I don't own Twilight...

A/N: I was not planning on doing this but I had wanted to thank someone for a while and voilà, this seemed like the best way.

This chapter is for featherdusterpixie for her lovely reviews and support. Thank you!

Enjoy.

J.

Chapter 25. Esme.

BPOV.

My summer hadn't been all that relaxing so far. We had been to Jacksonville to see my mother and that had been less than pleasant. She had acted like I knew she would and I had had enough. I told her to leave me alone for a while. And so far she had. I couldn't really say I missed her and part of me felt guilty but the bigger part was just relieved that she was no longer making me feel bad about myself.

All the Cullen's were going hunting today, Esme was the only one that would stay. She had asked if I wanted to spend the day with her and I had gladly accepted.

Though I waould miss my Edward, I was looking forward to spending some time with Esme. She was what a real mother should be. She hadn't given birth to any of her children but she was their mother in every way that counted.

Edward picked me up at noon, much to Charlie's displeasure. But luckily my boyfriend was more polite than my father ever would be and Edward handled the situation like a perfect gentleman.

"How come you are all going together?" I asked on the way to the Cullen's house.

Edward shrugged. "We won't be together the entire time. We'll probably split up when we find some game. But it's nice to out be with every one."

"Kind of like going out to dinner?" I grinned.

"Yes." He smiled.

"Esme doesn't have to stay if she wants to go. I can entertain myself for a while."

He smiled again; his black eyes twinkling. "I think she wants to stay." He said. " She wants to spend some time with you. You're her new daughter and she wants to bond."

"Really? She thinks of me as her daughter?" No one had ever volunteered to be my parent. It had always seemed as a chore to Renee and Charlie would never win the Dad Of The Year Award either.

"Of course. She sees us all as her children. That includes you." He squeezed my hand and looked into my eyes as he parked the car in front of his home. "You never really knew what loving, caring parents are like, did you?"

I shook my head. He stroked my cheek and kissed me softly.

"Come on, Esme's waiting." He opened my door before I even got my seat belt off.

Most of the Cullen's were standing on the porch, ready to leave. Rosalie joined them seconds later. She gave me a hesitant smile. We were not friends but it seemed like she was making an effort to be nice to me. I smiled back.

They soon took off into the woods, leaving me and Esme alone.

§§§-LSS-§§§

"Oh God, that's hilarious!" I had to hold on to the counter or I would fall to the floor.

Esme and I had been making my lunch; in the mean time she had been telling me every funny story she could come up with. Every prank Emmett had pulled, every silly fight Alice and Edward got into, every time Rosalie acted like a drama queen. Who knew this woman was so funny?

"Yes, we do have quite a few funny stories to tell. unfortunately we have to be careful what we say as not to betray our real age." She said with a hint of sadness.

I nodded. "When were you born?"

"1895" She whispered. "I was changed in 1921. I don't remember how it happened exactly but I jumped off a cliff and Carlisle saved me."

"You jumped off a cliff? as in..." Surely not.

"I tried to kill myself." She nodded.

"Wow. Why?"

"I just lost my first son. He was only a few days old and died of a lung infection. These days , he could have been saved but back then..." She shook her head sadly and took my plate of food, she nodded towards the living room.

I was shocked. Esme wanted to die?

We sat down on the couch and I put my plate in my lap. "What about your husband?"

"I left him as soon as I found out I was pregnant." My eyes must have shown my surprise because she continued. "He was not a very kind man, Bella. I didn't want my child to have to grow up around a man like that." She paused. "I left with nothing but the clothes on my back. I found a job and a place to stay. We wouldn't have been rich, but I would've been able to give my son a future." I had stopped eating and put my plate on the coffee table. I turned to her and tucked my legs under me. "After my baby died, I felt like I had nothing left. He was the reason that I had wanted a better life, not for me but for him. I couldn't go on without him. I loved him more than anything." She stopped here.

I wondered if Renee would have been sad, had I died as a baby. Probably, since I knew she loved me but part of me suspected she would have relieved, too.

Esme, like a true mother, sensed what was on my mind. "I know you don't have the best relationship with your mother... Edward told me what happened last week in Phoenix." She took my hand in hers. "Forgive my forwardness, but that woman is a damn fool." my eyes widened. "You are a wonderful young woman and anyone would be proud to call you their daughter. If she can't see that... well then I guess you are better off without her."

I didn't notice I was crying until she gently wiped my tears. "Oh darling" she pulled me in her arms and I cried.

Review.