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I sat at the table beside Edward, staring at the plate of five star restaurant quality food. 'It's just a cheeseburger and fries…why does it look like it was arranged by a chef who studied at the Le Cordon Bleu?'

"How does it look?" Esme asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you sure you've never cooked before?" I asked skeptically. She laughed, dropping a kiss on my head.

"Not since my human days, I'm sure. At least, I assume I cooked…I can't really remember." I frowned up at her for a moment, a little confused, but she diverted my attention back to the burger. "Well, try it. For all I know it's terrible." I laughed, reaching down at taking a bite a little self consciously, very aware of their eyes on me. But, as I already knew, it tasted even better than it looked. I nodded, humming happily, and she laughed, her hand still on my shoulder.

"It's wonderful. Thank you." I told her with a smile, touching her hand on my shoulder.

"You're very welcome." Moving away, she left us alone in the kitchen, although I could still hear Emmett and Jasper talking in the other room and assumed they were still playing.

"What are they playing?" I wondered after swallowing a bite of food.

"Emmett and Jasper?" He chuckled. "Um…they made it up. Most of the pieces are from chess, but regular chess gets boring after a while, so they went out one day and bought more chessboards, set them up in the living room, dumped out all the pieces, along with some from Backgammon and I think one of them is from Sorry…" I laughed when he chuckled softly. "They spent three days making up rules and fighting…they won't play with me anymore…the mind reading thing." I could understand that. "They won't play with Alice either, although sometimes Jasper will give in and let her play. But she always wins." He paused his story, reaching over and moving a strand of hair from my face with a smile, gesturing for me to keep eating. "They'll teach you sometime." He promised, pushing a glass of water toward my plate.

"I'd never figure it out." I laughed, taking another bite. "I can never even win regular chess."

"We can practice sometime, although, fair warning, even I couldn't beat Jasper if I couldn't read his mind. I'm not sure he's ever lost a game to anyone but me." I took a drink of water, my cheeks heating up when he watched me. His eyes were soft when I glanced up at him, and his cold fingertips brushed against my cheek. Then suddenly he was back to his conversation. "I was thinking we could go out…for a walk. I wanted to show you something." I nodded; swallowing my last bite of burger, then drank the rest of my water. "If you're up for it…or you could sleep some more?" He teased. I smiled, shaking my head.

"I've slept enough. Just let me…" I glanced down at my plate, stiffening in surprise for a moment when I realized there was no plate…looking up I found Esme at the sink, washing it along with my glass, and I stared incredulously at Edward who was regarding me with amusement. "How…Esme, you don't…" They both laughed, and Edward pulled me to my feet, taking my hand.

"Go ahead, sweetheart. Have fun. Edward there's a jacket hanging up by the door for Bella." She appeared at my side, kissing my cheek, then went back into the living room. Edward took my hand, pulling me along into the living room, and Emmett and Jasper glanced up from where they sat on the floor.

"See ya." Emmett waved, all of his concentration on the board, but Jasper glanced up, and I felt a wave of warmth wrap around me.

"Have fun." He offered, grinning when Emmett moved a piece, then moving one of his own, snatching three of what I assumed were Emmett's off the board and laughing when Emmett swore.

The last thing I heard was Esme's quiet scolding as we stepped outside, Edward wrapping the jacket around me. It wasn't particularly cold, but it was overcast and the wind blew cold air around us. He buttoned the jacket for me, pulling the hood up, then took my hand, leading me toward the trees. "So, it's kind of a long walk." He began a little sheepishly, and I turned to him.

"Edward you said we were going to walk." He grinned, the look that managed to melt my resolved, and squeezed my hand.

"We are…but I'm going to run first."

"Edward!"

"It's only going to take a few minutes...if that." He was more amused than I would have liked. "It wasn't so bad last time."

"Because I kept my eyes closed!"

"So, keep them closed again." He grinned, reaching out and caching me before I could try and escape. I couldn't stifle a laugh as he caught me around the waist, gently placing me on his back, and waiting for me to cling to his neck. "Don't forget to close your eyes." He kissed one of my hands, moving my legs around his waist, and right after I closed my eyes, tucking my head against his neck, he was running.

The air rushed past me as I clung to him, and although I didn't dare open my eyes I could imagine how quickly we were moving through the forest, how the trees would be nothing but a green and brown blur…how the sky would race by. I inhaled, my nose against his neck, and his scent calmed me immediately, my arms relaxing around his neck, and I might have fallen if he hadn't caught me quickly, his hands catching mine. And then, as quickly as he'd begun to run, he came to a halt. "Are you okay?" He asked softly, touching my hands. I nodded slightly, but couldn't quite bring myself to let go.

Once again, he unwound my legs, then my arms, being gentle as he crouched down until my feet hit the ground, then spun around, catching me easily. "Are you sure you're okay?" I took a deep breath, clinging to him for a moment, then stood on my own.

"Fine...thanks." He chuckled, kissing my head, then slipped an arm around me.

"Come on. It's only a few minutes from here." We walked at my pace, although he never seemed frustrated at moving so slowly. Instead he made sure to catch me every time I stumbled, leading me toward a line of trees where I could see sunlight break through, and I remembered what he'd said about sunlight.

I stepped through the trees, gasping as I looked around the beautiful meadow, the sunlight warming me as I closed my eyes, tilting my head up. I felt like I hadn't seen the sun since I moved here, and I missed it more than anything about Arizona. I could hear Edward's soft chuckle and I whirled around, finding him still under the trees. "Well come on!" I cried, crossing my arms and smiling, the sun elating my already good mood. He started to take a hesitant step forward, then paused when I walked back to where he stood, reaching out with a hand to take his. He smiled at me softly as I pulled, then followed me forward into the sunlight.

I suppose my jaw must have dropped. My hand tightened around him as we moved completely into the sunlight. It seemed as though tiny diamonds were buried in his skin, sparkling in the sunlight. The sun brought out the red and blonde in his messy hair, and the hand that lifted to push the strands of hair behind my ear made tiny rainbows on my own arm. His lips turned up into a small smile, and he led me to the middle of the field, throwing down his own jacket and sitting me down beside me. I started to reach out to him, to run my hands over his beautiful skin, but hesitated. He smiled gently, catching my retreating hand, and placing it on his face. "Go ahead." He invited, closing his eyes as my fingertips moved over his face, skimming over his eyelids and around his nose, stroking his cheek…then dropped to his arm, running my hands over his fingers and knuckles.

"Is it okay?" I asked quietly, glancing up at his face. His eyes were closed, but they opened briefly to glance at me. The gentle smile that lit up his face made my heart stutter.

"Of course. You cannot imagine how wonderful that feels." He stroked my hand with his thumb, turning his hand in mine to capture it, then lifted it slowly, pressing his lips against the back of it.

"Why does your skin…in the sun…it's like diamonds." I gave up on the question, still in awe over the way sunlight affected him.

He chuckled, laying back on the ground, and I lay beside him, shifting until I was laying against his side, my head on his shoulder. "We're not really sure…Carlisle think it has something to do with how our venom changes us…and our skin. But he can't really be sure. It'd kind of hard to test…especially since he can't exactly run tests on samples. Either way, it sort of keeps us out of the public eye on sunny days."

"Is that why the myth started then?"

"Possibly. Carlisle's acquaintances in Italy…they work to keep our existence a secret. So they may have spread that particular rumor…tried to make us a little more fantastical." He stared at me for a long moment, his hand lifting to touch my face. "It can be rather inconvenient. You wouldn't believe how tiresome nighttime can get over the years…so we choose places like Forks. Here we can go out in the daytime, go to school…" He trailed off then.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked, and he laughed as his own question was thrown back at him.

"Forgive me…I'm finding it difficult not to be distracted by how beautiful you look." I felt my face catch fire and ignored his chuckle.

"People…don't say things like that." I mumbled, willing my face to go back to its normal color.

"I don't see why not. It's true." He stroked my face, and keeping an arm around me, sat us both up. "I would like to try something, if its alright with you." He said softly, placing a hand on my cheek. I nodded slightly; feeling my heartbeat accelerate and hoping that wouldn't make things harder for him. "Try and stay very still." He whispered, his face closer now. I fought the urge to lean in…to meet him halfway. The hand on my face helped to keep me still, gently restraining until his lips found mine.

He didn't know if he could do this…if he should do this. He could hurt her…he could lose control in an instant and kill her. And that thought was too painful to even consider. But then her eyes slipped shut and his lips met hers, and a jolt of fire ripped through his spine, making him feel hot all over like he couldn't remember ever feeling before. No contact had ever done this to him…he'd never even dreamed that he could feel like this. Her hand slipped around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair, and he fought the urge to pull her closer. 'I can't. I…' All of his thoughts seemed to evaporate when she moved closer, and all he could think of was her…how soft she was, how warm her hands were…'No. No!' He jerked away, hoping he wasn't hurting her, and backed away, making sure he was far enough away that he wouldn't be tempted to go back.

The startled, hurt look on her face floored him for a moment, and he realized that there had to have been a better way to pull away than that. Her hand dropped to her side, her upper lip going between her teeth, and her face dropped, her hair hiding her face. Terrified that she was so hurt that she would cry, he hurried back to her side, kneeling in front of her and gently cupping her cheek. "No." He whispered. "Oh Bella…you don't understand." He took a deep breath, trying to accustom himself once more to her scent, then forced a small smile. "I am so sorry. That was very rude of me. Would you understand if I told you that I'm only human?" She blushed delicately, nodding, and he moved to sit at her side once more, taking her hand gently in his own, hoping he hadn't hurt it when he'd jerked away. Running his fingers over hers, he glanced up at her, making sure this wasn't causing her any kind of pain.

"I'm sorry." He looked up in surprise, her hand, still in his, forgotten. "I just…you hadn't before…so I thought maybe…" Immediately he understood.

'She thought I didn't want to kiss her.' He didn't allow himself to laugh, although it sounded outrageous to him. All that mattered was that he'd made her feel that way. He leaned forward, moving to rest his forehead against hers.

"I have never wanted anyone like I want you." He told her quietly, his eyes fixed on her own. "Don't ever doubt that. But I have to be so careful…if I forgot, just for one moment how fragile you were, I could hurt you…I could kill you." He didn't even want to entertain the notion. The thought of life without her now was unbearable. "I love you." He whispered. "And it's going to take some…practice." He grinned a little when her eyes lit up mischievously. "Lots of practice." He went on. "But I don't mind if you don't."

"Not at all." He chuckled when she moved closer again, placing a hand on her face and moving closer once more, his lips against hers for just a brief moment before pulling away, the burn in his throat making him conscious of how close she was.

'It's getting better.' Which was something he appreciated. But it would be easier if he could spend more time with her…if he could sneak into La Push. He didn't doubt he could do so without being detected. 'But Esme would panic…Carlisle would forbid it. If I were to get caught…who knows when the shape-shifters will awaken once more.' "Come here." He lay back once more, pulling her close, and she curled up against him, her head on his shoulder. Briefly, her lips touched his cheek and he smiled, closing his eyes and dropping his head back on the ground, content to hold her for a while.

The sun began to disappear after about an hour, dipping behind the clouds that began to emerge, and he felt her shiver. Sitting up, he slipped out of his own jacket and put it around her. "Do you want to go back?" He asked softly? She shook her head, scooting closer to him, and he smiled, reaching down and kissing her forehead. "You're going to get cold, Bella." He sat up, helping her move as well, and kept her against him. "Let's go back to the house. It's only four o'clock. We can stay there for a while." Pulling her gently onto his back, he began running, heading for the house.

Esme tucked her feet against her side, her head on Carlisle's shoulder, his arm around her. The TV was on the news and she watched idly, looking down occasionally at the book in his lap. Every once in a while he would turn and kiss her forehead, his hand rubbing against her arm. Both of them looked up whenever Jasper or Emmett would laugh or sigh in irritation, checking the progress of their game. They had a system that the first to win two out of three games would win whatever prize they'd decided on beforehand, although no one ever knew what the prize was until afterward, except Edward and Alice of course. Apparently Jasper had already won one game and was winning this one. Emmett had been staring at one of the board for ten minutes, and Jasper was sitting against the wall, grinning and crossing his arms, obviously unconcerned.

Suddenly Emmett glanced up, wincing at something, and Esme immediately understood. Jasper's smug grin slipped off of his face, an irritated frown taking its place. Carlisle sighed and Esme took his hand. Rosalie had been gone all night, and he was glad she was back…they all were. She was their daughter. But her attitude toward Bella was…troublesome, to say the least. Rosalie refused to get to know the girl, blinded by her own jealousy. And in a way, Esme could understand. Her daughter wanted to be human. She wanted children. And it was impossible for her. Now, to see this human girl who would, some day, willingly give up her own humanity, her ability to have children, her natural life, in exchange for an existence that Rosalie herself resented so much…of course Rosalie would be upset. But to take it out on Bella like this…

Carlisle had stopped her from making a scene at the baseball game, making it very clear that if she was going to be cruel to Bella, she could go home. Carlisle rarely was so stern with their children, but he wouldn't allow them to hurt one another, and as of yesterday, Bella was a member of their family. The blonde walked in through the kitchen door, pausing by the kitchen, sniffing for a moment, then rolling her eyes, ignoring the warning look Carlisle sent her, then began walking through the living room, avoiding all of their eyes. Esme felt the air grow heavy and tense, and looked over at Jasper, wondering if he realized he was projecting.

"Jasper." Carlisle spoke softly, and the tension lessened a little. Jasper glanced over at Emmett whose jaw was clenched, and Esme felt a wave of pity for her son. He loved her so much, and Rosalie was lashing out at him. Her daughter glanced over at Jasper, obviously irritated by whatever emotions he was projecting at her, and Esme glanced over at him. Esme missed whatever she said, but suddenly Alice was on her feet, teeth bared, and Emmett jumped up, putting a hand on Alice's shoulder, his face torn. Jasper remained on the floor, his eyes narrowed as he glared up at his sister, and Esme took a second to be glad that their fierce, military son would never attack Rosalie. She was a good fighter, but as the scars on his face showed, he was the best fighter of all of them.

Carlisle leapt to his feet, but it was Esme that stepped forward, grabbing Rosalie's arm before she tried to advance on either Jasper or Alice. Tense arguments could be dangerous for her temperamental children, and she lived in fear that one of their sparring matches would turn serious and she would lose one of them. "Enough!" She snapped, moving between Rosalie and Jasper. "Your room, now, Rosalie." She ordered, pointing to the stairs and giving her daughter a push toward door, glaring when the girl whirled on her. "Do not give me that look. I said now. Alice, enough. Sit down or you can go upstairs as well." Rosalie stormed off and Esme sighed, crossing her arms and shaking her head.

"I'll speak to her."

"No." She told her husband softly. "I will." She glanced over at Emmett who was still staring at the ground, his eyes closed. Jasper looked over at him, probably trying to ease whatever emotions he was feeling, and Esme sighed, turning and making her way upstairs.

Edward slowed and I assumed we were nearing the house. But he stopped abruptly and I gasped in surprise, clutching his neck, glad for his hands on mine as he steadied me. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?" I nodded, dropping down from his back.

"Yea, fine. What's wrong?" He looked down at me for a moment, obviously torn. "Is everything okay…is someone hurt?" He shook his head, placing a hand on my back, stroking my hair.

"Don't be upset." He sighed. "Everyone is fine. Rosalie is home…she's been out since last night."

"She…doesn't want me here." I realized, lowering my gaze.

"Rosalie is…" I shook my head.

"You don't have to explain it…it's fine. Really. Maybe I should go. I don't want to…"

"No." He cupped my face in his hands. "You do not have to be worried about that. If Rosalie is upset and causing trouble, that is not your fault. You haven't done anything to her."

"She hates me." I said softly, looking down at the ground.

"I'm sorry." I closed my eyes when he didn't deny it. "Truly…I am so sorry that she's acting this way." He sighed, pulling my gaze back up to his. "Hey, out of seven Cullens, six of us love you." I had to laugh a little, his lips turning up in response. "Those are pretty good numbers." He touched my face, hesitating for a moment, taking a deep breath, then leaned forward, pressing his lips against mine, but too soon, he pulled away. "Come on. I'd better get you inside. You're going to freeze out here." He took my hand, leading me toward the house.

Immediately I noticed the tension in the air. Emmett and Jasper were sitting on the floor on opposite sides of the living room, their game apparently forgotten. Alice sat cross legged on a dining room chair, her tablet in her hands, and Carlisle lounged on the sofa, staring at the cover of a thick book he obviously was no longer reading. Edward sighed, starting to walk over to the sofa, but I went over to where Emmett sat on the floor, sliding down the wall and sitting beside him. He glanced over at me, grinning faintly, but even I could tell he was upset. "Hey. Did you have fun?"

I had a feeling that question would have sounded much more suggestive had he been in a better mood. "Yea." I glanced over that the board games, noticing that Edward had moved to stand beside Alice and the two of them were murmuring about something. "Who won?" He smiled a little.

"I think we'll finish up tomorrow after school. He's winning though." I bit my lip, placing my hands in my lap and staring at the floor.

"I'm sorry, Emmett." I mumbled, swallowing hard before my eyes betrayed me. "If it wasn't for me…" He shifted and I felt his arms slip around me, pulling me close, and I rested my head on his massive shoulder.

"This isn't your fault. Don't be sorry." He ruffled my hair, pulling away after a minute. "Rose will come around…she just needs some time." He was obviously trying to be positive, but I didn't know if I believed him. Jasper must have felt my skepticism and worry because it was slowly erased until I stuck my tongue out at him, making him laugh aloud. Emmett chuckled as well, leaning against the wall beside me.

"Never saw anyone that could call you out on it so quick…not even us." Jasper shrugged.

"She figured it out from the start. I haven't been able to do it without her knowing yet." Carlisle chuckled from the sofa, finally looking up at us.

"So, how was the bonfire this morning?" I smiled, letting myself forget just a little about the beautiful blonde upstairs that obviously hated me, and told Carlisle and the others about the bonfire, starting with Jacob dragging me out of bed. Alice put her computer down and grinned at me, laughing along with the others, and it wasn't until I was answering one of her questions about Sam that I realized how comfortable I felt here…I truly felt like I was at home in a way I never had, talking to a family that I'd never dreamed I could have. And I knew that I had to figure out a way to make things right with Rosalie. Somehow. Whatever she had against me, whatever reason she had to hate me…there had to be something I could do. I wanted this family…all of it. And I couldn't have that if Rosalie hated me.

Rosalie leaned against her headboard, her eyes closed, and ignored her mother's entrance into her bedroom. "Rosalie." She kept her eyes closed as her mother shut the bedroom door behind her, moving to sit beside her on the bed. But when her mother put her arms around her, pulling her against her chest and kissing her forehead, she dug her teeth into her lip. "I know that you're hurting, honey. I know that this is hard for you…that it has always been hard for you. I understand. But lashing out at the rest of us…at Bella…that's not going to make it hurt any less."

The blonde had no idea how her mother knew exactly what to say to break her defenses…maybe it was part of her gift, but she sobbed softly, clenching her mother's hand. "Oh baby girl…I know."

"She doesn't understand." Rosalie chocked out, looking up at the woman who was, in every way that mattered, her mother. "She's giving up everything!"

"Rose, Bella isn't giving up anything right now. She's gaining a family. Emmett, Jasper, Alice…they love her. She's Edward's mate…if you would just give her a chance you would see it."

"She's going to become one of us."

"That's what Alice sees." She rubbed Rosalie's back gently. "Her visions are subjective…but Bella is alone, like all of us were in the end. And I know that you would give anything just to be human again…but maybe Bella doesn't want all of the same things you did." Rosalie shook her head but didn't respond. "Bella seems very happy with us, and she's still getting over the loss of her father. Her family situation is…hard. I wish you would try to give her a chance. And even if you can't…have some sympathy for the girl. At least make an attempt to hide your disdain. You don't have to hide away every time she's here. I'm sure Bella would like to meet you...get to know you…" Esme stood, kissing Rosalie's cheek briefly.

Edward drove me back to my truck, my hand firmly in his the whole way. He was going to pick me up the next day for school at the edge of the reservation, so I didn't have to be away from him for long. The fact that it was going to be hard to be away from him…even for the night, worried me a little. Was I getting too attached too quickly? Maybe he was going to think I was clingy and needy…or maybe he felt the same. We had been sitting by my truck for at least twenty minutes, my hand held tightly in his, and he didn't seem to want to let me go…not that I wanted to leave.

"I love you." I smiled at him, leaning over to rest my head on his shoulder.

"I love you too." He seemed to want to say it as much as he could, and every time the opportunity presented itself, he pressed his lips against mine, or my cheek or my forehead. Not that I minded…quite the opposite. I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do than sit around and kiss him all day.

"I'll pick you up here tomorrow morning…six thirty?" I nodded, moving my head up to kiss him, which he returned happily, his arm going around me before he pulled away with a sigh. "Careful, Bella." He whispered, putting some space between us. Already I was tired of being careful, but I had a feeling that this wasn't going to go away. "Do you think I could live with myself if I hurt you?" He asked gently, cupping my face in his hands, pressing his lips against mine briefly, then pulling away once more. "You'd better get home. Billy and Jacob will be worried."

"It's only six o'clock." I mumbled mulishly, and he laughed, stroking my hair.

"I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well." He kissed my forehead, pulling away then and racing over to my door, holding it open for me and helping me out of the car. He walked me the ten feet to my car, stroking my face once before producing my keys and opening the door for me. "Be careful."

"Goodnight." I mumbled, throwing my arms around him, and he chuckled softly.

"I'll miss you too." He finally pulled away, although I could tell he was as reluctant as I was. "It's only going to be a few hours…" I nodded, climbing into the truck and forcing myself to drive toward the border.

'This is ridiculous.' I told myself, shaking my head. 'Completely ridiculous. I'll see him tomorrow.' But as I looked in the rearview mirror, I could see that he was standing right at the border, watching as I drove away.

Emmett glanced up when Rosalie entered the room, and she realized that everyone else was gone. She'd heard Edward's car leave, and assumed that he'd taken the girl home. 'Bella. Might as well start using her name.' Jasper and Alice were in their room, and Carlisle and Esme were out hunting. She kept her arms crossed tightly against her chest, refusing to look at him. Rosalie didn't do apologies well. But this was unavoidable. Since she'd found him and saved him…since she'd decided to bind herself to this man, Emmett had been nothing but understanding. At first, when she'd still been too traumatized to let him touch her, he'd sat with her, her constant companion, making her laugh and putting her at ease, telling her stories about everything he could remember.

And then on that night when she'd finally let him in…when she'd sat down and told him everything…he'd held her for hours, and she'd known that he was everything she needed. He took her mood swings and occasional snobbishness, her good days and her bad days, and he loved her through all of them. So now, thinking on their fight, on her cruelty towards her family, and especially toward him…she knew she had to apologize. She would speak to the others at some point, but this took precedence.

She knelt in front of him, glancing up shyly and meeting his confused gaze. "Emmett…" And then, before she realized what was going on, she was sobbing, his arms wrapped around him. She hadn't cried this much in….decades? "I wouldn't…" She pulled away and put her hands on top of his when they framed her face. He'd moved from confused to concerned and was now on worried. "I wouldn't want any of it without you, Emmett." She leaned forward, resting her forehead against her. "You have to know…I wouldn't want anything without you."

Rosalie is the hardest character to write...I hope it wasn't awful. Thank you all for reading. Let me know if you have questions/suggestions/etc :)