Laid Bare IV

Esme's POV

My family was complete. I was worried for Edward when Bella announced she was his mate. I worried he would refuse her because she was human, or young or perhaps because of her mind. My Edward was fastidious. I still think this was the main reason he had never found any particular woman to his liking.

To prove me right, fate brought him a mate whose mind he could not read. I cared less for Bella's thoughts, only that they were happy together. I knew enough from her letters to love the human girl who has become a part of my heart. She loved us, accepted our differences and cared that the family stay together. She was like a perfect daughter to me if had molded one for myself. I love all my children with the same passion, but Edward and Bella designed themselves a special place in my heart.

The glum look Alice wore to the dining area alerted me that something was not right. I soon found that this was reading Edward's thoughts. Halfway through the first chapter I wanted to stop and not hear anymore.

It's not that I thought less of my son for his thoughts, only that they made me frightened for my newest daughter. A part of me wondered whether Bella was safe with Edward at that very moment when I heard about his struggle to be near her.

Alice flashed me an assuring smile, letting me know to stop worrying. I was disappointed at my children's behaviour – or thoughts. Emmett had no regard for Bella's life or Edward's near failure when he learnt of his predicament. Rosalie and Jasper were prepared to kill an innocent. Although their reasons had a strong basis; it would make them no different to the average vampire that killed to feed.

And Edward…he loathed himself and what he is.

Hard as I worked to make this life bearable for him – for all of them – there was still no light. It was hard to hear how he constantly thought of draining my daughter. When he changed thoughts, it was to stand against his family. I could not bear for my family to be torn apart; to have my children fight amongst themselves.

One thing was trained into my mind, his assessment of my expected reaction. 'Would I have looked the other away had Rosalie and Jasper convinced us and killed Bella – so long as it kept the family together?'

I wondered at this over and over again without a certain answer; and silently prayed that I never come across that test. I dare not think what this would have done to Edward or Carlisle. I was grateful that Bella decided to write us those letters and forewarn us of her company. It prevented this big test from coming our way.

My thoughts returned to the present when my husband continued with the next chapter. Edward's struggle had evolved from one of hunger to one of heartache. I know him well. He would have kept this to himself – not even confided in me. Edward wasn't anything if not headstrong. I shook my head at his denial for the way he felt about her.

"Maybe he skipped all the worry and let himself fall for her this time" Emmett shrugged. I wanted to believe that.

"More than a month passed while he ignored her?" Alice was shocked

"With a twisted sense of self-righteousness" Rosalie added.

Her opinions shifted in support of and against Edward so often, it was hard to keep up.

Jasper shook his head as if to clear it when Edward explained the torment of breathing the air around Bella.

"Jasper?" I asked curiously

"I'm sorry, I just don't understand how one's mate can be one's greatest pain. I'd like to know how Edward is handling himself this time"

"Me too" Emmett supported. I gathered from watching Carlisle that he also shared their concern.

The children chuckled at the mention of the new boy whom Edward named as one of his torments. How could he allow himself to be bothered by someone that was not half the good natured, loving young man he is.

I was happy to hear he also learnt my daughter's best defining qualities, as I had from her letters. She is kind, selfless and good. Carlisle beamed when he read that – a father's pride.

Emmett chuckled at the mention of hurting the boy, stealing a glance at Jasper.

"It's already Girls choice? What happened inbetween" He asked

"Nothing, Edward was avoiding Bella" Alice answered with a crease on her forehead.

I wondered what it meant as we listened on at my son's jealous and murderous thoughts towards the boy Mike and how Bella handled herself.

"Hm! Edward Cullen jealous of a human boy, never thought I'd see the day" Rosalie exclaimed casually.

"Edward should learn, Bella is a fireball – not to be messed with"

Emmett chuckled at Bella's annoyance when Edward started talking to her again. I was relieved. I'd hoped they would start speaking soon in the book.

"That was harsh. After everything he went through for her she accuses him of regret? It sounds ungrateful" Rosalie spoke up for her brother

"She would have no knowledge of what he's been going through Rose" Jasper calmed her

"I think Edward needs a lesson in human behaviour without his mind reading" Emmett raised his observation, gaining a smile from Carlisle

"I wonder how possible that is son" they chucked together, and laughed at Bella's klutz moment.

We listened intently to Edward's assessment of the boys interested in Bella and his decision to stop ignoring her. I wasn't particularly proud that he went to her room uninvited, but I was relieved he caused her no harm.

Rosalie sighed heavily at his conflicted thoughts to leave Bella alone, give her a chance to find a suitable human man. I understood Edward's feelings about this, but as his mother I believed he is who Bella deserved; good, kind, loving and wise.

"Even in her sleep she called to him, amazing" Carlisle paused to comment.

My face was ready to break from the smile I wore, this was the moment of change for their relationship. I felt it.

"I would guess that he skipped the other parts and started here, where he fell in love with her" Jasper supported Emmett's earlier statement.

This chapter ended in a light note, better than the ones before. I was hopeful that the rest of the book would bring good things.

Emmett's POV

I was excited and impatient to read the book Bella had given to Edward. I loved and accepted my sister completely, but was curious to know what she knew about all our future.

I liked the way she stormed into our lives and unsettled Edward. It was long overdue. My little brother had been without a mate for too long. I hoped we would get an addition to the family whenever we met new vampires, but Edward had never been interested in anyone, male or female. Sometimes I believed him when he said he was content without a mate – he was very convincing.

Never in my wildest imaginations did I think that he would find a mate in the high school human female population. If I had - I would have probably helped him look in every school we attended.

When Alice saw that Bella told Edward he could share the book my curiosity heightened. I knew there was a chance Edward would refuse. Instead, he refused to stay for the reading which I found curious.

A few pages into the book I began to wonder if we should be reading it.

Edward heard too much with his gift and I worried if anyone at the table had things to hide that may be revealed, like Alice's constant watch over Jasper though both did not look bothered by it. I worried about Rose. She is very private and her innermost feelings and thoughts are not always out there for everyone to know.

It became quickly annoying to hear how my brother debated with himself whether or not he should pursue Bella. So much angst over something so small – you either do or don't.

My babysis has more of a backbone in this situation. She came to find us, a coven of seven vampires and claimed him. Thinking of, she is nothing like I expected. She is better in every way.

I thought she'd be forward, loud, with an obviously beauty and perhaps arrogant with what she knows about us. But my babysis is more of a lady with a silent beauty. I often wonder if vampirism would cure her clumsiness. It would be epic if she became a clumsy vampire. The thought amused me to no end.

It was interesting to learn how things might have happened to some extent, but I was more anxious to hear of things to come.

I chuckled quietly at the idea of Bella attending a school dance when she could hardly walk without tripping. This chapter was funny. Edward decided to publicly sit with Bella and even winked at her. I never thought he had a flirtatious side…no surprises with his choice of words though. Edward does not move with the times. He spoke to Bella in code, Who does that?

I shook my head at my brother's antics. Jasper and I chuckled at Bella's outburst, calling Edward out on his unfairness. My brother never had to work at having a conversation with anyone once he knew their thoughts. Bella was most likely the first and he was frustrated not to have his advantage.

"Bella has a short fuse" Jasper commented, amused.

I saw a slight smile of approval from Rose. It seems she enjoyed that Edward was on level grounding with Bella Even as an unknowing human - she put him in his place.

When I asked Rosalie to give Bella a chance after we received the letters, she almost chewed my head off. I had to use underhanded methods to get her to consider it - for the family, for me and for Edward.

After I was changed, I'd asked Rosalie if she wanted or preferred Edward to me. It was hard to learn that she had been changed for him. She denied it of course, and became mine ever since. I used that argument again for Bella's sake. I accused her of not wanting Edward to have anyone if it was not her. I knew that would not warm her up to my little sis, but she backed off to prove me wrong. I was not proud of this; but proud to have avoided a family fight over our newest addition.

Edward concluded that "Bella was responsible – always did the right thing" in the book. My thoughts immediately searched all the events since she arrived, looking to come to the same conclusion.

"I think he's right" Esme beat me to it

"We don't know that Esme" Rosalie countered

"I'm inclined to side with Esme. Whatever she knows, I believe she's being responsible with that knowledge and trying to make better choices" Carlisle added his thoughts.

I had to agree with his deduction as he continued to read. Everyone's brows furrowed when we learnt that Bella could not stand the sight of blood. We were confused when she explained she could smell it.

"That's…not normal - I think" Carlisle seemed to be mulling over the words before he continued to read.

"This explains some reason why she doesn't seem to fit in with her kind" Alice

"Maybe" Carlisle conceded

I listened to my brother's thoughts regarding the boy that seemed to be obsessed with my little sis. At this moment I was happy not to have his gift. I would have killed many for their thoughts about Rosalie. I'm tempted to kill them from their looks as it is.

I understood better Bella's comparison of her mother to Esme from the conversation in the book. Her mother might be interesting to meet. We all smiled at Carlisle and Esme when Edward expressed his adoration for them in the book, we were all very lucky to have them…for vampire parents.

I shook my head when I learnt that I had plans with Edward that weekend. All he was capable of doing at that point was worry about Bella – he'd be no fun.

"Oh this would have been so boring. How long did it take them to get together?" Alice was as impatient as I was to get to future events.

"He struggled so much…" Esme seemed deep in thought and troubled somewhat.

Perhaps it was learning that Edward's mind isn't a happy place to be, or his dull outlook on life and vampirism. I was happy to see that we were moving onto a new chapter, perhaps a more interesting one.