Guess who's officially going to graduate with her degree? This gal! That also means finals are over and I can finally hop back on here!

Who's ready to meet our mystery guests? ;)


A Few Months Later—December

Bella caught up to Flynn in the hall just as they finished storing their books in their lockers. Wading around the throng of students more than eager to get out of school.

The semester was officially out for the holidays and she could not be more relieved.

Bella smiled as she looped her arm around Flynn's, leaning against him as he smiled down at her, "Hey you. Ready to get out of this hellhole?"

"You know I am."

Chuckling, Flynn wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they made their way out of the building and onto the sidewalk where parents were picking up their kids. Bella scanned the lane, spotting Carlisle's Mercedes almost right away.

"Hey, dad," She murmured, knowing he could hear her. Her smile brightened when the headlights flickered briefly, a silent greeting meant only for her.

"Hey, you still with me? You're spacing out again," Flynn joked, bringing her back to the "normal" world. She poked his side, making him laugh. Since the dance, Flynn and Bella have been practically inseparable. More so than before. Spending time together at each other's houses or going to the mall or movies together whenever possible. Under some semblance of supervision of course.

Out of all her siblings, Emmett was the most vocal about keeping a keen eye on the two teenagers whenever he was "visiting". For some reason, it was really hard for him to accept that Bella and Flynn liked each other.

Mostly because Flynn wanted to spend all his time with her whenever he was over and rarely played video games with the sulking Cullen.

It was amusing to her, if anything else.

"So Carlisle and Esme told me to ask you if you guys wanted to come over for Christmas?" She asked as they walked towards the Mercedes.

Flynn hesitated slightly, "About that..."

They stopped by the car and Flynn waved at Carlisle in greeting to which he returned with a kind smile.

"What is it?"

He moved to stand in front of her with a brooding look on his face. Tucking his hands in the pockets of his jacket he sighed, "It's dad's turn to have me over for Christmas. Mom is driving me over tomorrow to spend the two weeks that we're off with him."

"Oh," She said, unable to hide her disappointment, "So you'll be going out of town?"

He nodded, lament shining in his eyes.

Bella shrugged and smiled, "That's okay! I'm sure it'll be good to see him after so long. Besides, everyone's coming over for break and it'll be pretty crowded."

"More family? I thought it was just you guys. No offense."

She grinned as they climbed into the backseats of the car, "Some cousins are coming over, right dad?"

Carlisle smiled as she referred to him as dad once again. He said as he pulled out of the lane and started driving them home, "Yes. This'll be a first considering they're always moving around. This time they'll be in Alaska."

Bella looked out the window as Carlisle and Flynn talked about how the last day of school went if only to mask the way she cringed at her father's lie. She wished she could tell Flynn how nervous she was to meet her family's closest friends and fellow vampires.

The Denali's were a mystery to Bella, though she knew they knew of her.

When they found out about her—"the little secret" as Emmett loved referring to her as—or if they were even pleased with the fact that a human was living with the Cullens, Bella didn't know. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

It gave her enough anxiety knowing that she was going to be meeting other vampires, let alone having to ponder if they would like her.

Carlisle excused himself the moment they walked into the house, having to take a call from work that came in as soon as the engine switched off.

Going off to do their own thing, Bella and Flynn went to their usual spot that looked out onto the lake where a couple of adirondack chairs were gathered around a small fire pit.

Esme and Carlisle always loved escaping to the small seating area when the sun was setting over the horizon. From her bedroom window, Bella had seen her adoptive parents holding hands or cuddling up on a chair on more than one occasion. It always brought a smile to her lips to see her two parental figures openly sharing such loving moments. It also made her somewhat sad that she couldn't remember Charlie or Renee ever showing such affection to each other. To her either for that matter.

From what she could remember, Charlie was at least a little more open towards showing his daughter that he loved her. Occasional pats on the back or giving her nicknames had been as far as that affection went. Taking her fishing was another way he sought to spend time together. She remembered that vividly.

Sometimes, in those rare moments when she was alone in her bedroom and unable to sleep, Bella allowed herself to daydream. Wondering how differently her life could have been if Carlisle and Esme hadn't taken her in—if she hadn't been given such loving, doting siblings—what would have become of her?

She imagined it would have been quite a lonely life without them.

As awful as that made her feel for her two biological parents, Bella couldn't see her life any other way. She didn't want to and doubted she ever would wish for it to be any different.

Bella glanced at Flynn as he stared down at the book she'd recommended him to read with a furrow between his brows. He never was one to read the classics, but he did it for her. In exchange, she promised to read something other than Wuthering Heights.

She realized she hadn't been reading her copy of The Lord of the Rings—his recommendation—this whole time. She'd been too busy...staring at him.

"Hey, why are you blushing?" He asked, clearly catching her watching him as he looked up suddenly.

Bella stuttered nervously, "Uh, no...no reason. It must be the sun."

That would have been believable...if the sun wasn't buried beneath two clouds drifting by, dummy.

Flynn placed his book on the arm of the chair and inched forward, making her slump further into her chair as a result. She tucked her hands between her knees nervously, eyeing him warily.

"Bella."

"Yes?"

"I like you."

Holy—

"You...what?" She nearly choked.

If she was flushed before then she definitely turned redder than any tomato she'd ever seen in her life. Her whole face, neck, and chest felt as though they were on fire.

Flynn's lips quirked, "I think you heard me."

Bella's eyes fluttered nervously between him and the house over her shoulder. Can anyone hear this right now? I'm not the only one right? He actually said that.

She bit her lip, "You like me? Really?"

"Of course I do. I've liked you since elementary school, Bells." He inches closer, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body radiating against hers despite the chilled air. His cheeks grew redder by the second as he gathered the courage to ask, "But...do you like me?"

Bella's heart was pounding in her chest, her ears and head. Everywhere.

A smile broke out across her lips as she timidly looked down, her long hair creating a curtain of mahogany across her cheek. When she looked back at him, he was smiling too. Hopeful. Waiting.

"Yeah, I do like you."

"Cool." He murmured, unable to hide the smile on his lips that grew in size.

"Cool..." Bella mirrored his joyful expression, blushing and nervous but so happy. Happier than she'd felt in a long time.

After they finished studying and it was finally time for Flynn's mom to pick him up, Bella walked him around the house towards the front.

Her eyes glanced down towards her hand which was now interlaced with Flynn's. It was funny how she only now realized how large his hand was compared to hers. His fingers were long and his palm somewhat calloused from all those years of playing hockey at the rink.

Mrs. Thompson was conversing with Esme on the front porch by the time they made it to the car. The two mother's waved at them before resuming whatever conversation they were having, seeming to bond quite easily.

Flynn turned and leaned against the car door, never taking his hand away from hers as she sidled up next to him.

"I'll miss you," she admitted. "It'll be hard finding ways to keep Emmett entertained without you."

Flynn grinned, "You'll just have to learn how to play so you can beat him. It's not that hard."

They chuckled at Emmett's expense before Flynn suddenly grew quiet.

Knowing where his thoughts were going, she squeezed his hand, "It'll be okay, you know? Seeing your dad. Just keep your head up and tune the bad times out."

"Is that what you did? You know, before..."

She knew what he meant and her heart felt as though it were filling to the brim with all the care and love he poured into their friendship. Always knowing her like the back of his hand.

He squeezed Bella's hand as she stared into his warm brown eyes, struggling to find the words she rarely spoke out loud.

"I remember I used to sing a song whenever Charlie and Renee fought. 'It's oh, so quiet. It's oh, so still...'" she could recite it perfectly even now. The song that helped her through countless arguments and screaming. Blaring music through the speakers whenever Renee had her friend over. The scary man I didn't like. Just like her parents however, even that man was nothing more than a blur in her previous world. "It always helped me when I felt scared."

Flynn shifted closer to her, as if knowing she needed him when she appeared lost in thought. Haunted by the past.

"Hey Bella?"

"Yes?" She turned to face him.

"Can I...kiss you?"

Bella's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, glancing over her shoulder where Esme and Mrs. Thompson continued talking. It took her a second to think about it, but found that she actually wanted him to kiss her.

So she nodded with all the surety in the world, heart thumping heavily in her chest, "Yes." She could feel his heart pounding though their linked hands. A steady rhythm matching her own racing heart.

He leaned down, making her suddenly feel incredibly small as her eyes fluttered closed.

It was a chaste kiss. Gentle and questing. And somewhat clumsy, but still sweet. A perfect first kiss in her mind. Feeling Flynn's lips press against hers tentatively felt warm and inviting while still unfamiliar. She caught his scent during his nearness, and it was pure winter and sunshine. Their hands tightened around each other as he leaned back.

Bella's lips parted as the warmth of his lips dissipated. She found his eyes opening slowly, revering her with silent contentment and awe.

"That was my first kiss." She admitted timidly.

Clearly happy to hear her words, Flynn nodded, "Mine too."

They shared a quick embrace and a hurried goodbye when Mrs. Thompson approached and announced they had to go. Luckily she didn't mention a word about their kiss otherwise both kids would have combusted with embarrassment, though the wink his mother gave them did the trick.

"I'll see you," Flynn said before climbing into the passenger side with an all too giddy Mrs. Thompson. She would no doubt pounce on her son as soon as they were gone, eager to hear every minute detail.

"Okay," Bella stood in the driveway, waving them off as the car drove away and turned onto the main road.

Footsteps came up beside her and Bella was still blushing when Esme wrapped her arm around her shoulders, "I'm so happy for you, Bella."

Bella smiled, eyes stinging with happy tears. She wrapped her arms around Esme in a sudden embrace to which the latter reciprocated with a giggle, "Me too, mom."


The day before Christmas Eve, Alice had been more than happy to announce that the Denali's were to arrive in the afternoon.

Bella could not be more nervous to meet other vampires let alone vampires who were like family to the Cullens.

What if they don't like me? What if they think I'm weird or a bother because I'm a human? What if they try to eat me? Carlisle never said if they were "vegetarians" like them. What if, what if, what if...

She knew what Edward would say if he could hear her thoughts: "You're worrying yourself over nothing again, Bella."

She did have a tendency to do that.

It was a pretty bad habit to have, especially being epileptic. It's been two days since she last had an episode as she'd taken to referring to them as. Two blessed days without blacking out during a conversation with someone or waking up curled up on the floor with a fretting Esme.

In Bella's mind, if she didn't have another episode then that had to mean she was getting better. That some part of her brain had healed and she was back to normal. But...who was she kidding?

A knock at her door snapped her out of her thoughts as they took a sudden turn. Jasper stood in the threshold with an all knowing look on his face, his muscular arms folded across his chest.

Bella sighed and groused, "Sorry. I didn't mean to."

"You didn't mean to bring yourself down or share those dark emotions with me?" He asked—quick to point out what she was referring to—as he walked in and sat on the bed beside to her. "Either way, you shouldn't be stressing yourself out without first talking about it. That way I can tell you if you should be worried or not."

Bella leaned against his shoulder, smiling faintly when he wrapped his arm around her.

She played with the end of the long braid she'd put her hair in over one shoulder, "What if they won't like me?"

"They have no reason to dislike you, Isabella. Trust me. Anyone who doesn't like you has no place within this home." He said with such surety it should come off as a surprise. Only...this was Jasper.

Her big brother.

Her protector.

Her best friend.

Her person.

Bella loved Flynn and knew there was never a day where she didn't think about the red-headed boy with the cute glasses and warm smile. He would always be her best friend no matter what.

But Jasper was irreplaceable.

A necessary part that made her Bella in the first place. Without him, the girl wasn't sure she'd have anyone who could understand her as well as he did, and that had nothing to do with his gift. It was as if Jasper's soul spoke to hers and vice-versa. If he was ever upset, Bella would know it before anyone else simply by taking one look at him. And apart from Alice, Bella was the only one who could make the brooding teenager genuinely smile and forget his worries.

There were still a lot of things she didn't know about Jasper.

Like why he had so many scars on his arms whenever he wore short sleeves, which was rare. Why there were times when he seemed utterly lost in memories far beyond his reach.

The same went for Rosalie and Edward. There was an eternal sadness that shined through their eyes on rare occasions, and she didn't understand it. Didn't understand why they wouldn't tell her.

"One day when you're older I'll tell you," They had each said anytime she asked about their past. About how they came to be vampires. She knew there was still so much she didn't know about her family and it made her wonder if she ever would.

Bella bit her lip when the sting of rejection washed over her.

Jasper's arms tightened around her. He stared her down with those amber eyes as he tried to assess why she was feeling such an emotion.

Not wanting to explain what she was feeling without starting another conversation, Bella snuggling in closer to him. Burrowing further into his chest until he sighed and ran his fingers through her hair.

"What am I going to do with you, little sister?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly with a shrug. "Just hug me?"

"I thought I already was," He chuckled as he kissed the top of her head. They were quiet for a long moment before he asked, "How are you feeling?"

Bella stared at her bookcase, frowning at the stack of books that took up space on the floor after she'd filled the shelves earlier this year.

"Good, I guess."

"We'll have to keep it that way, huh?" He turned his head to the side as if listening intently to whatever someone was saying downstairs, then the sound of the doorbell ringing made Bella's heart skyrocket. She tensed and shot up from the bed, hurrying to the window where she saw two nice cars in the driveway. They were nicer than the Cullens to her utter shock.

"What is it with vampires and their fancy cars?" She muttered, making Jasper laugh as he rose up and took her hand in his.

"Come on, let's go meet the family."


Raucous laughter filled the living room as Bella and Jasper walked in hand in hand, mainly because every time she heard the unfamiliar voices trickling upstairs she stopped and a bout of anxiety bubbled up.

She knew Jasper wouldn't let go of her hand until he was sure she wouldn't run off to hide somewhere. It made her grumble her annoyance that he still remembered what she'd done a few years ago.

That was one time...

After having a particularly bad sleep due to the nightmares, Bella had closed herself away for an entire day. Even going so far as to hide beneath her bed until all three of her brothers and two sisters found themselves laying on the floor, trying to coax the stubborn little human out. Eventually, Jasper convinced her by helping her out and carrying her for most of the day until she fell asleep on the couch surrounded by all of them.

Every time she remembered, she flushed with embarrassment.

The Denali's were all clustered together along with the rest of their family. Embracing and laughing as they each greeted each other. Esme and Carlisle were chatting away with a beautiful young woman who had long cascading hair that appeared nearly as white as snow—almost silver. Her features were sharp and breathtaking and her eyes...they were golden too.

Inviting.

Safe.

That's what that color meant to Bella, she realized with a stifled sigh of relief.

Emmett's large hand practically slammed against another male's back in what was definitely supposed to be a welcoming pat. The male jolted before grinning devilishly in return and clasping his shoulder in a brotherly greeting.

He was quite possibly taller than Emmett if not the same height. His shaggy dark hair was tied back and his dark attire made his pale skin stand out even more, and his stubble made him appear older than the rest by a couple of years. Though looks can be deceiving when it comes to vampires.

Across the room, Edward was sporting his usual crooked grin though it appeared somewhat forced as he spoke to a shorter woman with strawberry blonde hair and upturned eyes that made her seem ethereal or elvish. Sort of like Alice but with an air of power that was...refreshing yet intimidating all at once. The female vampire seemed to beam up at Edward every time he looked away, and found every opportunity possible to place her hand on his arm as she giggled at whatever he said.

Looks like someone has a crush on him.

All chatter however, seemed to dissipate the moment Bella walked into the room. The Denali's turned their heads in unison, an unsettling movement that made her stop in her tracks. Jasper luckily didn't release her hand yet, and if anything he tightened his grip on her. As if he too had grown weary by the sudden attention that befell his sister.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet our youngest daughter," Carlisle suddenly announced as he made his way around the coffee table with Esme by his side. Both parents smiled warmly at Bella as two dark haired vampires followed close behind while the rest hung back, sporting pleasant smiles.

Bella's heart was in her throat as she stood in the spotlight quite awkwardly, unsure what to do with herself.

Were all vampires beside Alice this tall?

Carmen smiled warmly at Bella though with some hesitation as her ochre-colored eyes took in the human who was making an effort not to lean further into Jasper if only to get some attention away from her. The woman was wearing a warm brown fur coat while the rest of her clothes ranged from grey to charcoal. Her voice was as sweet as honey accompanied by a lilt of an accent, "Hello, Isabella. I'm Carmen, and this is my husband Eleazar."

"We've heard much about you," Eleazar said as he placed a hand over Carmen's shoulder. He was just as beautiful as the rest of the Denali's and just like the other male member of their coven, he appeared somewhat older than Carlisle. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Bella felt her entire face flush as she said a hurried, "Hello."

Gentle chuckles filled the room, only adding to her embarrassment but it was quickly washed away with the reassurance and pride a certain empath shared with her.

She looked up to Jasper as he greeted the other male vampire that introduced himself as Garrett.

"Well, make yourselves at home. Bella, care to help me prepare dinner for tonight?" Esme graciously asked as she motioned towards the kitchen and Bella practically ran out of the room before her, eager to get away from the attention. Earning herself another series of endearing chuckles.


While it was normally just Bella and Esme in the kitchen when they cooked dinner together, this time Carmen and Kate had decided to seat themselves at the island. The former offered to help dice the vegetables Esme had pulled out of the fridge for the soup they'd decided to make. The latter however, appeared utterly entranced by the human girl in her midst.

Kate's keen eyes watched Bella the entire time. Making the girl tense or startle every time she turned and found her unnatural gaze on her. Rosalie was without a doubt the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen, but there was no doubt in her mind that every female vampire she would meet was equally breathtaking.

It made her wonder if she would ever be as beautiful...

"So Bella, are you excited to be going into high school next year?" Kate asked, genuinely curious to know more about the girl.

Bella shrugged, "I don't know...No one here seems to like it."

"That's because they've been going to school for years and years. Which reminds me, how many more diplomas will be put up in the wall in Forks this time, Esme? You'll have to make a spot for Bella."

"Forks?" Bella looked to Esme who turned and regarded the former with a glance that she couldn't quite decipher.

"Yes, Forks. Do you remember our old house there Bella?"

Bella was stunned to realize she couldn't actually remember much about it. In fact, there wasn't much she remembered at all. Other than her parents on that beach. The monster who followed her in her dreams...

Why couldn't she remember though? Try as she did, it was no use. Bella couldn't remember anything at all. How strange. It was as if Bella's life had only really began the moment she was adopted by the Cullens.

After Esme explained the tradition the Cullens adopted of putting up graduation caps on the wall in their home as a running joke, Bella was happy to see that Kate and Carmen seemed rather pleased with her. Smiling and joking, asking her questions that were not condescending at all.

Soon she found herself relaxing quite a bit, smiling to herself as her family gathered around and included her in their antics and jokes.

Once Bella finished her dinner Bella said to Esme, "You should go be with the others. I'll clean up after myself."

Her adoptive mother paused before she could get started on putting the rest of the soup away into a container. She looked to Bella before following the sound of more laughter echoing in from the opened windows where the others were gathered by the fire pit, enjoying the star-filled night sky.

"Are you sure? I'd hate to leave you."

"Positive."

Esme smiled gratefully at the girl, placing a kiss on her forehead before turning to head out, "Come join us once you've finished? I have a feeling the Denali's are quite taken with you already."

"Sure...thanks, mom."

Esme paused at the threshold, her golden eyes fluttering closed as a small smile graced her lips. It never got old hearing any of her children refer to her as their mom. Though whenever Bella said it, as rare as it was, it always took her by surprise.

"You're welcome, my love."


"Are you ready to do this?"

Peter's closest friend asked as she stepped out onto the clearing beside him. He turned his crimson irises in Charlotte's direction. Quietly assessing that giddy smile on her full lips and all too innocent demeanor as she kept her hands behind her back, rocking back and forth on her booted feet.

She gave him a playful shove with her elbow, "Oh come on. Man up. What's the worst that can happen?"

"I didn't even say anything." He murmured, his voice a deep rasp.

"You didn't have to! It's written all over your face, hon," Charlotte sighed contentedly, running a hand through her short white-blonde hair. "Now let's go."

Peter watched her in his brooding silence as Charlotte strode off in the direction of the Cullens home. Off to greet Alice who was waiting on the wrap around porch, seeming to bounce with excitement before hurrying down to meet the vampire halfway. Their squeals of excitement grating on his ears already.

"Man up?" He scoffed, shutting his eyes as a dreadful feeling surrounded his senses once again. Telling him exactly how bad of an idea this was, and how he never should have let Charlotte convince him to come here. Nor Alice for that matter. To meet the girl that would ruin his immortal existence and how he would ultimately ruin hers.

Peter wasn't a seer like Alice but he didn't need to be. His intuition—his gift— was never wrong.

Up until now he didn't know how terrible this gift truly would be when it told him just how much all their lives would change from now on. And how inevitable it would be.

No more running. You've run out of road, friend.

His eyes shifted up towards the window where he could hear the softest heartbeat, seeing her flitting about in the kitchen with a soft smile on her lips. Peter couldn't be more sorry as he swallowed his worries and pride, before walking forward.

The only way he knew how to carry on with this endless cycle he called a life.


Thanks for reading x