I thought I could resist you

I thought that I was strong

Somehow you were different from what I've known

I didn't see you coming

You took me by surprise and

You stole my heart before I could say no

You leave me speechless

(the way you smile, the way you touch my face)

You leave me breathless

(it's something that you do I can't explain)

I'd run a million miles just to hear you say my name...

The drive was smooth, the interior of Edward's car kept at a perfectly comfortable temperature, the music not too loud, and he never seemed to let an awkward silence last too long. Edward was, as I'd seen the previous evening, a complete gentleman. I wondered for a moment how old he was, what period of time he lived as a human. His eyes met mine in the rear view mirror, his eyebrows raised in open curiosity.

Angela was talking about the coming exhibit at a planetarium is Seattle, and Emmett, who'd sent a text off to Carlisle and Esme to let them know where we were, put his phone back in his pocket and then turned, tilting his head towards me, as if wanting to share a secret. "I'd watch the old noggin when Ed's around." He said, lightly tapping my temple.

"What, like he can read my mind or something?" I rolled my eyes, but Edward held up his left index finger in an Ah Hah! gesture.

I sat back as Emmett and Edward exchanged small smirks. Well, it wasn't the most outlandish thing I'd heard. I'd read a few things about vampires with "talents", as the extremely biased book called them. The author was a known occult researcher, somebody who studied supernatural beings like werewolves and vampires and black magic witches. As with all research material, regardless of the topic, it was hard to take something seriously that wasn't, for the most part, neutral on the topic.

Still, you couldn't discount a lot of what the author had said, as I'd witnessed first hand the violence, the speed, the hunger, that she also attributed to vampires. If vampires did possess special talents...if every vampire inherently had speed, agility, blood-lust...if they were the prefect predator and had gifts on top of that...what had hers been?

Edward's eyes narrowed in concern and curiosity from the rear-view mirror, but I looked away, tilting my head onto Emmett's shoulder. His scent surrounded me, and his arms were marble, strong and sure, and as he ran his palm down the length of my hair, I let out a sigh of relief. Pulsating red eyes and flaming hair were, at that point, the farthest thing from my mind.

oooo

The restaurant was lit up in the dark, strings of white icicle lights hung over the entrance. The smell coming from it was making my mouth water, and Angela and I hurried through the door that Emmett, beating Edward to it with a satisfied smirk on his face, held open for us.

Inside, Edward put our names on the waiting list while Angela and I, with a grin to each other, raced to claim the small bench in the waiting area. We ended up in a slight jumble, Angela half on my lap and my arms pinned behind hers.

"I can see it now," Edward murmured, looking us over. "Your resemblance."

"Took you long enough, Captain Obvious." Emmett rolled his eyes, his gaze meeting mine. I felt my breath catch, felt my pulse quicken. What was even more pathetic than my constant reaction to him was that he could probably hear the pounding of my heart.

Edward made a small gagging noise, and I remembered a second too late what Emmett had warned me about in the car. On the other hand...this could be a fun game. How would Edward like reading my thoughts when I was thinking about, say, the cut of Emmett's bicep? Or the way Emmett had brushed the small of my back when we kissed in the Jeep, or how-

"Alright, I think the hostess is ready for us," Edward said, his eyes narrowed at me, his face pulled into a grimace.

He held his arm out to Angela, who untangled herself from me, a blush creeping its way across her cheeks as she gripped Edward and they followed the hostess, who had appeared with a smile (aimed, of course, more at Edward and Emmett than at Angela and I) and menus. Emmett reached over and took my hand, entwining our fingers together. Gently, he brushed his thumb across my knuckle.

"So, what made Ed squeamish?" He asked, and I froze for a second before shrugging. I hadn't considered how Emmett might feel about me mentally ogling him.

"You know. Just thinking about girl stuff. Cramps. Tampons. The usual."

Emmett laughed, slugging me softly on my shoulder. "Way to get 'em, Angel."

A warmth spread through me at my nickname, and I was sure I was beaming like an idiot. Well, it wasn't all my fault. Emmett affected me like I never believed possible. What would I have missed if I'd have put my fears of the past between us? If I would have grouped him in with...her. But they were night and day, as different as was possible. Again, I knew with a surety that Emmett would never hurt me. He'd never be someone I'd have to fear- it just wasn't in him to do that, at least not anymore.

"God I'm starving." I said, sliding into the booth next to Emmett. He pointed to something on the menu- mushroom ravioli. I wrinkled my nose, batting his hand away. "I do not eat fungus, thanks."

"Kelly has this thing about vegetables." Angela shrugged. "How she's so dang skinny when all she eats is junk food, is beyond me."

"She could stand to gain a few pounds." Emmett said, nodding. "Hear that, Angel? You'd better get some meat on your bones."

"Yeah yeah," I muttered. I was trying to gain weight, and had managed to pack on a few more pounds in the little while since I'd been in Forks. I knew the type of woman Emmett preferred, or at least I thought I did. Listening to descriptions of Rosalie, it was obvious we could not be farther apart in looks and build.

The waitress appeared, raising an eyebrow at Emmett and Edward. The look on her face spoke very plainly that she couldn't believe her good luck at getting not one, but two, very hot guys at one table.

"Ready to order?" She said, a bit breathlessly.

Couldn't really blame the girl, it had to be somewhat blindsiding to wait on somebody like Emmett, especially considering the rest of her clientele. Across the table, Edward grimaced in a way that said "what about me?". Alright, so Edward wasn't anywhere near ugly, but he was Angela's type, not mine. He smiled at that- clearly he didn't mind being my cousin's type.

"The chicken parmesan and a raspberry lemonade- and can we get our bread sticks? I'm going to die of starvation." I said, flipping my menu closed and handing it to her.

"Uh, okay. And you, sir?" She addressed Emmett, giving him an appraising look- one that I was used to already. It would be the nature of the beast, I'd decided. Even if Emmett didn't want to take our relationship- or whatever we had- to the next level, and he just wanted to hang out, to stay friends, I'd have to get over other people checking him out or flirting with him.

"Ah, ditto. Girl has good taste." He reached behind me to hand the waitress his menu, his arm falling around my shoulders.

Edward and Angela ordered their dinners, the waitress leaving with several backward glances at our table.

"Well she was very...friendly." Angela said, nudging Edward.

He smiled at her. "Happens a lot, for whatever reason."

"Oh yes," Angela nodded, "can't imagine why." She winked at me across the table.

"It must be terrible to constantly have beautiful women fall at your feet." I said, leaning back against the booth.

Emmett laughed. "For Ed? You're joking, right? Angie is the first one who isn't a total freak."

Angela flushed, but she didn't deny it- how could she? The only one who was more obvious about their feelings was me.

"Regardless, those sorts are a dime a dozen and I couldn't be less interested in them." Edward said.

"So what you're saying is that the girl who does catch your interest, will be something really special." I said, raising an eyebrow at Angela.

Edward nodded. "Singularly so. Not just smart, but curious too. A true lover of knowledge. A girl with a sense of humor, somebody who doesn't take things so seriously. If she had lovely dark eyes and liked to spend her weekends at, say, planetariums and libraries, I certainly wouldn't complain."

Angela raised her eyes to meet Edward's, and I felt perverse, almost, for being present during such a private and intimate moment. Emmett went to open his mouth, but I squeezed his knee. No doubt he wanted to ease the moment with a joke, but Angela deserved this declaration.

The waitress had reappeared with a tray of drinks and a basket of warm bread. She set them down, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Anything else, gentlemen?"

"We're good." I said, and she quickly took in Emmett's arm around my shoulders and how close Edward and Angela were sitting.

Looking somewhat crestfallen, she nodded. "Your dinners will be out soon."

"Way to ruin her night." I said, kicking Angela lightly under the table.

Angela laughed, picking up a piece of bread. "You're one to talk. I think she almost fainted when Emmett took his jacket off."

I turned to look at Emmett, who was wearing a black thermal shirt that fit him so expertly, that clung to each and every muscle of his torso and arms, that it had to have been made just for him.

"Well," I said, reaching over him for the bread basket, "I certainly can't blame her."

oooo

The check was paid, Edward pulling it out of Emmett's reach as soon as it arrived. The meal had been excellent, and I was extremely content in this moment. Angela, too, looked as though she could stay here, at Edward's side, forever.

I glanced at Emmett, a measuring look on my face. I tilted my head towards Edward, then tapped my lip- right where my canine teeth were- lightly. He sighed, but gave a small nod- probably he knew the sooner this was over with, the better.

"So I heard something weird," I started, and Angela and Edward both stopped and turned to me. Edward's mouth was clenched and he glared at me. "I was just thinking, when I watched CNN the other night there was something about the full moon, and that of course led to all that blah blah blahing about werewolves, and when you talk about werewolves, you have to bring up the vamps, you know?"

Angela nodded. "Typical, yes, but are you sure it was CNN? That doesn't sound like the type of new they'd be interested in reporting."

I waved my hand. "Maybe it was a local channel. Anyway, what do you think, cuz? About vampires, I mean."

Edward's eyes were amber, hard and cold. Next to me I felt Emmett shrug, as though to say just chill and see where it goes. It wasn't like I planned on jumping onto the table and screaming to the restaurant that not only were vampires real, but Edward Cullen happened to be one, right here, in the flesh.

Edward relaxed somewhat at hearing these thoughts, though I could tell he wouldn't forgive and forget that easily.

Angela said, mulling it over, "If vampires exist at all, I think probably the vampire that's portrayed in book and film is wildly inaccurate, at least to most degrees. I'd like to think that vampires are definitely above the instinct level of a zombie."

"More like...say, Stefan Salvatore? I mean, he IS the one you have a poster of in your room, right?" I said innocently. Angela threw her balled up napkin at me, but she was chuckling.

"Hey now, Stefan's an alright guy." Edward said, and Angela and I wore matched expressions of surprise.

Emmett shook his head. "Dude, I TOLD you. Don't ever admit that you watch that show."

"Well, Alice basically forced it on all of us, you know." Edward shrugged.

"So you think Elena should be with Stefan?" I asked, pointing my fork accusingly at him.

"Of course he does, he has a brain, doesn't he?" Angela answered for him.

"God help me, Stelena shippers." I said, shaking my head.

"So you're a Damon fan then, are you?" Emmett said, and Edward burst out laughing. "Thought you weren't supposed to admit you watched that show?"

Emmett glared at him. "I said you shouldn't admit that. A man of my caliber, however, can admit he watches whatever he wants."

"Okay we are so not discussing this right now! C'mon, we should all go for a walk. There's a bookshop just around the corner I want to check out."

"Stelena fans can't stand arguing- and losing- to Delena ones." I said in a stage whisper to Emmett, who shut his eyes and nodded in agreement.

oooo

Angela POV

Later, I would probably swear I was in a dream. Edward Cullen taking me out for a lovely dinner, telling me he fancied me? Admittedly he hadn't said those exact words, but the way he looked at me, the way he spoke...it was everything I had ever day dreamt about.

And now here we were, his crooked smile across his chiseled face, as we debated whether Lincoln or Washington had been the more fascinating President. The American History section of this book store wasn't the most impressive I'd seen, but it beat Forks High library, and I couldn't have pictured a more perfect evening if I'd tried. Edward tucked a book about early abolitionists under his arm, claiming he'd have to be on his toes if he wanted to truly discuss this issue with me.

Edward suddenly turned, casually (if anything Edward ever did could be considered casual, of course) encircling my waist with his arm.

"Tanya." He said, tipping his head toward a woman who seemed to appear out of nowhere. She was an inch or so taller than me, with golden hair that fell in perfect ringlets down her shoulders. She wore a silk blouse and black slacks, gold flats and on a delicate silver chain around her neck was a diamond snowflake. Her skin was as pale as Edward and Emmett's, but if she was who I thought she was, the lack of Alaskan sun would do that to you. Besides, we were all pale in Forks, so who was I to judge?

"Edward. Such a pleasure to see you again, it feels as if it's been an eternity." Her eyes lingered on him, before turning to me. "and this is your little...friend?"

"Angela. Nice to meet you. You're family to the Cullens, right?" Edward had briefly mentioned the family they had in Denali, Esme's sister, Carmen, and her husband Eleazar, and their daughters, Irina, Kate, and Tanya.

"I see you've been bragging again, Edward." Tanya said with a smile. Her and Edward stared at each other in silence.

Edward's face hardened, and he turned to me. "Why don't you go warm up by the fire? I'm sure that Emmett and I would love a little time to catch up with Tanya." He finished with a small smile, and I nodded slowly.

"Uh, sure. I'll send Emmett right over. If I don't see you again, it was nice meeting you Tanya." I extended my hand in a little wave, not sure if I should shake her hand. Tanya gave me a tight, disdainful smile. I turned away, hoping I hadn't said something to offend her.

Kelly was over by the fireplace, laughing at something Emmett had just said. Kelly knocked him with her shoulder, and Emmett tugged playfully on the end of her ponytail.

"Sorry to interrupt," I said with a wink at my cousin, "but your cousin Tanya just showed up and Edward thought it'd be nice if you three caught up?"

Emmett's face instantly clouded, his hand going to his pocket for his cell phone. He pressed a few buttons and studied it for a moment, then smiled at Kelly, whose breath audibly caught in her throat. "Sorry Angel, family stuff. You know how cousins are." Emmett tilted his head toward me.

"You mean forever interrupting perfect moments? Totally." Kelly teased, patting the seat next to her. "Cop a squat dear cousin."

Emmett left, leaving Kelly and I in silence.

oooo

Edward POV

"What are you doing here? Is everybody alright?" I asked hurriedly, pulling Tanya out of the shop and onto the nearly deserted street.

"I'm here to ask you the same thing...imagine my surprise to show up and find you and Emmett in the company of two human girls. That's very...dangerous for them, don't you think?"

I rolled my eyes. "If this about me leaving-"

Tanya huffed, pulling her arm from my loose grasp. "Leaving? You deserted me! Look, it's one thing to say "you know Tanya, you're the most beautiful creature I've ever had the pleasure to lay my eyes on, but I want to be a lonely, moping mess for the rest of eternity", but you didn't even give me that! You just left, up and left and this whole time I've been thinking, you know, maybe he just needs some time to think- and all along you've had a boner for a human."

"Now now children, let's mind our language. Five letter words are too much for Edward's virgin ears." Emmett closed the shop's door behind him. "And just what the hell are you doing here? Alice had no idea you were coming."

Tanya tossed her ringlets over her shoulder. "I wasn't planning on it, but I figured I'd stop in and say hello. We're family after all, are we not? And I just had to see first hand how you were getting along. Rosie's been staying with us, you know."

Emmett's eyes widened, and if he'd had a beating heart, I was sure, at that moment, it would've skipped a beat.

Lyrics used from Speechless by The Veronicas. I really feel like this is a perfect song for Edward and Angela, but also works for Kelly and Emmett.

As always, thanks for reading and for any feedback- it's appreciated more than you know.