Devon

I couldn't help but smile all the way home. Leigh wanted to be my girlfriend. She trusted me with her heart, and that kiss...wow.

Of course Edward did not look happy when I entered. I sighed too happy to guard my thoughts. Alice was dancing with glee at what she'd seen, Jasper looked warily at Edward's face, Rosalie hissed, behind her Emmett gave me the thumbs up and grinned, Esme had on a goofy smile while she did the dishes, and Carlisle looked cautious but optimistic.

"Let's hear it Edward." I groaned against the weight of the mental tirade he had unleashed.

Exposing our family to a human, putting our lives at risk, thinking only of yourself as usual, putting her life at risk, and now you'll have to hurt her by breaking up with her.

I couldn't help the growl that escaped my lips. "I will never hurt her that way."

"You're right you'll probably just kill her." Rosalie grinned.

I had never wanted to hit someone so badly as then. I took a deep calming breath.

"She won't tell anyone, I'm not ending this relationship, and I can handle this. I've never killed before and I won't start now."

"But her blood is stronger than anyone else's to you."

"A hurdle I cross every time I come to it, but completely manageable."

Carlisle had stopped looking concerned and gone back to his study, I hugged Esme in greeting and she smiled joyfully at me though stopped when she saw Edward glaring our way.

"Don't glare at Esme like that," Alice snapped and he quickly looked away.

Jasper now looked torn between confusion, amusement, and disbelief. All the emotions in their room were taking a toll on him. I was thankful when Alice towed him upstairs.

Edward glared once more before heading upstairs himself.

"Idiot" Rosalie hissed, before leaving the room with Emmett.

***

The first day everyone stared. I had expected that much, my family had too. All the extra attention wouldn't help my case, I would've cringed had not Leigh been smiling next to me. Her thoughts I couldn't help but listen to from time to time, were exuberant. She truly cared about me.

I knew she was upset about my family's reaction to her, but she shouldn't be. They were being the idiots. She was a kind, sweet girl and she'd get along well with them if they gave her a chance. She understood the importance of our secret, she wouldn't tell anyone. I tried to reassure her they would come around. Alice liked her after all and Esme. Emmett would have gone right up to her to chat if not for Rosalie and Carlisle liked everyone. Jasper was just being cautious by not approaching her too, that was nice of him actually. But she was thinking that she was a freak compared to us? Ridiculous.

It was sweet of her to be worried about our family problems though she wasn't the cause of them, there was some tension to a degree in our family. Especially between Edward and myself that had come from human life and translated into vampire life as well. No, it was not her fault and I couldn't let her think it was. I should tell her our story.

***

After school I went to Leigh's house.

"Please tell me about your family now."

"You really want to know?"

"Yes, please."

So I told her the story. Everything except the stories' I did not have permission to tell. I hadn't asked anyone but Carlisle.

As we talked I wondered if it was too soon to tell her how I felt about her. She didn't know this but any changes in our lives irreversibly altered our kind. The change of falling in love with her was permanent. It was truly forever. But I didn't want to scare her off with it. I knew I had to tell her somehow though.

"Maybe this is too soon...but...." I hesitated.

"But what?"

"I don't want to upset you."

"No, go ahead."

"Leigh I know we've only been together a couple weeks, but I just want to tell you: I love you. But you

don't have to say it if you're not ready I mean I understand...I trailed off.

She smiled at me.

"I love you too.

My heart burst with joy at those words as I leaned in to kiss her passionately.

***

Two months went by, everything was perfect, minus Edward and Rosalie still sulking around. Leigh had been invited to her Aunt Renee's wedding. She was so excited to she her cousin Bella, that I was excited to meet her. But I knew I'd have to wait. Leigh was concerned that Bella would be uncomfortable with me around, not just because my very nature as a predator made most people uncomfortable but because Bella didn't talk to anyone very much. She was pretty shy, and I wanted her to feel comfortable in her own home. Besides it was too sunny in Arizona and I knew Leigh's dad thought she was better off traveling with another girl. I didn't want to be without her, but it would make her unhappy if she thought she was hurting me. It's just a week, I chided myself. I'll go hunting with Alice or Emmett, and I'll call her every night.

***

Leigh was all packed when I came to say goodbye. I kissed her and promised to call every night.

"I love you." She smiled at me.

"I love you too. My heart is yours forever."

"Forever," she agreed.