A/N: Here's the next chapter folks! I hope you enjoy. This sort of explains more of Bella's powers, I'm slowly going to evolve it and make her a better character cuz she drives me nuts. So this chapter is a filler, setting the scene for upcoming ones...I hope you like it, the next update will most likely be after christmas and after my birthday on boxing day (turning 20, do you believe it?)!! Although I'm enjoying thinking of this next part of the story so I may post tomorrow.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! :D

Chapter 26

Bella:

Perhaps we should have lied about my newborn age.

New to the vampire life as I was, I began to realize that 20 hours apparently was something they did not want to hear. When I divulged that little gem to the room Emmett and Jasper immediately hovered to put their bodies in between their spouses and I. Jasper even growled before Alice chided him for it - reminding him that she was the one with me when I first woke up.

Edward jumped up infront of me. Like I needed someone to protect me, I rolled my eyes....I'm stronger than you right now honey. I told him, Plus, they won't attack, they are just worried...you need to calm down too. Don't make this so..Face-off like.

Edward merely repositioned himself to be at my side, a protective arm over my shoulders...ah my knight in marble skin...I couldn't help but poke fun at him. He only smiled briefly as him and Jasper began to shout at each other. The shouts weren't particularly hurtful...to anyone but me. Jasper seemed to have a serious bone to pick. I wondered what his problem was. The things he said stung but I let them roll off of me. I had to calm them down somehow. I stepped in between them slowly, measuring each step trying desperately not to provoke anyone. "Boys, boys, calm down. Esme already as a broken picture window, she doesn't need more holes in the walls or broken furniture."

I don't know how but that seemed to work. Now everyone was staring at me. Alice was excited, Esme smiling at me for protecting her house, Emmett stunned - mouth hanging open - Rose closed it for him with her hand smiling. Jasper looked angry still...maybe jealous? Edward was beaming but surprised.

Carlisle was merely amazed.

"it's incredible!" he said. Then they immediately went into discussion as to the reason of my...tameness.

As they discussed me I began to tune them out...they went on for hours, talking like I wasn't even in the room. Finally when I was fed up I simply stood up and walked outside. The conversation didn't even have a gap at my exit. At least, now I'm actually not there! As far as I walked outside though I could still hear them talking.

The theories ranged everywhere from the difference of being informed beforehand of what I was becoming and discussing the possibility of it being an ability.

Edward joined me eventually by the oak tree in the back yard. "Bella? What's wrong?"

I looked up at him from my sitting position, "I had to get out of there."

"Why? Did we offend you?"

"No..not really. I think I'm more...disappointed I think."

"In what love?" he asked as he knelt before me.

I huffed, not wanting to tell him but I suddenly realized I was acting like a child. I took a deep breath. "It's just..look I am all for giving me a better ability than a "Mind shield" as it's being called now, but tameness? I am seriously getting ripped off here! You get mind reading, Alice gets futures, Jasper basically controls people and I get personal mental aptness? W-T-F."

Edward laughed.

"You're not helping." I told him.

"I'm sorry. It's just you don't seem to understand how foolish this sounds."

"Really? That's the game your bringing to cheer me up? I gotta say telling me I'm being foolish is not working..."

"No. I mean yes...but no."

"Now who sounds foolish..." I interrupted.

"Bella, let me finish. Where was I?"

""No. Yes, but no."" I quoted.

"Right. OKay, well Bella, let me tell you something. When a new vampire is born, created, whatever you call it, they are always, always ravenous, dangerous, unpredictable and hostile."

"Always?"

"Always. They never are able to control their emotions, differentiate between anything. All they can focus on is the smell of blood. They are always preoccupied with the thirst. It takes years to be in control of that need."

"Alice never really explained..."

"Well, that's why we are all so amazed at your progress. You are acting...normal. Something vampires don't begin to exercise until they have many years of practice."

"Except I'm not acting normal. Normal would be basically acting nuts and flying off the handle trying to drink the blood of these birds up here...I'm even inadequate as a vampire. Alice was right I am handicapped!"

He just laughed at me and put his arms around me. "No Bella. You are doing great. That is why we think you're ability has something to do with...self-control lets call it, you shouldn't be able to worry like this, or love me like you do. Do you understand?"

"I'm beginning to. One thing though, can we work on a better name for it than "mind-sheild" or "self-control"?"

"I promise! Besides it may grow into something more...a little while and it could develop."

I smiled at that. Development would definitely be okay with me. "Oh and Edward, I think if I was a normal newborn I would still love you like I do."

"Thanks love." he kissed my hair and I began to think. It lasted moments, mili-seconds but in my head it felt like minutes, I almost hesitated when I acted, thinking the moment had passed, but I acted, I wiggled out of Edwards hands and pushed Edward over. I hopped onto him and began to kiss his neck, I traced his hard body with my hands as my mouth made it's way up his neck to his jaw, around and to the corner of his lips before I captured him full on the lips. I turned the tables on him and breathed my breath into his mouth, followed with my tongue briefly and ending with another breath before I peeled my lips off of him and hopped up. He looked daze and I laughed, "How's that for self-control?" I said with a wink and took off full speed towards the woods.

I could hear him laughing and following up behind me. I kept running and we both laughed like idiots the entire time, eventually I slowed and let him catch me. He wrestled me to the ground and tried to kiss me again. I almost let him before I pushed him off me and into a tree and took off again. I liked when he chased me, it was nice having this power over him. When I was human I chased him, always trying to be close to him before he would think we went far enough and pushed away.

"Bella!" He called and I stopped abruptly. He sounded worried. I whirled around assessing the scene behind me for danger. His face relaxed and he smiled, "Planning on going to Canada?"

I looked at him stunned. I didn't realize how far we had run. "Oops."

"Wanna hunt?"

"Yes please! Show me how you do it!"

"Didn't Alice already help you?"

"Yes but that was her style, graceful, almost a dance...I'd like to see yours."

"Okay. Tell me if I scared you." He sniffed the air, and took off to the East. I followed him holding back a little so he could lead. I could have outrun him in my sleep! His style was more aggressive, definitely resembling his favourite mountain lion. After he had taking one down and drained it he turned to face me. "So?" he asked.

"You are a very scary monster." I said breathlessly hamming it up.

He laughed quietly and told me to try.

I went after an Elk two football feild lengths away. When I was finished I looked at Edward and copied his actions earlier, "So?" I asked.

He looked stunned. Like he was in awe. Like he had seen the light for the first time. If I was still human I was sure I would have blushed. He took a few quick strides to me, "Bella...that was...sexy!"

"Sexy?"

"You looked hot! Your strides were graceful and powerful all at the same time, amazing I have never seen anything like it."

And then he kissed me. He kissed me like he had never kissed me before. He wasn't holding back. All of his previous inhibitions were gone with my new found...sturdiness. We rolled on the ground for a long time. A LONG TIME.

Finally before we went...too far we mutually stopped. I wasn't ready for that yet. Right now as far as we went was far enough.

"Home dear?" Edward asked me.

"Yes sir!" and we ran off towards the house hand in hand, the contact not slowing us a bit.

Suddenly we both stopped. Sniffing the air and eyes roaming the woods. I looked to Edward and he looked pained. The scent was beautiful, I instantly wanted a taste, my mouth filled with venom, "Bella, have you ever smelt human blood before?" he asked slowly tightening his grip on me.

"No...is that was that is?" I asked shocked.

"Yes..." he added a second hand to keep me stationary.

Suddenly the scent changed. It now smelt pungent, sour, rancid even. I scrunched my nose up.

"Bella? What is it?"

"I..I'm not sure. At first, the smell was amazing, I had never smelt anything so good before, besides you of course. But then the smell changed...it now smells really gross. I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole!"

His eyes widened and he released the death grip from my hand and arm.

"What, what is it? What does that mean?" I asked worried at his reaction.

"Answer me this first, the smell changed when?"

"Umm, when you told me what it was.."

"Wow...." was all he said..I waited...he didn't continue. I gestured with my hands making him realize I was waiting for an explanation, "Wow...what?" I asked.

"I..wow...you...wow! Bella...we have to go home." and he grabbed my hand and we sped off again.

When we got to the house Carlisle was waiting for us on the porch. Alice must have seen us coming.

"Edward. What is it?"

He repeated the story to Carlisle. "Amazing!" Carlisle shouted.

He didn't continue either. I rolled my eyes and muttered to Alice who was now bouncing at my side, "People really need to start finishing their thoughts around here."

Carlisle heard and snapped out of it, "Sorry Bella. I was just gathering my thoughts. From the sounds of it, your power has already evolved."

"Seriously? You got all that from a smell I had?"

"Well yes. Think - at first your instinct was to drink the blood, hunt it down and take it as your own. Then - when informed what it was, the smell changed. It changed to something that didn't smell appetizing at all."

"Oh. Wait. How does that mean it evolved...doesn't it mean something is wrong with my nose?" was all I could say.

"Well when Edward mentioned humans what did you think?"

I thought back..."Well, at first i thought delicious and then I was worried, I didn't want to kill someone."

"Excellent!"

"Excellent?" I asked.

"Yes child, that helps prove the theory! Basically, it sounds like, your brain made the connection for the blood that has a humans life tied to it and it immediately changed your reaction to it, it made an aversion to human blood. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, I guess...Wow." I said.

We were all silent for a moment.

"Bella this is amazing! Do you know what this means!?" Alice said excitedly.

"What does it mean Alice?"

"It means you can continue with school! It means you can see Charlie! It means we can SHOP!"

I rolled my eyes at the last comment. But focused on the others, I could see Charlie. I could finish school? I could be around humans with my family! Then I was worried, "I can't go to Forks high like this." I gestured to my appearance. "They would definitely suspect something! I mean I know their not the brightest in this small town but lets give them some credit, I went from plain to..well... not plain. They will notice."

"Beautiful..always beautiful, never plain." Edward whispered as he nudged me.

"Yes well...maybe they will...maybe they won't" Carlisle said.

I cocked and eyebrow at Carlisle.

"Maybe we could play it as plastic surgery?" he said stroking his chin thinking.

"What!? I'm not that vain! Geez Carlisle I wasn't that plain!"

"Well we know that! How about we play it you were in an accident. Got plastic surgery to reverse the effects...a really good surgeon, a colleague of mine. That would explain the many days away from school. We could keep you out another week or two, make the recovery time just." Carlisle resolved.

They were so good at coming up with lies. I was amazed. Centuries of practice and I'd be that good maybe! We all looked to Alice. It sounded plausible to me. Alice got a far off look in her eye, we waited...

"IT WILL WORK!" She yelled as she pulled me from Edward and towards the Bentley. "Come one Edward! We're taking Bella shopping! We need contacts and other stuff..."

I glanced over my shoulder, at first Edward grimaced at the shopping word but then he perked up, his face was vibrant. I was worried. What did they have planned? I have been around long enough to see that some unspoken thought from Alice perked him up.

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Alice:

I was so excited! Bella would come back to school with us, our family would grow and be complete finally!

Contrary to what Bella said as we headed to the car, now was so the time to shop!

I forced her into the passenger side of the Bentley as Edward was crawling into the back seat. "What, not forcing the three of us into the Porsche?" He asked.

"Well... the serial numbers need to fixed, and it needs new plates. Oh and some proof of purchase needs to be tied to it first." I said.

"Alice....are you telling me that I DROVE A STOLEN CAR?!" Bella shouted.

"Maybe.." I shot a fearful glance at her.

"Oh my god, I'm a criminal! I'm a criminal. I'm an accomplice to Grand theft auto, thats jail time for sure. Alice you sent me to jail! Oh man, I'd be terrible on the inside! I can't believe I'm getting sent to the big house!"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh don't be so dramatic. I'll track down the owner and anonymously give them enough money to replace this one! Plus they will also get insurance money for it! And Bells, don't you worry, we'd be on the inside together, you can be my bitch! I'll protect you!" I stated cheerfully, just to bug her.

Bella just groaned, "hilarious...". Edward and I both laughed. "I won't let them take you, I'll hide you myself convict." he snorted.

Bella growled, "Where are we going anyways?"

"You'll see."

"Uh-huh and why is Edward here? No offense."

"Non-taken. I'm here because Alice thought you might like my opinion." Edward said.

"Oh god, Alice, tell me we're not shopping for lingerie!" Bella pleaded.

"Would that be so terrible?" Edward countered.

"Only slightly mortifying!" Bella said as she sunk down in her seat.

"Don't worry Bells, you can't blush anymore so you're safe!" I said to her, she shot me a glare and I piped down. Best not push the newborn too far, no matter what her gift is.

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We drove straight through to Seattle ignoring Bella's complaints. I had to remind her on more than one occasion that this celebratory shopping trip required big city stores compared to small town grunge.

She grumbled while I parked, she grumbled while we walked into the mall, she grumbled through the first fifteen stores.

I was getting annoyed.

"Bella, can you at least try to enjoy this. Or pretend, yep, at this point I would take you faking it."

"I'm sorry Alice, I know I'm being particularly bad right now it's just this smell. It smells terrible in here!"

"That's because it's full of humans." Edward whispered.

"I know, how do you guys stand this?"

"Well watching you walk around with your nose scrunched up in that adorable way is making it tolerable." he said to her jokingly.

"Bella you know if you keep your face like that it'll get stuck." I reminded her playfully as we entered the next store.

She stuck out her tongue in reply, "Oh that's very mature." I added.

We found some new clothes for all of us in this store. Seriously some really excellent choices. I even got some things for Jasper and Rose. This was going to be a great day! I couldn't wait until later, it was only going to get better! I couldn't wait until Bella saw her surprise. She hated surprises but Edward and I loved them so we didn't care. Rarely someone can surprise us so we like to do it to the others. Plus this was a good one she would even appreciate after she got over the initial irritation at the cost.

I smiled thinking about it, when Bella asked me what was up I just commented on the top we found her. Smooth. Honestly I'm a chameleon, adapting and adjusting to every situation that came up. My thoughts ended there when I realized Edward was laughing because of it. Perfect.

Shopping for Bella's vampire body was a lot better than shopping for her human body. Mostly, it was because Bella had more confidence. She still complained that she wouldn't feel that comfortable in the clothes I was picking out for her, but that eventually ended as she realized she could pull it off. She could always pull it off, she had a great body as a human, but I thought it better not to mention it.

After we finished carting our shopping bags out to the car for the fourth time we packed up and headed for Bella's surprise. "Close your eyes and stop breathing!" I instructed so she wouldn't know where we were.

She reluctantly did as I told her and I maneuvered my way through traffic to our destination.

"Okay Bella, open your eyes." Edward said.

"Can I breath too?" she asked before doing it.

I just rolled my eyes, she really was a smart-ass sometimes. I watched as her eyes opened and slowly grew. In front of her was a high-end car dealership and detailing facility.

"No.." was all she said as she looked back and forth from us to the cars.

"Yep. Get over it. You're one of us and we value your sanity, you will no longer drive the senior citizen truck. It can't go above 60 mph!" I said.

"You can't just buy me a car!"

"We can." I said.

"We will." Edward added. We were a great team.

She didn't say anything, she just looked around the lot at all the cars she could see. "Are you sure about this? Carlisle won't mind?"

"Honey, he has spent 300 years saving this money, it's our job as his children to spend it." I said.

"Annnd, it was his idea, it was all of our idea. It's a gift from all of us." Edward said making a better case than me.

"Can it count as my birthday presents for the next hundred years?" she asked us.

"Sure." I lied. Like I would miss a chance to dote on her some more, honestly.