A/N: By the way, this won't follow the Twilight books exactly. Thanks to all of you who have reviewed and have stuck with my story, I appreciate it all greatly.
I love all of you!
Mia
What Shattered Dreams Can Lead To
Chapter Twelve: Hello Family!
The rest of March went quickly. The day after meeting Bella, Edward confided in Hermione that not only did he want her blood more than anyone else's, but he felt this strange connection to the girl. He wanted, no needed, to protect her. It was the Carlisle-Hermione thing all over again! Every day following, Edward would talk to Hermione and she would try to help him calm down and get to know Bella better, so he could be with her, like he wanted to so badly. Because of the conversations daily, Hermione and Edward became even closer, causing Edward to become even more excited for her to be his 'mother'.
With April came many more days with constant rain and far fewer days with sunshine. Carlisle put in his vacation days for the hospital so he could be with Hermione throughout her transformation and for a while afterwards. Hermione visited her Uncle Charlie at least once a week, usually it was every other day. He was happy to have Bella back, but missed Hermione as well. After Edward saved Bella from being killed in the parking lot, she admitted to Hermione one night, while they were having a little 'girl talk' that she sort of fell for the 'youngest' Cullen. She didn't know that Hermione was engaged to Carlisle. She had known Hermione was dating, and that she was engaged, and that she lived with her boyfriend, but didn't know who it was.
By the end of April, Edward told Hermione that Bella had figured out what they were. He also had asked her out and she immideately said 'yes'. He was thrilled. Later that night, she went over to have more 'girl time' with Bella. "Oh, and I'm so excited, Edward has been talking to me more and invited me over to meet the rest of his family tomorrow!" Bella squealed. Hermione laughed at the girl and smiled, glad that Edward finally found someone he really liked.
"You haven't met anyone else?"
"Well, I've seen them all, but I haven't actually met any of them."
"Oh. Has he told you anything about them all?"
"Yeah, you know them all, right?" At Hermione's confirmation, Bella continued. "Well, he's a foster child, his parents died...long ago. Anyway, all of his siblings are foster children too. Carlisle adopted them all. He's tall and blond, with the same golden eyes that Edward has." Hermione nodded in agreement, but Bella just assumed it meant she was listening. "Then, there's Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett. He said Carlisle is engaged to some pretty brunette and that he's really close to her. He can't wait for the wedding, it's at the end of May. Finally, he told me, he'll have a mother. Apparently, she's super nice, because even Rosalie seems to love her, which is weird because Rosalie is pretty bitter." Hermione laughed. She decided she wouldn't tell Bella she was the 'pretty brunette', she'd rather have her cousin be surprised.
"Sounds nice."
"It does. I'm extremely excited to meet all of them." Bella chirped, bouncing around on her bed. Hermione laughed again before checking her watch. Noticing how late it was, she apologized to Bella and left quickly. She apparated into the house to find them all waiting for her with somber expressions.
She smiled at them before it faltered, "What's wrong?"
Carlisle stood and wrapped her in a hug. She looked up at him pleadingly and he sighed. "Okay, we got this letter today, from Harry." Hermione disentangled herself from his arms and looked for the letter. Jasper held it out to her. Thanking him quickly, she skimmed over it, sighing slightly.
Hermione,
I don't know if you're still mad at me or what but you're still my best friend. I love you Mione and wanted to send you and invite, you know, just in case.
Harry
Attached was a white invitation to Harry's and Ginny's wedding. 4 months from now, at the end of August. She sat down heavily on the sofa, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples. Carlisle sat next to her, pulling her into his lap and she cried. The others all gathered around her, murmuring soothing words and patting her back. Jasper sent soothing waves out, trying to help, and at first it had no effect, she was too upset. But with a little persistence, she finally succumbed to the peace and fell silent. "Are you okay?" Rosalie worriedly asked her.
"I'm okay." Hermione replied, attempting a smile, which they all enthusiastically returned. "It's just, I want to forgive him, I really do, but I just don't know if I can. You know?"
The others all nodded in understanding. Alice smiled warmly at Hermione and said the one thing that only Alice could say that everyone would believe, "It'll be okay. I promise."
"Anyway, you just went to talk to Bella?" Edward asked, mainly to change the subject, but also to find out how she was feeling about coming to visit.
"Yup, she's thrilled to come over. I didn't tell her yet, about me marrying Carlisle. I figured it'd be funnier to have her find out on her own."
"It will be." Alice added, giggling. It was contagious and soon, the whole room was filled with laughter.
Hermione yawned, cutting off her hysterics and subsequently Carlisle's as well. "Time for bed." He declared, picking her up and running upstairs. She barely had enough time to gasp out a 'night' to everyone, as she was still trying to catch her breath from laughing so much. But, luckily, she did and they all choroused a 'Good night, Mother' in return, which caused her to laugh again.
She kissed Carlisle good night and fell asleep rather quickly. Then, she woke up the next morning fairly late. She smiled at Carlisle, kissed him again, and got dressed. Bella was going to be over in about an hour and a half. She went downstairs to find everyone gathered in the living room talking.
"What should we do when she gets here?" Alice asked, giddy.
"We could...I don't know, cook for her?" Emmett asked, looking at Hermione and Carlisle.
"That's a wonderful idea Emmett." Hermione praised, he beamed.
They all walked into the kitchen and began contemplating what to make. "Italian." Rosalie declared authoratively.
The others agreed and began to cook. Since they never had to actually cook before, because whenever Hermione was hungry she'd just wave her wand and it'd prepare itself, they had fun messing around the kitchen, and had to restart a couple times.
They were almost done when Rosalie announced she could 'smell the human'. Hermione laughed and walked towards the entry way of the kitchen. Edward walked in first followed by a timid Bella. Carlisle had followed Hermione and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her head. She smiled. "Hello Bella." Bella gaped.
"HERMIONE!?"
"Yeah?"
"Omigod! You're engag- Edward's new moth- why didn't you te-..."
"Bella, calm down, deep breaths. I'm engaged to Carlisle. I didn't tell you because it would be more fun this way, and yes, I'll be Edward's new 'mother'." Hermione answered all of her half asked questions.
"Oh." Was Bella's response. Hermione laughed, and soon, everyone else was too. Bella had on an indignant face, annoyed that everyone was making fun of her. Edward put a hand on her back and she joined in the laughter, finally seeing the humor.
"So you know...what they are?" Bella hesitantly asked.
"Of course." She smiled up at Carlisle.
"Well, that's good."
"Yeah, okay, it is. But now, human lunch time!" Emmett grinned. They all turned towards him. "What? I thought the moment was a little too sappy."
Again, the room burst out laughing and sat around the table, Hermione and Bella with plates of food, the others, just talking away, getting to know Bella, well, except for Rosalie and Jasper, who contented themselves to either listening or talking to anyone but Bella. Rosalie just didn't like her and Jasper couldn't be around the human blood. He was used to Hermione, so that was no problem, but another, fresh human, was a little tougher.
