Chaos. I had to break this chapter in half. It was ten thousand words before I cut and edited. Yes, I do think that Rosalie and Bella would quote books and movies at one another. Yes, I do think that this escalated quickly but as I said, this chapter had to be broken up. Anyway, I'll be going from one place to another. Basically, it'll go Bella/Emmett/Rosalie, Regina/Emma, Kieran/Kara, and back again.

Ignis- Fire

Gelu - Ice

Tellus - Earth

Bella's heart leaped into her throat. It was definitely her brother, albeit a paler and possibly undead creature of the night version, but it was Emmett. Bella wasn't ready to announce to the 'who's who' of Forks, Washington, that she was from another realm, and Bella doubted Emmett wanted to reveal his not-so-human status. Bella blurted out the first thing that popped into her head.

"Thanks for helping me with my car last month! Um, when I broke down on my way to New York."

Emmett gave a startled laugh before saying, "Oh, it's no problem. I'm just glad you passed through Middlebury when you did."

"I was trying to take the scenic route, but I think I got a bit too scenic. Took me hours to get back on track, but you were a big help."

"As I said, it was no problem. Most people coming from Montreal tend to know their way around Vermont, though."

Montreal? Jesus, where the fuck was their school?

Bella's laugh was too high-pitched, but they were way too deep at that point. She said, "Yeah, I'm not well-versed in travel rules and maps. I took a flight from London to Montreal as a side-trip before coming home. I figured I could just hop on the interstate and visit Saratoga Springs, but I guess I hopped wrong."

Emmett was having way too much fun with it, and he folded his arms.

"Did you ever make it?" he asked.

"After the car thing, I kind of rode to the nearest rental place to return the car and came home."

"That's a shame. Saratoga's pretty nice this time of year."

"I'm sure it is," Bella gritted out.

"Oh, wait, is this the girl you were talking about, Em?" Rosalie asked. "Shredded tire, walking down the road-

"With a million coats on? Yeah, this is her," Emmett said.

"Okay, first of all, it wasn't a million coats," Bella huffed. "And second of all, you told her?"

"I told her everything," Emmett said.

Bella blinked and wondered if they were still talking about the fake story or if he meant their past life.

"Emmett told me all about how you weren't used to being away from your sister for so long," Rosalie said.

Okay, they were talking about the real story. Bella had a headache and was not sober enough to continue the conversation. Unfortunately, she didn't hear Charlie come up behind her, so she jumped when he grabbed her the shoulder.

"Wear a bell, will you?" Bella exclaimed.

Charlie rolled his eyes and held out his hand to Emmett. Emmett stiffened a bit, but he shook Charlie's hand.

"Thanks for helping her," he said. "She can be a mess with cars."

"It was no problem, sir. She was decent enough to know how to open the trunk."

Bella's hand twitched, and she said, "I think we can move on from this conversation."

"I'm just saying. You're lucky Emmett isn't a serial killer."

"He's something alright," Bella muttered. In a louder voice, she added sarcastically, "But yes, I was very blessed Emmett was driving down that road when he was. Who knows where I would be today?"

"You're laying it on thick now, kid," Charlie snorted.

Bella glared at him, and she said, "Weren't you mingling with the Chief of Firefighters about some benefit?"

"Oh, you're right."

Charlie ran off to continue his conversation, and that jumpstarted everyone else. People moved on from Emmett, Bella, and Rosalie, and the trio managed to keep their smiles at bay. Emmett tugged on his ear twice, and Bella got the message to not say anything revealing.

"Had I known you came from a rich family, I wouldn't have let you run me off so easily," she said.

"And that's why I kept quiet. No one ever wants to be friends with the rich kid for the right reasons," Emmett joked. "My family's a little unorthodox, but I missed them."

Bella softened and said, "I know the feeling. I had a brother that I hadn't seen in years, but we recently reunited."

"I'm glad." Emmett then got a weird glint in his eyes. "So, you're the Chief's daughter? I think you met my brother, Edward? He mentioned something about Tchaikovsky."

Bella should've known that brief interaction would become front-page news.

"I'm a bit of a classical nut," she said with a fake smile.

"You made his afternoon."

"I'm glad to hear it."

Rosalie elbowed Emmett in the side and said, "Don't be rude, Emmett. How about we re-introduce Isabella to the rest of our siblings? I'm sure they'd like to meet her again as the woman you saved from an untimely death."

"What a wonderful idea, Rosalie."

"I should get back to-

"Nonsense," Emmett said. "We insist."

"Of course, you do."

Bella kept the smile on her face as she approached the other three Cullen siblings. She'd technically already met Edward and Alice in passing. Jasper was a mysterious stranger whenever Alice was around, but Bella didn't need to meet them officially. She was content staying out of their way the entire evening while navigating the shitstorm that was her life.

"Hi, I'm sure you know after the other day, but I'm Alice."

"Nice to meet you again." Bella glanced at Alice's outstretched hand and frowned apologetically. "Sorry, I try to avoid touching people's hands," she said. "It's a germ thing."

Bella hoped no one mentioned that the first thing she did was shake Rosalie's hand when she came in, but Alice took it in stride.

"It's alright!"

Jasper inclined his head, his hands staying behind his back, and he said, "Pleasure to meet you, Bella."

Something about Jasper made Bella's brain itch, and she said, "Same to you."

Edward was the last one, and the look on his face made Bella regret ever leaving her wine with Charlie.

"I find it fascinating you met Emmett in Vermont a month ago," he said.

"You would find mold on a slice of bread fascinating," Rosalie deadpanned.

Bella snorted and covered her mouth.

"I'm only saying that the story has a few holes," he gritted out.

"Other than the fact we met in Middlebury, Vermont?" Bella asked wryly.

"Yes. Considering a month ago, Emmett and Rosalie were in Boston."

Bella shrugged.

"It could've been last month or the month before last. I'm a bit challenged when it comes to time."

"Or a proficient liar."

"Why, Edward Cullen, you would have to buy me a drink before sweet-talking me like that."

Jasper's shoulders shook with silent laughter while Alice hid her smile behind her hand. Edward scowled and gestured to the kitchen.

"Then may I pour you another glass of wine?" he asked.

"I never say no to a free drink. It's how I ended up with my tattoo."

"You have a tattoo?" Emmett and Rosalie asked in unison.

"Uh, no?"

"That was almost as believable as your Vermont story," Edward said.

"Weren't you pouring me a glass of wine before sweet-talking me?"

Edward gestured for her to go first, and Bella walked into the kitchen with Edward right behind her. Once they were alone, Bella grabbed a fresh glass from the cabinet and handed it to Edward. She watched him pour enough to make the conversation bearable, and Bella took it from him.

"What the fuck is your issue?"

"I'm just confused on why you would lie about how you know Emmett," he said.

"Does it matter? I know him, he knows me, and that's that."

"Emmett's not a cheater."

"I- whoa, no. Ew, Emmett and I are not dating. Why would you even say that?"

"He-

"Carlisle needs you, Edward," Alice interrupted them.

"Why?"

"He didn't say."

Edward sighed and walked out of the kitchen. Alice was gone before Bella could say anything else, and she frowned.

What the hell was that about?

Emmett and Rosalie vanished upstairs to their room to put away their luggage. With soundproofed walls and windows, no one heard Rosalie scream in frustration.

"Out of all the fucking people," she muttered. "It had to be your sister!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Your sister."

"What about her?"

"Your. Sister."

"Just because you keep- wait, my sister?" Emmett asked.

"Yes," Rosalie whined. "Her. That one downstairs with the hair and the muscles and the tie, and I'm going to be sick."

"My sister?" he repeated. "Seriously?"

"You think I did it on purpose?" she hissed. "I didn't know her from a stranger on the street until ten minutes ago when she quoted my favorite book at me without realizing it!"

"Pride and Prejudice really shouldn't be your favorite book."

"Emmett!"

"I'm processing."

"You? What about me? I'm the one who just found her mate, a mate that is my fake mate's sister, and someone who will ruin our seven-decade secret."

"One of those things is not like the other."

"Emmett!"

"Look, sit down." Rosalie plopped down on the bed, and Emmett kneeled in front of her. He said, "Am I thrilled about it? Not in the least. I'm very protective, and no one will ever be good enough for her. Not even you, but could it be worse? Yes. Will I adjust? Yes. Will I kill you if you ever make her cry for any negative reason or break her heart? Undoubtedly. Will I be your best man at your wedding should your relationship have a happy ending? I better be. And that's that, Rose. I am happy for you, I am, and I will give you hell for the next couple of days. But enjoy this. You've been through so much, and now that you have a chance to be happy? Take it. Or I'll shove it down your throat."

Rosalie let out a breathless laugh and dropped her forehead onto his.

"You're the worst," she whispered.

"I know," Emmett whispered back, kissing Rosalie on the cheek.

Her brother was alive.

Bella's heart was beating so loud she couldn't hear the conversation between Charlie and his lieutenant. Without the safety net of denial, Bella's lungs burned with each breath. Charlie's arm draped over her shoulder was the only thing keeping her grounded. He felt nothing but pride and affection for the woman he was speaking to, and Bella made a mental note to trick him into asking the woman out. Charlie was a hopeless romantic and a hopeless mess. Emmett and Rosalie came back downstairs, and Bella's emotions spiked. Bella wasn't sure how to react to knowing her brother was a vampire. Kieran would have the time of her life, as would Ruby, but Bella was confused. How did Emmett become a vampire? How long had he been with the Cullens? How did Emmett go from tossing himself through a portal after their sister to a dinner party in Forks, Washington? Something went wrong that day, and the being standing on the other side of the room wasn't her Emmett anymore. Not completely. He was an entirely new creature with demons that went far beyond Bella's.

It was about eleven p.m. when Bella sighed under her breath and made her way into the kitchen. She grabbed the somewhat empty bottle she'd been drinking the entire night and decided to drink the rest without a glass. Bella was very close to being drunk, and most of it had to do with the way Rosalie had been skirting around her all night. Bella didn't know how to breathe when Rosalie was nearby, and Emmett certainly didn't help. He found every excuse in the book to walk away, leaving Bella with Rosalie, and not a single thing was said between them. Rosalie was waiting on something, and Bella had to consciously focus on speaking English and not Latin. She was embarrassing herself.

There was the sound of heels behind her, and Bella cursed whatever deity was listening because there was a warning bell attached to those heels. Sure enough, Bella turned as Rosalie glided across the kitchen. She had the distinct impression she was being hunted. Not for a meal, but for something far worse. Or better. Bella wasn't sober enough to know the difference. The closer Rosalie got, the more Bella's mouth watered as she smelled cinnamon and something that reminded her of her home. Specifically, the smell of the banana muffins that Granny made on Saturday mornings.

What the hell was happening?

Rosalie stopped less than a foot away, and Bella started having heart palpitations. Rosalie's eyes flickered down to her chest in concern, and Bella had an awful realization. Rosalie could hear her heartbeat.

"Oh, fuck me," she muttered.

Rosalie's eyes traveled back up slowly, her eyebrow arched, and Bella wondered if she should throw herself from the roof. She'd lived long enough.

"Are you alright, Isabella?"

Bella decided then and there, no one else on the planet could say her name, not even her family. Bella would fight her siblings in a hurricane in the middle of monsoon season with no magic before she let them call her Isabella. Rosalie's lip curled in amusement at her lack of response, and Bella tried to calm her heart.

"I'm fine," Bella lied.

Rosalie hummed in acknowledgment, not necessarily believing her, and she plucked a strawberry off the fruit platter. Rosalie placed it against her lips, the red contrasting with the shade painted on her lips, and Bella couldn't look away even if she wanted to. Rosalie bit into the strawberry, sharp white teeth piercing the fruit, and Bella watched the juice trail down Rosalie's chin until she wiped it away.

Charlie might've been a mess, but Bella was a hopeless, gay mess, and that was far worse. Women were beautiful at all times, but Rosalie was exquisite in all ways. Bella felt the bottle grow warm in her hand, but she didn't think anything of it until something cracked. They looked down in unison to see wine dripping to the floor. Bella sighed and moved the bottle to the sink. Rosalie threw the strawberry away, and she ripped a paper towel off the rack and grabbed Bella's wrist. There was another influx of emotions that pulsed through Bella, a mixture of fear, affection, and hope as Rosalie cleaned the wine off her hand. There was a subtle hint of possession underneath it all, and it felt dark. Not dark in a scary way, but dark in the kind of way that would bring Bella to her knees if Rosalie so much as asked for it.

Bella looked up and noticed Rosalie wasn't cleaning the wine anymore. It was clear her mind was elsewhere. Bella wished she could control her power. It wasn't always a breach of privacy, but rather a form of communication where Bella could know what someone wanted from her. But with Rosalie, it felt intrusive. Bella grimaced and moved her hand. Rosalie finally lifted her head. The air grew thick with a different kind of tension once their eyes met. Gold had never been Bella's favorite color, but whatever shade Rosalie's eyes were when the light hit them was imprinted forever in her mind.

"I am here, and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder," Rosalie whispered.

Her voice was so low that Bella almost thought she imagined it, but fear and anticipation skyrocketed between them. Bella sucked in a breath. It felt like someone had wrapped a rope around her heart and pulled her forward. She had Rosalie backed into the counter by the time her brain caught up with her actions. Rosalie's gaze darkened to almost black, a warning that Bella ignored as she tucked Rosalie's hair behind her ear. Bella didn't speak, afraid to break the moment, and her finger traced the outline of Rosalie's jaw. She cupped Rosalie's face, brushed her thumb across her cheek, and Bella decided then and there the rest of the world could disappear. Someone leaned in. Bella didn't know if it was Rosalie or her, but one of them did. The closer their lips got, the more Bella had this all-encompassing, overwhelming, she-would-die-if-she-didn't need that took over her entire being. Rosalie's lips parted, an almost silent whimper escaping, and then Bella met air. She turned to find Rosalie on the other side of the kitchen. Bella's hurt was replaced by annoyance as Edward came around the corner. Bella hid her hands in her pockets as they started to smoke. It wouldn't do well to burn down the house from sexual frustration.

Or whatever that was.

No words were spoken as Rosalie brushed past Edward. When Edward looked at Bella, he had this look in his eyes. Like pity.

When the clock hit one in the morning, the crowd had dwindled to the mayor as he said his goodbye to Carlisle and Esme. Bella sat near the piano, her fingers glossing over the keys without pressure. Charlie was on the loveseat behind her. Alice, Rosalie, and Esme cleaned up the food while Emmett helped Edward move the furniture around with Jasper.

"Goodnight, Charlie. See you tomorrow," the mayor said.

"Night, Bowman," Charlie said. "Get home safe."

The mayor tipped his hat and walked out of the home. Bella caught Rosalie's eye as the door closed, and she started playing. Rosalie gave up pretenses and relaxed against the wall, watching her play. Bella grinned and looked down out of habit as if she could see the melody come to life. Fantasia No.3 in D Minor filled the room, and Bella grew more comfortable as the song went on. It shocked Charlie when she started playing at a small bar in Port Angeles. But her secret talent made Harrison furious after Bella jokingly played Gaspard de la Nuit after a few glasses of wine. Bella reminded Harrison she wasn't from his realm and added that becoming a piano prodigy wasn't in her five-year plan. Bella told him about how the King would have live music during his feasts, and Bella met the composer with Regina's help. She would play the keys every night, fingers stiff and numb by the time she finished, but Bella never gave up. She lost herself for a moment, a slight stumble as she slipped into her memories.

Bella was in the ballroom with Kieran. They sat on the bench together while Bella played soft melodies, unfinished pieces that she wrote herself. Kieran laid her head on her shoulder, a book of poetry forgotten in her lap, and she would close her eyes.

"Can you play Mama's song, Ignis?" Kieran would whisper.

"Of course, Gelu."

Bella then switched into something slow and haunting, a piece she composed after Liana's death, and the sound filled the room.

She hadn't realized she'd been playing the song in reality until cold hands touched hers, stopping her mid-melody. Bella released a broken sob, old wounds ripping open in the middle of some strangers' living room, and she was lifted off the bench. Emmett held her in an unflinching embrace.

"It's okay, Ignis," Emmett whispered in her ear.

Bella sniffed and gripped Emmett's shirt. She chased the song away until it was buried back in the depths of her mind, and she went slack in Emmett's arms once the noise was gone.

"You with me?" he asked.

"Always, Tellus," she sighed.

"Good."

Bella had no warning before Emmett swept her off the ground and spun her in wide circles. Her excited squeals echoed in the home until he finally put her down. Emmett held her out in front of him and looked her over.

"Wait, how old are you?" he asked.

"It's rude to ask a woman's age, Emmett," Bella scolded, mimicking Regina.

Emmett's laugh was as booming as she remembered, and he gave her a faux-scolding look.

"If you must know, I'm twenty-three," she said.

Over Emmett's shoulder, Rosalie bit her lip and looked away. Bella filed that reaction for later when Emmett pulled her back into his arms. Bella tucked her face into his neck and breathed in his scent. Unlike Rosalie, Emmett smelled like smoke and metal—like home.

"I've missed you so much." Emmett tightened his hold when her voice cracked, and Bella added, "Also, am I supposed to keep pretending that you aren't a vampire?"

Someone made a noise of surprise, but Bella ignored them. Emmett snorted and squeezed her waist, pulling her away. He gave her that same look he used to give her when she said something inappropriate for a 'girl her age.'

"You could have pretended a little bit longer," he said.

"Where would be the fun in that?"

"How do you know what we are?" Edward asked, stepping forward.

"There is no plausible explanation for Emmett sharing your same eye color, same skin tone, and same inhumane beauty. He was a goofy-looking kid with brown eyes and a tan the last time I saw him."

"No, I wasn't," Emmett huffed, knocking his knuckles against Bella's head.

The hit wasn't what hurt, but rather it was the location. Bella had hit her head on the edge of the cabinet while looking for black pepper, and it was still sore. She hissed in pain and moved away from his hand, and Emmett panicked. She was about to tell him it was okay when Rosalie appeared. She pressed her fingers against the spot, the pressure almost non-existent, but Bella wouldn't lie. The cool touch alleviated the pain immediately, and Bella would've missed Rosalie's question had she not been hyper-focused on her lips.

"Are you okay?" Rosalie asked.

"I hit my head on the cabinet this morning-

"Again?" Charlie interrupted.

Bella twisted to look at him and said, "It doesn't happen that often."

"You hit your head on that cabinet at least three times a week."

"Then fix it!"

"Or you can just duck just like I do," he said.

"God, you're insufferable."

"Um, excuse me?"

Bella, Charlie, Rosalie, and Emmett turned to Alice. Bella had again forgotten they had an audience, and Rosalie's hand fell from her head.

"Would someone mind telling us what's going on?" Alice asked.

"With all due respect, it's none of your business."

"Ignis," Emmett sighed.

"What? I'm not going to tell them, are you?"

"That wasn't in the plans, no," Emmett answered. "But you could have said that a different way."

"Sorry, Mom," she scoffed.

"And that is why you were always in trouble."

"Why do you call her Ignis?" Carlisle asked.

"Bella's got a fiery temper."

Rosalie heaved a sigh and smacked Emmett on the arm. Bella and Charlie snickered and shared a fist bump. Rosalie hit Bella too, and Bella's smile turned into a pout. Charlie made a whipping sound and froze when Rosalie looked at him. He cleared his throat and pretended to check his phone.

"Does Rosalie know?" Alice asked.

"Rosalie knows everything, yes," Emmett said.

"Wow, dude. The first pretty blonde you meet, and you spill all your beans, huh?" Bella teased.

"I couldn't resist her charm."

"She is standing right here," Rosalie reminded them. "And she doesn't appreciate being referred to in the third person."

"Sorry, babe," Emmett said.

"Babe?" Bella repeated. "Wait, are you two together? Like together-together? I was kidding!"

Three things happened at that moment: Rosalie physically curled in on herself and flinched, Emmett's face twisted into discomfort, and Bella jumped away from them. Some sort of whine bubbled in her chest that she forced back down her throat, and it felt like her entire world had shifted under her feet.

"Oh. I- fuck, I'm sorry. Why didn't you – cool. Uh, congrats," Bella stammered.

"Ignis-

"No, no, it's fine! You two make a great couple!"

"Isabella-

That time it, was Rosalie, but Bella moved away and let out an uncomfortable laugh. Why did it feel like she'd swallowed volcanic ash? She suddenly couldn't breathe, but before Emmett could react, Jasper was there. He grabbed Bella's face. Immediately, Bella's senses were overridden by his. Their eyes met, and Bella exhaled. Her breathing slowed, and she tapped Jasper on the wrist once she was in her right mind again. Jasper released her and returned to his spot by Alice's side. Rosalie and Emmett had gone back into their silent conversation, but Bella still felt too nauseous to navigate that. Charlie handed her a glass of water.

"Thanks," she said hoarsely.

"Only you would almost die from a panic attack."

Bella glared at him before she turned to Jasper and said, "I didn't know vampires could be empaths."

"Tactile empaths rarely recognize other empaths, regardless of what they are."

"Oh, that's why you didn't shake my hand," Alice said to Bella.

"It's annoying at times to touch someone and know every single thing they feel." Bella glanced at Rosalie and added, "Sometimes."

Rosalie's smile was shaky, and Bella grimaced. She turned back to Jasper.

"How did you even know?"

"When you touch someone, your emotions don't disappear. They simply fade into the background. So, earlier, when you grabbed Rosalie's hand-

"Uh, you don't have to talk about that," Bella said quickly.

"-your fascination with her didn't vanish," he finished. "It was simply muted while her emotions took over. I felt the shift and took a risk. Also, Emmett, you should probably tell her the truth."

"You knew?" Emmett asked.

"Of course, I did."

Emmett sighed. He glanced apologetically at Bella and said, "Rose and I aren't together. We're just friends. I call her babe all the time out of habit, and I'm sorry I gave you the wrong impression."

Bella short-circuited.

"What?" she asked dumbly.

"Hold on, you two aren't mates?" Esme asked.

Emmett didn't answer, his attention solely on Bella, but Esme's question triggered some kind of reaction in everyone. Edward seemed the most upset, and Charlie seemed curious as he stared between Bella and Rosalie. Bella, however, didn't know what any of it meant.

"Mates?" she asked.

"Tell you later," Emmett said.

"Jasper, why didn't you say anything?" Alice asked.

"How many other lies have you two been hiding from us?" Edward huffed.

"Why did you two pretend for so long?" Esme asked.

Bella gave up trying to have a conversation. Knowing that Emmett and Rosalie were friends shifted her world back on its axis, and she glanced at Rosalie again. The blonde's smile was sweeter, and Bella blushed. She shook out her hair to hide her face. Charlie snorted at her, and she elbowed him in the side. Carlisle cleared his throat, and the room went silent.

"The story about how you two met was a lie?" he asked Emmett.

"Yes, but Bella is a damsel in distress. She gets herself in the worst situations."

"I think you might be confusing me with Gelu," Bella said dryly.

"No, Gelu thinks later, acts first. You don't think at all."

"Rude."

Carlisle cleared his throat again and said, "Yes, well, clearly there is history between you two. And I do believe we are entitled to some answers."

"Entitled is the appropriate word," Bella drawled.

"Isabella," Emmett said. "Enough."

"But-

"I will handle it."

Bella scowled and glared at the ground. Emmett shook his head and looked at Carlisle.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't something that we can share with everyone. We must keep this as close as possible because it affects more than us."

"But you've been lying to us for decades," Edward argued. "And the Chief knows what we are, and our secret-

"What secret?" Bella said. "As much as you guys probably try to blend in, you can't. It's impossible. I didn't even need to know the story of the Cold Ones to see that you guys aren't-

"Normal?" Edward guessed.

"Flawed," Bella corrected. "Because humanity is a collection of individuals who are intrinsically flawed and broken and hurt and angry. I would've known the moment I arrived that you all weren't like me."

Jasper shifted to the side, a look of sympathy and understanding on his face, and the room descended into silence. Bella realized she'd said too much about her mental state. The entire evening caught up with her. Seeing Emmett again, meeting Rosalie, thinking of Kieran, and a bunch of other small things made her emotional state fracture. Bella could feel herself falling, and she wasn't ready to tackle the thoughts in her mind, especially with super hearing vampires in her vicinity. Bella squeezed Charlie's arm three times. Charlie took out his keys without a second thought, and Bella glanced at Emmett.

"I'm going home."

Emmett was about to argue when he saw the look in her eyes. Bella could read the guilt on his face, and she looked away. Bella turned to Jasper. She placed her hand on his neck and sent him her gratitude and respect. His shock was the most prominent emotion, and Bella grinned. She dropped her hand. Jasper's smile was radiant as he tipped an imaginary cowboy hat in her direction. Bella nodded politely at Carlisle, Esme, and Alice. She forced herself not to look at Emmett and Rosalie, knowing she would spill her soul to them if she did. Bella made her way to the door to wait for Charlie, and Charlie, ever the awkward cop, cleared his throat.

"Uh, thanks for the invitation," he said to Carlisle.

"Thank you for coming."

Carlisle's tone was polite but detached. Charlie met up with Bella and opened the door. Once they were outside, the emotional fracture grew until it was a chasm. Charlie hurried Bella to the car when she started shaking.

Bella was never built to handle her own emotions.

Just everyone else's.

Emmett ran a hand over his face.

"Are you going to tell us the truth now?" Edward asked.

"Why do you care so much?"

"I won't let you or Rosalie play with her emotions!"

"You don't know the first goddamned thing about her emotions. Plus, she's off-limits to you."

Edward bristled and said, "That depends on her, not you or Rosalie."

"Isabella is mine," Rosalie growled.

"You expect me to believe that? Emmett was just your mate fifteen minutes ago!"

"Can we get back to the part where Bella and Charlie know we're vampires?" Alice asked.

"Alice has a point. Their knowledge of what we are is concerning," Carlisle said.

"How?" Emmett scoffed.

"She could be a threat to our family."

"Now's she a threat?" Emmett asked Edward.

"Okay, I think we should stop before things are said that we might regret," Rosalie intervened quickly. "Emmett needs to go see Isabella. They have a lot to talk about, and what happens after that is up to them."

"We both need to talk to her," Emmett said.

"I can wait."

"Oh, no. You're coming with me so you can tell Isabella how she's yours to her face."

Rosalie narrowed her eyes and asked, "What aren't you telling me?"

"Come with me and find out."

"Emmett, this is ridiculous. Why can't you tell us anything?" Esme asked.

"Because it is my life."

"We deserve some explanation and some respect. We took you into our home."

"I do not owe you anything. Especially my life," Emmett said to Carlisle. "That title falls to Rosalie."

"And she would be dead in the streets if it were not for me."

"Carlisle!" Esme exclaimed.

"No, Esme. Carlisle is correct. I would be dead if it were not for him," Rosalie said.

"That does not give him the right to say it," Esme argued.

"But he did."

"Yes, you saved Rosalie from death. I owe you for that but respect is earned, Carlisle. And all you have done is taught me how to hate what I am, and I cannot respect that."

Carlisle straightened and faced Emmett directly. Alice stepped between them.

"Please stop," Alice pleaded.

"No, Alice. I will not be challenged in my own coven. If Emmett cannot honor or respect us by telling something as simple as the truth, then he does not need to be here."

"But the truth is never simple," Rosalie sighed. "So please do not make him choose."

Emmett released Rosalie's hand and said, "It's okay, Rose. If that is what Carlisle wishes and desires, then I will honor it."

"Please don't do this," Esme said.

Emmett removed the bracelet around his wrist and placed it on top of the piano.

"Thank you for the years you have given me. I have no regrets being with you, and I will treasure the memories, but I will not betray the family that came before you."

Emmett kissed the top of Rosalie's head and walked out of the home. Rosalie stared after him and glanced at Esme, apologetic. The woman seemed to know what Rosalie wanted, and she bowed her head. Rosalie touched the crest around her neck. She sighed and placed it next to Emmett's bracelet.

"Rose?"

"I'm sorry, Alice, I can't."

Charlie and Bella sat in the car with the engine off. The wine caught up with Bella quickly, and she'd been trying to get out of the car for the last five minutes. Her hands moved in slow motion as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Charlie watched in amusement, but his smile faded when two figures appeared on the porch. They'd changed into more comfortable clothes, two bags at their feet, and Emmett waved. Rosalie leaned against the column, and Charlie tapped Bella on the shoulder.

"Your brother is here," he said.

"Tell him to get lost! I'm busy."

"You do know he can hear you, right?"

"Get lost, Emmy! I'm busy." Bella grunted. "Charlie! Your seatbelt is defective."

"I asked if you wanted help."

"Leave me alone, you narc."

"Who taught you that?"

"Oliver."

"Christ."

Bella giggled and slumped in her seat. Charlie reached over and clicked the button, and Bella held her hands in the air as the seatbelt slid back into place. On the porch, Emmett pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm just glad Rosalie isn't here," Bella muttered, her eyes half-closed. "That'd be embarrassing."

Charlie cleared his throat and said, "Uh, Bella-

"She is so out of my league! And I know she was hot as a human. I feel it, and now she's quadruple hot."

"Bella-

"Why does Emmett get to kiss her, and I don't?" Bella complained.

Charlie gave up and let her talk. Bella hiccupped and opened her eyes. She gasped when she saw Rosalie and started crying.

"You are really wasted," Charlie said. "I feel like I should arrest you on principle."

"Don't tell Rosalie I said this, but she's way too hot for me."

Charlie opened his door and said, "Can someone please come and get her?"

Rosalie stepped off the porch, and Bella manually locked her door. Charlie leaned back into the car and frowned.

"Why did you lock your door?" he asked.

"I panicked."

Charlie snorted and said, "Goodnight, Bella."

"You're leaving me with someone who looks like she wants to eat me!" she exclaimed.

Rosalie faltered in her step before she stopped by the passenger side door. She knocked on the window, and Bella made the cross symbol with her fingers.

"Oh, for crying out loud. Quit acting like you wouldn't be into it. Based on what Andrea told me, you liked when girls looked at you like that."

Bella shouted at Charlie as he slammed the door. The cop patted Emmett on the shoulder as he went into the house, and Bella groaned.

"Isabella."

"Shit!" Bella shouted, clutching her chest. "What the fuck is…."

Bella trailed off and swallowed when Rosalie leaned down and looked her in the eyes.

"Get out of the car."