DISCLAIMER: the wonderful Stephenie Meyer owns the characters and world of Twilight. I owe her a big thank you for being able to borrow the talents of her fabulous vampires to bring a little cheer to someone very special.

Warning: no lemons!

Music Vibe: Lighthouse Family - "Lifted". An uplifting song!

CHAPTER 21: LIFTED

Yolanda POV

After I'd been kissed within an inch of my life - literally and snorkels notwithstanding – I took in the nourishment that Liam had so kindly provided for me and enjoyed his hand-holding while I did so. He kept smiling at me, not saying much, which was quite endearing but naturally embarrassing to me. He didn't mean to, bless him, but he was obviously besotted and not afraid of showing it now. He'd gone from shyly amused and slightly reticent to ardent and more forthcoming in a short while - I was having a hard time following my instincts here, as I was having a hard time believing the situation still.

That didn't make his attention any less enjoyable though. I still had to control my own smiles so I didn't make a mess with my drink. Liam was very patient, although the wrinkling of his nose gave me to believe the drink didn't smell too appetising to him. He kissed me on the cheek when I'd finished, instead of on the mouth. He disposed of the tray for me, but not before I'd snatched the rose and vase from it to put on my bedside table.

All this attention was quite mind-blowing after the months of disinterest and neglect I'd suffered at the hands of Thing. This was a complete turnabout and while one part of my brain wondered why I wasn't finding the constant support and attention claustrophobic, I had to say that I really didn't mind it at all and in fact was relishing it now that I knew it wouldn't be for long and there was something better to look forward to. It was just what I needed when I needed and to say it was a miracle, was to understate the fact of it.

Liam helped me to my feet and walked with me to the window of the bedroom after I said I wanted to look outside. It was just starting to get light and I could make out the silhouette of the trees against the lightening sky. There were fairylights strung up around the perimeter of the house and it looked quite magical out there. I could hear some birdsong starting up in the woods. There was the occasional call of a fox and the night owls were still hooting too. Nature was just coming alive again for another day and here we were cooped up indoors. I'd been indoors far too long, a prisoner of my bedroom back home for months and of course not able to venture out here yet. I sighed with a touch of frustration. Perhaps I should ask Carlisle to just get on with things so I could start enjoying my new life sooner.

"You're looking wistful, sweetheart. What's up?" enquired Liam when he saw how pensive I was.

"Was just thinking about being able to go outside again one day soon. Was wondering whether to ask Carlisle to start the ball rolling with things. Seeing the outdoors like this, I just want to be out in it, breathing fresh air and listening to the birdsong and enjoying some freedom from this awful fragile body." I folded my arms and shrugged my shoulders, before turning away from the window back towards the bed.

"Well, one matter of those two issues is between you and Carlisle for the moment, but I can certainly help you with the other." He smiled briefly at me as I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"How so? What - don't tell me you've come up with a wheelchair now?" I asked of him, grimacing wryly.

"No.......but nonetheless, your chariot awaits....." he turned to the side, and moved his arm out to the side grandly in a sweeping bow. I looked at him blankly.

"My Lady, may I?" He held his arms out to me. I nodded, and in one swift movement he picked me like a child. Automatically, I put my arms up around his neck, to hold on to him as I was held above the floor with what seemed to be consummate ease. Oops giddy moment! Ooh-er, this is a bit unnerving....

"Good grief, what's all this?" I asked, looking at him. "This is too much Liam, don't be daft."

"Daft, nothing! Your wish is my command. I am here to serve, My Lady." His eyes twinkled as he walked us towards the bedroom door.

"Whisht!" I exclaimed, slapping his shoulder lightly as I scolded him.

My heart was hammering away like a jackhammer. Oh well, I might as well go with this now. I can't exactly argue right now without causing a scene. I was also now hugely curious as to what lay beyond the door.

I peered left and right as we exited the bedroom. Down the corridor to my right I could see a couple of bedroom doors. To my left, I could see an open-ended corridor at the end of which I presumed were some stairs. I discovered there was a huge window by those stairs which went way up to the roofline above us, and as I peered down over the edge of the stairs, I could see it went down out of sight as well. Wow!

We went down one flight of stairs to a landing. More light and airy space, punctuated by the huge window and some doors leading off the corridor.

"I gather that Carlisle & Esme's rooms are on this floor, as well as Alice & Jasper's." murmured Liam as he kept moving down the stairs.

"Oh." Was all I could say. The white decor of the house made for such a light and airy, contemporary feel - as far removed from a vampire's traditional hangout as you could imagine. As far as the eye could see, there were pictures, photographs, silk prints and hand-made art hung up on the walls. sculptures dotted about and objects dangled from the ceilings. It was like being in a museum. I was absorbed taking in all the detail and felt I could probably spend hours here looking at everything, wanting to know all about them. Some of the items were really intriguing.

The two items that really caught my attention were: a huge roughly-hewn wooden cross suspended on guy ropes – an awe-inspiring sight and one which had been rubbed shiny over the years; and the second item was the most glorious waterfall sculpture – a green glass monolith over 6ft high just dribbling water over its surface down into a sea of pebbles, surrounded by greenery. It was simple, beautiful and so Zen.

I gasped at the beauty of the items, so carefully selected and placed. I sensed this place really was a home to the family and somewhere very special for them. Liam smiled broadly as my eyes were captivated by one object and then the next.

"It's quite something isn't it?" he murmured.

"Yes, indeed. Enchanting."

As we descended the next set of stairs, the sound of voices reached me and I became much more nervous, for some reason. I also heard a voice or two I didn't recognise. Oh dear, more strangers.

Esme came to the bottom of the stairs, a huge beam of welcome plastered on her face.

"Oh Yolanda, how lovely you feel well enough to step outside your room." Her hands were pressed together in delight. "It will do you good to have a change of scenery for a short while."

As we reached the hall area, I could see some rooms off to one side from which some piano music was now floating, and on the other side of us I could see glimpses of the huge living area I had first seen on arrival at the house a few days ago. Was it only a few short days since this family had welcomed me into their home?

Liam walked us into the living room and a huge expanse of space opened up before us. It was even larger than I'd remembered and my eyes were wide with surprise as Liam did a gentle 360 degree rotation to show it to me. I was able to see it more properly this time as my last visit to this room had been somewhat curtailed.

It was then I took note of who was actually in the room. Alice and Jasper were seating on one section of a massive L-shaped couch. They smiled and waved in greeting. Rosalie & Emmett were seated on the other section of it - they too waved hello.

The room was actually large enough for two separate seating areas. In the other area were two young men I hadn't seen before, but who were gazing back at me with the same honest curiosity as I was eyeing them.

"So this is the mysterious guest then is it?" said one of the young men. I took in a sharp breath when the young man who had spoken stood to his feet and revealed his massive height. The other young man beside him wasn't as huge, seeming to be a bit younger, but was filling out steadily.

My hand went to my mouth as I covered my embarrassment. Liam muttered "Don't be worried" in my ear, as he must have caught the tension in my body language.

Esme came to stand beside us and introduced the young men as Jacob and Seth, and then telling them my name. They nodded at me but didn't say anything, looking to Esme warily. I couldn't tell if they really knew who I was.

"Hello," I replied. "Nice to meet you." My goodness, what do these boys feed on round here to be built like that? Are they vampires? They seem too dark-skinned to be. Oh, they look like native American Indians. Wow, I wonder what their story is?

Liam turned to Esme and told her that he would be taking me outside for a short while as I fancied some fresh air.

I was now feeling quite safe and comfortable in his arms, albeit at the mercy of where he might want to take me. I was looking forward very much to my first foray outside the house but wished it could have been under my own steam. However, that would come soon enough, as I was getting more prepared for it to happen.

"Here, take this fleece blanket with you Yolanda. You'll freeze out there, otherwise! Now Liam, don't you keep her outside too long, ok? And please don't take her too far, just in case....you know...." Esme bit down on whatever she had been going to say, but my guess was she was alluding to my recent blackouts.

Liam grinned at the mild chiding. "I wouldn't dream of it." and so we headed for the front door, with me now bundled in a fleecy cocoon. My new man was taking me for a walk in the woods in this enchanting new location. How different from the last man to have done the same.

A/N: Ah, a breath of fresh air....

Have you seen New Moon yet? I've seen it twice so far – definitely better on the second viewing, even if there were some cheesy moments. I've never seen RP looking so damned heartbreakingly gorjus – simply took my breath away.

Would love to know what you think of this story. Sorry that it hasn't progressed far yet but I'm trying to give this fledgling love a chance to blossom before the hard process of the change happens. Well you know she's going to go native eventually don't you!