to Phoenix all those years ago. In fact, your father bribed me into leaving without you, but I refused. I wanted to leave with my dignity and love for you. I am your grandmother and I have unquestionable feelings of love within me for you, Carlie. I'm sorry to hear that you've been brainwashed, but I swear to God, and trust me I don't do that much, that I tried to search for you."

I swallowed back tears. I was confused as to where the threatening and brainwashing came from. I was angry at my father for hiding me so well, as if I was something to be ashamed of. But most of all, I was happy. Reneè reached out and hugged me, and I hugged her back, crushing her to my chest. I was so glad I knew someone who shared my mother's blood.

The door flew open and an extremely huge and intimidating man walked in like he owned the place. Behind him was a tall, statuesque blonde woman whose hair fell in perfect waves and clothes fit snugly. I cowered in her self confidence. Another man, about Reneè's age clambered down the stairs in a grey t-shirt and jeans and smiled happily.

"Everyone, meet Carlie. Carlie, this is my husband Phil Dwyer, my son Emmett Swan and his wife Rosalie Swan." Reneè introduced.

I smiled shyly at them and carefully avoided Emmett's angry gaze.

Phil seemed instantly smitten and came over to pat my hair, "Thank you for finally turnin' up darling. You had mi lady quite upset all these years." He said jovially.

Rosalie, who was apparently my aunt even though she looked like my fucking sister or something came round and hugged me. She smelt of children and expensive perfume.

"Pleasure to meet you. I've always wondered how you'd look and I must say, you look amazing." She winked.

I smiled genuinely; she seemed to like me despite all the rogue-chick attitude around her.

Emmett had yet to speak. But then again I didn't really want to hear him because damn, he was fucking huge and his mouth looked like it could spew a whole load of bullshit too.

"Hi." He said in a clipped tone. Really, he should have kept his mouth shut if didn't have anything polite to say.

"Hi." I bit back in an equally acerbic tone. I know Daddy Dearest taught me manners but this guy blamed my father for Bella's death, and despite Edward hating my guts, we still shared a blood bond and a little defending wouldn't kill me. But then again looking at this guy's size, there was strong possibility of me getting battered.

Reneè shot him a withering look. Suck it up douche!

"Why is there a creepy looking guy parked outside your house, mom?" Emmett asked.

"That's my boyfriend." I blurted out. Word vomit for you; when you say wrong shit at the wrong fucking time.

They all shared a weird look.

"That's great! Invite the boy in Phil. I want to see this boy who has captured our Carlie's heart." Reneè said cordially and flicked Phil away with her hand. That guy was whipped.

"No, no it's fine." I said in a panic. I seriously didn't want Emmett making Jacob smoothie today.

Rosalie, who still stood behind Emmett smiled mischeviously and winked. She mouthed, 'don't worry about him' and went back to being impassive. I appreciated her help but the bitch look on steroidasaurus was making me piss in my jeans.

Jake strolled in at ease, looking around and smiling like a fucking fool. Beside Emmett, I gathered that it could have been an equal match, what with Jacob having a few good inches on him in height. But Emmett definitely had it in the muscle department.

Reneè and Rosalie's eyes widened in shock and in pleasure. Eat that ladies; he's my man.

"Hi, I'm Jacob Black." He said cheerily and grinned at everyone. I think he was trying to make peace but all he was doing was making me fucking nervous.

Reneè, Rosalie and Phil smiled back and introduced themselves. After a few moments of strained silence, Phil said, "Son, you like baseball?"

Jake nodded eagerly.

"Well come this way, my flatscreen awaits!" And off they skipped into the sunset holding hands.

Fucker, comes in and goes BFF on my step-grandfather and leavies me with an angry uncle. Jacob is so uncool. Emmett sulked some more and then headed out the door. I thanked God and turned back to my grandmother. We made small talk, carefully skirting around my mother and asked about everything that has happened. It felt strange to be part of such a conversation, but after Reneè gave me a full recount of her one and only pottery lesson with Phil, I realised that the woman was lovely and was just happy to have me here. Even Rosalie joined in and told me about the antics of my cousins; Kristina who is thirteen years old and Ethan who is four. She showed me a picture from her handbag and I suddenly wanted to meet them. They had their mother's blue eyes and their father's medium brown hair. Ethan even had an adorable dimple beginning to show while Katrina seemed to have her figure shaping up quite nicely.

"They're beautiful, just like their parents." I whispered.

Rosalie nodded proudly, "Yes, but they've definitely got competition with their cousin."

We laughed and felt the cameraderie forming.

"Don't worry about Em, he doesn't come round that easily." She murmured.

I hmmned absently; I wasn't here to get his appreciation after the blame he'd thrown on my father.

"I also know you've been reported missing. You should let your father know that you're alright." Rosalie whispered.

My eyes widened and I bit my lip until I was sure I had reached a fucking capillary in my throat, "Oh my God."

My blonde aunt nudged me playfully, "Don't worry, I wasn't going to tell. I just think you should put Edward out of his misery."

I raised my eyebrows at her, "Did you know how uptight, frigid and over controlling the man is? I want him to piss himself for a while. He deserves it."

She laughed slightly and then looked at me with those serious looks people pull on medical dramas, "Carlie, it may feel like he's got you on eternal lockdown, but the guy loves you too much for you to go astray. I felt like that when I was younger, but now that I have kids, I know how your old man feels. Emmett and Kristina fight on an hourly basis these days."

Why did everyone have to guilt trip me? I was such a sucker.

"Okay" I sighed and turned to Reneè who had a calculating look on her face.

"Are you alright?" I asked her tentatively. I didn't know whether to call her Reneè or Grandmah, so I avoided saying anything to her at all.

Reneè bit her lip and it reminded me of myself. I smiled involuntarily at the fact that I had inherited something other than my hair from my mother's side. She locked her eyes with Rosalie and had those irritating silent conversations with her. I refrained from groaning and throwing a hissy fit, as I would do with Beth and Edward.

"I'm fine. Would you like me to start dinner?" Reneè replied happily. Her face had become completely bland and it didn't take a genious to figure out that she was hiding something.

"Sure." I said uncertainly; I didn't want to victimise the poor woman. Reneè leapt up stealthily and whizzed into her kitchen, leaving Rosalie and I alone again.

"How does it feel like to be the daughter of a moviestar?" Rosalie asked with a sparkle in her eyes.

I shrugged; there was nothing interesting I could really say. "Not as great as everyone makes it out to be. I'm so used to living without him, that when he comes back to live at home on a more permanent basis, I get so bloody mad at him every two seconds, that I feel I'm better off in his absence."

Rosalie nodded her head in what looked like agreement.

"How comes my grandmother and everyone else don't know about my Dad being famous and all that? I mean it should be obvious since he's on every magazine and gossip show or blockbuster movie." I asked suddenly.

My aunt seemed to consider that too, "Well...Reneè's isn't into gossip or anything; she only knows her Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presely. Phil is so into his baseball, I don't think he cares about anything else. Emmett...is another story. I, however, do like to keep in touch with the current decade but I've never met Edward so I never really knew for sure if he was the one this family was looking for. It didn't feel right bringing it up like that."

I took in the information. "Did you meet Emmett in college? And what's his story?"

Rosalie pursed her lips and looked around, as if trying to get permission from the pictures hanging on the walls. After a few moments of tense silence, she spoke. "You have to realise that I'm going to be brutally honest with you. You're not a child and I'm sure you'd like to hear the truth as it is. Emmett didn't want anybody to find you. He knew that Edward Cullen was famous and the father of his sister's child. He blames your father for his sister's death and he believes that if you come into our lives, you'll bring havoc with you. He essentially hates you for what you've unknowingly caused and because Edward Cullen is the root of half of your genes. He didn't tell his parents about his knowledge because he wanted to keep you out. Now, he's incredibly pissed because you've found your own way here, even with all his concealing. He's not as mad as I'd expected him to be because he knows that your father had nothing to do with your appearance here."

Rosalie was my new favourite person. At least she told me everything.

"Thank you." I said fervently. Sometimes knowing the truth was painful, but it was liberating.

She smiled an award-winning smile.

"I'm not trying to justify anything, but could you please pass on a message to your husband? Tell him that my father is innocent. If it's anyone's fault, then it's mine. I was the one who caused her to die. If I wasn't here, then my mother would have been ever present and your lives would have been perfect."

Rosalie just stared at me. "Do you know how ridiculous you sound? And it does sound like you're justifying yourself. Don't you understand that this isn't anyones fault really? It's fate. Your parents shared a night of passion, love and lust. You didn't consciously decide to come into this world. It was their choices and decisions. And despite the ludicrisy of it all, I will pass that on to Emmett."

I shook my head; she didn't fucking get it. Nobody ever understood.

"I don't agree with you, but it doesn't matter. I'm just grateful for the truth." I said honestly.

"I suppose it's agree to disagree."

--

Lunch was actually quite nice at the Dwyer house. Probably because Emmett wasn't there. Phil muttered that he had gone back home to his children. I refused to give two shits about him. He could go watch the Tweenies and eat microwave macaroni cheese all he wanted.

Jake and I sat together and I kept shooting him glares. I didn't know why exactly, but the guy had pissed the shit out of me. Befriending my step-grandfather? Jesus, it was like the fucking Twilight Zone. Rosalie and Reneè even caught some of the venom-filled glances and coughed up their sniggers ineffectively. Phil and Jake remained oblivious. Men.

Reneè asked about my father and I shifted awkwardly, not knowing what to say. I lied and said that he was a famous property dealer in Washington and was doing quite well for himself. Once we were on more solid relations, I'd have a movie night with her watch some action flick starring my Dad. Jake's father was a fishmonger, apparently. For someone who did two sets of homework in the time of one, and get straight A's, the guy was a fucking dipshit. My dipshit, the corny part of my brain added.

Ah, love.

We finished with a readymade-frozen gateau as dessert since Reneè was 'culinarily challenged.' Looking at the burned potatoes, I believed her. It was amazing that she'd even attempted to cook for us.

"Thank you so much...Granmah. Everything was lovely." I thanked her politely.

She shook her head and smirked, "If you think black potatoes are good, then okay. And thank you."

I smiled and hugged her; the woman was twice as nice as I'd thought. As for her bastardous son...he can fuck off. Sorry Uncle.

"I hope to meet you soon. Here is my mobile number and Email. Be sure to keep in touch." I said sincerely.

Rosalie came along and hugged me fiercely. The woman was awesome. She'd get on amazing with Aunt Alice and Beth. My heart sank as I thought of them. They must be shitting themselves right now. Rosalie murmured in my ear, "Add me on Facebook and send me your father's autograph. And I'll work on Emmett."

"Thank you so much. It was great meeting you. And would you like some Edward Cullen merchandise with that autograph?" I laughed.

We drew apart the same time as Jake and his new BFF, Phil. They spoke some baseball speech and knocked knuckles. It was cute but still, Jake was just too friendly sometimes. Oh well, atleast he wasn't a bitter dickface.

"Lovely meeting you dahling. Call me Grandpa Phil. A young grandpa is a sexy one!" Phil laughed and gave me a hearty hug.

I gave him a watery smile and left the house, before the waterworks began. Grabbing Jake's comforting hand I lead us to my car, waving at my new family. Or well most of it...

As I pulled out of the parking space, I could have sworn I saw a tall, well built, brown-haired man a few yards down the road. Or perhaps it was my wishful thinking...