Chapter 14

Bella P.O.V

"You have a lovely home." Esme complemented looking around the room. My dear, sweet, innocent Esme, she hadn't changed a bit, 'Well of course not 'I thought, 'she's a vampire, and once, my vampire "mother".'

"Thank you." I hadn't realised how much I missed her when she was gone, the new ache in my heart was now telling me, I hadn't felt like this for a while, the old pain was beginning to show itself again, not as bad as I would have thought.

"How have you been Bella? Last I saw, you were on the cover of 'Rolling Stones' labelled 'Musician of the Year'."

I laughed, that was released about a month before Aaron and I moved out here, "You saw that, huh?" If I remember correctly, the cover picture was of me in a tight, short black dress; it would have been a wonder if someone hadn't stopped to look. "Yes, I'm still a big hit, at least that's what I'm told," I laughed. "But I'm lying low for a bit; personal reasons. That's why I moved out here." I knew they didn't keep secrets in their house, so everything I said would be known by everyone, 'Alice probably knows already.' I thought, my old best friend's name, stirring more emotion in me. I hesitated, "We mostly moved because of my son Aaron, he was having...trouble at his other school, and his life back home, that's why we're being a bit more subtle now."

"Aaron? Does he go to school locally?"

"Yes, not five minutes away."

"What year is he in?"

"He just started year 11."

"Hmmm..." she pondered for a bit. "I think the others may know him, in fact, I think he shares a class or two with some of them." She glanced at the framed photo on the coffee table, "Is this him?"

"Yes, that's him with his dad." I smiled sadly, hesitating again and wanting to get off the subject, "How are the others?"

"Good, good."She nodded in reply, turning her glance back to me and away from the photo. "All healthy and alive, which doesn't really say much." She laughed.

"Very good...I...saw you 'adopted' another daughter into the family." 'More like daughter-in-law' I thought nastily.

"Oh yes Mira," she said, still smiling, but the laughter in her eyes was lost. Surely this was an indication that my suspicions were true.

"Mira," I muttered. "A beautiful name to go with her looks...It's good to see Edward found himself someone." I whispered the last part, as soft as a feather, but I'm sure the sadness when I said his name could be heard in my voice, judging by Esme's expression, she heard it too.

"Bella, Mira's not Edward's mate; I know it may look that way, but she's actually his-"before she could finish, the front door opened to let a very exhausted looking teenage son of mine into the house.

He looked between me and Esme, feeling the awkwardness in the room; nevertheless he walked forward, toward Esme, and held out his hand.

"Hello, I'm Aaron." He introduced himself.

"Esme," she replied, accepting his hand. "One of your new neighbours"

Aaron seemed to be puzzled, he'd heard that name before but he didn't seem to remember where. Esme looked at me, asking with her eyes 'Does he know who I am?' I shook my head slightly, knowing she would see it. She seemed to get the message and stood up from the couch.

"Well, I better be off, you and I both know about how teenage children can get when left by themselves for too long. Nice meeting you both, don't worry, I can let myself out." She said, nodding towards us and walking out, as fast as humanly possible.

When I heard the front door close, I looked at Aaron; he nervously looked back at me then started his short, yet apparently necessary journey to the kitchen.

"Where have you been?" I asked the anger and concern finally making its way back into my mind.

"I was helping a friend mum, I'm sorry, it took longer than expected." I couldn't be angry with him about that, how could I? Aaron was always one to help people.

"You could have text me or something at least, that is the reason why I bought you a phone, you know? not just to text your friends"

I heard him giggle but I wasn't fully there anymore; I was reliving my conversation with Esme. Now, not only am I living next door to a family of vampires in the sunniest places in the world, BUT one of them happens to be my ex-boyfriend and the love of my life that broke my heart and soul into pieces 20 years ago. The universe can be a pain in the arse sometimes, I rolled my eyes, 'Surely life can't get any more interesting.'

"Hey," Aaron yelled. "We have cookies!"