-1JoJo: Peeks out from behind curtain Okay really, really, really sorry for the delay in chapters. Here's Bella meeting the Cullens'. Hope you all enjoy and thanks for the reviews. Keep'em coming.

Chapter Nine

The Cullens'

When Bella pulled into a side road I really did begin to worry because I had no clue where I was going and as far as my brother knew I was at Bella's. Even if they did decide to come after me the first place they would stop would be at Bella's house and I was already a good distance from there so it would take them awhile before they got to me here. Course that was assuming they even knew where the vampire's lived. If they didn't it could take them a bit longer and those few minutes could be the difference between life and death for me.

Trying to slow down my racing heart I looked up at the large home that came into view when we got clear of the trees and I couldn't help smiling. It was gorgeous and under normal circumstances I probably would have been extremely anxious to get into the home but today I was just wondering if there was anyway we could hang out outside where I could at least try and make a break for it if the need did arise. Once Bella shut off the truck it was a few moments before I opened my door and joined her outside. Part of me wanted to stay in the truck but I knew if they really wanted to get to me then a mere car would not stand in their way and I'd be trapped with absolutely no hope of escape.

Following Bella up to the front door I bit my lip nervously as she knocked on the door and she hadn't even lowered her hand when the door opened which made me think that we were expected. I wondered if Bella had called them sometime when I wasn't paying attention but then I remembered what my brother said about two of their powers. One could read other's thoughts and the other could tell the future. With that in mind I followed Bella through the door but unlike Bella I did not smile and throw my arms around the guy who answered the door.

As she gave him a quick kiss I figured this was the guy that she was marrying and by the way his eyes were glued to me I knew he wasn't happy. He didn't even say hello when Bella introduced instead he opted to just give a nod of his head. Not one to try and make friends with somebody who had been responsible for hurting one of my long time friends I returned the curt nod then followed Bella as she and Edward led me further into the house.

"Smooth Tammy. You're in a vampire coven's lair and if anything happens it'll be your own fault." I thought as I walked behind the engaged couple. I kept my eyes open and studied everything around me hoping that I remembered what doors led to what rooms and praying that I could jump out a window or an open door before a vampire could catch me if they decided it was time to eat.

"I see your brother conveniently forgot to mention that we do not eat people." Edward said rather coldly as he continued to walk beside Bella. It took me a few minutes to realize that he was talking to me and when I realized it I also realized that he had been reading my thoughts and I was livid.

"Do me a favor and stick to your own head. You don't see me snooping around your private sanctuary so have some courtesy and stay the hell out of mine." I said a bit snappishly as we walked into a room with a large table. Seated around the table were six other people including the girl that had been at Bella's when I got there. "Oh crud! I didn't know there were this many."

Hearing a snort I looked up at Edward and knew that he had read my thoughts. I was sorely tempted to whack him over the head but I knew I couldn't do that since one he probably already knew I had thought that and two I really didn't feel like being ripped apart by six other vampires for trying. When Edward motioned to a chair that was closest to the oldest looking of the guys I hesitated for a few moments then made my way over sitting down nervously and looking around at the others in the room. I knew my nervousness and edginess could probably be felt by the others in the room so I was extremely glad that they all just sort of kept their mouth's shut to try and let me get used to everything. I was quickly beginning to calm down and thought that was a bit odd when another one of my brother's warnings came to mind. One of them could control your emotions so you would become calm, angry or whatever it was he wanted. Finding the nervousness fading away a could feel anger flaring up but not as strong as it should so I knew my emotions were being controlled.

"Look. I appreciate whoever is trying to calm me down but I like knowing that my body and my emotions are mine so please do me a favor and let me feel my emotions and stay out of my head." I said to the room in general. I saw everybody looking around at each other and I wondered if I had offended some of them but to be perfectly honest and perfectly fair I really didn't care. They had done it to themselves by trying to control my feelings which should be mine to control not theirs.

"With that said and done I would like to introduce myself. My name is Carlisle and from what we've been told you were attacked by one of our guests for the wedding?" I stared up at the man who sat beside me and I knew I must have looked confused. I knew that I hadn't told him anything then I remembered about Edwards powers and turned to scowl at him for a few moments before I turned back to face Carlisle.

"Yes I was. His name was Thomas and he tried to make dinner out of me at a bonfire on our reservation." I said simply and with a hint of anger in my voice. Pulling out the invitation that was crumpled up in my pocket I laid it on the table and pushed it towards Carlisle before saying: "We would appreciate it if you had your friends not come through our reservation. Nobody was bitten so technically the treaty was broken but if he had bitten me you know my brother would be furious and you would be forced to leave Forks if he and the pack didn't kill you first."

"And we'd have left no with no problems if you had been killed although we would have taken as many of them down as we could if they had tried to kill us." Carlisle responded as he picked up the invitation but didn't bother to look at it. He kept his eyes on me and after a few moments he asked: "How did Thomas even get close enough to kill you? Didn't you notice his eyes?"

"Yes but oddly enough I thought they were contacts. Up til then I didn't believe in vampires and werewolves. You guys are supposed to be myths." I responded with a shrug of my shoulders. I was upset at my brother for not proving to me they were real before I went to the bonfire but I couldn't really do or say anything about that now.

"What do you mean you thought we were myths? You're brother is a werewolf." One of the girl said incredulously. It was obvious she couldn't believe that I had not known but then again I wondered if she knew that I'd been gone from La Push for the past few years.

"She's been in Hawaii since she was twelve. She just recently got back." Edward responded before I could even say anything. Turning to glare at him I kept my mouth shut as he said: "Sam didn't tell her before that and she didn't learn about them being werewolves until after the bonfire."

Edward looked at me and smirked and with his eyes still on me he added: "And apparently she has imprinted with Paul."

I could hear the collective gasps then as I looked around the room I could see the faint smirks on their lips. One of the guys who looked to be the biggest of all the guys there said: "So you're the soul mate of the werewolf with a temper."

"And I can match him level for level so if you're smart you'll keep any other smart ass comments to yourself." I said looking the guy in the eyes. I knew I didn't stand a chance against anybody in this room except for Bella but something told me if I pissed them off enough it wouldn't be Bella that I as facing off against and as all eyes turned to Carlisle he just laughed.

"You've got the fiery temper that might just be able to keep Paul in check." Carlisle said. It was obvious he thought this whole thing was amusing and as the smile left his face he turned asked: "Was Thomas alone when he attacked you?"

"As far as I know he was. Why?" I asked glad to be back on the topic that I had come here for. I didn't want to talk about where I'd been or why I didn't know about them before. I hadn't even considered the possibility that Thomas hadn't been alone but now that the idea was brought up I found myself wondering if we were going to have to deal with any more vampires on the reservation.

"We just don't want to have to deal with any other crazy vampires seeking revenge. Course this time they'd be looking for you instead of Bella." Carlisle responded. It wasn't hard to see the worry that crossed Carlisle's face and as I looked around I saw the same worry on the faces of all the other vampires. Great! So with my luck there was some other lunatic vampire out there who wanted revenge for Paul and the others killing Thomas. Well this would be fun.

"Well seeing as they helped you out with your problem vamp maybe you could help them out with theirs if one shows up." I said wondering if the vampires would return the favor and help out my brother and the pack. Looking over at Bella then Edward I added: "After all. Without the packing to get in her way your crazy vampire friend might have gotten to Bella."

I knew it was a low blow but everybody looked over to Edward to see what he had to say and although he didn't say anything I could tell he wasn't very happy with remembering that. Looking around the room I added: "Besides you guys invited the vampires. The least you could do is help us take care of any wayward vampires who decide to try and make meals out of our people."

"We're not allowed on your land but we'll do what we can to keep them away from it." Carlisle said as I turned to face him. So far the vampires didn't seem all that bad and I found myself wondering if maybe my brother and the pack had just exaggerated everything or maybe they just had never gotten the chance to talk to the vampires outside of planning for that one battle a few weeks earlier.

Looking around one more time I said: "Well I've said what I came here to say. Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about or can I get a ride home?"

I looked around the table and finally Carlisle just looked at Bella and she stood up. Taking the cue I stood up too and followed the other girl out of the room and as we walked towards the front door I could hear the talking start up behind us. Once we were safely in her car Bella looked over at me and smirked slightly: "I have to give you credit. I would have thought that you were going to pass out when you saw everybody waiting for you."

"Yea well a little warning would have been nice." I said not bothering to try and smile. I still felt like I had been ambushed and where I had thought we were going to be talking to Edward we ended up talking to the entire coven.

Bella just smiled and a comfortable silence fell over the car. When we pulled up in front of my house I was not surprised to see every light blazing and I had just stepped out of the car when the front door opened and both my brother as well as Paul stood at the door. Looking in at Bella I thanked her for the ride then closed my door and headed up the walk listening to the sound of the truck driving away. Both Paul and my brother stepped aside when I walked in and before either my brother or Paul could say anything Jared called out: "So we hear you're planning on having Paul's kids."