Esme peaked in on Bella a few times in the night, wanting to make sure that Bella was sleeping soundly. Every time Esme looked in on her Bella was asleep only the top of her head visible under the comforter. Whenever Esme got up to check on her Jasper always assured her that Bella was calm and sleeping fine, but Esme felt better checking on the girl.

"Hey Mom," Esme smiled as she always did whenever one of her children called her mom this time it was Emmett, "Do you think Bella will want to stay with us?"
"I'm not sure sweetheart, she's been on her for practically her whole life, vampire and before. It might be hard for her." Esme told him sincerely

"But that's why she should stay, we can be the family she didn't have. She'll be like everyone's little sister! It'd be so fun to have her around! She's not a newborn but she's the youngest of us."

Jasper nodded as he shot one of Emmett's men, "I mean she's been a vampire for ten years, she's definitely out of that newborn stage mentally. But her emotions still have a new born-feel."

Carlisle spoke, "What you do mean Jasper?"

"Well as vampires we feel things intensely, but newborns feel them stronger than us. And Bella feels things very strongly. The only difference is she doesn't just move from one emotion to the next like a new-born." Jasper spoke trying his best not to recall the newborns his known.

Everyone settled into their thoughts once again, Jasper and Emmett continued to play their video game while their parents read and Rosalie did something on her I-pad. Alice was upstairs deciding what to dress Bella in tomorrow.

Bella woke in a slight daze forgetting for a moment where she was. But it all came back to her, she was at the Cullen's house. She smiled for a moment, letting herself imagine being part of the family. But she shook her head of those thoughts, she's always been alone and maybe that's how it was supposed to be. When she opened the door Esme and Alice were there.

"Oh, good morning." Bella said sheepishly

Alice didn't even look bashful, "We heard you getting up! I figured you'd want a shower so I brought some stuff for you. I know you don't need one but I know you'd enjoy one."

"Oh Alice" Bella sighed her name lovingly and Alice beamed

"I just wanted to say good morning" Esme told her hugging Bella to her again, Bella wasn't sure if anyone had ever given her so much affection freely. She reveled in the hug not feeling Esme pull away until Bella did. "Let me show you the shower it can be a little tricky."

Bella nodded, as Esme held her hand brining her into the bathroom showing her how to use the nob and Alice left out some clothes for her on the bed.

Bella took her time in the shower using the floral smelling soap and shampoo to wash up before wrapping herself in the fluffiest towel she had ever felt. She giggled a little bit at the clothes Alice had laid out, she felt like someone's model but she didn't mind if it made Alice happy. Though she blushed at the black lacy bra and panties, who did Alice think was going to see her undergarments? But for some reason her mind flashed to Edward before she shook it off and started putting on the jeans and green V-neck tee shirt Alice had left out she figured she'd let her hair air dry, as she headed down stairs.

She waved slightly, "Good morning Bella! You ready to help me kick Jasper's butt?" Emmett cheered

"That sounds like fun" Bella said honestly

"Oh honey, let me do your hair first. Alice's hair is much to short and Rosalie is very particular about hers."

Rosalie rolled her eyes, "I just like to do it myself, Mom." Esme smiled at her

Bella sat down in front of Esme as Esme brushed out her wet hair and she knew Jasper was picking up her sadness as he gave her a questioning look but she shook her head. Even as a young girl she knew her mother had never brushed through her hair so gently, quickly putting it into a French braid.

"I hope the braid's okay Bella, I saw that you were wearing it that way yesterday." Esme said a little self consciously

"Oh Esme, it's perfect. Thank you, no one's ever done my hair for me before." Bella spoke shyly before Alice shouted in out-range

"You've never had someone do your hair and nails? Or give you a make-over?"

Bella nodded, "Yeah it was really just me."

Emmett threw a remote at her, "Well now it's not so get going we gotta kick Jasper's ass. He has all that military experience and it's helping him. But with my new little sister on my side I know we'll win!"

Bella nodded enthusiastically only sparing Edward a small smile as he came down the stairs to see what Emmett was shouting about.

Bella let herself get lost in the feeling of being part of a family as her and Emmett attempted to take down Jasper in the game, with the rest of the family choosing sides. She thought she was Edward watching her more than once but she wasn't sure. What she was sure of was that this was the most fun she'd had in a long time.

Edward was sure he looked like a fool, but he could not stop looking at Bella. The way she bit her lip when she was nervous and the way her tongue stuck out slightly when she was playing the game with his brothers. He read in his mind the rest of his family's desire to have her stay. His brothers already saw her as their younger sister, and Alice viewed her as her best friend. Rosalie was still unsure of the girl, but she knew it'd be better for her to be part of the family rather than be on her own. Esme's desire to have the girl stay was the strongest of all his family, he heard it in her mind every time the girl allowed her into her space or allowed Esme to give her affection. His father he saw was already becoming founder of the girl, smiling as she played with the boys.

Edward wanted her to stay, but it definitely wasn't as his new sister. He recoiled at the thought; he felt an attraction toward the girl. He thought of the conversation he had with his father last night while Bella was asleep, he made sure that Edward knew not to toil with the girl's heart. Carlisle knew Esme would be crushed if Edward made her uncomfortable or caused her to leave. He wanted to talk to her about this, he thought maybe just maybe she could be his mate. He was over 117 years old and had seen many a vampire find their mate, had read their minds and had an idea how it felt. But she seemed a frail vampire, the last thing he wanted to do was to be uncomfortable. He decided he'd take her to his favorite spot in the woods, the trees formed a little circle and something told him she'd appreciate it. There was time like the present, just as Bella and Emmett finally defeated Jasper sharing a high-five. Edward stood up causing everyone to look at him, "Bella, would you like to accompany me on a run in the woods? There's a spot I think you'd like" He smiled his most charming smile and ignored this thoughts of his family as they either made fun of his way of asking her out or threating his manhood if he hurt her.

"I like the woods, that sounds nice" Bella answered shyly taking his out stretched hand. She glanced at Esme for a moment and when Esme nodded starting following him out.

Bella hoped Edward asking her run in the woods was what she thought it was, a date. They chatted as they walked and she found herself enthralled as he talked about the song he wrote Esme for her birthday.

"Maybe one day you'll write me a song" Bella spoke bashfully, as she looked up at him hopefully

"Well beautiful Bella, if I'm being honest I started writing you a lullaby last night while you slept"

"Oh, will you play it for me tonight?" Edward nodded, "On one condition"

Bella narrowed her eyes at him, "Which is?"

Edward laughed, "We run the rest of the way"

Bella giggled, "Sure, I like running but you have to lead the way"

Edward nodded taking off first, and sat down once they reached the circle of trees.

"Wow" Bella looked up in awe, Bella took a moment to study Edward trying to grasp if needed anything or if he wanted anything in this moment.

Bella found she pleased with what she found and started crawling into Edward's lap, living on her own she missed the physical part of relationships, taking him by surprise. "Yes I think you're my mate too."

Edward gave her a shocked look, "How'd you know? You can't read my mind"

Bella smiled and nuzzled his neck, damn he smelled good, "No but I can read your desires and you desired me as your mate. I've always wanted one, and now I think I have you. "

"You do have me, and the rest of the family if you want. I know Esme desperately wants you to stay and Alice can't have her new best friend leave"

"I'm not sure, I'm sure you're my mate. It feels right, like how I just know what people want. But I don't know about the rest of it"

He kissed her head and stroked her hair knowing from Esme how it soothed her, "What are you unsure about my beautiful Bella?"

"I…I'm always alone I'm not used to being in a coven, or even a functioning family. And the other vampires I've interacted with are mean, I have the scars to prove it."

Edward couldn't help himself he pushed the sleeve up on her left arm, and it showed scars similar to those of Jasper's. Bite marks covered her arm and he could see the lines in which her hand had been reattached, and he found himself growling. She jumped out his lap, "I'd like to go back to the house now." She had pulled her sleeve back down and her voice was small

"I wasn't growling at you Bella, I hate that anyone hurt you." Bella nodded but she still looked upset

"I'm not used to others yet Edward, I wasn't ready to show you. They're ugly, and I wasn't even sure about telling you all about it." Bella sighed, "But its important. I'll tell you about it but I want-" Bella sighed, "-I want Mom to be there and everyone else. I only want to have to relive it once. "

Edward nodded, "I'll get them together, I'm sure Esme will be happy to hold you as will I as you tell us. Okay?"

"Okay"

Edward had gone back into the house first, Bella had wanted him to inform the rest what was going on. Everyone was so excited he had finally found his mate, though they were concerned about Bella's scars. They all knew how Jasper had gotten his and worried she had faced similar circumstances.

Bella had sat herself down next to Esme, Esme's hand going up to stroke her braided head.

"For the first year or so of my new life I lived as a nomad, and I had a new run-ins with some others who weren't very kind. When I was about a week old I ran into this group of male vampires, and at that point I couldn't control my gift at all. I knew what everyone, even animals, wanted all the time. The leader of their little coven, his name was Harvey, desired me." She heard Edward growl beside her, and had to remind herself he was not growling at her. "His friends thought I was pretty too and started to talk to me, which was fine. But he grabbed me." Bella pushed up her sleeve rubbing her wrist. "It was too hard he was trying to pull me into him but I resisted and he ended up with my hand while my arm remained."

No one said anything worried Bella was loose her track.

"I grabbed my hand back and kicked him. Since I was still so young it hurt him and the rest of his gang started attacking me. I blocked their bites with my arms." Bella rolled up her other sleve. Both of her arms were covered in white scars of various bite marks.

"It happened again a four years later with a different group, they were tormenting me because I let slip I don't like humans blood. I wouldn't have gotten out if two other vampires hadn't stepped in. They saved me. But now my arms look like this, I-I hate them, its why I always wear long sleeves."

Alice nodded, "I saw that, I gave you a short sleeved shirt in a vision and you wouldn't leave your room. All the shirts I have for you are long sleeves."

Bella smiled gratefully, "I had a few other encounters with vampires a lot trying to mate me. It's part of the reason why I started living in a house."

Rosalie spoke, "Did anyone ever hurt you like that?"

Bella nodded, "One. I don't remember much and he didn't get too far with me, but he got my top off and my-my chest has some bite marks I like to forget"

Esme sighed, "Oh Bella sweetie I'm sorry you had to go through that all alone."

Emmett nodded, "But we'll be your family now Bells, you don't have to worry about anyone messing with you." Bella's eyes pricked with tears as Jasper came to crouch in front of her as he grabbed a hand, sending her all the love of everyone in the room.

"And not today, but someday we can talk about our scars. It took me a while to be okay with showing them too. But they just show you're a survivor Bella." He kissed her head as venom started to flow freely down her face.

Carlisle came over as Edward moved out of the way, "You're our daughter Bella, scars or not. We love you and we want you to stay. But only if you want to stay."

Bella nodded mutely clutching Esme's shirt in her hands as she curled up on Esme's lap, it was too much.

Jasper spoke picking up on Bella's erratic emotions, "Why don't we watch that movie you like Emmett?"

Emmett went to grab it, "The year ban is off?" He asked hopefully

Carlisle nodded, "As long as you and Edward don't try to impersonate Aquaman in the streets again it's okay."

Bella shut her eyes just listening and she started to doze off as Esme started to gently undo her braid, listening to her family talk around her.

Carlisle had his feet on her lap and Edward was in front of her, "The poor girl's been through so much Esme" She heard Carlisle sigh, "And she was alone, for well practically forever."

Bella heard Alice's voice, "Well now she has us, and we won't let anything happen to her."

Bella stirred a little and she felt Carlisle pick her up and start to carry her to her room, Esme close behind. She clutched him tightly.

Carlisle spoke, "Esme's going to help you get changed Bella. I love you and I'll see you in the morning." He kissed her head and Bella willed herself to hug him as he set her down

Esme had changed her into the pajama shirt again and got her into bed, laying beside her. She made to leave after kissing Bella's hair but Bella reached out for her new mom. "Please don't go, the nightmares"

Esme laid back down letting Bella rest on her stomach as she hummed and stroked her hair. So glad that Bella was now safe with them.