A big "Thank You" to all those who've started following and favoring this new story. Please enjoy and review...
"They're here!" shouted Renesmee excitedly as she whooshed down the staircase of her grandparent's home and over to the window to peek behind the curtain.
"Yes, they most certainly are, but Nessie. It's not polite to spy on them through the window," answered Esme, coming up behind and laying a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Listen to your grandmother," said Carlisle, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
"I can't wait!" squealed Alice.
"Alice, I know you're excited but please. Take it slowly unlike what you did with me the first time I came over," said Bella.
"What do you mean? I gave you the perfect welcome"
"You announced yourself by jumping off a tree branch in the backyard, followed by immediately hugging me before pulling back saying that I did smell good. Leaving me unsure what to do with all this… attention. I'm just saying, you don't want to overwhelm Sawyer.
I'm pretty sure she's going through a lot being in a strange place, surrounded by strangers. She'll probably just want to blend into the background. I know that I did, my first day at Forks High. Unfortunately, small town gossip kept me from doing just that" Her Husband, siblings-in-law and child all looked at her. "What? You know I don't like being the center of attention."
"Alright everyone," said Carlisle, "They're coming up the porch steps right now. So, we'd better wrap this up, and Alice? At least try taking your sister's advice. It might make all the difference"
The pixie nodded, going over to stand by her mate who had a puzzled expression. "Jasper?"
"I can't smell her Alice,"
"What?"
"Her scent, I can't get a read on it. I can hear her heartbeat so I know she's human. But other than that? Nothing. Her blood doesn't even call to me. I can smell Charlie in full force but not her. Can you?"
"Let me see…." Alice inhaled deeply, "No," she softly replied. Everybody else did the same and the answer was: still no other scent then Charlie's. It was a mystery.
The police chief knocked on the door, only for Nessie to answer it and give her other grandpa a big hug which he returned before pulling back. "Nessie, I'd like you to meet someone. This is your Aunt Sawyer," he said, gesturing to the girl behind him who stepped forward and shook hands with her supposed "niece"
"It's nice to meet you lit' Darlin'" she said quietly letting a bit of her southern accent show.
Renesmee studied her new Aunt carefully. She looked to be about the same age as her. She also had beautiful dark wavy hair that hung loose down around her face but what stood out the most were her blue eyes and nose. She's seen it somewhere before…? On Uncle Jasper's face! Could they be related? But then…Uncle Jasper's last name was Hale, like Aunt Rose. So that didn't fit. Realizing that it had been a while she shook her head.
"-Hi! Yes! Sorry for spacing out. You just remind me of someone. Welcome to the family" she said returning the handshake.
"Thank you, Ness and that's okay," Sawyer lightly chuckled, "I have a feeling Deja vu going to happen more often than not." She subtlety whispered to her, causing the Cullens to raise an eyebrow. Are we getting another "Alice"? thought Emmett excitedly.
Sawyer then raised her eyes to Bella, realizing that this must be her father's other daughter, Nessie's Mom and "her" new older sister.
"Hello…Bella? Right?" the inhuman beauty nodded, "Yes, that's me. Though I am surprised you didn't use "Isabella?"
The girl raised an eyebrow, "Do you want me to?"
"No, no, I prefer "Bella," but I guess Charlie – Dad must have told you that" momentarily glancing at him.
"He might have mentioned it." said Sawyer, "But in truth, I'm horrible with names. Unless I see and hear from you regularly. I will remember your face, more than your name. So, the simplest version is the best for me"
"It's good to know," her sister replied as they shook hands, "Welcome".
She repeated the same process with Edward, Carlisle and Esme. But when it came to Emmett though, he skipped the handshake and greeted her with a big "bear" hug to everyone's surprise, causing Sawyer to laugh a little as he put her back down.
"That certainly was the biggest "Welcome to the Family" I've had in a long time"
the big oaf grinned back, "I aim to please."
After Emmett, this shorter girl came bouncing over, "Hi Sawyer, I'm Alice. Would it be alright if I gave you a hug too?" she asked innocently.
"Umm sure,"
"Great!" Alice giggled, then preceded to give her a lighter version of her brother's big hug. "I know this is starting to sound cliché by now but, "Welcome to the family!"
"Thanks," said Sawyer as they parted and the girl took a step back to stand by this last blond-haired gentleman.
"Hello I'm Jasper" he said, before briefly appearing to swallow painfully. (While he still could not smell Sawyer, having Charlie in close proximity was reminding him how thirsty he truly was. After they left, he would definitely have to go on a hunt.) "It's nice to meet you Ma'am," Jasper finished, shaking her hand briefly before letting go.
"You too," she smiled at him. Turning lastly to the final female, causing her pupils to widen slightly in surprise before she gave a polite smile and held out her hand "Hi,".
But the older blond girl just glared at the offered hand before responding stiffly, "Rosalie."
Sawyer instantly withdrew her hand back to her side, answering with "It's nice to meet you."
Rosalie's eyes just narrowed.
"Rose! Don't be rude," scolded Esme, "I do apologize for my daughter's behavior,"
"That's okay Mrs. Cullen, she doesn't have to shake my hand if she doesn't want to. I don't want to make anybody uncomfortable," said Sawyer.
"Then why are you here?" questioned Rose with her sharp tongue.
"ROSE!"
"Umm… tsk…Maybe we'd better go?" Sawyer asked awkwardly, looking at Charlie for permission.
"No!" shouted Renesmee, as the Police Chief gruffly nodded, "That's probably a good idea. Thank you, Dr. Cullen. Mrs. Cullen, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Edward, Bella. I'll see you later" he said guiding them back towards the front door.
"Grandpa! Auntie Sawyer! Don't go! pleaded Nessie, chasing after them. Sawyer turned around facing her "niece,"
"We have to this time Ness. But I'll be back. Probably when your Aunt is having a much better day. I promise"
"-And in the meantime, you and your mother are always welcome at our house," said Charlie with a smile before leaning down and whispering in her ear, "Plus, tomorrow I'm actually introducing your Aunt to La Push. So maybe we'll see you and Jacob down by the beach or something."
Making Nessie's eyes momentarily lit up with excitement. "Okay! See you later!"
She and her Mom, stood on the porch and waved as they backed up and drove out. But once the Mother and Daughter duo got back inside however, it was a different story.
"Why?" Renesmee looked at her Aunt, brokenhearted. "How could you do that? Aunt Rose?! Auntie Sawyer was just trying to make friends!"
Rosalie's "Ice Queen" persona immediately started to melt as she now took in her beloved niece's expression. Seeing how close she was to tears. "Nessie I-!"
"Forget it! You Don't Care!" She shouted, running at vamp speed up the stairs to her Dad's old room, slamming the door and making everyone jump.
"-And that's the Rosalie we all know,"
"Edward Shut Up! The vampire in question hissed at him.
"Why, you obviously don't care how your words and actions will affect my Daughter"
"That is not true!"
"Then WHY were you so mean Rosie?" asked Emmett, shaking his head. "Nessie has never seen you act like this, though plenty of us have. It's the mask you slip into when we go to school. Now poor Nessie's going to be wondering "Who is the Real Rose?" and I don't think she is going to be confiding in you as often. Maybe even be a little leery?"
Rosalie closed her eyes in shame, "You're right, I didn't think-"
"Seems to be a common theme for this past week doesn't it," said Jasper, remembering how it was only a few days ago Charlie admitted his hurt feelings about Edward and Bella's past lying and sneak around.
What made it worse was that Renesmee had overheard the whole thing and flat out questioned her parents about it at the table. Asking why it was okay for them to have done that, when they are constantly telling her to do the opposite when it comes to Jacob and his pack. He had never seen or felt Bella and Edward look so flabbergasted and unable to come up a rectifying answer.
Thankfully, they were finally saved by Esme. Stating that no parents were perfect and they'd all made bad decisions. The important thing was to take Responsibility and try to do better in future. Setting a "good" example for the next generation. Looking at each of them intensely as she said this.
Now, it looked like Rosalie was facing the same thing. She couldn't just turn it off and on like she use to when it came to new people with Nessie around.
"What did you get from Sawyer's mind, Edward?" asked Carlisle, "Does she know anything?"
"I don't know, she certainly didn't have the same thoughts and reactions a normal human would have meeting us. But if she does know something, she's not going to say anything,"
"Really?" asked Emmett, "Why not? You mean, she's not going to be like her big sister, trying to investigate by pursing and watching closely?" he continued, winking at Bella.
The mind reader shook his head, "From what I've gathered, Sawyer's very much into "Respecting other people's privacy." She understands that "we" all have things that we would rather not be made public. If we want to tell her, then we will. All she wants in return, is the same from us."
"That's good to know," said Alice, relieved but also a little disappointed.
Edward then broke off in a chuckle, "She also thinks Jasper and Rosalie are Disabled."
"WHAT?!"
"Why would she think that?" asked Esme,
"Charlie mentioned us last night and She recognized the last name "Hale." Apparently, Sawyer has a history with a family of that same name"
Rosalie's eyes widened as she whispered half to herself. "Do you think she's referring to mine? But how could she know? There's probably lots of families with that name"
"Rosalie…" said Edward slowly. "When she first looked at you. A name and an image popped up in her head. It was of a human woman that looked identical to you. Her name is "Katherine Hale…"
...
"Are you alright?" asked Charlie as they pulled in. Noticing that she had been mostly quiet on the drive home.
"I'm still working on it, but I am better. Now, that we're away from that situation" she answered.
The Chief shook his head, "I'm sorry, I didn't know that girl was going to act like that."
"It's not your fault Charlie. You couldn't have known. I'll just give Rosalie plenty of space in the future. It's a learning experience"
"How can you say that so calmly?" asked the Chief astounded.
Sawyer shrugged, "Life is short. You get the "good" and the "bad" Now, what would you like to do when we go inside?" she asked, changing the subject. "Should we watch a movie together? Or would you be more comfortable if we each did our own thing until Dinner?"
Charlie raised an eyebrow in surprise. This was another "first" for him. Bella always just did her own thing. "Sure, we can watch a movie. What would you like to see?"
Sawyer bit her lip, "What do you think about seeing "Jaws" the original one?"
"Jaws?" said Charlie in surprise before laughing. "I haven't seen that in years! I think the first time I saw it. I was still a young kid and I went with Billy Black to the theater in Port Angeles. When that shark popped up, I was literally out of my seat and I wouldn't go back into the waters of La Push until the next Summer when Billy practically dragged me into the waves" he shook his head, fondly remembering.
They went inside and watched the movie, enjoying themselves. Afterwards, Sawyer went up to her room (actually it was Bella's old room) so she could shower and change before the pizza got there. Around twenty minutes later, there was a knock at the door.
Charlie went over and opened it with money in his hand, ready to pay the guy when- "Bella?"
He asked, stunned to see his daughter on the porch by herself.
"Hi Dad," she answered, before stepping to the side, showing the pizza. "I hope you don't mind, but I bought your dinner. Jason arrived, just as I was pulling in"
"Thanks Bells, would you like to come in?" he invited opening the door a little wider.
"Thank you," she said, coming in and bringing the food.
"Where's Nessie and Edward?" he asked as they arrived in the kitchen.
"They're at home. Nessie-! She's still pretty upset about what happened this afternoon."
"Can't say I blame her" Charlie muttered, before asking. "What can I do for you?"
Bella hesitated, sitting down as she tried to come up with the right words. "Dad, I-! I just want to apologize... Not just for today- But in the past as well...
I realize now that I have been unfair to you and your feelings about all this. And you are right. I did lie and sneak around with Edward. I take full responsibility for that. And I will stop trying to push you and Edward to have a relationship. All I'm asking for is a Chance. A Chance to prove that we can be Respectful and Trustworthy. Please…?" she asked, reaching across the table at him.
Charlie sighed, taking his time. "Thank you…"
"Where's Sawyer?" Bella questioned, looking around.
"She's up in her room. She wanted to get refreshed before Dinner," said her father, rolling his eyes at the thought of his newest little girl, already starting to become a teenager.
"Well, I'll just go check on her and see if she needs help," Bella suggested as she got up.
"Okay," said Charlie as she made her way towards the stairs. "Be sure to knock first," he added a little too late.
Bella sped up, coming to pause outside the door which was open slightly. Sawyer was on the phone with someone:
"-So, how's Forks so Far?"
"Ah Jas, it's like a different world up here. There beautiful lush greenery, I haven't seen the Beach. But I'm told it's going to be Fantastic. True, the weather's a little overcast but that just makes for better pictures."
"Have you seen Bigfoot yet?"
(Sawyer laughed) "No, not yet. But it wouldn't surprise me if this location is home to more Supernatural and Mythological Creatures. Such as Mermaids, Witches, Werewolves-"
"Or Vampires?" Jas asked, causing a loud gasp from Bella, making Sawyer look over in her direction…