If you haven't already read it, now would be a good time to go and read "The short second life of Bree Tanner" as it gives context to the rest of this story, and I haven't bothered to re-write it for the purposes of this story!
Bree POV (takes place after "The short second life of Bree Tanner")
It was the day after the fight. Jasper had got over his initial hatred of me, and now spent a lot of time watching me from across the room with some form of pity colouring his face. I'd discovered he could sense and manipulate emotions, and I guessed he could feel the overwhelming sense of loss I still felt. Would my grief for Diego ever go away?
I hadn't told the Cullens about Diego yet. I hadn't told them much about myself at all. They had introduced themselves. I was interested to hear about all their talents; mind-reading, seeing the future, manipulating emotions. It was impressive. I thought of Fred. I'd missed my opportunity to meet him, and I wondered if I would ever see him again. He could remain hidden forever if he wished to, I was sure of it. Another wave of loss swept over me. I'd lost my only love, and my only friend.
The hunting was interesting. I couldn't say I'd enjoyed the animal blood, but it certainly quenched my thirst. I could survive off it, and it did avoid all the senseless killing, which I hadn't enjoyed as the other newborns did.
Suddenly the door opened, and Carlisle walked in. He hadn't been home all night since the fight, something about re-setting some bones. I was glad to see him. I remembered his kindness to me on the last day of my human life. The memory was hazy, despite it being the most recent human memory I had, but I remembered enough to know that this was a very kind man. I'd never thanked him for his kindness that night either. I'd make sure to do that when I thanked him for saving my life twice yesterday. Carlisle walked towards me as Edward followed him in through the door. The whole family was here now, apart from the human. For her own safety, she was going to stay away from me for a while.
"So, Bree, tell us about yourself." Carlisle opened warmly, a hint of a smirk on his face as he looked at me. I knew he was laughing at the fact I would have to be truthful this time, unlike in the hospital all those weeks ago. But where to start?
"The beginning." A voice said simply from the corner. I turned and saw Edward. Of course, the mind-reader. Well, it was a very good place to start.
"Well, the beginning would be, I was born in Nevada, just over 16 years ago. My mum left when I was 4 and me and my dad moved to Idaho. Then, a few months ago, we moved here. He…" I faltered, painful memories flashing through my mind. I couldn't say it. I'd never spoken the words aloud. The abuse felt like a lifetime ago, but I was still trapped, unable to speak.
I looked up, and saw agony in both Jasper and Edward's faces. Of course, they knew how I was feeling in this moment, and Edward actually knew what I was unable to say. That somehow made it easier to speak, and I found my words again.
"He… he was… abusive." I stumbled over the words, speaking barely above a whisper. I didn't look up as I continued. "We had to move here because people in Idaho had started asking difficult questions." I chanced a glance up, and saw anguish marking the features of all 7 of the vampires transfixed on me. Some of them even looked angry. Rosalie and Esme particularly. Strange. I'd have to ask them about that some time.
"Anyway, the first night after we moved from Idaho, it got worse. It was so bad that I had to sneak to the hospital. That's where I met you." I looked up at Carlisle, and he nodded encouragingly.
"When I left, one of the nurses begged me not to go back home, and it got me thinking. I didn't go home, and drove to Seattle instead, and on my first night there, I met Riley." I laughed bitterly at the memory.
"I was freezing, exhausted and starving, and he offered me a burger. I thought, what's the worst that can happen? I obviously massively underestimated the risks, and that's when I was changed. Talk about a bad 24 hours!" I stopped abruptly, unsure of what else to say, and the room fell into an uneasy silence.
"Tell me about your life in the newborn army" Jasper called across the silent room. I was surprised, I didn't think there was much to tell. I told them as much.
"There isn't much to tell. It was dull and dangerous. People fought and got ripped to shreds on an almost daily basis. Jen ripped my arm off once, but I managed to get it back before anyone burned it. Riley told us we burned to ash in sunlight, so we spent all daylight hours trapped in a basement together. Then there was one night that Diego and I – "
I choked. I couldn't go on. Words evaded me, and pure anguish flooded over me. I was vaguely aware of 7 pairs of inquisitive eyes staring at me in my wordless pain. Jasper looked particularly alarmed, and I felt a wave of calm and relief come towards me, but it barely took an edge off the pain. This only alarmed Jasper more. He stared at me, then looked at Edward inquisitively.
I thought for a second. If speaking of Diego caused me this much pain, maybe I should ask Edward to explain what was going on in my head. But did I want everyone to know the details of my all-consuming love for him? I looked at Edward, hoping to convey my wishes, and he nodded.
"Diego was her mate. He's dead." Edward said simply. I realised he knew nothing more of those details. I thought about the day spent in the cave, and then Diego going to confront Riley and never coming back. I thought about Riley's lies that Diego would be at the fight, and how I realised how and when he must have died.
"Bree and Diego figured out that sunlight didn't hurt them. Diego went to confront Riley about it, and Victoria killed him." Edward left out the speculative details of Diego being gradually dismembered and tortured for information, and I was relieved. It was bad enough to see those images in my head without hearing the words aloud.
"Riley lied about it, and told Bree that Diego was already at the clearing, doing recon. That's the only reason she came to the fight at all, to find him." Esme scooted up the sofa towards me and put her arm round my shoulders. I found the gesture unusual, but comforting. I guess this was normal, but I'd never had friends or family to care for me. I looked up at Edward and saw him look almost despairing at my thoughts. Well, they were pretty grim, I guess.
Carlisle broke the silence.
"Thank you for telling us about yourself. I'm sure there's much more we will all learn about you as we get to know you. That is, if you wish to stay with us?" He asked. I stared at him. Was he really offering to let me live with them in this gorgeous house? I know they said that to the dark cloaks in the clearing, but I wasn't sure they meant it.
"Yes, we do mean it." Edward clarified. "If you wish, you can become a part of our family. We'd love to have you join us, if you can stand the diet."
I pondered this for a moment. What else would I do? I'd never find Fred, and literally everyone else I knew in this life was dead.
"If- If you're sure?!" I said, uncertainly. "I wouldn't want to intrude."
"You could never!" Esme exclaimed warmly. "You would not be an intrusion! We meant what we said to the Volturi – we are prepared to take full responsibility for you and welcome you into our family." Esme smiled warmly at me, as though trying to convince me to stay. I didn't know why she felt so strongly, but it was nice. I found myself feeling more comfortable.
"Ok. I'd like to. You all seem nice, and basically all the other vampires I know are dead, thanks to you." I grinned, and Emmett laughed.
"That's settled then!" Carlisle said cheerfully.
"Ooh, we'll have to do a bit of remodelling to give you your own room!" Esme said, looking excited.
"You'll have to understand that there are some things that are non-negotiable in this family." Edward smirked. "Esme loves interior design and it will cause her physical pain if you don't let her redesign the house to fit another room in, so you're best off just going with it." Esme threw a cushion at Edward, but he continued speaking. "And Alice will insist on taking you shopping and completely overhauling your entire sense of style. This too, is unavoidable and best endured quietly." Alice glowered at Edward, and I laughed.
"Are you done insulting all the women in your family yet?" I joked, and Rosalie grinned.
"I like this one." She smiled at me. "She can hold her own."