Trials of Meeting the Family

Swan Residence

Charlie unlocked and opened his door. "Hey you guys. Long time no see. Come in."

"Hey Charlie," they all greeted.

"Where's Jake?"

"He picking up a part for the Rabbit." Billy's face expressed regret, "I'm sorry we haven't been around my friend. Especially since Bella left. We just thought you needed your space and things have been so chaotic at the reservation, but that doesn't mean we get to be terrible friends."

The native beauty known as Sue spoke, "We brought dinner," Leah held out a lasagna. "And dessert," Seth held up ice-cream and cookies. When they came inside, they heard footsteps coming from upstairs.

"Did Bella come back," inquired Billy.

"No um, you see…" Charlie was at a loss for words. 'How can I explain it to them without it coming out the wrong way?'

Elsewhere, Edie had finished dressing in pajama shorts and a tank top. "I hope you got more than just the scotch out, because I am ready to drink you under the table." She heard voices from downstairs. "Hey Charlie did you turn on the TV? Is it Maury? Cause we can make this a game. One shot for every time he says, 'You ARE the fa…" She saw that they had company, "-ther…"

The La Push residents saw a girl that looked very much like them, but at the same time very different. Only two of them recognized the difference. Sue and Billy looked at each other and thought the same thing: Cold One.

"Who's your friend Charlie?" Seth asked barely keeping his feet on the ground.

Charlie looked up at Edie, "Come down Kiddo and let me introduce you to some of my friends." She walked down. "The little hyper one is Seth Clearwater, the girl with the lasagna is his sister Leah, next to her is their mother Sue, and this is my closest and oldest friend, Billy Black." Charlie pointed out an elder male with long hair and a weathered face.

"As in-"

A tall teen with hair that reached the middle of his back walked through Charlie's door. He had eyes as dark as space and cheekbones that set his face beautifully. He still had childish features and the russet-colored skin that covered him, seemed without flaws.

"Hey Jake, I want to introduce you to someone," Charlie began. "Everyone this is Edie." He nudged her a bit. She hadn't stopped staring at the boy near the door.

"Oh. Sorry, I was just deep in thought. Hi everyone, I'm Edie Ward. It's very nice to meet you all. Charlie has told me a lot about you."

"You ain't badmouthing us are ya Charlie? Hi I'm Jacob Black, but you can call me Jake." Jacob gave her his wolfy-smile.

"Hi Jacob, it's nice to meet you." 'He has a beautiful smile.'

"Isn't she a little young for you Charlie," Billy remarked. "Dad!" "Billy!" Jacob and Sue exclaimed.

"Please don't misunderstand the situation sir. Charlie is just helping me out because I have nowhere else to go. He's a gentleman and a good friend. Nothing more," Edie assured them.

"Why didn't you just come on the Rez? We would've found a place for you," Jacob offered.

"Things just sort of happened this way." 'He looks so healthy.'

Jacob looked at the hybrid curiously. He had only just met her, why does he feel like he wants to take care of her, make sure she's happy. "Well now you have a personal invite from the chief's son." He grinned triumphantly.

"The chief's son? So, you're like a prince."

"Something like that."

"Oh. Well then it is an honor to receive your invitation," she curtsied and bowed her head to Jacob.

Seth and Jacob laughed out loud. "You're funny Edie," giggled Seth.

"Thanks. Seth, right?" He nodded.

"She's alright," Leah said, trying to hide her smile. "I'm Leah."

"Hi Leah. I'm Edie," she gives her wolfy-smile.

"Have I met you somewhere before?" Leah notices similarities between Edie and someone she's met, but can't place. "You look very familiar."

"I don't think so." She smiles inwardly.

The house phone rings and Charlie picks it up; it's for Jacob. It's Quil, wants Jacob to come over. "I'll ask Billy," he answers his friend. "Hey Dad, can I go to Second Beach? Quil has a new ball and wants to play soccer."

"I wanna play! Can I go too, Mom?" Seth asked, hopping like a bunny-rabbit.

"Yeah it sounds like fun. I want to play too," Leah disclosed.

"Wanna join us Edie," Jacob extended the invitation.

"Sure. Sounds fun. Can I Charlie?" Edie looks at the police chief hopefully.

"First let's see if Jake can go," he responds. They were so caught up in going with Jacob that they forgot that he still needed Billy to say yes. "Well Billy, don't keep the kids in suspense."

Billy was at an impasse. He could say only Edie couldn't go, but then, what would his reason be? He needed to protect tribe secrets at least until they had phased. "Sure. Have fun." 'Sam's there it'll be okay. I'll call him later.'

"Have fun Kiddo," encouraged Charlie.

"Thanks Charlie, I'll go change." Edie 'raced' upstairs and put on jean shorts and a flannel long sleeve button up over her tank top. "Bye Charlie! I'll see you soon." The parents watched the teenagers leave. Edie was still struggling with her button-up and Billy got a glimpse of her tattoo. 'No, I must be seeing things,' he dismissed.

Second Beach/ La Push Beach

The kids hopped in the Rabbit and headed to La Push from there they would walk to Second Beach. Jacob's 'baby' couldn't take much more than that. They found Quil sitting with his knees to his chest. "Hey Jake, who's your friend?"

"This is Edie. Edie, this is Quil."

"Nice to meet you," she said to the slightly shorter teen.

"Nice to meet you too. Come on let's play."

"Mind if we join?" A big native with beefy arms and short hair joined them on the beach. He came with three others with similar bodies. They all had cut off jean shorts and not much else. 'They must be shifters, I can practically smell it on them.' Edie acknowledged.

"Sam," Jacob curtly acknowledged. He looked over to his friend Embry Call-turned-'Sam disciple' as they would have jeered together a long time ago. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We're here to play, or can't we," his friend timidly asked.

"Do what you want," Jacob spoke with a frown. "One of us needs to sit out, unless you're cool playing uneven."

"I'll do it," Leah spoke up. As she walked away, Edie saw that the one called Sam look at her guiltily. 'What's the story there?'

"It's a long one." Seth saw the curious look on her face. She urged him to continue. "Basically my sister and Sam were engaged and then suddenly he dumps her for our cousin Emily. Now they're engaged."

"Wow. Jerk." Edie knew it wasn't that simple. 'The shifter must have imprinted on their cousin and didn't know how to tell her.'

Sam and the others, Paul, Jared, and Embry, had their attention on the Cold One invading their land. There was no mistake with those gold eyes. 'The Cullens must have "adopted" another before returning. Didn't they tell her the rules? Maybe she's not with them if she's living with Charlie.' Sam saw she had her eyes on Jacob. 'Could she sense that he was the true Alpha?' In any case, if she tried anything, she would be put down. Edie could sense she was being watched by the four wolves, but she was too fascinated with Jacob to care. He wasn't like this in the time they were together.

The game was starting and Sam put the one named Paul on Edie's tail. Edie concluded that Sam must have been the Alpha. She didn't have much knowledge on this side of her family. Her kah died too early and was passed out in bed for most of their time together and her grandma had little to no knowledge about them other than the tattoo that she had on her back. The soccer ball was thrown in the air and the game was on. Jacob was going left and right somehow scoring against the other team. His true nature showing as he gracefully swerved past them and shot two goals. The other players were monsters, constantly knocking down Quil; it was a wonder he wasn't black and blue all over and Seth has hit the dirt so much, he was practically eating it. Edie needed to act human around the others and the pack took advantage of it. Knocking her down, and tripping her up every chance they got. Until Jared went too far and body-checked her. Jacob flew into a rage then. "WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?! You and Paul have been abusing her all over the field." Quil helped Edie get up while Jacob continued his rant. "Don't you know not to hit girls? You son of a bitch. APOLOGIZE."

Jared said nothing. He didn't feel he had to, the girl was a bloodsucker. A monster. She should count herself lucky that the humans were here or he would've ripped her head off. Still, "I'm-"

"Don't apologize. If I was a better player, I would have avoided your moves. Don't worry I won't make that mistake again," Edie 'apologized' to him.

"No! Don't do that Edie. He should apologize. You too, Paul!"

"Don't worry about it Jacob. It's just a game. Now let's kick their asses." She took off the button-up flannel shirt to show her resolve.

He still felt like the two should get on their knees, but one look at Edie's face and he was mush. It was like he saw a spark in her. "I like the way you think," he gave her his wolfy-smile. Seth got up and took his stance. Quil, slightly limping, crouched to the right of Jacob while Edie was on his left and this time she wasn't going to hold back. 'As much,' she laughed inwardly. The ball was thrown in the air and Embry snatched it for his team. Quil went after him while Jacob held Jared back. Edie was running all over the place to get in a good space for when either Jacob or Quil took the ball. Paul didn't let up, he was on her like needles on a porcupine. Embry "slipped" and Quil took the ball. He quickly spotted Jacob and kicked it. Jacob saw that Edie was closer to the net and gave it to her. Edie observed Paul carefully. His target was her. Sam barely saw what was happening and missed Edie slipping past him to score. Paul was in the sand, cradling his fractured leg. Sam raced over to him, to 'examine the wound'.

The leg was nearly healed, but Sam sensed something was wrong. Paul got up, "It's healed, but it still hurts. What's going on Sam? Parasites aren't supposed to inflict this much damage. Are they?"

"I don't know," Sam acknowledged. "We're trading. Go to the goal." He needed to test out this girl himself.

Jacob was cheering at Edie while Quil and Seth hugged and jumped at the goal. "That was sweet! The way you took down Paul… It was the most awesome thing I ever saw. I didn't even see you go for his leg."

"What about you? The way you pummeled Jared into the ground. He's gonna be taking sand out of his crack for a week!" They high-fived and laughed their heads off; their hoots were nearly identical.

They were one goal away from tie. Everyone had the same opponent except for the hybrid. Edie took the ball from the air and Sam tried to take her down at every turn, but she was too fast. He'd get within a centimeter of her and then she'd move. Their dance had grown tedious for Edie. She kicked the ball between Sam's legs and moved on. Jared tore away from Jacob to have his turn at her. She elbowed his ribs, essentially knocking the wind out of him. Sam was back; he didn't waste time and tried to tackle her down. She jumped high, landing on his back and burying his face in the sand. She was displaying such an intense motion towards the net that Paul just laid down to avoid getting hit. GOAL! The two teams were now tied. Edie and her team cheered and hollered. "Do you guys need another minute," she asked the three shifters who were barely able to stand.

"Come on, let's take a break. After that last round we need it," Jacob took pity on the pack.

Embry ran over to his pack brothers. "What's wrong? Why do you guys look so out of it?"

"She's strong. Way too strong for an ordinary leech," Sam acknowledged, "and I have a feeling she wasn't even using half her strength." Embry, Jared, and Paul's stomachs dropped. Suddenly Sam heard something that intrigued him.

Edie was pouring water around her neck when Quil saw her tattoo. "Did you and Sam go to the same guy? It's the same style and everything."

"I don't think so," she responded. Her cell phone was ringing. "Hey, what's up Charlie?"

"How's it going Kiddo?"

"Good. We're tied. I got to kick some shifter butts," she whispered proudly.

"That's great! How's it going?"

"There are literally no words. I've never seen this side…I mean Kah was always so sick. It's nice to see how different things used to be. How's it going with your friends?"

"They think I'm going through a mid-life crisis. Having a pretty girl you have no connection to in your house and letting her live with you, isn't the sanest thing to do after your daughter runs out on you." There was silence. "Edie, you still there?"

"Yeah it's just, you said it. I thought it was too soon."

"It's not the first time it happened. You know that. It's the other stuff that has me more bothered."

"Yeah well finding out you live in a world filled with you-know-what will do that to a person." Edie was looking towards the ocean when she saw the sun was about to set. "Charlie, what time is it?"

"About a quarter to eight. Why? Have somewhere you need to be?"

"Yeah I'm supposed to be at the Cullens' in like an hour and I still need to shower. I'll see you soon." She hung up on Charlie and saw Jacob coming to her. 'Perfect timing.'

"Come on let's beat these guys!"

"I can't I need to get back to the house. I'm sorry."

"It's cool just give me a minute and I'll take you."

"Thanks." Jacob jogged over to Quil and his stuff while the mini-pack walked towards Edie. Sam brushed off the hair that was covering the tattoo. His, along with the other boys', eyes bulged. "Don't you know it's dishonorable to touch a lady without permission?" She finally turns to face them.

"Why do you have that tattoo? That is the mark of our tribe," Sam is staring her down.

"Don't you mean the mark of the pack?" She retorted without backing down. "Listen, I'll explain it to you later, right now I have to go."

"When?"

"Tonight if you want or we could meet tomorrow after school."

"Tonight. Meet us at the border between the Cullen property and ours."

"Hey Edie, I'm ready! Let's go," Jacob called out to her.

"Coming!" She turned to the pack, "I'll see you at midnight gentlemen." She 'ran' over to Jacob.

"What were you guys talking about?"

"Nothing, they were just bellyaching about the can of whoop-ass I handed them."

"It was pretty sick the way you handled them." They reached and entered the Rabbit. Jacob wrinkled his nose, he was smelling something. It wasn't bad. It was…He started smelling all over the car to find the source and the trail led him to Edie. "Is that you?"

"Is what me?" She didn't know whether to be amazed or scared. Jacob's wolf was already showing signs of coming out.

"That smell."

"Well I am sweaty. You stink too."

"It's not sweat, thanks by the way, you smell like fresh rain and cinnamon. It's nice."

"Thank you. You don't smell too bad yourself."

"No problem." They drove to the Swan house in silence. Edie couldn't help staring at the young Quileute boy. "Is there something on my face?"

"No, it's just, how old are you?"

"I turned sixteen this past January. How old are you?"

"I'm about seventy," she said without thinking. She mentally face-palmed herself.

"He-he. No seriously, how old are you?"

"I'm nineteen, but if anyone else asks, I'm seventeen."

"Why?" He looked at her incredulously.

"I'm attending Forks High as a junior. Some things happened and I was forced to start school again recently."

"That's harsh. Do you mind telling me?"

"Next time?"

"Sure." They got out of the car. Billy, Sue, and Charlie were already waiting outside. Billy and Edie exchanged glances as she walked to the door. Jacob helped his father to the passenger's seat while Sue climbed to the back. He was about to close the door, but he popped his head out one more time. "We're having a bonfire next week if you want to come?"

"Sure, I'd love to."

"Cool. See you then." She watched them drive away grinning, thinking about the game.

Quileute Reservation

It was a fairly calm drive back to La Push. Billy couldn't help but notice the smile on Jacob's face. "You're certainly happy. Did you have fun?"

"Yeah. Edie was incredible. You should have seen her take down Sam and his disciples. They totally got schooled!"

'The boys must have been playing along.' "Really? Sounds like you have a little crush on this girl."

"It's not like that." Billy was relieved his son had no interest in the parasite. "I mean she's cute and all, but it's more like I just want her to be happy like she's…"

"Like she's what?"

"It feels like I just want her to be part of my world. Her smile is almost uplifting and healing in a way. She reminds me of Mom when she smiles."

'I can't believe he's comparing my beautiful Sarah to that monster,' Billy was a level under enraged. 'I wish I could tell him that way he could stay away from her, but he looks so happy.' "What about Bella? I thought you were sweet on her."

"Bella's gone Dad, to I don't care where and I told you it's not like that."

Sue sat in the back listening to their conversation. To her, it sounds like Jacob may have pre-imprinted on the girl. If he has, she was certain that he would be a powerful Alpha if his power had already started to manifest. The trio got to the reservation pretty quick. Jacob parked in his garage where Leah and Seth were waiting for their mom and Sam was waiting for Billy. "Would you three excuse us? Sue and I have some things to discuss with Sam." The kids groaned and walked away. "What did you find out?" Sam didn't speak, he looked to the ground with his lips in a firm line.

"She's strong," he said at first. "Stronger than we thought any leech would be."

"How strong?"

"I could barely catch my breath while I was chasing her and when she shoved me to the ground, it felt like all my bones were broken at the same time. When she hit Paul, his leg was broken in ten different places and even after he healed, he was still in pain. The fractures weren't even severe. Jared only got the wind knocked out of him, but he said he couldn't breathe for three minutes."

"What about Embry," Sue asked with concern.

"She did nothing to him. Then again, Paul and Jared were the ones beating on her during the game and I was the one who challenged her last."

"How was she able to do that," Billy asked in both wonder and fear.

"I don't know, but the scariest or strangest part, depending how you look at it, was that she bore the emblem of the Quileute Pack."

"We have to inform the others," Sue exclaimed. "We have to warn them!"

"No. First we must see what her purpose is and then get her away from Charlie. He's in danger," Billy retorted.

"We won't have to wait long. She's going to explain tonight at the border."

"Then we'll all go, the pack and the elders."

"Are you sure that's wise," Sue questioned.

"We'll have the pack with us. Even if she is able to take them down one by one, she won't be able to all at once as wolves, right?" His voice gave away his distress.

Cullen Residence

When the Cullen kids got home at three thirty in the afternoon they were buzzing and Edward was annoyed. "What's the big idea?" He exclaimed. "You four have been going 'Edie this' and 'Edie that' since you reached the driveway. Even your thoughts are filled with this 'Edie' person. Who is she and why won't you show her face to me?"

"It's a surprise," said Rosalie.

"Whatever," Edward dismissed. He went back to his music room.

"Why are you all abusing your brother," asked Esme.

"We're not. It's just that meeting Edie is such a huge thing that it has to be a surprise."

"I agree. Her coming here should be very eventful," said Jasper.

"Edward's going to love her. Maybe they can even get together," they looked at Rosalie incredulously.

"Babe, you never approve of someone dating Edward," her husband commented.

"Edward didn't have any romantic inclinations before this year, so you can't really say that. I only disapproved of Bella because I thought she'd be more trouble than she was worth and I was right. Besides, don't you feel like she has to be part of the family?"

"But Edie's a…you know, what makes you think they would work? She might even be the one blocking me," Alice explained.

"Exactly and you said that Edward was almost completely black, so it has to be her."

"I don't know…"

"What's happening here? Have you and Rosalie have switched personalities," Esme wondered.

"Yes Monster, you were the most excited of us about hanging around her this afternoon. What changed," Jasper asked.

"I had a vision, Mike was asking out a black blob and then it fell down the stairs and who do you know that was just taken by the paramedics recently," Alice questioned.

"Yeah I heard about that. She must have faked it to suppress suspicion," said Emmett. "She didn't seem bad though."

"Neither did Bella."

"I want my cheerful Alice back and would one of you please show me a picture of this Edie person?" Esme demanded.

"We can't because then Edward would find out, but we can tell you that she eats," Rosalie explained.

"She eats?" Her children nodded. "I get to cook! Oh yay!" Esme grabbed her keys and sped out the door.

Jasper looked at his wife and her face still furrowed with worry. "Don't worry Alice, you'll figure it out."

"I just hate not knowing," she responded, "but I do think her and Edward might get along pretty well."

"There's the Alice we all know and love," Rosalie hugged her sister.

"What about you?" Alice eyed her sister suspiciously.

"What about me?"

"Why are you so cheerful and adamant that she and Edward will get along?"

"Yeah Babe. Out of all of us, you are the most mistrustful. Why do you like her so much?" Emmett speculated.

"I sense guilt," Jasper stated.

"I can speak for myself Jazz." She spoke earnestly, "I feel bad. I mean I know I was right about that bitch being a nuisance, but I didn't want to be. When I found out about what she did, I wanted to rub it in his face, all your faces, so badly, but then he started composing and I couldn't. I want to make it up to him by setting him up with Edie."

"What makes you think they would get along," Jasper wondered. "They're complete opposites."

"Maybe it's what he needs," Emmett concluded. "When we were with Edie she spoke her mind. Out loud and earnestly. She didn't give a shit that she went off on people she didn't even know and called them annoying."

"Then she quickly apologized and told them it wasn't lady-like to speak in such a manner," Alice continued.

Rosalie reminded him, "She's proper and brash in all the right ways."

"They certainly would make an interesting pair," Jasper agreed.

"You four should mind your own business," Edward was leaning against the stairs in the living room.

"Edward! Have you finished the piece," Alice asked nonchalantly.

"I'm not letting you guys set me up again. Remember what happened last time?"

"It was the sixties! It was about free love man." Alice gave him the peace sign.

"She wanted to have a three-way with a human while drinking his blood!"

"How were we supposed to know that? Besides we stopped you the second I had the vision."

"She was covered in blood and cum when we met her! Shit like that just proves that you all don't know me and we're supposed to be siblings. Besides what's this about her eating? Is she human? Do we need to repeat my mistake? How does she know about us? Did you tell her? How do you know she's not a Child of the Moon in disguise? And she has a tattoo. A tattoo? Really? She sounds absolutely ridiculous."

"Okay, we won't set you up, but you still have to meet her," Rosalie conceded.

"I'll meet her, but only that. I'm not sticking around for her audience with Carlisle."

"Whatever," Rosalie called out to him when he zoomed to his room. Esme came back from the store around seven o'clock and started cooking immediately after. She was singing and speeding all around her kitchen. The way she was cooking, one would think she was feeding an army. Carlisle came home around eight and kissed his wife.

"Hello handsome husband. We weren't expecting you until later."

"The ER was well-staffed, so they let me out early," he replied. "Are you cooking for our guest tonight?"

"Yes, when the kids told me she eats, I couldn't get to the store fast enough."

"Anything I can help with?"

"No I have things here."

"Very well, I'll leave you to continue your masterpiece." Carlisle went to his study and unpacked his briefcase. He took out the blood he had gotten from Edie earlier that day and placed it in his private fridge.

"What is that, where is it coming from," Esme sniffed the air. "It smells like fresh bread and pomegranates."

"Edie must be close by," answered Emmett. There was a knock on the front door not two seconds later.

"I'm sorry. Am I late? I was on my way here when I remembered I forgot to wear shoes and I couldn't come to your house without shoes. I went back to the house to get them, but it was already thirty seconds until nine, so I sped up to one thirty-five, but there were so many trees and now my hair is covered in leaves and I tore my dress on the way over," Edie huffed. Her words would barely be legible if it weren't for vampire ears.

"Chill, you're right on time."

"Hey Edie, come in. What happened to you," asked Rosalie.

"I uh…"

"She forgot her shoes," her husband replied. Edie smiled embarrassingly.

"Oh well, let's get those leaves out of your hair," Rosalie led the hybrid into the bathroom. "How did you manage to get bugs in it too?"

"It's a short but embarrassing story," Edie explained. Rosalie got make-up from her room and began applying it to Edie's face. "Rose, what are you doing?"

"You're going to meet our brother and you need to look presentable."

"Excuse me?"

"Our brother just got out of a nasty relationship and-"

"You want to set me up with him?"

"He's going to love you. I can feel it."

"It's not going to work."

"Of course it is. Close your eyes," Rosalie applied the eye shadow. After Rosalie was done glamming up Edie, they went into the kitchen where Edie smelled a full course meal. An older vampire with a motherly vibe was standing on the side of the table.

"Hello Edie, I'm Esme. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine ma'am. Though I have to ask if you have a gift for reading stomachs because I wonder how you could have known I was so hungry."

Esme beamed. "Well dig in then."

"It would be my pleasure."

"Do you mind if we sit here with you or will it make you self-conscious?"

"I don't mind at all."

"Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything. How are you able to eat? Why do you smell so different?"

"I am able to eat because I'm-" A bronze-haired man walked through the doorway. He was tall, possibly six feet. His body, although that of a teenager, was well-cut and slim. He had full lips and what mostly captured Edie's attention was his intense stare. Edie dropped her fork ungracefully on her plate to stare at the man who has been noticeably absent in her memories. Edward kept looking at her and felt what he could only describe as protectiveness and a feeling of wanting to provide her with whatever she wanted. Rosalie took the staring to mean that her plan was working. Edie finally spoke, "I'm sorry. Esme. That was really rude of me. Uh." She walked to the copper-haired man. "It's a pleasure to meet you sir, I'm Edie C- Edie Ward." She curtsied and bowed slightly.

"Hello young lady, I am Edward Cullen. May I ask how old you are?"

"I-I'm nineteen eternally, but about seventy in actual years." A tear started sliding down her cheek. She wiped it and excused herself to go to the bathroom.

"What was that about," Emmett turned to where they saw Edie last.

'She smells like morning dew and vanilla.' "I don't know," Edward replied. "Jazz?"

"I, I'm not sure I should say. What she felt, it was so sad yet jubilant," he choked.

Another voice joined the conversation, "Well that is certainly interesting."

'Ok pull it together Edie,' she chastised herself. 'He's so handsome. Just like in Kah's memory.' Edie re-applied her contacts and left the bathroom then met everyone else in the living room. Carlisle was standing in the middle of the room while the rest of the family was on the couch and Edward stood behind him and against the wall.

"Edie, why don't you take a seat and tell us about yourself."

"Ok," she sat. "Where do you want to start?"

"Where do you come from?"

"My roots are here in Washington, but I don't know where I'm from. I was always moving from place to place, so I can't say for sure. We must have been close to vampires, because I had shifted when I was sixteen. Needless to say, my grandma was totally surprised."

"You're a shifter, like the ones here," Edward asked.

"Exactly like the ones here. My mother had the gene and passed it to me."

"And your father?"

Edie sighed. "I never knew him. My grandma was my father's mother and she told me about him, but other than that he was a total stranger."

"What did your mother say?"

"Not much. We were attacked by vampires when I was a few months old."

Esme interrupted, "How did you…"

"Know? I found out from my grandmother's memories it was an ability I had even before I was bitten. Grandma and I were staying in Colorado at the time when I was attacked by a very hungry vampire. It was basically like bite, spit, and run. Apparently, I had very disgusting blood." They chuckled. "It turned out because of my shifter genes that human blood didn't appeal to me. Eventually she died and I was captured by the Volturi. I escaped, but I knew they would look for me, so I lived the nomadic lifestyle for many years and so, here I am."

"Why do you keep looking at my son," Carlisle questioned.

"It's because," she paused looking at Edward. "You look like my father. The one I saw in Grandma's memories. Grandma used to say, I had my mother's smile and my father's eyes."

"What is your interest in my family?"

"I'm tired of being alone. I would've been here sooner, but I ran into this newborn on my way and she drove me to drink." Emmett gave a big bear-y laugh along with Jasper while the girls cackled and Edward and Carlisle remained silent. "Did you know her?"

"Yeah she was Edward's old flame, the bitch," Rosalie responded.

"Well, she drove me to go to this little dive bar a ways from town where I met the chief. I took care of him that night and have been ever since. He's really nice. I plan to stay with him for the time being, just so you know. I came here because I wanted to know if I could join your family. Travel with you, at least you know, after graduation."

"Very well, what do you all think?"

"YES," Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice chorused.

"I get to cook. Of course it's a yes for me," she turned to Edie.

"Edward," Carlisle asked his eldest son, "what about you?"

"Depends," he answered and turned to Edie. "How fast can you run?"

"Faster than you," Edie challenged.

"I'm the fastest in my family."

"Good for you. Want to test that?"

"What's the game?"

"Here to the Quileute border and back."

"I accept your challenge." The family went outside and Edie took off her shoes. "Are you sure that's wise? The terrain is a little slippery."

"I'm just giving you a handicap." The rest of the family sniggered and Emmett was on the verge of rolling on the floor. "I was going to go wolf, but I think we'll be on semi-equal ground if I stayed on two legs."

"You talk a lot of trash for someone who's going to be eating my dust," and he was off.

"That's what you think," she yelled and zoomed after him.

Seconds later, Edward came back to his family and Edie followed close by. "I told you I was fast."

She turned to Carlisle. "Doc, would you like to tell him or should I?"

"Tell me what?" He peered in to his creator's mind. 'This is her third time here.' "Are you kidding me?"

Edie shrugged, "What are you gonna do about it?"

"Fine, I say yes too, but I want a re-match," he did his famous smirk.

"Bring it on old man," she looked at him defiantly. The rest of the family saw something they thought was their imagination. To them, Edie and Edward looked exactly the same, almost like twins if it weren't for her Quileute features. Then, Edie's stomach made its presence known, "Actually, can you take a rain-check? It seems like my time with the wolves has left me famished." They all zoomed to the dining room.

"Wolves?" Edward asked.

"Yeah, I went there to play soccer and they sort of, not abused, more like attacked me excessively." Edward growled.

"Why did you take it," Emmett was intrigued.

"My friend, who invited me over, was still human and didn't know about the tribe secret, so I had to pretend to be a regular girl. I got them back though. I had their alpha eating dirt and broke a few bones."

"Edie," Alice chimed in.

"Yeah Alice?"

"I was wondering, why can't I see you?"

"See me?" Edie feigned confusion. "Oh you see the future," Alice nodded. "You can't see me because you haven't been me or someone like me. For example the wolves, you have never phased, so you can't see them. They'll probably be like black blobs in your visions."

"How do you know so much about us and my visions?"

"I've always been pretty interested in vampire gifts, so I did my research when I heard about your reputations," she replied while eating her steak.

"What sort of reputations do we have," Jasper was intrigued.

"Before coming here, I heard you guys are the biggest coven second to the Italians. You guys also have gifts; one of telepathy," she pointed at Edward, "did you know you have fan-club?" He nodded. She turned to Jasper, "One of pathokinesis, and one that could see into the future."

"What are your gifts?"

"I am a Memory Manipulator. I can basically do what you can with emotions, see them, take them away, and be in them."

"Are you a Shield as well," Edward asked.

"Yes," Edie smiled. "I am. I can lower it of you want." Edie lowered her shield that surrounded her mind. 'Did you want to see my darkest secrets?' Edward shook his head. "I'll keep it down if you want."

"Thank you."

"You heard about our siblings, so you decided to come hoping we'd be your super powered dream family?" Old Rosalie was back and ready to attack.

"No, Rose. Each of you have a reputation. Yours is your beauty and fierce attitude. Emmett, yours is your strength and playful nature. Esme's reputation is her maternal attitude and I also heard something about you being the only vampire with dimples and of course your leader Carlisle is just an all-around good guy, friend to most who come across him." They looked at her kindly, "and of course I heard about Edward, Alice, and Jasper though I kind of decided to see you guys for myself because all I heard were praises and fears. I wanted to see if these things were actually true." Edie ate her meal and answered more questions. Some answers were lies, most were true to an extent. In the end, Edie needed to leave.

"Do you have to meet your other family," Emmett asked jokingly.

"I do actually. I have to meet the pack at the border in fifteen and I would like to be there early just in case of well anything."

"Why?"

"I may have hit them a bit harsher than I made it out be."

"That's what I'm talking about sis!" He gave her a high five.

Carlisle walked behind her and said, "You certainly are an interesting girl aren't you?" She smiled and left. When he returned to the house, he saw that Edward left to his room to listen to music and the rest of his family was in the living room. They were buzzing about Edie's visit. Carlisle couldn't help thinking there was more to her story than she led on. There was also the way she resembled Edward. "Jim, its Carlisle. How's the family? Good, good. Listen, I was wondering if I could buy some equipment for my lab. Yes, yes. Thank you, good-night."

Quileute Border

Edie made it to the border five minutes before midnight. She heard footsteps coming from a quarter of a mile away. 'More than four, possibly eight or seven? Billy and Sue are with them.' The Quileute tribe members reached the border at exactly midnight. "Hello, I was only expecting the pack, but it seems that you all thought it was more appropriate to bring your elders."

"Before we begin, we would like to confirm something," Sue began. "Would you please show us your tattoo?"

"Fine, but the boys have to cover their eyes while you unzip me."

"Very well." She stepped across the border and unzipped Edie's dress.

"You're very brave Sue," Edie turned towards her. "You just delivered yourself to the enemy, so to speak, knowing I could kill you without a second thought."

"For my tribe, I'd do anything."

"I hope that applies to Charlie too." Edie faced the men on the other side. "Okay you all get five seconds. That is more than enough." Edie turned around to let everyone else see her tattoo. "I hope you all saw what you came to confirm. Sue could you please zip me up?" Sue did so and went back on the other side of the border to her people while Edie waited for their reaction.

"Explain yourself vampire!" Billy exasperated. "Who are you and why do you have our emblem?"

"Stop. First instruct your pack to quit using their eyes for noses and take a whiff. You wouldn't be calling me that if they weren't a bunch of imbeciles."

They growled, lifted their noses, and inhaled. 'Coffee and chocolate,' Sam. 'Berries and tree bark,' Embry. 'Mesquite smoke and bubblegum,' Jared. 'Pineapple and leaves,' Paul. The men furrowed their eyebrows. Edie smiled triumphantly. "Right now you're thinking 'she smells sweet, but kind of earthy' aren't you? It's because I'm a vampire and a shifter."

"Impossible," Sue was adamant.

"Their bite is supposed to be poisonous to us," the elder named Quil exclaimed.

"How is it possible you survived? No. This can't be true. You are not a shifter. You're a girl!" Paul was freaking out.

"We're waiting Girl," Sam demanded.

"First, my name is not 'Girl', it is Edie Ward. Second, girls can be wolves; your friend Leah is going to be one by the smell of her. Third, I'm not a shifter, I'm a hybrid; I have both vampire venom and shifter genes coursing through me." Edie paused to let it sink in. When she got their attention back, she continued. "I phased for the first time nearly a century ago. It took me years to figure out why I had this tattoo on my back."

"Show us. If you are what you say you are, show us your wolf," Billy required.

"Of course Chief." She changed out of her dress behind a tree and came out bare. Covering what she could with her arms and hands. She closed her eyes to concentrate and in an instant, she was a great white wolf. She howled just for show and gave a laugh, well as close to a laugh as she could. She phased back and went behind the tree to dress. To say the Quileutes were surprised, was to say the least.

"How did it happen? How were you changed into one of them? All the texts say that a bite from a vampire will mean certain death."

"A bite does mean death. Death to your human side, not to mention your wolf if you're not strong enough."

"So you are trying to say that you are strong enough," Jared sneered.

"Apparently, if I survived for this long."

"What is it you want," Billy demanded.

"I want to know my culture. I want to learn what it really means to be a Quileute. If only for the short time I will be here. Since I don't age, I need to keep moving."

"Why are you staying with Charlie?"

She sighed, "Because we need each other. We both know what it's like to have family leave you in the dust. Whether they wanted to or not."

Billy nodded as if to accept her answer. He looked to his fellow elders as if to confirm his decision. "You may run with the pack on their patrols."

"Thank you." Edie left after that to meet a grumpy Charlie. "Hey Charlie."

Swan Residence

"Where were you? Don't tell me you've been the Cullens all this time."

"I was with the Quileutes at midnight. We talked and I was accepted into the pack."

"And the Cullens?"

"I am now part of the family. Go ahead ask me what you really wanted to ask."

"How was it? Meeting them."

"I couldn't breathe."

"When are you going to tell them?"

"Ideally, never."

Charlie rubbed his face, "Yeah well its late go to bed. By the way, you're grounded." He walked up to his room.

"Ok Charlie! Good night. What do you mean by 'grounded'?"