You've made me acknowledge the devil in me

I hope to God I'm talkin' metaphorically

Hope that I'm talkin' allegorically

Know that I'm talkin' about the way I feel

And I've never known a girl like you before

- Edwyn Collins ~ A Girl Like You

?POV

The town was dreary. The snow was ugly and I hated the scarcity of food. Boston was calling me. And I would be there soon, to say goodbye, before I set off to Italy for my death.

Boston was not my home. Hell, Alaska is not my home. Alaska is not where I want to be.

But home didn't exist anymore. My home was stolen from me.

And the thief would be punished. If it was the last thing I did.

The strawberry blonde vampire smiled in a friendly way at me. She would be useful.

Her entire family would be.

Isabella Rothschild will pay in blood.

An eye for an eye. A mate for a mate.

Tanya smiled at her new friend across the bar- she was so funny. And knew so many interesting stories.

Tanya knew the nomad would be useful to her.

She would get her mate back. She would have what she deserved.

Emmett and Bella had grown close. Their wrestling competitions in the yard were considered hilarious to watch, (Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice), and also frightfully dangerous and terrifying to behold, (Carlisle, Esme, and EDWARD).

"Dad, please tell them to stop, Emmett will take off her arm again soon- that hurts, and he doesn't play nice," Edward whined.

Rosalie snorted. "She's holding her own. She's damned skilled for someone with no training."

Jasper nodded. "I think it's because her defensive moves are so strong. She barely has to use her offence when the other guy can't land a single punch."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "You're also leaving out, Edward, that Bella took off his leg in the last round before the arm snatching happened. She's playing rough too."

Edward glared at them. Traitors, the lot of them.

Carlisle smiled tensely. "I understand Edward, it is- odd, seeing someone so small get thrown around by someone so- well so big."

At that moment a limb hit the wall behind them at top speed, leaving a dent.

Edward squealed a single high pitched tone, then screamed. "BELLA!" Only to turn and see she was uninjured, and Emmett was swinging with only one arm.

They paid him no mind. Circling each other. Emmett sprung forward again, going for a grab and Bella flew under his feet, kicking his foot off in the process.

Emmett turned to look at her, hoping.

She grinned at him, lifting his foot, still in his shoe. "I think you lost something."

Emmett grumbled. "Whatever. I'm gonna go put my arm back on." He snatched the foot from her hand, reattaching it and jumping up and down until it was steady to the stairs, stomping up. Rosalie followed, laughing at him.

Edward scanned his hands over his fiancée.

"You cannot keep doing that." He said sternly. "I feel an ulcer forming. Vampires can't even get ulcers. You are causing a medical anomaly for vampire-kind."

Bella kissed his forehead. "Aww. Poor baby." She said, stroking his hair back, and pouting her lip.

Edward tried to keep his expression stern, but he melted into her touch, smiling, and purring as he leaned forward to nuzzle her neck.

Alice groaned. "Okay, you've had your break, can we get back to wedding planning now?"

Bella smiled in a tired sort of way. "Yes, I suppose that would be alright."

Alice was taking down her interpretation of the flowers needed for the ceremony, Esme and Alice had decided that it would be the event of the season, for vampires at least, and Bella had no complaints.

Truth be told, Bella didn't care for much of the planning, as long as Alice followed her most general of 'themes' which was "Cream, Not white, rosy pink, wildflowers, nothing too perfect, not blue. lace, not satin"

When Alice asked what sort of lace Bella smiled a bit and said, "I'm not giving you any hints of the dress Alice. You know he can read your mind. I told you, I'm superstitious."

Alice groaned. "Bella, I understand, I truly do, but think! I need to be able to match the setting to the dress!"

Bella pursed her lips. "Alright, Alice. I'm wearing my Mamas dress."

Esme smiled. "So, fine mesh Italian lace?"

Bella pulled a face. "Er- no. Not my Mother's Dress. My Mamas."

Esme was confused. Bella averted her eyes.

"Irish Crochet lace. Cream toned."

Bella looked into Esme's confused eyes and smiled. "Come on Esme, you know better than anyone. A Mother isn't always a Mama. And your Mama doesn't have to be your Mother."

Esme's lips pulled down.

"Perhaps I should have asked My Brother if his bride wanted to wear his mother's dress, but by the time he was of marrying age-" I couldn't go near him anymore. Bella didn't finish, but the implication was clear.

"Anyway, Mama always said I was her daughter in every right but blood. So I think she would have wanted me to have it." Isabella's eyes searched the sky. A leftover human reaction to sadness. Trying to keep tears from falling.

Esme smiled. "She sounds lovely."

Bella smiled, looking out the window. "You would have loved her. She was born French but married Papa for love. The dress was for him. He was an Irishman through and through. Stern at times, but soft as a kitten with his family. She was warm and sweet and protective. She taught me to respect myself. Papa was a farmer, so we did a bit better than some. During all the holidays the house always smelled like fresh soda bread. I tried to make some after I turned, I knew I couldn't eat it, but I thought the smell-" She broke off. "But it doesn't smell the same anymore." She finished, looking at the floor.

Esme wasn't sure what to say. So she just hugged the girl. My daughter. She corrected mentally. This is my daughter.

Alice couldn't seem to help herselffrom breaking the moment.

"And you're sure that you want to do it in forks? I mean, we could fly to Paris or-"

"I want to do it here. I met all of you here. I want it here."

She's not going to give in yet. But I'll let her think she won until I can think of a better way to persuade her.

Alice sighed dramatically. "Well, I'll call Pastor Webber tomorrow."

Bella knew better than that.

Bella grinned. "I have a better idea." She cleared her throat and yelled. "EMMETT!"

Emmett appeared in the Doorway looking terrified. Knew I should have gone with Rose to get the blank invitations.

"Yes, Bella?" He said timidly. Rosalie was always very upset when he interrupted the planning for their weddings so he had warned Edward to high tail it out of dodge, he wondered if he should have taken his own advice. "If I'm making too much noise upstairs-"

Bella waved her hand in the air. "Not important- least of my worries. I have a question for you."

Emmett smiled, a little less afraid, Bella didn't seem to be the Bridezilla that Rose was. "Yeah, sure. Shoot Belly-Bear."

"Will you marry Edward and I?"

Emmett was floored. "Well, you know Bella. You're a great little sis, and I love my brother, but I don't think Rose would take to kindly to that."

Bella laughed. "I mean get ordained you meat-head!"

Emmett was shocked. Then grinned. "Oh- I'm sure I can do that."

Alice was angry. "No! Emmett! I saw that! No!"

Emmett deflated a little but was sure he'd be able to get something over Alice's head.

Alice was certain she would be using most of her focus to keep Emmett from ruining the wedding.

Alice and Emmett left the room, her coaching and him plotting.

Esme grinned at Bella. "That," she paused, with a sort of awe in her voice. "Was amazing."

Bella smiled crookedly. "Eh, I knew she wouldn't give up. Figured Emmett would be a good distraction for all that extra energy.