So finally, here's the next chapter. Sorry for the delay, after my kids were sick, it was mine and my husbands turn. :( After feeling miserable for a few days, I finally broke down and went to the doctor only to find out I had bronchitis and a sinus infection. UGH! But I'm feeling MUCH better and got my head cleared up! :o)

A special thanks to Angel N Darkness for the two reviews! Awesome! :o) Hearing encouraging words makes me write a lot quicker.

This chapter is mainly Dawn's POV, but I had to throw in a little of Rosalie's at the end. I hope you enjoy it! The dream in this chapter is one that I absolutely LOVE! I couldn't have written it any better. :o) I hope you enjoy it and this chapter as well. Have fun reading!

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Twilight, but I do own their actions in this story. *insert evil grin here*

~ Chapter 21 ~

Dawn POV

I woke, feeling my brain beat heavily against my skull, making me wince. "Damn I hate hangovers." I muttered, bringing my hand up to cover my eyes. A light chuckle made a person known from across the room. "What are you laughing at?" I said to the unknown person. "Just at the thought of watching my two newest daughters enjoying themselves so much last night that one of them now has to pay the price." Carlisle said softly walking to me.

I could feel my cheeks turn red with embarrassment, "Sorry Carlisle, I didn't know that was you." I mumbled. "That's quite ok dear. I imagined that you're head was killing you. I placed some Aleve by your bed with a glass of water. I hope that will work on your headache." I nodded, with my eyes still clenched shut. Peaking through one of them, the first thing that caught my eye was Carlisle sitting on the edge of the bed by the foot of it. I groaned, rolled over and grabbed the pain killers and the glass of water, chugging it down in large gulps. "Do you need more water Dawn? I know that alcohol can dehydrate a human's body, so I was wondering if I could check to make sure you're not. If that's ok." he asked politely. I nodded, sitting myself up slowly from the pain pounding in my head.

Carlisle checked my blood pressure, heart rate and everything, make sure that I was indeed, not dehydrated. "You wouldn't by chance have any Gatorade? Would you?" I croaked out. Gatorade making me feel much better once getting it in my system. Carlisle shook his head, "But I can send someone after some if you wish." I groaned, covering my eyes with my hand again. "Yes please. The blue kind." I asked. "I'M ON IT!" hollered Alice from below. I chuckled softly at the eagerness in her voice.

Hearing the yellow Porsche take off for town, I grinned and shook my head easily from the pain radiating through my head still. Carlisle backed away, turning his back to me to head back to his black bag, sitting on the couch opposite of the bed. My stomach heaved, rolling in my stomach as I was quickly pushing the blankets back, running to the bathroom to empty the contents of last nights fun out into the toilet. Edward must have heard me heaving, because he was quickly sitting next to me, holding my hair back as I continued to heave out the contents.

"If I would have known you were going to be this bad love, I wouldn't have let you drink so much." Edward whispered, rubbing his cold hand along my stifling hot neck. Keeping my body over the toilet, I whispered back, "I'm fine babe. It's not uncommon for me to pray before the porcelain god the next morning after our nights out. Only I never have this bad of a headache." I groaned, pulling back from the toilet. Gripping my stomach, I sat down on my rear, pulling my legs up close to me as I placed my forehead on my knees. Edward reached for me and pulled me closer to him, wrapping me in his cool embrace to cool my body off.

Carlisle came in and grabbed a wash rag, wringing it out and handing it to Edward, I took it washing my face off the best I could before attempting to stand when another of nausea took over my stomach. Before Edward could help to lift me up, I twisted my body to release more contents into the toilet. Groaning, I heaved, surely emptying all that was left in my stomach. But as I would have it, my stomach wanted to get everything out, leaving me to do the worst. Dry heave.

Carlisle watched me worriedly, as well as Edward as they both tried to cool my body down with Edwards cool arms and Carlisle grabbing more cold wash rags to place on the back of my neck. I finally stopped, too weak to stand, as Edward lifted me up into his arms, taking me back to the bed. Laying me down, I groaned, my entire body feeling like the nerves were being severed.

I seen Jasper make his way into the room, looking worried at me as he, Carlisle and Edward made small quiet talk, to quiet for me to hear. As my eyes drooped shut, I felt Edwards cool arms wrap around me from behind, making me open my eyes to see only Carlisle, reaching into his bag to pull out a needle and a small bottle. "No." I whispered, to weak to do nothing but croak out the one word, but I still tried to push Edward's arms away from me, knowing what they were up to. Edward shhh'd me, trying to hold me still, "It's just to help with the uneasy stomach and to help you sleep a little more. You were only asleep for about five hours love. You need more sleep. I'll be here with you."

I nodded lightly, feeling a slight pinch in my arm before I drifted off to sleep.

I was sitting next to small river, my knees drawn up to my chest with my chin on my knees enjoying the babbling of the water rushing over the rocks and river bed. Humming one of my favorite melodies, I watched as tiny minnows raced down the water. A small brown frog hopped into the water, swimming with the tiny tadpoles. Small schools of rainbow fish darted here and there down the river, swimming effortlessly around the rocks jutting out of the river.

I was content, sitting in the sun, watching God's work play itself out in the wonders of the nature. I smiled, thankful for a sunny day that had appeared out of no where, making the river sparkle with the small waves that splashed against the rocks, beaming against my skin.

I heard a twig snap somewhere to my right, breaking my happiness as I turned to fear what was coming towards me. I met a pair of blue eyes, peaking from the bushes next to the forest. The blue eyes were glowing brightly, watching me as I basked in the sun. Afraid to blink, I felt my heart rate jump, racing against my chest.

The eyes sat low to the ground, but I watched as a huge white wolf emerged from the forest, it's head lowered as if in surrender. This was a wolf of the Quileute tribe. I only knew because of it's enormous height, but it kept it's head down, as if letting me know it meant no danger. I watched as it came closer, it's eyes, a brilliant shade of blue that gleamed with the sun.

Looking at the wolf more intently, I noticed that the body seemed more slender than the other wolves I had come to know, a red streak starting from the top of the head, working it's way down to it's tail, leaving the rest of the body as white as snow. Not a single strand of hair was spotted with dirt.

It walked closer, keeping it's eyes trained on me. I heard a slight whimper as it stopped within five feet of me, it's head still lowered. A sound, coming from my left, broke my gaze from the white wolf. Seeing Edward walk from the other side of the forest made my heart race again, not noticing that it had stopped beating as fiercely once the wolf had emerged from the forest, only to feel it beat heavily again.

Edward growled, low in his chest. I stood up quickly, shielding the wolf with my arms. "Edward stop!" I screamed. Edward looked up at me, confused. "This one we don't know Dawn. We can't trust it." Looking back at the wolf, it now sat with it's head still down. I lowered my arms, turning sideways to be between Edward and the wolf.

Tilting my head, I looked at the wolf curiously. "But there's something about it Edward. I know. This one is good. I can feel it." Edward walked up to me slowly, keeping his eyes trained on the wolf. I turned towards the wolf, stepping towards it when Edward grabbed my hand. "Don't love, please." I reached with my other hand, placing his hand in between the two of mine. I smiled, "It's alright Edward. Can't you feel it? The love radiating from it? It's not going to hurt me."

Edward looked between me and the wolf. Hearing the white wolf whimper, he nodded. "Can you hear it's thoughts?" I asked him, looking back and forth between him and the creature. Edward stared intently at the wolf, slowly shaking his head. "No, I can't hear anything from it." I turned away from him, Edward dropping his hand, allowing me to walk towards the white wolf.

Once standing in front of it, it raised it's head to look at me face to face. It whimpered again, edging it's nose out to me. I raised my hand, palm towards it as it nudged my palm with it's nose. I giggled, feeling the warm nose hit my skin. I took another step closer, the wolf leaning it's head down as I placed my hand on it's head. Rubbing my hand up it's head as I continued to walk closer, I heard a purr coming from the chest of the wolf.

I ran my hand down to it's shoulder, following the line of the red streak, but going no further. Running my fingers through the fur, the wolf continued to purr, tilting it's head over it's shoulder at me with it's blue eyes closed. I reached with my other hand and petted next to the eye. The wolf opened it's eyes, looking straight into my soul. Stepping back towards the face of the wolf, the wolf nudged my stomach quick and hard, to where it tossed me up onto it's shoulders. I landed, sitting in between it's shoulder blades, surprised, looking over at Edward. His face matched mine. One of shock. I shook my head at him, seeing him tense. "It's alright Edward. It's not going to harm me."

Edward nodded, stepping back slightly. The wolf turned it's head to look at me as if telling me to hold on tight. I grabbed a handful of fur as the wolf looked over the river and took off, leaping over the river in a single bound. It landed softly on it's paws, barely making me feel the landing. It ran for what seemed like miles, taking only minutes to reach a meadow filled with wild lily's, daisy's, and marigolds. The sight of the meadow was breath taking. I slid off the back of the white and red wolf, taking in the full glory of the meadow.

I turned around to see the white wolf stare at me, as if to watch my judgment. I grinned, spinning myself with my arms outwards, laughing into the breeze. I stopped, dizzy from the spinning, to see the white wolf trot off to the woods, leaving me by myself. I took a step forward, "Wait! Don't leave me here by myself!" I hollered, starting to run to catch up with it.

Reaching the middle of the meadow, I stopped when I seen bright red hair emerge from around the side of a large tree trunk. A woman with a long white gown stepped out into the sunlight, grinning. Her skin was pale, her blue eyes shown with a gleam and her straight red hair hung around her, billowing in the breeze. "Hey girl." she said. I gasped. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "Chris?"

I woke up, gasping, looking around in amazement at what I had just dreamt. Surely it was just a dream. Could I really have dreamt that? I thought. "What did you dream love?" Edward asked, hearing my thoughts. I turned in his embrace, my headache and queasiness gone from the hangover. I'll have to thank Carlisle for that wonderful medicine. I thought, grinning. Edward chuckled, "Yes well, you'll have your chance to thank him later love. Now, mind telling me what that dream was about? It didn't seem to be a nightmare. You slept peacefully." A tear formed in my eye as I smiled, looking into his golden eyes.

"Why the crying?" he asked, wiping away the tear that just peaked over my eye lid, sliding down my cheek. I shook my head. "Oh it was a great dream Edward." I answered, whispering. "Only, I think it was great. I don't know how any one else would take it and I'm unsure if it was true, or what, but oh…. I'm rambling." I said, chuckling, wiping away the other tears that fell. "It was about a white wolf." Edward's eye brows quickly pulled together. "A white wolf?" he repeated.

I nodded eagerly. "A white wolf with a red strip from it's head all the way down to it's tail. It's eyes. Her eyes, were a brilliant shade of blue. Ones that I have never seen before, but only in one person." I whispered eagerly to him. Edward still stared at me, confused. I shook my head, laughing.

Sitting up in bed, I pulled the blankets around me, staring out the window into the sun light that tried to peak it's way through the clouds. "Who love? Tell me, who was the white wolf?" Edward asked, sitting up next to me, winding his arms around my ribs. I sighed, a smile on my lips, leaning into Edward's chest. I chuckled. "I don't know if you'd believe me. Heck, I don't even know if it's true, but it would be amazing if it is." I turned my head and kissed Edward along his jaw, tucking my head back under it. Whispering, I finally gave him my answer, "It was Chris."

Edward gasped, pulling me tighter into his embrace before kissing me on my head. "Do you think she'd really want that Dawn?" I shrugged my shoulders, "I'm not sure Edward, but she seemed happy about it. She changed right before the dream was over and she was beaming. She was actually happy. I've never seen her so happy. Not even last night she didn't seem as happy as she was in my dream. She actually looked like she was glowing."

Edward chuckled, "Well, it wouldn't surprise me none. With what all has happened, I shouldn't be shocked." I turned to look up at him, resting my head on his forearm. "A shocked vampire. Hmmm, now that's surprising." he kissed me on the forehead, pulling back and smiling back at me. "Oh believe me, we've all been shocked at least once since you and Chris as came around. Now, how about you go and get a shower, get yourself cleaned up and come down for something light to eat. Alice made a trip and got your drink you asked for. She's anxiously waiting to see you. Well, everyone is actually." he said, laughing.

I dragged myself away from him, stepping into the hot shower, washing all the sweat off from the night before. Feeling much better, I brushed my teeth and combed my hair. Noticing for the first time, that I hadn't put in my contacts since waking up from the accident. My vision had been corrected when I healed my body the first time. Staring into my brown eyes, I smiled at myself. My skin had become more clearer, my lips became more rosy. The gleam in my eyes were dancing in the light as I smiled.

Drying my hair, I quickly came out of the bathroom, dressing in the clothes that Alice had laid out for me once again. Laughing at Alice's choice, I slipped on a pair of skinny jeans and a tight emerald green v neck shirt. It seemed as though Alice liked to have undergarments and clothes matching as she had laid out a pair of emerald green bra and underwear set before I had gotten dressed. Slipping on socks and my two inch healed boots, I made my way down the stairs, looking for movement around the house.

I heard Emmett and Jasper back at it again in the living room, fighting with each other on a game. Making my way in there, I cleared my throat causing the two of them to turn and grin at me. I crossed my arms and cocked my eye brow at them, tapping my foot. "What?" Emmett asked, shrugging his shoulders. "So when are you going to ask me to play a game with you two? Chris did, I have yet to bestow upon you my racing skills."

Jasper laughed, Emmett looking shocked. "Well? When Emmett?" I looked at him with my eye brown still raised. "Um, now?" Emmett asked, swallowing thickly. Strong cold arms, wrapped around them my midsection under my own arms. Leaning back, I kept my look on Emmett. "Not until this human gets a little something in her stomach." Edward said from my shoulder. Laughing, I broke my look from Emmett, turning in Edward's arms and kissing him quickly on the lips before skipping off into the kitchen.

"What the hell dude? You just got yourself scared by a nephilim!" I heard Jasper say from the other room. I heard a loud boom come from the living room. Looking over at Esme who was standing at the sink shaking her head, we both smiled at each other. "I did not! And you can't say that you didn't get scared there for a moment dude, I seen your face!" Jasper laughed heartedly, "Dude, I could feel her emotions, I knew she was joking with you, you big oaf!"

"Boys, knock it off before something gets broke. Jasper, you still owe me a new table lamp. Remember?" Esme hollered at the two boys in the joining room. The laughing ceased to hear Jasper holler back, "Sorry Esme, I know. I'll find a matching one for you, I promise!" Shaking my head, I pulled my chair back to sit at the island. Edward came up behind me, rubbing my shoulders to relax my shoulders. "Mmmm, don't stop. That feels absolutely wonderful." I muttered. Edward chuckled, squeezing my shoulders one last time before letting go.

"As much as I know that felt good to you, you have to eat." Edward said as Esme laid my plate in front of me. "Toast? That's all I get?" I asked, looking up at Esme curiously. She nodded, grinned and turned back around to wipe off the counter tops. "You need something light love. You don't need to throw something big into your stomach after this morning." I sighed, picking up the toast, taking a bite. I knew he was right, but damn, pancakes sounded good this morning.

Washing it down with the glass of milk, I jumped down from the chair, landing in Edward's arms as I slightly stumbled from the height of the chair. I giggled, looking up at him. Turning around, I went to reach for my plate and glass but Edward pulled me back to him as Esme quickly grabbed my things in a blur. "Nope. Not after the other day. You let Esme handle everything. She doesn't mind, plus it doesn't take her nearly as long as you do to wash them." he whispered to me.

I pouted, depression filling my body from not being able to take care of myself. It seemed as though everyone wanted to help the human, or half nephilim in my case, but still, I could take care of myself and I felt low about not being able to help. "You know you give me no credit. I can do things for myself you know. I'm not always so clumsy." I heard a laugh from the living room, "You just keep telling yourself that little sis!" Emmett hollered. I frowned, looking at the door leading to the other room. "Whatever Emmett. This coming from a vampire who got his ass handed to him from a human." Jasper busted out laughing for the fourth time. Esme looked at me, giving me a stern look. "Language little lady." I looked over at her, giving her a frown, annoyance rippling through my body. "I'm technically older than you Esme, I don't need someone telling me what I can and cannot say." Her face shown one of shock and I immediately regretted talking back to her. "Sorry." I mumbled.

She slightly smiled, nodding at me in acceptance. Feeling a wave of calm try to weave it's way through my body, "Knock it off Jasper. I don't want my emotions played with right now. I don't have the patience for it today." The calmness fading away back to my anger and annoyance. Edward pulled me to him closer, "Why don't we go for a walk? Get some fresh air." he whispered in my ear. I nodded, looking down at the floor. Edward took my hand, leading me out the back door.

Crossing the back porch, he led me out across the yard, into the woods. After awhile, Edward stopped, taking me into his arms. "Want to tell me what's going on love? Jasper said your emotions were all over the place. Starting out happy, joking to depressed, sad changing to anger and then to regret. I understand the regret coming from what happened with Esme, but what about the others."

I sighed, pulling away from Edward's arms, walking away from him a few feet with my back to him. I looked up at the trees above me, making out some of the birds nests that lay abandoned. "It's nothing really. I'm just tired of everyone around me all the time. I feel like I'm being watched with every little move I make. Ever since Cass said not to be alone, it seams as though no one wants to take their eye off me. Like I can't even go pee without someone knowing where I'm going and listening into make sure that's exactly what I'm doing."

Edward had come up behind me, pulling my hair back from my shoulder, laying it over to my other shoulder. He placed a soft, cold kiss on my shoulder. Pulling back, he sighed, "It's not that we're trying to watch you all the time, we just want to make sure you're safe. We know what Cass said, and yes, we are trying to protect you. But you have to understand, I don't know what I would do without you." he said painfully at the last part.

I turned to him, anger crossing my brow and flooding my system. "What you would do without me? Do you have any idea as to how I feel about you Edward? I'm your Guardian Angel. I'm suppose to be the one to protect you." I said, pointing my finger into his chest. A sharp ping of pain shooting through my hand from having to jab what felt like a rock. "How can I possibly protect you, if you are trying to protect me. Believe me, I can feel when those damn minions are coming. I can protect myself. No one has faith in me. No one!" I turned sharply, walking a few feet away again from him to cool myself.

"I understand love." Edward whispered from where I left him. "But you also know that they can kill you. I mean kill you, kill you. Where you won't be able to fulfill your destiny because they got their hands on you and you couldn't handle the fight. They could rip you to shreds. What happens when they rip you apart to where your heart stops beating and you have no way of healing yourself? Answer me that!" he words growing more loudly as each word crossed his lips, growing into a growl by the end of the question.

I lowered my head. I didn't want to fight with Edward, but he just didn't understand. I was the nephilim. I was his guardian angel. I could protect him, but no one trusted me or my judgments. I thought that I had proven that I could handle myself with that minion came at me. Edward seen that. He stood by and watched my moves as the minion never touched me.

I turned back towards him, heat building in my eyes as I started him down. "You call yourselves my family? Then let me do things on my own. Let me live my life the way that I have for the past thirty years. I can't even wash my own damn dishes Edward. I can't even get my own damn wash cloth for when I throw up. I can't deal with my own sickness without someone having to give me a shot 'to make me feel better'." I said, throwing air marks in the air. "I can't do anything on my own Edward." I finished, tears forming in my eyes.

Edward sighed, taking a step towards me. I shook my head, throwing up my hand. I had to get away to cool myself off before more things were said. I took a deep breath to calm what nerves I had left. "Not now Edward. Let me deal with this on my own. Please, just give me that. Leave me alone." Edward dropped his head, closing his eyes tightly from the rejection I just threw at him. It wasn't intended to be rejection. I just wanted time to myself for once. I turned on my heal and took off at full force, running through the woods at a break neck speed. I didn't doubt that Edward may try to follow me. But if he knew what was good for him, he would stay away and let me deal with this on my own.

A few miles away in the Quileute territory, I stopped, staggering against a tree to finally break down in tears, sobbing against my arm. I turned around and sank against the large trunk, drawing my knees up to my chest. My body, wracked with sobs and pain from the argument, I didn't hear the heavy thud of paws coming closer to me a few minutes later, until I felt a warm nose push against my arm, making me look up.

I gasped, seeing the huge wolf stand next to me. He whimpered, trotting off towards another large tree before transforming back to his human form. Tying the string around his shorts, Paul walked slowly towards me. "What are you doing here girl?" he asked me, lowering himself down to the ground next to me. I shook my head, hiccupping from so much crying. "You don't have to answer. I'm sorry, just let it out if you need to. Do you want me to leave?" he asked tenderly, rubbing my back as I sloped back over my knees.

"No. Don't leave. I just had to get away for a bit. I couldn't handle it." I gasped between hiccups. "Couldn't handle what Dawn? I'm only hear to listen. I won't judge if you don't want me to." he whispered. I shook my head again, sobbing hard into my arms again. Paul gave me time to cry my internal wounds out before wrapping his arm around me to pull him into his side. "You know, since I've met Chris, it almost seems as though you're like a sister to me that I've never had. Chris talks so much about you, I feel like I've known you my whole life."

I smiled through my tears, knowing that Chris had spoken so greatly of me, that it actually made Paul feel more connected to me. "Thanks Paul." I whispered. I took I a shaky breath, hiccupping once more. "No problem." he said, squeezing me slightly, burying me further into his side. "I felt like everyone was smothering me at the house. I couldn't do anything. No one wants me to do anything for myself. Cass said not to be left alone, but I didn't think that I'd feel so smothered. I don't mind them being around, it's just that they won't even let me wash my own dishes because I cut myself last time. It didn't even effect Jasper any, but they still won't let me walk to the bathroom without listening to my steps to make sure that's where I'm headed. I can't even get a glass of water for myself. "

Paul leaned down, laying his head on mine. "Who's Cass?" he asked. I chuckled, forgetting that he didn't know everything as to what's happened. Quickly explaining our talk we'd had with the other Arch Angel as well as my fight with Edward. Paul nodded. "I agree with you Dawn, but I also agree with the Cullen's." I opened my mouth to argue my side, when Paul put his finger on my lips, silencing me.

"I agree with the Cullen's because they want to keep you safe. Edward was right. If those minions can end your life so quickly before you can get to your nephilim side, they have a right to protect you. But I also agree with you. They need to give you some space around the house and let you do things on your own. They can't keep you bottled up or in a bubble to protect you. You need some space. Maybe after this, Edward will come to realize and give you some of that space that you need as well as the other Cullen's."

I nodded, sighing and putting my head back under his arm. I felt a wave of relief after what Paul had said. Maybe they would see after my breakdown, and give me some space. I still didn't want them to leave me alone, per say, I just wanted a little space.

We sat there for some time, looking into the woods, listening to the birds in the trees without speaking a word. Finally I mustered up the nerve to ask how he knew I was alone. "How did you know I was out here Paul? I didn't think that you could get away from Chris." Paul chuckled. "You make it sound like we're chained together." I quickly backtracked what I meant and looked up at him, "No, no. I meant I didn't think you were able to tear yourselves apart, the imprint thing and all." Paul grinned, shaking his head.

His grin faded as he thought, "Seth was out patrolling. He seen you slumped against the tree, burying your face in your arm, crying. He didn't smell Edward or anyone with you and figured you needed someone you could trust up here with you. He quickly changed and called me. Chris basically pushed me out the door, saying that I was the one to help you. She wouldn't have been able to get up here as quickly, so I was her next best choice. Not that I don't mind, because I don't mind helping you., I just figured that Chris would have wanted to come out here. I guess she thought I could get out here quicker to you to help. " he said, chuckling. "As for the imprinting thing, well, ya. It does have a pull on us when we are apart. But I know there's no danger right now to get myself worked up. I had Seth come back to the house to watch over Chris and Emily while I'm gone. It's ok." he said, kissing my head in reassurance.

I chuckled with him, "Well I'm glad it was you. It would have been weird if I was letting all of this out with Seth. I really don't know much about him to let him know all of what's been going on and with my problems." I sniffed, pulling my knees closer to my chest. The day was turning to twilight, bringing with it a chill. We must have been out here for hours, most of the time just sitting, watching the wildlife around us, then talk awhile. I shivered, even still next to a wolf that ran a constant temp of one oh eight. "How's Chris?" I asked Paul. He grinned, "She's doing good. She misses you. I know that for sure." He nudged me with his shoulder.

I returned his smile, putting my chin on my knees. "You know I had a dream about her last night." I said, tilting my head towards him. He looked over at me a lifted an eye brow. "Is this something that I'm going to be interested in?" he said, wagging his eye brows. I chuckled and shook my head, punching him in the arm before wrapping my arm back around my legs. "Pervert." I mumbled softly as I smiled, laying my chin back on my knees. "No. This one was pretty intense though. Let's just say that I think she's destined for something good. Something that none of us ever expected." Paul nodded and grinned. "She is something special. Just like you Dawn." The chill of the night air, flowed over my skin.

Paul felt me shiver, squeezing me to his side one last time before standing, leaving my side that was nice and toasty to face the chill of the air. I started shivering uncontrollably. Paul reached down and gathered me into his arms before trotting off towards the Cullen's house. I laid my head on his shoulder as he ran, slowly, towards the direction that I seriously did not want to head towards at this moment. I was fearing the reaction that I would get, walking into those doors. I knew I had acted similar to a brat, but no one was listening to me. I was a grown adult and they wanted to treat me like I was a fragile child. I winced at the thought of the feelings I hurt.

Paul slowed his run finally, reaching the backyard of the Cullen's property. Paul turned his head and kissed me on my head. "Don't worry about it Dawn. Everyone will forgive you. You mean too much to them for them to turn away from you." he whispered into my head. I shook my head, disagreeing with him for the first time. "No they won't. They'll think I acted like a selfish child." I whimpered, tears forming in my eyes for the umpteenth time this evening.

"Look." Paul whispered into my hair. I turned my head, looking towards the house. The family of the Cullen's were all standing on the back porch, waiting for me to arrive. My family. Or at least, I hoped they were still my family. I let out a sob, covering my mouth with my hand to hold it back.

Esme stood in Carlisle's embrace, venom tears forming in her eyes that would never fall as Carlisle looked at me with a sad smile. Rosalie had her face drawn with no expression, leaning her head against Emmett's chest as Emmett looked at me with a sly smile. Jasper had Alice drawn to him, her back to his stomach as Alice looked at me with a smile on her face, Jasper looking worriedly at me.

And then there was Edward. He stood on the middle of the steps, his head down but looking at me with sorrow filling his eyes. I could tell the fight had taken a toll on him. Him and I both regretting what we had said. Paul walked me cautiously to the group, keeping me in his arms. "Seth found her. He called me and Chris told me to stay with her." he quickly explained to the others. Edward nodded, taking slow steps off the porch to come to my side.

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears rolling down my cheeks as my hand stayed placed across my mouth to hold in the sobs. But it didn't work. I started bawling and sobbing, my hand becoming soaking wet with my tears. "I'm so sorry." I struggled out between sobs. Edward reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Shhh, love. It's alright. We both said things that we knew were coming. We just had to get some of them off our chest."

Lowering my hand, I looked up at Paul, hiccupping again. I nodded at him, letting him know to let me down. As soon as my feet hit the ground, I threw myself into Edward's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. I felt a hand on my arm as I pulled back from Edward, seeing Esme and sobbed again, moving into her small arms. "I'm sorry Esme. I didn't mean anything I said." She rubbed my back softly, holding me in her embrace. "It's ok Dawn. You did mean to say those things because I know we've been treating you like glass. We need to let you live your life the way you want to, not protecting you from everything. We've seen that Jasper has no effect of your blood, so there is no reason why we don't see why you can't do things on your own around here." she whispered into my ear. I knew she was right, I did mean to say those things, but they just came out all wrong. I could have said things a lot differently, not causing any pain in the process.

Carlisle came up to Esme and I, placing his hand on my back as well. I pulled back from her arms, wiping my cheeks and guiltily smiled back at him. "I'm sorry Carlisle. That won't happen again." I said, lowering my head in shame for yelling at his wife previously. I felt the shame roll through my body before calm and peace took over it. Jasper walked up to us as well, taking a hold of one of my hands.

"There is no reason to be ashamed Dawn. You had things to say and well, it just came out the wrong way. We all know that. You'd think that with a room full of vampires one of us would have seen that we were being too over bearing with you. It should be us to apologize to you." Jasper said, looking at me apologetically.

I smiled, looking back over at Carlisle. Surprisingly, he looked at ease, a grin plastered on his face. He pulled a hand out of his coat pocket, pulling a long box out of it in the process. "Dawn," he started, taking the box in both hands. "There is something that I'd like to give you, we'd like to give you, that I can't think of a better time to give it to you than now. Would you please accept this?"

I took a deep breath, settling my nerves and sobs before reaching for the slim long box. Opening it slowly, I felt Edward's arms sneak around my stomach. He placed a kiss on my shoulder while looking over, watching me open the gift. I gasped as I seen the long silver chain, sparkling under the moon light. It had gotten dark over the last half hour, but the Cullen's had turned on the porch light, illuminating the backyard.

The chain glistened against the light. Lifting the chain, I felt a heavy pendant dangle from the bottom. Taking it into my other hand, I lifted it to see that they had added the Cullen crest, encased in black and white diamonds. "It's a platinum necklace with a total of three carats of diamonds encased in it." Alice stated from the deck, grinning widely.

A new fresh of tears formed in my eyes. "Dawn, we would like for you to become a Cullen. If you would accept this token of our family tradition. Each one of us wears the emblem. Either by necklace, ring or in Edward's case, a bracelet." Carlisle stated proudly from my side. I nodded, not taking my eyes off the pendant.

Edward reached around me, taking it from my hands and turning it over. He unclasped the metal to wrap it around my neck, my fingers instantly reaching up to feel the pendant hang down my color bone. Edward snapped it on and turned me around, facing him. Looking up, I looked at his sorrow filled eyes as he leaned down to kiss me. Pulling back too soon, he reached up and traced my temple down to my jaw. "You're too important to me to lose, but I understand where you're coming from. We'll do our best to help you through this. But I want you to know, I still love you with my entire soul."

I nodded, "I love you too Edward. You're my life. I don't want to ever lose you." I whispered. Leaning my head down to his chest, I looked over to where Paul stood. He looked like he felt out of place, shuffling his feet from side to side. His hands clasped behind his back.

I smiled over at him as he met my eyes. He smiled sheepishly. "I should be getting back. Chris will be wondering if you're ok." he mumbled. Looking up at Edward, I released myself from his embrace to walk over to Paul. Wrapping my arms around him, I looked up at him. "Chris really is lucky to have someone as special as you in her life. Thank you for taking care of her Paul. And me."

I reached up and kissed his cheek. "Watch over her will you? You remember what I said, ok?" winking, I walked back over to Edward, his arms raising to embrace me as I walked into them. Turning back to Paul, I nodded, smiling. He grinned and took off towards the woods to race back to his mate's side.

"Well now that that is over," Emmett said from the porch, Rosalie leaning back to look at him. "I think you better go get a shower Dawn. You smell like a wet dog." Everyone chuckled, including me. I felt so much better after apologizing to the ones that loved me as much as I loved them.

I laughed with them nodding, "Sorry guys." Edward leaned down and kissed my head. "You do smell like a wet dog love. Let's go take care of that." he whispered huskily in my ear. Lust and excitement filled me, looking up at him. Edward picked me up quickly, racing me into the house, up the stairs and into our bathroom where he proceeded to show me the rest of his apology.

***
Rosalie POV

Watching Edward race Dawn into the house, I chuckled. It was hard for me at the beginning, accepting Chris and Dawn into our lives. My original thought was that they wanted to be like us, forever suspended in a life that they wouldn't be able to progress in, growing old or having babies. That's all I ever wanted for myself, to be with Emmett until we died from old age with children and grandchildren at our sides.

But being with the two girls over the past couple of weeks, has opened my eyes to them. They came into this world, both vampire fans, all because of those stupid books. Wanting to rid their normal human lives for the eternal damnation of ours. Now, one was a half wolf, imprinted on another while the other is destined to become a nephilim. Chris being able to live for the amount of time that her and Paul wanted to live, while Dawn was immortal, stuck at the age of thirty and becoming an angel.

I stood with Emmett, still on the back porch, while everyone else gathered back inside the house. Emmett sensed my wanting to be alone with him, not saying a word while I thought back to all of the happenings. He hugged me close, he chin resting on my head as I looked out over the woods. I watched in my clear vision as the leaves blew in the slight breeze, ruffling the ones that had fallen on the weed filled ground.

"What'cha thinkin' babe?" Emmett asked, kissing my head before putting his chin back on my head. I sighed, "Just about how I judged the girls when they arrived. I feel guilty now, thinking back about how I welcomed them into our home. They've really turned out differently." I closed my eyes, pulling back to look at Emmett, opening them back up to look into his matching gold eyes.

"You are always the one quick to judge. They don't hold it against you Rose." he said, bending down to look into my eyes. I smiled slightly. My man always trying to make me feel better. The one thing I loved about him, wasn't that he was always a goof, but that he had a kind and sensitive heart. It may not beat any longer, but his heart was always filled with love. Not only for me, but for the entire family.

Emmett quickly gave me a kiss on the lips then pulled me back into his embrace. I closed my eyes for a second, cuddling into his strong arms. When I opened my eyes, I looked out into the forest again. Watching a squirrel quickly run up a tree to it's hole, I caught a glimpse someone turning around in the woods then a bright light quickly coming into view then vanishing into thin air.

I raised my head, quickly scanning the forest for any other movements. Emmett turned slightly to the direction that I was looking at. "What's wrong?" he said, holding me with one arm around my waist. I shook my head confused. "Nothing. I thought I just saw something." I turned and smiled at him. "Let's go inside babe. Let's see what everyone else is doing." Emmett looked down at me and smiled. We both turned, walking into the house with our arms wrapped around each other in our loving embrace.

So what'd ya think? Was the dream good? I get chills when I re-read it. LOL! It was awesome. Do you think I ought to keep Chris' story going towards that dream? What about Dawn and Paul's discussion? I like to think that Paul has a softer side to him than what everyone else seen and read him as in the books. :o)

I hope to have the next chapter up again next week, hopefully at the beginning of the week. So until then, REVIEW!