(AN at the bottom) Posted 9-23-2020

Bella

"So, what else can vampires do?" I asked nearly half an hour later after returning to the Cullen home. Our journey back through the forest was slower but no less intense, if for no other reason than the simple fact that I spent the trip once again clinging on to Rosalie's back for dear life. We were sitting together on a couch in their vast living room, with myself conveniently located between my mates. I was currently leaning back into Rosalie's chest while my legs rested across Alice's lap, knowing the girls would be comfortable in any position.

It was Alice who answered, since she seemed to be taking on the role of vampiric spokesperson at this point. "Well, you've seen that we're impossibly fast and strong. Our skin is nearly impenetrable; the only thing that can harm our bodies is other vampires. It also is nearly impossible to truly kill one of our kind. The only way to kill a vampire is to dismember them so that their venom is exposed, and igniting them with fire."

I blinked, wide-eyed as I took that in. "So you are immortal? I kind of assumed as much from myths but I never actually thought about it in depth."

Alice nodded while Rosalie hummed against my back. "Our venom is what makes us so susceptible to fire," Alice continued. "For some reason it is highly combustible and once igniting it will burn until the entirety of the body is ash." I didn't like that thought. I had kinda gotten used to my two beautiful mates being indestructible, a permanent fixture in my life, so the idea that something as simple as an open flame could cause their demise really put things into perspective.

Rosalie's arms hugged me close to her as she no doubt sensed the change in my mood. "We're not going anywhere, darling," she murmured into my ear, causing another one of those shivers to shoot down my spine. "It doesn't matter if we're torn to pieces, our limbs can be reattached and with a little blood we'll be good as new."

I took a deep, shuddering breath before nodding. "I just hate to think of either of you being hurt like that. And then I realize how hypocritical that is when you have a delicate little human as your mate. You've obviously gotten short end of the stick here."

I jerked and yelped as Alice began tickling my exposed feet, forcing me to attempt to shuffle away from her. "You watch it," Alice grumbled, her glare not quite reaching her eyes. "Our mate is perfect and we will not have you saying anything to the contrary." She stuck her tongue out for good measure, which was entirely unnecessary since I could always tell when Alice-the queen of teasing-was play-acting.

I did giggle a little once she'd stopped attacking my feet, swatting at her arm ineffectually. "It is not contrary when it is the truth. I am a human and compared to your kind, I am extremely breakable."

Alice's eyes seemed to flash with some emotion as she looked over my head to meet Rosalie's gaze as they shared some unspoken words. When whatever they were trying to communicate to each other had passed, it was Rosalie who eventually spoke, her voice purposefully casual in a way that was way too obvious.

"Well, what if you weren't? Human, that is?"

I felt my heart stutter, as the reality of the situation came crashing down on me. "You mean...so like," I paused, clearing my throat as I forced myself to speak clearly, "Can you actually turn others? Into vampires?" I added, unnecessarily.

I was staring at Alice while my suddenly trembling hands were clasped onto Rosalie's arms around my waist. "Yes," the pixie vampire nodded, "Vampires cannot produce offspring in any fashion, but our venom is capable of forcing humans to undergo what we call the Change."

"It is an excruciating experience," Rosalie added, voice somber. "It is as if liquid fire has been poured into your veins and spreads out until it encompasses the human's entire body. The transformation takes at least three days and is pain unlike anything you could ever imagine."

"But," Alice countered, voice upbeat in a way that only she could pull off, "Once the Change is finished and your heart beats its last beat, you will awaken to a world unlike anything you ever knew before. Your senses will heightened to incredible magnitudes, and since your human blood is fueling your newborn body, you will be far stronger than even older vampires like myself and Rosalie."

"You'll also be dangerous," Rosalie cut in, and I had no doubt she was glaring at Alice as they seemed to be pulling and back-and-forth pros and cons description of the Change over my head. "A newborn's strength is matched only by their thirst. Their lust for blood makes them extremely dangerous to any nearby humans, and cannot, in fact, be allowed to be around other humans until they are able to get their thirst under control. The first year of a newborn's life is a chaotic and oftentimes emotionally traumatic experience."

Alice was grumbling, looking put out at her sister's adherence to the cons of the subject, but I just laughed and waved her off. "It's okay, Alice. I get why Rosalie is being a brat and hyping up the negatives," I turned to Rosalie with a grin, meeting her black eyes without hesitation before turning back to lay against her comfortably again. "But regardless, I can't say eternity with you both hasn't crossed my mind."

I noticed and felt both women's breath cease at my words, and it was then that I realized they hadn't been sure if I would accept the idea of being turned. I think if I had asked it of them, they would have let me remain human for as long as I wanted, and the thought of my eventual death and their being forced to live on without me hurt my soul in a way nothing ever could.

"I refuse," I began softly, voice gaining strength as I shifted to sit between the girls normally, "to let you both live on without me. Just imagining a life where you both don't exist is enough to torment my heart, so I can't imagine how it would be for you both to watch me age and die. Besides," I smirked, turning in time to gaze at both of them before laying my hands out palms up, their hands fitting into mine almost instantly, "I imagine once I'm turned there won't be any reasons for either of you to have to hold back any more."

Rosalie's rumbling growl and gently tightening fingers, followed by Alice's rough groan had a predictable wave of heat shooting through me. "But, be that as it gay," I added, smiling, "I don't think I want to be turned until after I graduate. How does that sound to you both?"

Both girls shifted forward in the seats so they could peer at one another across my lap, their eyes communicating in ways words simply couldn't hold a candle to. Eventually, whatever they both saw in one another's eyes settled both of their gazes into soft, loving smiles that they directed my way.

"You understand," Rosalie nodded, sounding almost reluctant to bring it up, "That once you're turned, you will have to disappear. We're not technically allowed to let humans know of our existence-it's actually one of our most stringent laws. And there won't be any way that the humans here won't recognize the significant change in you once you've been turned. And there's also the fact that you'll want to eat your former friends."

I chuckled at the image that came to mind, thinking of me with a black cloak and comically long fangs, even though I now know that to be another stereotype. "I understand, and I think having the rest of this school year to really get used to the idea of having to say goodbye to Charlie will help with it, but I'm entirely serious when I say I want to commit to you both for eternity, consequences be damned."

Their eyes were instantly watery and I could have sworn they were on the verge of tears but they never fell. "We can't cry like you," Alice commented, and I swear I felt like she was the mind-reader sometimes with how easily she read me. "Our eyes are covered in a protective lens and venom fills our eyes to keep them from drying out, but they can never fall as tears."

I nodded and I tightened my hold on their hands. I loved these two infinitely beautiful creatures with every part of my being and if I had to burn for three days to guarantee our time would be unending, then I was more than willing to stay the course. Eventually, though, my curiosity got the better of me. "So how did you two become vampires?"

Both girls were quiet for so long after my question that I was afraid I had offended then. "That's a heavy question," Alice eventually replied, her normally upbeat voice filled with sadness. "You see, most turnings aren't done under the most ideal circumstances."

"Carlisle specifically will only turn someone if they would otherwise die," Rosalie said, voice stoic in a way that pulled at my heart strings. "Edward, for instance, was dying of Spanish influenza back in 1918. Carlisle turned him and has looked after him as his son ever since."

"My full name is Mary Alice Brandon," my pixie goddess continued, her voice somber in a reserved way I hadn't heard before. "I wasn't turned by Carlisle. You see, unlike most vampires, I don't have any memories of my human life. From the digging I was able to do, I found out that I had spent the last year of my human life in a mental institution in Biloxi, Mississippi, sometime around 1920. Apparently, even as a human I had had visions of the future, but they were explained away as hallucinations." She paused, sighing as she shifted uncomfortably though I knew physically the action was unnecessary. "Carlisle suspects electroshock therapy is responsible for my missing memories."

She paused again and I could see her struggling with the weight of her missing past. "You don't have to continue." I honestly wasn't sure I could handle a sad Alice for much longer without crying myself.

She shook her head, a sad smile twisting her lips. "It's okay," she murmured. "You deserve to know everything about us." She cleared her throat, again unnecessarily, before she continued. "I was turned by a vampire that, to this day, I don't know who he was, and left to fend for myself for years after. Eventually, my visions led me to Jasper, and in turn led us to join the Cullens."

"It was kind of hilarious, now that I think back on it," Rosalie smirked playfully. "There we were, sitting around one day and this little pipsqueak comes out of nowhere, knowing all of our names and telling us how she's been looking for us and that they were going to be a part of our family. She even kicked Edward out of his old room."

Alice's tinkling laughter filled the air, lightening the mood. "Oh he was so pissed, but Jasper just kind of shrugged and started moving his furniture out. It took a while to calm the drama queen down, but once he took a peek inside my head he realized the inevitable."

Another one of those heat-inducing chuckles left Rosalie's throat as she peered across the space above me at Alice, the delicate vampire practically preening. "Yes, you were most definitely an inevitability." She turned back to where I sat comfortably between them. "You've never known petulance until you've seen a psychic who's been told 'no'."

Alice's raspberry she blew at Rosalie was like some kind of ironic punctuation to the blonde's statement that had me laughing freely on the couch. "Hey!" she exclaimed, and I couldn't help but lean up and peck a quick kiss to her pouty lips, instantly changing the petite woman's expression to one of immense happiness. "That is entirely unfair, you know."

I grinned, staring up at her with every ounce of love I felt for her shining through my eyes. "I know, and I plan to use it to my advantage every singe chance I get."

She rolled her eyes playfully before leaning down and pressing her lips to mine in a longer, more thorough kiss. By the time she pulled away, my breathing had increased and I felt slightly lightheaded. "And that," I murmured dizzily, "is just downright devastating in its effectiveness."

Rosalie's chuckle was just the icing on the cake as I turned my dazed gaze towards her, the beauty leaning closer than she had been before as her fingers ghosted softly down my cheek. "Don't think we're above using every tool in our arsenal to seduce our painfully attractive mate, little darling."

I blinked several times as I tried to force my mind past the heavy cloud of arousal that seemed to be ever-present when dealing with my infinitely beautiful mates. "The deck is already stacked in your favors," I whispered, my own hand rising to cup the blonde's cold cheek. "You have but to speak and I am yours."

It was surprisingly arousing to watching Rosalie's gold eyes dilate to black in an instance. I knew now that it was an indication of their excitement, whether it was for my blood or body seemed almost irrelevant at this point. Seeing the predator in them so visually expressed never failed to cause my heart rate to jump, and I idly wondered if my reaction didn't make it worse on their heightened senses.

A purring growl from my right drew my gaze to Alice, her matching onyx-hued eyes seeming to pin me in place. "You seem to think that we have some advantage over you, ma belle," she whispered, her words breathing ice across my lips causing me to gasp. "But it is you who simply need breathe and we are at your mercy."

"Fuck," I panted, my body clenching at the simple nearness of my mates and their blatant need. "Why does this come so easy?" Because holy shit, we went from zero to sex-ty in no time flat and it didn't even to seem to be a conscious effort.

"That's the beauty of mates," Rosalie's words slid into my ear and down my spine, leaving a vibrating tingle in its wake. "We are made for each other. Our bodies, our minds, our very souls resonate with each other."

"Combine with that," Alice added, "our need to claim you as ours in every way, and you have an explosive relationship that will continue to build in its intensity. And gods how perfect it will be when we reach that peak together." Her salacious wink was not needed but entirely effective at alleviating some of the tension that burned between us, causing me to giggle a bit, relaxing into the back of the couch.

"Be that as it gay," I said, grinning toothily as I threw her words back at her again, "I want you both to know just how grateful I am for having you and being able to love you like this. You are both a dream I never knew would come true."

I should have expected it, but I was still surprised as I felt both girl's pulling me into a deep embrace between their cool bodies. "Gods," Alice gasped into my neck, her voice thick with emotion, "I never knew you existed and now that we have you I can't imagine a world without you. I love you so much, Bella!"

Rosalie's heartfelt laughter shook my left side as she, too, pressed in close to me. "You are the greatest love that could exist, Isabella. I love you. You are our amaranthine, our undying and eternal love."

The next several minutes passed in silence, my eyes welling with tears that my mates' could not express. "I feel complete when I'm with you two. Like a piece of me has been returned that I didn't even know was missing."

And I'd be damned if anyone ever threatened that peace. I would burn down the heavens if but to remain with my own personal angels but a minute more.

A throat being cleared drew us all up short, both girls turning towards the kitchen with twin hisses that sounded so feral I almost felt sorry for whoever had decided to invade our personal space. "You girls knock that off this instance!" I flinched, my eyes widening at not only the demanding tone of Esme's voice but also the fact that both girls immediately silenced. "Now," she went on, and only then was I able to look up over Rosalie's shoulder to see the youthful scowl on Esme's beautiful features. "I am here to inform you that we have been contacted by the Uley Pack."

A low growl from Rosalie's chest had my eyes widening, this sound being much more predatory in its fierceness. "What do those mutts want?" Mutts? Like dogs?

"They have called a meeting with the family at the treaty line," Esme replied, seeming to ignore Rosalie's caustic tone. "All we know is that they wish to consider changes to the treaty and..." here her voice trailed off, her brows firming together in a scowl as she continued in a subdued voice, "They wish us to bring our human to the meeting."

I was suddenly wrapped up protectively in Alice's arms while Rosalie leaped to her feet, standing firmly in front of Esme. "Not a chance in hell," she growled, voice so deep it practically vibrated around the room.

Esme's eyes narrowed, her voice chastising as she continued. "We don't have a choice in the matter. They know we have a human here and they want to ensure we haven't bitten her. If we are to maintain this truce and continue to live in peace, then we have to bring her with us. Besides," she cut in when it seemed like Rosalie was about to interrupt, "If Bella is to be a part of this family, then she will need to meet with the Pack sooner or later."

"Um," I murmured, drawing the black-eyed gazes of all three vampires and I suddenly wished I hadn't opened my mouth. "You keep saying 'Pack' like I'm supposed to know what that means. Are they like a gang, or what?"

Alice's sigh shifted across my neck and it was only then that I realized she hadn't released her protective hold over me. "You've actually already met one of their members," she replied, her voice tense with some strange irritation. "You know the Quileute legends, right? It's how you found out about us?" I nodded, not understanding the subject change but knowing it was important.

It was Esme who continued, her voice much more relaxed than that of my mates. "The Quileutes are shapeshifters who take on the form of wolves. Those who possess the gene begin to shift in the presence of their greatest enemy, vampires. Since our family moved back here two years ago, their tribe has since had ten of its members shift and join their Pack."

"They are filthy animals who live at the mercy of their emotions," Rosalie spat, her voice not losing any of its earlier venom. "Carlisle drew up a peace treaty with the wolves some eighty years ago and we have since had to restrict our movements from going onto their lands. Since we only feed from animals, we are allowed to coexist," again, she spat the word, "in the area with them so long as we don't feed from or turn any human."

"Yes," Esme sighed, "And for now we have not broken that treaty, but it would seem the wolves do not trust us at our word. Bella," I lifted my head, meeting her mothering gaze, "We will not force you to attend this meeting. But we must ask if you wish to join us as we go to meet them."

I pursed my lips, furrowing my brow as I tried to really think. So not only were vampires real-which I had easily accepted, because you can't date two literal stone goddesses and not believe-but there were a group of shapeshifters that lived on the reservation where my dad visited regularly with his best friend, Billy.

Then, Alice's earlier words about meeting one hit me as I thought about the younger Black. "Jacob?! He's a, uh, shapeshifter?!" Yeah, did I just attract supernatural creatures like a magnet or was that just my shitty luck remaining true to its nature?

Rosalie turned a small smile my way when she finally settled back onto the bed by my side. "Unfortunately," her voice, while losing none of its ire had turned playful when she addressed me, "Your little friend is actually the direct descendant of Ephraim Black, the Chief Carlisle drew up the original treaty with."

"Huh." Yeah, my life made sense. "So when is this meeting supposed to happen?" Might as well get out in front of this new development. After all, I was dating two blood-drinking immortals and my childhood friend growing up turned into a dog. What else was I supposed to do in this situation?

"Are you certain?" Esme asked, her matronly voice not losing any of its loving cadence. "You don't have to go to this meeting. You have a choice."

I nodded, smiling up at the woman I was quickly coming to think of as a second mother. "Yes, Esme, I understand. I want to go. I mean," I grinned, a teasing tone lilting my voice as I shifted my arms around my mates, "I have these two gorgeous women protecting me. You think some pups could stand against us?"

Esme's smile brightened even as I felt my ladies preen a bit under my statement. "I have a feeling that no one in this entire world could stand up to you, Bella. I'll go tell Carlisle to call up the Pack and set up the meeting for tomorrow. For now, it's getting late and I need to start dinner for you."

I blinked and the woman was gone, and I seriously needed to get used to that at some point. I wanted to complain about the woman going to such lengths to cook for me, but I had to admit that the lunch she had prepared for me had been delicious and I was actually starving. My rumbling stomach decided that was the ideal moment to let its agreement be known, my mates laughing in time with my embarrassed groan.

"Well, in the meantime," I stood up and began backing my way towards the staircase, a lecherous grin on my lips. "Where were we?"

I only just caught a glimpse of matching onyx-hued eyes before I felt my body being swept up into strong, toned arms. Not even a moment later I was gently being deposited onto my back on their bed, both women positioned on either side with hungry looks in their eyes. Oh yeah, I could get used to this.

"Dinner's ready!"

The declaration from somewhere downstairs was met with matching growls from my mates, a groan of my own leaving my throat as they pulled away. Gods they were great kissers. This wasn't just making out, this was basically mouth sex, I swear. So far we hadn't lost any of our clothing, but I could already tell that if we'd gone at it any longer then that would have changed with a quickness.

"I guess we should feed the human," Rosalie said with her signature smirk, her eyes traveling up and down my admittedly disheveled state. I was already in the process of trying to tame the mess they had made of my hair while Alice gave my shirt a quick pull to straighten it out. That didn't mean I was the only one looking halfway sexed up, as both girls were also sporting rather ruffled looks themselves.

Except on them it just made them all the more attractive for their bedraggled appearances. Not to mention how they both just had to shake out their hair and poof, instant stunning goddesses. It's seriously not fair. "That's not fair," I reiterated out loud, you know, because I'm nothing if not thorough and they deserved to know just how bloody gorgeous they both were.

Alice's chiming laughter tinkled in my ear as she hugged me close for a moment longer. "Oh but we like having you looking like you've just been kissed to within an inch of your life."

"Indeed," Rosalie's rumbling laughter followed Alice's as she slid to the edge of the bed, pulling me reluctantly along after her. "We love showing off the fact that you are ours." And of course she just had to growl the word right into my ear the moment I stood up. Luckily I had a convenient voluptuous body to cling to in the meantime considering my legs forgot how to leg. Funny how that worked out, isn't it?

I couldn't help but hum, my lips tracing the graceful line of her neck that I had been worshiping with my tongue and teeth earlier. "Just so long as everyone also knows that you both are mine." Stepping up the play a bit, I bit down to punctuate my words, knowing she enjoyed the sensation despite probably not feeling the pressure. Stupid stone-like skin.

The answering growl from both in front of and behind me was answer enough for me, even as Alice pressed in behind me. "We are most certainly yours, ma petite." Of course Alice would decide then was a good time to purr her words into my ear, but at least I was now being held up by both girls. "Alas, Esme is currently yelling at us at subsonic volume, so I think we should get you down before she comes to collect you."

I couldn't help but laugh as both women pulled away from me, the three of us turning to make our way downstairs. "Well, she's not exactly in the wrong here. I cannot be held responsible for the things I do when I'm alone with you two."

Alice's grin was toothy, her eyes sparking with mischief. "Well, if you hurry up we might have time for a repeat performance before it's time for you to sleep."

If I didn't know it would land me flat on my face in a matter of seconds, I would have skipped the rest of the way down the stairs. As it stood, I was able to resist the urge to rush, and even as I settled into my previous seat from earlier this afternoon, I had to remind myself to eat at a normal pace and not inhale the meal. The last thing I needed to do was wind myself up back at the hospital after lodging food in my throat. Warring with the incessant need to ravish my two beautiful mates was a battle I didn't think I would ever truly win.

The meal, which was a full three-course dinner with lasagna as the main course, was absolutely delicious and I didn't hesitate to mention this to Esme on several occasions throughout. "So," I eventually said after settling back into my chair, my body nearly rejecting the massive amounts of food Esme had shoved on me. "When do I get to meet the rest of your family?"

I had found it kind of odd that I hadn't seen hide nor hair of Edward, Jasper, or Emmett since I'd gotten here. It was Rosalie who answered, simultaneously grabbing a napkin to clean up the mess I'd made of my face while gorging. "Well, they thought it would be best if they went out to do some last-minute hunting. Jasper still has trouble with being around humans, as he's the most recent of our family to convert to the 'vegetarian lifestyle', as we call drinking animal blood."

"Yeah," Alice agreed, adding, "They will be here tomorrow after you wake up. This will give them time to get acclimated to your scent being in the house. Plus, the mixing of our scents will help Rosalie and I keep from tearing their heads off if they get too close."

My eyes widened at that. I knew they were territorial and possessive, but I didn't realize it went that deep for them. "I feel like I'm making your family's lives more and more difficult by the day."

"Oh pish!" Esme chided, her voice stern. "You've completed our two ladies here and for that we will only ever be grateful to you. If it means having to make certain concessions to ensure your safety in the meantime, then so be it."

I felt my shoulders rising up to my ears again but I couldn't help it. They were all so amazing and so damn accommodating. Most humans I knew would never be so accepting of a relationship like ours, yet here they were making every effort to keep me safe and comfortable. I wasn't at all surprised when tears once again filled my eyes, but I was pretty proud of myself that I was able to keep them from falling.

"Thank you," I whispered fervently, blinking hastily to clear my vision. "You have no idea how much it means to me to have such a supportive family. My own mother would rather cast me aside to run around the country with her new husband, ignoring her 'faulty' daughter. She shipped me off to live with my dad without so much as a hug goodbye. And you've just accepted me with open arms and I-"

Shit, now I was actually crying. As soon as the first tear fell, I was suddenly surrounded by the female vampires of the Cullen family. Deja vu, I thought idly, the comforting scents of my mates and their mother figure lulling me into a more relaxed state. At least I didn't immediately pass out this time.

"Oh, honey," Esme was murmuring into my hair from where she was pressing kisses. "You are not faulty or broken or anything of the like. You are a wonderful young woman who has the biggest heart I have ever seen. You love so freely and without reservation. Do you know how rare that is for this day and age? You are a gift, Bella!"

Her words only made me cry harder, crushing the Cullen matriarch to me in what would have normally been a painful hug. That's another point for vampires, they can take whatever you dish out and I needed to cling. I couldn't help feeling safe and loved, both by my mates and by this woman who had taken me in without a single complaint.

"I-I wish you were my mom," I whispered, the painful truth falling from my lips making me cringe and attempt to pull away. I hadn't meant to say that out loud!

I didn't get far, as Esme's hold tightened to just this side of being painful. "Oh, you little darling," she pulled away just enough that she could look down at my more than likely disheveled face, "Even if you hadn't been mated to my girls here, I would still gladly accept you into our family. You are just as much my daughter as they are and that is not because of anything you have done, but by simply being who you are."

Well fuck, I thought I had been getting my tears under control, then she says something like that. I could feel my face crumble once again as my tears took over once again. She really was the mom that no one deserves, least of all me, but this family just keeps on surprising me at every single turn.

Eventually, my tears did slow until they finally ran out, small hiccups shaking my shoulders as I rested between the three women. "Thank you," I murmured against Esme's shoulder. "Did you...Did you mean it?" I couldn't help but ask. I had never had the best parents in the world and I'd already been tossed aside once. I don't think I could go through it again, especially not with this family. It might just kill me.

"Of course, dear," Esme readily answered, her warm tone so full of love that I couldn't help but smile up at her when I raised my head to meet her own watery gaze. "From this day forward, consider yourself a Cullen in all but name. Besides," she added, voice turning teasing, "I'm sure my other daughters here will take care of changing your name for us." She winked, and I felt myself blushing through my already puffy cheeks. Did she just say her daughters were going to marry me? I don't think that's legal.

Alice's tinkling laughter drew my gaze. "Don't worry," she said cheekily, "You'll find that we can get away with quite a few things when one of your family can see the future."

I nearly squeaked, wishing I could hide my face again, but Esme had already pulled too far away. "Now, girls, don't overwhelm your mate. There will be plenty of time for that discussion down the line." She patted me on my shoulder, her cool touch soothing. "Now, are you sure you're full, honey? There's plenty more food where that came from."

"I'm fine, mom," the word was out of my mouth before I could reign it in and in a panic I raised my hands to my mouth as I stared wide-eyed at the woman.

Esme's body went impossibly still and for a second I feared the worst. That is, until the woman burst with a squeal, moving faster than the eye could track until she had her arms once again secure around my shoulders. Her unique scent of hot cocoa and vanilla flooded my senses, and it wasn't long before I felt myself sagging into her embrace once again. There was just something so endearing about the woman that broke down all my instinctual resistances. Renee's hugs had never felt like this before, and that in itself told me more than anything that I was meant for this family.

Isabella Marie Cullen. I kinda liked the ring of that.

AN: Wanted to put this at the bottom to keep from cluttering up the chapter. So this chapter took a while to get out because I'm currently going through a lot of the things written in here. Not only do I suffer from Major Depressive Disorder, but also severe PTSD, and I've recently made the decision to cut my mother out of my life for good.

I lived a rough life growing up and my mother was hardly a mother to me. She was flighty and always either high or drunk, so in many ways she's an abusive version of Renee in my mind. My therapist says that I put myself into my stories in different ways and this story definitely shows that.

Not only was my mom a shitty mom, but I also am polyamorous and kinda gave up on the concept of loving more than one person. A little backstory, my partner and I have been together for 10 years and have never once looked back. We ran away together after 3 weeks of dating and we are most certainly soulmates. They are my Agape Love, the source of all my love that overflows unto others.

So imagine my surprise when I started writing this and developed Bella's character based on polyamory. I'll also admit that this story was in no way planned out beyond the concept of Alice's vision of sharing a mate with Rosalie. Everything I've written up until the last chapter was created on the spot. I do have a few things I want to have happen in this story now, but when I started this I had no idea where I'd really go with it.

And now the bad news. I have no idea how often I'm going to be updating from here. My original thought was every Monday night, because when I started writing this I was pumping out the chapters and they were HUGE chapters. In fact, I think this chapter is the shortest of this story so far.

Semi-good news: I have another fic I'm working on in the meantime that I have over 25k words written on it but I don't plan to publish it until I'm close to finished with it. It is, admittedly, a smut-centric fic that I was inspired to write because I got tired of blue-beaning the ladies in Once Mated lol. It is basically BellaxHarem and it is SPICEY.

I also have two other fic ideas for the Twilight universe, one of which I have actually started writing about a month ago but its development is slow-going. The other idea will probably be a large one-shot, but we'll see.

All that being said, I'm now using Twitter to keep everyone up-to-date on my stories here, so if you want to be informed of updates or delays, or just general announcement from me, please add my account AuthorArielRose and look out for Tweets from me in the future.

That's all for now, I just wanted to end with a big thank you to everyone who has stood by me during this affair. I appreciate you all, from the likes and favs to the Reviews. Some of you have pointed out a few errors I've made along the way and I've done my best to correct them, so if you see anything else that might need fixing please don't hesitate to call it out.