Thoughts

Carlisle's POV

I was still thinking about the information in the letters when Esme asked me,

"Do you think it's true, that the Swan girl could be our Edward's mate?"

"I'm hopeful. She doesn't seem cruel. She would know that the bond between mates cannot be feigned." I answered, wishing that it was true.

"I can't wait to meet the woman who'll steal my son's heart. It's been too long." Esme has always been concerned that Edward was alone and hadn't met his mate. She thought that this was the reason he wanted to leave us, to go searching for her.

"I'd like to meet her too to understand some of the things she wrote, especially of the wolves and the Volturi. It seems we have much to learn from the future telling books." I was still trying to make sense of the warning against the possible dangers to my family. Jasper would be worried for Alice too.

"Yes, her wish is that the information keeps us safe and together as a family. I don't want to lose my children Carlisle." Yes, neither do I. My Esme cannot go through loosing another child. It'll break her.

"And we will make sure that we don't." I comforted.

"I have been concerned about Edward's desire to leave us. It seems our prayers have been answered. If she is his mate, he has more reason to stay here than any of us. Doesn't this remind you of the time Jasper and Alice came to us love? They knew all about us and were ready to move in." I chuckled.

There seemed to be a pattern to the newest additions of mye family.

"Yes, it seems our children have a flair for the dramatic. It's a good thing we don't have beating hearts" Esme laughed. It was a carefree happy laughter that I hadn't heard in a long time.

We veered left to drink our fill from the herd of elk nearby.

I was anxious to get back to the others. There was much to discuss.

Rosalie's POV

Edward's mate! Edward's mate?

That was the thought running through my head as we broke into a run from the house.

How could she be Edward's mate? She's human! She must be one of the many women chasing after him. But she is original, I'll give her that. What about all the things she knows about the family, the wolves, the Volturi, Alice's past? No human should know that. And she hurt my Emmett.

"Emmett, I'm…I…"

"It's okay Rose. I know."

"She's right Emmett. I never mean to be hurtful. It's just hard for me to let it all go."

"I know that too. I guess I wish you would at least try. Well, with this Bella around, life will certainly not be boring. I can't wait to meet her."

Translation, 'Its in the past, I don't want to talk about it.'

I sometimes wish I could let things go like he does. I'm afraid to forget. I must remember to justify existing like this to myself. Remembering helps me to deal with loosing everything.

"Well she certainly seems to be very fond of you" I replied.

"That's the best part, Edward's mate or not. I have a feeling she and I will get along just fine"

I don't know whether to be happy for him or upset at the possibility of sharing him with a human. Urgh! This is not going to be pleasant.

Alice's POV

"This way Jazz" I started running in the direction of Fork's chief of police's house. I had a vision of Edward descentesizing to Bella's scent with a piece of her clothing. My brother is not going to have it easy.

"Where are we going darlin'?

"To Bella's house. I need to get a piece of her clothing for Edward. She's already asleep."

"Must we do this now before talking with the others? Or do you want to be the first to see her?" he teased

Of course I wanted to see her now. I have never been known to be patient. Even without any visions, she called me her best friend and sister. I love her already. Maybe I'll bring back a picture for the others.

"Yes, to both questions. I might as well start with helping them now. It will motivate Edward to get me that little gift from Bella. This one time is a freebee."

"I see. I wondered when you planned to collect on that. Do you want to talk about it?"

Not yet. I haven't had time to make heads or tails of it. I need more information. When was I born? Who were my parents? When was I abandoned? There's so much I want to know.

"I'll collect as soon as possible. I have already seen the car. We'll talk to her after we meet her officially. I don't know what to make of it, how to feel about it. It makes sense for me not to remember my past now. I have none."

If my sire was still alive I'd go searching for him. Thank him. He may have had more information to give me.

"I'm sorry darlin'. I wish it had been some good news."

"Don't worry about me Jazz. At least no more than usual." I took his hand as we ran together. My new best friend and sister's house came into view. I couldn't hold off the excitement anymore.