We stopped at the terminal door and he turned to me and asked, "Are you ready?" and I could hear the double meaning in his words.

"As I'll ever be." I answered truthfully.

Chapter 14-New

Edward's POV

Maddi and I made our way down the long metal hallway that leads to the plane door. Maddi as usual was blocking me so I couldn't see what she was thinking; which was beyond irritating. We neared the end of the long walkway and came to the opening that led into the plane. Before she could stop I moved my hand signaling for her to go first and she rolled her eyes without looking up from the floor but continued to walk into the plane. She veered right heading towards coach but I grabbed her shoulder and shook my head as she arched her eyebrow at me.

"We're in first class." I explained and her confused look turned into a teasing one. She snorted softly but turned and started walking towards the curtain that closed coach off from first class.

"You are such a snob" she said half teasingly and half serious. "What are you too good for coach?"

"Of course not" I answered honestly and then jokingly I added, "My legs are to just too long for coach." This statement earned me another eye roll, but I saw a smile playing at the edges of her lips. We walked into first class; Maddi was in front of me, walking a bit faster than a human would have been. She sat down in her seat before I had a chance to tell her where it was. I raised an eyebrow as I sat down in the seat adjacent from hers.

"In a hurry?" I asked, chuckling a bit. Instead of retorting or rolling her eyes at me like I had expected she just stared out the window and shook her head silently. "Are you okay?" I asked worry slipping into my tone.

She looked over at me with a very well crafted fake smile, if I didn't know her expressions as well as I did, I would have believed it. Her expressions, however, were my own and I knew she was putting up a façade for my benefit. "I'm great." She answered in a fake cheery tone that an Oscar winning actor would have been envious of. I almost believed her but that all too familiar twinge of pain was running through her head.

I was about to tell her that she was not fine and she should tell me what was bothering her but her phone began to vibrate. So, I bit my tongue and turned around in my seat so I was facing forward. Maddi answered the phone breathing an almost inaudible sigh of relief.

"Hello?" she answered her voice still dripping with fake cheeriness.

"Maddi?" a deep, accented voice asked through the phone. Maddi rolled her eyes.

"Darr, isn't the point of this whole phone thing so Millie can call me?" Her voice was teasing.

"Well yeah but she was to upset to call?" his answer sounding like a question. We all knew why he was really calling.

"Darren I've been out of your line of sight for approximately seven minutes. You can't possibly miss me already. I will call you when we get to Washington, okay? Oh, and if Nick or Alex are planning on calling me too before this plane lands, or takes off for that matter, tell them that I will talk to them when I call Millie. Okay?" she said all this with a smile in her voice.

"Fine" he grumbled.

"Good. I will talk to you soon. And calm down its not like I'm going to be that far away." She said this time her tone was reassuring.

"Okay. Bye." He answered sounding a little less exasperated but still not very happy.

"Bye." She answered and then hung up the phone and went back to staring out the window wordlessly.

Instead of turning back around and trying to pick up our conversation where we had left off, I continued to stare thoughtfully at the back of the seat in front of me. I let my mind wander to all the questions I had for Maddi that were burning in the back of my mind. She was so good at hiding her pain. It bothered me, a lot that she was so good at it because that meant that she has been dealing with this kind of pain for a long time. It also bothered me because I knew that if she didn't open up and show me more of her past and the reason why she was experiencing agonizing pain, I would never be able to help her. I wanted more than anything to make her pain go away, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do that if she kept hiding behind all the strongly built walls that surrounded her.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice the plane take off and the six hour continuous flight to Seattle seemed to fly by. Maddi was silent the entire way and she barely moved but the emotions in her head became more and more frantic as we approached our destination. It worried me I thought she was going to snap the thick arm of her seat in half she was grasping it so tightly. I felt the plane touch down on the runway and I suddenly began to become anxious for the first time since the plane left the runway in New York. I had suddenly realized I was about to see Bella again. I felt like a four year old on Christmas I was so excited, I was almost bouncing up and down in my seat.

Maddi moved for the first time in five hours and fifty-eight minutes. She turned to look at me curiously and behind the carefully crafted barrier of calm in her eyes I could see a small twinge of humor. "You gonna be okay there Edward?"

I nodded feeling an immense surge of joy not only because I was about to see my angel but because I had caused Maddi happiness no matter how small it was still better than the pain. Her eyes, however, widened and I saw sadness and pain behind the façade of calm. I realized that it was my thoughts that were causing her to turn away from me again and clench her hands together in her lap tightly.

Why had my thoughts affected her so negatively; what had I been thinking about in the last ten minutes? I could only think of two main thoughts that had been running through my head; what was bothering Maddi and how much I couldn't wait to see Bella. I heard a small almost in audible pained intake of breath come from where Maddi was sitting. That was odd, was she mad that I was trying to figure out what was causing her pain or was she in pain because I was happy to see Bella? The first scenario made more sense, but not much more. I decided to question her about it further when we got home and she was settled.

The captain informed us over the intercom that we had landed safely and were now allowed to exit the plane. Maddi and I both stood up simultaneously and moved towards the exit before anyone of the other passengers had even stood to get their carryon bags. I tried to break through her mental barrier again but I only got silence and an anxious and nervous feeling. I suddenly realized that Maddi was nervous, which was perfectly acceptable considering she was going to meet an entire coven of new vampires but highly unnecessary because I knew they would instantly be enticed with her just as I was. I moved closer to her and wrapped an arm reassuringly around her slight shoulders. She looked up at me with surprise as if I had just dragged her out of a long and confusing thought process. She didn't move away from me though, which was good, instead she smiled crookedly at me and even though it was small it was a genuine smile this time. I smiled back still trying to reassure her and because I was happy that she was no longer grimacing at the floor.

"I was not grimacing I was just…thinking." She said defiantly trying to disprove my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes still smiling mainly at the fact that she was joking and smiling again. "Mhhmm, sure you were." I retorted.

We both stepped through the terminal door and before I could even think her name she was wrapped around me planting light kisses all over my face. I decided I couldn't wait any longer and I found her lips letting my mind become completely encompassed by thoughts of only her. She deepened the kiss and wrapped her legs around my waist. We stood there kissing and time melted away as did the rest of the world.

Even though it felt like it was going to kill me to do it I had to end the kiss because there were other matters that needed to be dealt with. Also because I knew that this reunion was no where near finished but this was just not the proper place or time to be ravaging Bella like an animal. I pulled back grudgingly and she let out an exasperated humph but unwound her legs from my waist and stayed by my side clutching my hand.

"God do you know how much I missed you?" She said her voice was accusing but only teasingly. And it was mainly filled with same relief I was feeling.

I smiled down at her, taking in her beauty before I answered, "I know how much I missed you." I wondered if she remembered that I was quoting her.

"You compare one tree to the entire forest." She answered quoting my response and smiling, so she did remember.

"Impossible." I whispered and both of our smiles grew.

We both turned to see a very surprised Maddi in a death grip of a hug being delivered by a slightly ecstatic looking Alice. Alice was talking so fast that not even vampire hearing could help decipher the excited endless stream of words that was flowing out of her mouth. I walked over to them, with Bella in tow, deciding it was time to save my twin sister from my overly happy psychic one.

"Alice, maybe you shouldn't squeeze Maddi to death just yet? She hasn't even met the rest of the family." I asked humor dripping from my tone.

Alice looked up at me smiling hugely and looked back at Maddi, who was now glaring at the ground, and took a step back releasing Maddi but continued to jump up and down excitedly. "Oh Edward!" she squealed and flew over to me. She enveloped me in one of her bone-crushing Alice hugs and then stepped back to jump up and down and squeal some more. Her mind was also in a frenzy of excitement. "Come on you two let's get home so everyone else can meet Maddi. Don't worry about your bags I already put them in the porshe." By the time Alice had finished the extremely high pitched squeal of a sentence, she had already grabbed Maddi's hand and had begun to pull her through the airport towards the parking lot. I followed behind my pixie of a sister, wrapping my arm around Bella's waist which made both of us beam happily.

We got into the car and Maddi had still not said a word. At first I had just brushed it off as nerves but I was beginning to worry. She sat in the front seat with, a still chattering, Alice. Bella and I had slide into the back, Bella was also staring worriedly at the back of Maddi's head. She hadn't looked at me or Bella since we had gotten into the car and I was lost in thought, wondering why that was, the entire ride home.

*+*+*

Maddi's POV

It was official I couldn't do this. I wanted to be able to be strong but the love rolling off the two vampires in the back seat of this insanely expensive sports car was too much. I couldn't handle it, if I thought the phone call was bad, than this was hell. I couldn't even look at them and I felt like such a coward. The pain is always there in the back of my mind and creating a thick barrier around my dead heart but seeing true unadulterated love right in front, well behind, me was gnawing away at my already limited sanity. I wanted to rip off the door and roll out of the car and then run all the way back to New York like the spineless weakling I am but I couldn't do that to Edward. I wouldn't do that to Edward.

My self hate and internal squirming were pushed down as we turned on to a small dirt path and a huge beautiful white house came into view. It was surrounded by a small clearing and I could hear a river flowing somewhere in the dark woods. Alice, who had been talking nonstop since we had arrived at the Seattle airport, was now skipping up the big steps that lead to the door of the white mansion. I was being dragged behind her, I didn't mind though, if I hadn't been burning with agony on the inside I would have laughed at how similar Alice and Lucy were. Bella and Edward were following slowly behind us talking quietly to each other but I was blocking, well at least trying to block, them out. Alice opened the front door to the large house and I'm sure my eyes widened a little as we stepped inside.

The interior of the house was just as beautiful, if not more, as the exterior. It was huge and clean but it was still warm and inviting. It was like something you would see on a postcard or in an interior design magazine. There was a huge wall made completely of windows and through them I saw the river I had heard earlier. Alice dragged me into what looked like a living room it had a huge flat screen TV and large sofa with a matching chair and loveseat. She pushed me down onto the couch, Bella and Edward settled down onto the loveseat still holding hands.

"Alice where is everyone?" Edward asked curiously.

"They're outside waiting for the signal." Alice said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Signal?" Edward asked chuckling a bit. I simply sat mutely on the sofa listening intently and keeping my gaze fixed on the clean white carpet.

"Alice thought that it would be more dramatic if the family waited outside and she called them in." Bella answered his question and I could hardly contain my flinch at the love in her voice as she talked to him.

"Ahh, I see." He answered thoughtfully still chuckling. "Well call them in." He said to Alice still cheery but I heard a small twinge of worry in his voice. It was probably my weird behavior that was causing his worry but I couldn't help it. I knew that I was being stupid and cowardly but I just couldn't look at them, not yet.

"Okay. Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Jacob, Renesme, you can come in now." She said and then turned to look at me excitedly and added, "She's here."

We all silently awaiting the arrival of the other vampires who made up the Cullen family. I was blocking out all of their minds because if the other couples were just one fraction as much in love as Edward and Bella were I was going to collapse. The first two that arrived were a handsome blonde man who looked to be in his early twenties and a pretty woman on his arm with long caramel-colored hair. She looked about his age. I knew from Edward's mind that this was Carlisle and Esme and I decided it was time to put on my brave and happy face. I stood up and crossed the distance between us but not getting to close. Esme's golden eyes light up at the sight of me and she closed the rest of the distance between us enveloping me into a hug, that was a lot more gentle than Alice's hug had been. I stiffened a bit but then relaxed.

"It is so wonderful to finally meet you." She said, sincerity ringing throughout her tone. Her voice was so maternal that I had no doubt that this was probably what it felt like to be hugged by a loving parental figure.

"I feel the same way." I said, it was the truth even through all the worrying I was glad to finally be able to meet the Cullens. She released me and stepped back into the arms of the blonde man, Carlisle.

He smiled warmly at me, "I agree it is a joy to be able to meet you." I looked down at the floor, wow these people were acting as if I was the pope or something. I mean I was just plain old Maddi; my arrival was definitely no cause for excitement.

"Thank you for welcoming me into your home." I said sincerely remembering my manners.

"You're very welcome, like I said it is a joy to have you." He said still smiling at me. Just then a very large man and a beyond beautiful blonde woman walked through the back door. This must be Emmett and Rosalie.

The big man with curly brown hair looked at me curiously and smirked, "Ahh, you must be Edward number two." He said teasing me.

My natural instinct to tease back kicked in and I couldn't help but retort, "Pssh, please Edweird wishes he was as awesome as me." I said smirking at Emmett.

"Hmm, Edweird huh?" He said looking up thoughtfully and then back down at me, "I like it." He said excitedly and then turned to where I knew Edward and Bella were now standing but I didn't dare look. "That's your new name 'kay?" I heard Edward snort.

Then Emmett turned back to face me and punched me in the shoulder, "You're right you are awesome, I like you already." I couldn't help but smile back at him his dimply smile was contagious.

My grin quickly faded though as I took in the atmosphere around me. Carlisle and Esme were staring into each others eyes as if they were having a deep and meaningful conversation and I had to look away. Rosalie who had been staring at me curiously was now staring dreamily at a laughing Emmett. I didn't even risk a glance at Edward and Bella. Just as I was on the verge of losing it a very muscular shirtless boy with a small beautiful child clinging to his back walked through the same door the other couples had appeared through; Jacob and Renesme.

Jacob stopped and swung a now giggling Renesme of his back so he could hold her in his arms. He smirked at me and Renesme looked at me and smiled happily waving one of her tiny hands slightly. I waved back.

Carlisle's face suddenly became apologetic and he turned to look at me. I could tell by the little bits and pieces of his thoughts that were slipping through my block that he was going to apologize for not introducing anyone.

I put up my hand to stop him. "Its fine Mr. Cullen I think I have a pretty good idea of who everyone is." He raised an eyebrow at me and I tapped my temple with my pointer finger. His expression went from confusion to intrigue.

"So you're a mind reader too?" He said and then added, "Oh and please enough with the formalities, its Carlisle." As he finished he was smiling warmly at me once more.

"Okay, Carlisle. And I'm not a mind reader, exactly. It's complicated." I answered.

"Maybe you could explain it to me sometime?" he asked hope leaking into his tone.

I nodded. "Of course."

Emmett decided it was his turn to talk because he asked, "So you already know all of our names?" I nodded. "Okay then name us all off starting with me." He challenged smirking.

"Okay you're Emmett. And the blonde in the really awesome shoes next to you is Rosalie." She smiled my sincere compliment. I gestured to the twenty year old couple "That's Carlisle and Esme." Then I looked at the little girl and tanned, odd smelling man holding her "And that's Jacob and Renesme. You already know that I know who Edward, Bella, and Alice are. And the only one missing is Jasper." I finished still smirking at him.

He smiled at me, "Okay you pass."

"Speaking of Jasper, where is he?" Alice asked talking for the first time in a long time, well for her anyway.

"Right here." I heard a slightly Texan accented voice say from behind me where the back door was located. Then I heard a sharp pained intake of breath and I whipped around to see what had happened. I saw a tall handsome blonde looking man about the same age as Emmett withering on the ground in what looked like sever agony.

I didn't think I just acted. I kneeled down next to him and touched his shoulder to ask if he was okay and I instantly regretted it.

I didn't notice Alice kneel down and take the man into her tiny arms yelling worriedly. I didn't notice any of the others rush over and surround them trying to help fix whatever was wrong with Jasper. I didn't notice anything except the feelings that were swimming through the room.

It took me a minute to figure out that I had absorbed Jasper's ability which had to be empathy. The room, or rather the occupants of the room were filled with worry and concern for the tall blonde vampire burning with what I could only guess was my immense agony. Even if the atmosphere was now worried, I could still feel all the underlying love they felt for their partners. It was increasing my pain ten fold and I knew that if a human experienced this pain that it would crush them. I was a vampire, strong and unbreakable, sure maybe on the outside. I had to get out of here away from the love, no matter how frantic their emotions were at the moment I could still feel it.

I fled. I took off out the door and escaped into the dark forest. I ran and ran until the loud tearless sobs became too much and I collapsed onto the damp leaves and dirt of the forest floor.

A/N: Okay so there it is meeting the Cullens (and Jacob) sort of I'm not really done introducing them into the story yet. So this chapter isn't as good as I wanted it to be but –shrugs- what are you gonna do? I really hope you liked it.

Oh and thank you to all the awesome people who reviewed and favorited! Edward and Jacob love you all =) (and if you're a team jasperer like me, Jasper loves you too)

Your opinion matters immensely. Review, please?