OK-Disclaimer. I took some big liberties here, so don't get mad! Doesn't follow timelines

or all characters. (I haven't read the new novella from Srephanie) If I've messed something up, you can correct me. REVIEWS PLEASE. I'm feeling lonely! (and it's my birthdayJ)

Carlisle smoothed my hair and gave me one final kiss before hitting the accelerator once again. About 20 minutes later, we pulled into the driveway of Tanya's magnificent house. Alice must have called ahead, because the gorgeous Tanya was already outside. Looming behind her was an angry looking Edward, his lips set in a grim line.

The Denali house was every bit as light and modern as the Cullen residence. Tanya

glared at me with a smoldering dislike; "well, well, look what Carlisle dragged in"

I still couldn't see her point of view, especially in light of her new relationship with

Esme. Carlisle ignored the dig, and they embraced warmly. Tanya peeked over the top

of his shoulder at me and looked triumphant. She cleared viewed my mousy human looks

to be far inferior to hers, and I agreed. I was trying really hard not to be jealous of her, even

in light of the fact that she was clearly standing possessively in front of Edward. I looked

past them and caught Edward's eye. He looked for my reaction and I smiled

welcomingly, despite the fleeting thought of "Edward! man-up already" He was clearly

shocked that Carlisle hadn't changed me yet. He crossed the distance between us in 3

strides and pulled me into his arms in an ardent embrace. "Bella, love, you are still

human-there is someone I'd like you to meet who may be able to keep you that way,

at least for now" OMG- did this guy ever stop with the stay human shtick...

Carlisle had released himself from Tanya's clutch and joined Edward and I.

"Listen Edward, every minute we waste is potentially disastrous for Bella. The

Volturi already had a major run in with the Denali clan years ago, and they will not be

pleased with the situation when they visit" Carlisle's tone was low and menacing. Even I

was taken aback. "Oh I'm being so rude" Tanya said snidely "let's get you inside. The

human may need to eat or something" "Tanya-that's enough! This is a hard enough time

for Bella, please let her be." Carlisle said with not an ounce of patience left. Tanya was

not done, she never seemed able to let go "Oh, how sweet you are to your

future daughter-in-law" she purred. Oh my god. She had no idea about the "love triangle"

between Edward, Carlisle and myself. Alice never told anyone it seemed.

I can't say that I wasn't a little pleased at the reaction Tanya would have to this info.

At the same time, I thought about Esme, and that it would be very difficult for her to

understand our relationship and not worry about Edward. I'll have to be a little less

dramatic about this than I'd like. The house was airy and filled with fascinating artifacts from far flung

places and times. The first to greet us was Esme, looking as beautiful and radiant as ever, dressed in a

color purple which brought out the color of her magnificent amber eyes. Like she needed any help

looking fabulous. She rushed over to embrace me warmly "Bella my sweet, I have missed you so

much. I am so sorry that circumstances have not allowed me to be in close contact with

you". Esme turned her gaze to Carlisle and I could see a genuine look of concern and

apology in her eyes. She clearly understood how much she had hurt him. I don't think she

knew exactly what to do, and Carlisle broke the tension by moving to her side and

hugging her tightly. They seemed to have a wordless communication of some sort,

something you can only accomplish when you've known someone as long as they did.

They embraced for awhile and awkwardly broke away. I sensed there were others in the

house, but that they were giving us space. "Esme, there is something I need to explain to

you and I don't have a lot of time. Can we go to a more private space? I need Bella and

Edward to join us as well," Carlisle asked softly. Tanya clearly bristled at this; "anything

that involves Esme, involves me as well." "OK, Tanya, you can join us as well. But

again, don't go after Bella anymore" he said sternly. We moved over to a small private

room that looked like a library. "Esme, when we.. split, you probably know that I went

back to my work in Forks. Working was my sanity. What you didn't know, and neither

did I at the time, is that I also went back to keep a watch over Bella. She was devastated

after the loss of Edward, and was in a deep depression (Edward flinched a little at that

statement). We spent much time together, and I came to realize that I had strong feelings

for her. It seemed as though she had feelings for me as well. I took me awhile to

determine whether I was a replacement for Edward, but I wasn't, and we fell deeply in

love." Oh, did I love to hear him say that. An awkward pause followed. Carlisle looked at

the floor, Esme turned and looked at Edward to see if he was OK, Tanya looked furious

again. It was as though time stayed still for a moment. Carlisle immediately knew that

Esme was distressed about what this news meant to her son. "But, Edward…?" she

asked emotionally, as though she would cry if she could. "Well, Esme, Edward did return

to Forks, and he didn't react well to the situation, as you may imagine. However, Bella

loves us both so much that she was prepared to leave rather then choose. Edward and I

love Bella so deeply that we allowed Bella a choice between us and the one not chosen

would leave forever. An interesting development followed, and the three of us decided to

make things work as a family" Carlisle explained, looking down again. "Carlisle what do

you mean by "making things work as a family"? Esme was clearly confused by the

news. Edward spoke for the first time, "Esme, the two of us love Bella, and we are both..

with her.. romantically. It's working for us, well, we've hit a crossroad about who will

and when will we change her." Esme still had a look of shock on her face, but Tanya

went at it again, despite Carlisle's request to leave me alone. It was just too much for her

to bear that this mousy, insignificant human captured the love of these fabulous vampire

lovers.

"Fabulous, she began shrilly, how does she decide who to fuck when? Do you two have a sex schedule

for Bella? Mondays are for Carlisle, Tuesdays are for Edward? Better yet-do you fuck her at the same

time? How do make sure you don't break her skinny human body when you go at it? Are they good

Bella? Are they really good? Which one is better in the bed? Which one is better endowed? Let me join

in! Let's kick the human out though" "TANYA!" Esme screeched "that is enough! What has gotten

into you? I know that you have always felt hurt that Edward doesn't respond to your

romantic advances, but you have to get over it. It doesn't mean that you are not infinitely

desirable. I thought I made you understand that. I thought I made you feel like the

center of my universe." with that, Esme excused herself and ran upstairs. Esme was not

the type to escape situations, but it was too much to handle; the news that your son and

ex-husband were involved with the same person, and watching your mate behave like a

nasty beast. I did not see at all why Esme was involved with Tanya, but I did know that

Esme was the type of vampire that brought out the best in everyone. I was ready to start

crying after this tirade, but I really didn't want to give Tanya the pleasure. I tried, but a

tear spilled out of my eye, and Edward noticed and hooked his arm around my waist.

"Tanya, Carlisle spoke in a controlled manner, don't you think you should attend to

Esme?" Tanya bolted up the stairs in lightning speed. The tension of everything finally

was too much and I started sobbing. "You know, she is right. I am not good enough for

one of you, let alone both of you, and maybe this is a completely insane arrangement"

Edward pulled me around in a snug embrace and pulled my head into his shoulder.

Carlisle came behind me and rubbed my back and stroked my hair. "No, you are

wrong. Can't you see that she is insanely jealous of you? Do you remember Rosalie's

initial attitude to you? Vampires can be vain, and although Rosalie was never

romantically interested in Edward, she was still angry that he found you more attractive

than her." Carlisle tenderly leaned in to kiss my neck until the hairs stood straight on end.

Edward backed up to let us have a moment. Carlisle turned me around and did a gentle

exploration of my mouth with his. I was beginning to forget what I was so upset about.

Someone came into the room and cleared their throat..ehhhemm. It was Jasper! No

wonder I felt better, he was fabulous at his calming skills. "Hey my little lady", he said

with his cute Southern lilt. "I couldn't help overhearing. This is an interesting

development indeed". "I missed you girl" and with that he gathered me up in his arms.

"Truth be told, Alice did give me some vague details about this ..arrangement.. but I have

to admit that I didn't fully believe her." "What- didn't believe me huh? "Alice!" Jasper and I

exclaimed. Alice flitted to Jasper's side and they shared a long kiss. "Since when do you doubt my

visions?" Alice teased. "Is Esme OK?" Alice's face was pinched in concern; "I held back on telling her

anything, I thought it was best for you to explain, Carlisle, but I didn't see Tanya's reaction, I'm sorry"

"Alice, could you check on Esme, please?" Carlisle was always concerned with everyone.

Jasper moved aside and several other vampires entered the room. I recognized or had heard about

all of them; Kate, Garrett, Carmen and Eleazar. They were all beautiful (as expected), and

welcomed me with me open arms. Carmen and Eleazar were an olive skinned Spanish couple.

Edward had once explained to me that Eleazar had the fascinating talent of being able to

determine the special powers of both and vampires and humans. Eleazar came over and gently

took my hand to kiss it in an old fashioned manner. He stepped back a bit and said in his

slight Spanish accent: " Oh my, you do have a strong power, as I heard. You are basically a

human shield. When you become a vampire, you will be certainly quite strong". I blushed

a little because all eyes were on me. He moved back to Carmen and held hands with the

olive skinned beauty. Next up was the gorgeous fair haired Kate and her mate Garrett,

and they both gave me a quick gentle embrace. Kate said: "Edward was correct, you are

quite special, and beautiful as well" When she saw me stare at the floor, she added, "Oh

and he said that you'd never accept such a compliment" She chuckled softly.

The incident with Tanya was still on my mind, but Carlisle explained that her reaction was not

characteristic of her and was a combination of insecurity towards me, and also a deep dread of Carlisle's

reaction to her relationship with Esme. He could explain it any which way he wanted but I still didn't buy

the idea that she was sweet and misunderstood. I only knew that if anyone could tame her it would be

Esme. Just when I thought I had met everyone, Jasper led a dark haired, pixie-like teen with

reddish eyes. This is Bree. Part of the problem here is the Volturi want her dead.

She has by far the most unusual and strong power they've encountered. She is able

to alter memory. From what we can tell she can wipe out Vampire's memories, at least

temporarily, and we think she can place false memories as well. Poor little Bree looked

so vulnerable and ..well..hungry when she looked at me. Jasper continued, "They either

want her dead or they want her with them. She is determined not to join them. No

matter how blood thirsty she still is, she believes in our lifestyle and wants to live with us.

I watched in horror when I noticed that Jasper was using all his force to hold her

away from me. Oh great, I thought, this is how I'll be shortly. "We are all curious to see

whether her power works on you, Bella", Jasper said, groaning from the effort to hold

her back. Go ahead Bree". "Enough" said Carlisle, "Bella is not a test animal. We have no

idea what Bree's power could do to a human" "Carlisle, I have to disagree. This power

could help in a number of ways. Can you imagine if we could wipe out Bella's memory

of the pain she'll experience when she is changed. As I remember, the memories were very vivid when

I was changed. We could spare her that", Edward urged. "Carlisle, I said, "I have to see

you in private". He spirited me away from the others into yet another small private room.

Edward looked on with a hurt expression on his face. "Carlisle, I want you to change me

now. I think you have my best interest at heart, and your thoughts are not clouded like

Edward's. He is planning a big show down with the Volturi, which I find to be a

massive risk to all of us, not to mention a tactic to put off the inevitable. I want you to

change me now. I am sure of it. The only request I have is that you do it while we are

making love. I want you to bring me to ecstasy and bring me into your world forever. It

means a lot to me, and I'd like the experience to bond us" Carlisle looked

at me and said "Bella, it would be an honor, and I would more than gladly comply with your

wishes. I have a most exquisite room to show you." His voice was full of love and passion.

Just as we turned to leave the room, Edward led Bree into the room. "OK, try it" he said.

"No, Edward, no" I screeched. Suddenly I fell to my knees and felt a weird pressure

in my head. When I stood up I said "Who are you people? What do you want?"

Da Da Dum