Author's Note: I do not own Twilight. Twilight and all of the characters are the creation of Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

I would like to give thanks to Eliza Russell, caseyrn12, IWonderWhatIShouldBeCalled, immortalroxtar, and Cloudy Night, the reviewers of the last chapter. Because of these fabulous people, this story has reached 50 reviews! YAY! Now, I'm just hoping that we can reach 100 reviews by chapter 20 ;D

chapter 11

august 28th, 2013

-oOo-

You better put it behind you now

You better put it behind you now

Too much to hold on, hold on to

You better put it behind you now

-Keane, Put It Behind You

A week and a half had gone by since I almost attacked Nessie. It had been hard for me, to try and get past the fact that I almost hurt someone that I loved. I thought back to that day, and when I finally decided to leave my room and talk to someone… not just leave to use the photo printer in Carlisle's study…

It was close to midnight when I finally made my way down the stairs and into the living room. Esme, Rosalie, and Alice were sitting together, chatting quietly with their backs to me.

"I told you," Alice murmured to them. I had a feeling that she was talking about me.

"I can hear you," I whispered.

They all turned and looked at me. Esme stood up from the couch, a small smile on her face. I'm sure she was happy that I actually came out of my room.

I walked over to Esme and stood in front of her. She still wore her small smile, and moved a strand of my hair behind my ear.

I reached out to her, almost like a small child, and she engulfed me in her arms. I breathed in her scent, and it reminded me of a bakery. She smelt like almonds and fresh-baked cake.

"You are not a monster, do you understand me?" she muttered.

"Yes," I whispered.

She kissed me on the top of my head, and then let me go from her arms.

I looked at Rosalie and she was smiling at me.

"Come here, baby doll," she said.

I laughed and hugged her. "When did you come up with baby doll?"

"I don't know… I just thought of it. I think it fits you, though. It's cute," she said.

I smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Alice came up behind me and hugged me.

I giggled. Everything seemed to be turning around. Well, except for one thing. I needed to see Nessie again… without trying to kill her.

That next day, I hunted with Parker as soon as the sun came up, then again that afternoon and evening. I kept that pattern up every day, just hunting with different people. Everyone said they were admiring how hard I was working to be able to see Nessie again, but the people I truly wanted to hear that from were Edward and Bella, but I haven't seen them…

Since that day.

It did not surprise me, really. It seemed they were working hard to keep Nessie very far away from me. I didn't blame them, though. If I were them, I would do the same thing.

I wanted to reestablish their faith in me, but the only way to do so was to hunt constantly like I have been doing. That was step one in seeing Nessie again. Alas, there was one thought I kept having… What if she didn't want to see me? I wanted so badly to redeem myself, to show how sorry I was that I almost harmed her, but what if she was afraid of me? What if she wanted to keep away?

So, it was now August 28th, and Carlisle said maybe today would be a good day to try to see Nessie. That other thought came into my head, but nobody would know about it because Edward never showed his face around me. So, I gave Carlisle a smile and said I would.

Parker took me farther away than usual for one last hunt before Nessie came over, but that was probably so they could get her into the house without me being around. I took down two deer and wrestled a mountain lion I came across. That was the largest animal I have ever taken on before, but it was no problem for me.

Parker and I started to run back to the house, but when we got close we walked and took our time. I really was in no rush.

"You seem really tense," Parker said. "You'll be fine. I have faith in you."

I sighed. "At least someone does."

"Now, don't say that," he murmured. "Carlisle believes in you and so do Esme and Rosalie and Alice…"

"Edward and Bella don't" I whispered.

"You'd be surprised," Parker said.

I looked at him, but he didn't elaborate.

"C'mon, it's time to pick up the pace a little," he said, grabbing my hand a pulling me along.

We got to the back doors, and I clenched Parker's hand tighter.

"Breathe," he said to me.

"Well, technically speaking, since I'm a vampire now I don't need to breathe-"

"You know what I mean!" he interjected. "Just… relax."

I took an unnecessary deep breath and nodded. He slid open the doors… and we walked inside.

"We're back," Parker called out.

I sucked in a final breath before we walked into the living room.

Nessie was standing towards the middle of the room, with Bella and Edward on either side of her. When Parker and I walked into the room, Jasper slowly made his way over to stand closer to me. I wanted to yell at him to back away, but I knew it was just a precaution. He wanted to protect his niece.

I looked right at Nessie. Our eyes connected, and she smiled at me. It took me by surprise that she would smile at me. I'm the monster that almost killed her.

"You're not a monster, Alex," Edward said to me, commenting on my thoughts.

I looked right at him. Not wanting to release any of the air I took in, I thought, Yes I am.

Edward shook his head. "You're a newborn and you were going through your first time being near blood that you couldn't drink, and it was a hu- half-human's blood, no less."

Are you and Bella upset with me? I asked.

Edward gave me a small smile. "No."

I glanced at Nessie. Is she mad at me?

"Why don't you let her tell you herself?" Edward suggested.

"What, Daddy?" Nessie asked.

"Maybe you should give Alex your hand… let her know what you're thinking."

She nodded, and started to walk towards me.

Jasper inched closer to me, but I didn't look at him. I focused all my attention on Nessie.

When she got close enough, she outstretched her hand and I grabbed it.

I'm really sorry for everything I put you through, she said in her thoughts. I just want to let you know that I'm not mad at you. I'm not scared of you. I don't fear for my safety around you. I trust you, and I know what you're going through is tough. When I was born, I had to go through it with Grandpa Charlie. I completely understand.

If I could cry, I think I would be doing so right now. Nessie was such an understanding child, and at such a young age. She was truly a special child… worth protecting.

From that moment on, I swore to myself that I would do everything in my power to keep her out of harm's way.

She smiled at me, and released my hand. I smiled at her, too, but when I did so I giggled…

And took in a whiff of air.

I clamped my hand over my nose and my mouth to cut off my senses. Jasper latched his hand on my shoulder, I'm sure in case he needed to hold me back.

When I took in the air, I expected to be overwhelmed by the smell, but I smelt… mostly vampire. Mostly vampire, with a faint smell of blood.

"Alex? Are you okay?" Esme asked.

"I'm actually fine," I said, slowly lowering my hand until it was back at my side. I smiled back at Nessie. "I'm fine… you smell almost exactly like a vampire."

Nessie smiled the brightest smile.

-oOo-

Sorry that this is a little shorter than usual. It's mostly a fill-in chapter until the NEXT one, which I'm very, very, VERY excited about. Why? Hmm, you'll just have to wait and see! In the meantime… please review!