"I couldn't believe it, he actual managed to burn all his marshmallows!" Jenna cried through her laughing fit. Charlie, Bella, Dawn, Jake, Billy and I were all sat listening as Jenna embarrassed her brother with tales of last night's bonfire. A cacophony of laughs filled the kitchen as we all sat around the table enjoying Christmas. Justin on the other hand was yelling protests trying to protect himself from the onslaught caused by his sister.

"Dude, you're a vampire, shouldn't you be able to smell when the marshmallow begins to burn before it turns to coal?" Jenna continued to taunt, a wicked grin on her face.

"Half! Half vampire!" He defended before grabbing his sister in a headlock and rubbing his fist over her hair.

It was mid-afternoon on Christmas day and we had just finished enjoying our dinner. I'd woken up this morning to smiling faces and gifts under the tree in the living room: new novels from Charlie, new clothes from the Hart's, my usual Christmas hamper from the pack (meaning Sue and Emily), a new charm from Jacob, and new sketchbooks and music books from Bella. One gift I hadn't been expecting was a glittering fairy charm from the Amazonians. When I questioned Bella about the gift, she reminded me that I used to ask Zafrina to make me be in fairytales; stories about magical fairies were always my favourite choice, hence the charm.

I looked around at the table of happy faces and felt utterly content, dismissing any of the worries I'd experienced the past few months. This was my family.

"Right, I'm dismissing you all. I volunteered to help Bella with clean up duty, so bugger off," Dawn joked as she stood up from the table. I found it ironic that the two people who didn't eat were the ones that had cooked and were cleaning. But they were happy to do it, and I certainly didn't want to help out, so I left them to it without protest.

Making our way into the living room, I collapsed on the couch in between Jake and Jenna, admiring the new, homemade charm that Jake had gifted.

He saw me looking and touched my wrist stroking it softly with the pad of his thumb. "You know the meaning behind this one right?"

I smiled looking him straight in the eye, my heart thumping against my ribcage as I thought about the charm's significance, "I have a good guess. Thank you."

He told me as soon as he'd given me the black wooden ring that he'd carved it from Diospyros crassiflora, or as he rephrased, Gaboon Ebony; a wood that happened to be naturally black. It was easy for me to work out the meaning. This was his promise that one day I would be wearing a ring that made me a Black. The knowledge that he was thinking about marriage told me that he was beginning to see me differently. I mean, I know we'd kissed and that we flirted more than we talked recently, but with everything that was going on, I hadn't really imagined my feelings changing for him this quickly, and this soon.

I was lost in my own mind, letting the chatter around the room become background noise as I thought about the unknown and my future, wondering how my life would change even though my appearance and growth would freeze at some point. Jenna's head rested on my shoulder as she fell into a food coma, the gentlemen had decided to put some game on the television; Charlie and Billy had cans of beer accompanying them. I guess it was swelling their appetite ready for desserts.

I zoned out of the conversation taking place – it not really being my thing – and let my daydreams occupy my mind. Locked in this state of mind, I jumped out of my skin when I heard a smash come from the kitchen.

The smash was so loud, Jenna jolted awake. As quick as I stood up, Jake beat me there. I ran forward too only to halt in the doorway, completely shocked. Glass lay shattered around Bella's feet, her hands outstretched as if she were still holding the glass bowl that had held the potatoes not half an hour ago. I looked at her horrified face, her features frozen in surprise as she just stared at Dawn, whose own face resembled my mother's.

My heart momentarily calmed down as I realised it wasn't a window smashing, signalling the start of an unexpected attack. But then it registered in my mind that Bella's natural reflexes should have caught the glass before it hit the ground. Whatever it was that had shocked Bella that much, had gotten to her like never before.

It was impossible to tell whether they noticed our presence in the room, they were so focused on each other. Silence surrounded us until Bella finally broke it.

"Dawn," Bella finally crocked. I held my breath; my heart pounding in worry. "Dawn, he... James, he was the one that attacked me. Remember, I told you about the baseball field and..." she trailed off.

The baseball field? Why were they talking about that?

I looked between their faces like I was watching a tennis match. Although I was concentrating on them, I knew Jenna and Justin stood close by. Both of their hearts pattered when my mom said James' name.

Understanding flashed in Dawn's eyes: "Wait, so the vampire that's in La Push. The one that's after you for revenge is," she gulped, "...Victoria?"

"The red-head?" Jake interrupted.

My heart clenched. What was happening? I felt Jenna's hand poaching mine. I locked them together and looked over at her. I'm sure my face mirrored hers exactly: anxiety and confusion.

Jake's comments had them looking our way; their faces grave. Bella nodded in confirmation.

"What's going on?" Jake asked.

Bella's mouth opened to speak but it was as if the words were dying before they were speaking. She looked back at Dawn and something passed between them, like realisation or something. I was missing something big, and it was all to do with that woman.

"Mom," I asked nervously. "What about Victoria? Is she back?"

Bella smiled at me; a smile which she tried not to force in order to provide some reassurance, but was filled with tension. "No she's not," well that was a relief! "But it seems we aren't the only people she's trying to kill."

What?

Dawn whimpered unexpectedly, her hand going to her mouth. "You don't think that she knows we're both here do you? She wouldn't try to-"

Jake's chest rumbled. "She won't get near any of you; we'll make sure of that."

"Yeah, and Mum, if she was tracking me I'd feel it, so we've got nothing to worry about," Justin inputted from behind. His voice was fairly calm, but I could tell he was just as concerned as we all were.

"As a precaution though, I would suggest you guys all stay here for safety. If she does know, then you'll be better in a larger group," Jake suggested.

Bella nodded in agreement. Dawn presented a small smile, agreeing on behalf of her children as well. Whilst bathed in understandable worry, the smile had hope punching its way through.

Charlie's gruff voice from the living room broke the thick wall of tension: "Not that this isn't entertaining, but do we really have to get into this now? It's Christmas folks, can we enjoy it?"

Everyone else moved back into the lounge, but I remained in the doorway analysing my mom. She noticed me and spoke softly, "Baby, don't worry. Everything will be fine; it just took us by surprise, that's all." She spoke with honesty. "You go with Dawn into the others whilst I clean this up," indicating to the pile of shattered glass.

Dawn moved forward and wrapped her arm across my shoulders. Her hand rubbed my shoulder as we walked – I wasn't sure if it was to comfort me, or herself. Jenna came directly over to me and took my hands, her eyes asking so many questions. Dawn moved passed us to take a place next to Justin. His hand patted her knee in a jokey 'everything's cool' way. I watched as she kissed his head affectionately, then rested her cheek on it.

I nodded at Jenna, completely understanding what she wanted to do, and guided her upstairs to my room, shutting the door behind us.

"Well?" She turned to me flabbergasted.

"How do you know Victoria?" I asked.

"How do you?"

"I wouldn't say I know her."

"Me either."

"I've never actually seen her."

"Likewise."

"But she hates my mom."

"Mine too!"

"What did Dawn do?"

"Clearly enough for her to want to kill us."

"She wants to kill us too."

"Oh my god, why?"

"Why?"

"WHY!"

"Ugh!" I threw my hands up. "This is getting us nowhere."

"You're right." She dramatically blew a raspberry and flicked her ponytail over her shoulder. She looked at me and we both snorted.

"Okay," I began, taking a seat on the bed, "I'll start."

Jenna plopped herself beside me, waiting.

"Victoria has been coming and going for years, she's been wanting to kill my mom for revenge, but thankfully, she's never succeeded."

"Revenge for what?"

"For killing her mate."

"James?" Of course Jenna knew him… somehow. "Bella killed James?"

I couldn't quite tell if her face displayed horror or appreciation.

"Not exactly," I was quick to rectify. "I don't know all of the details, but when my mom was human, James decided he wanted to kill her. The Cullens, as I know it to be now, were still around then so they killed him."

"But if Bella didn't kill him, why is Victoria after her?"

I sighed. "I figure it's because the Cullens are such a big coven. She'd never be able to kill them all so she wants to hurt them instead. By killing Bella, she could do that. 'A mate for a mate'."

Jenna scoffed, "Flawed logic seeing as they left and your mom is now a vampire."

I nodded in agreement. "It still hasn't deterred her."

We paused.

"Your turn. Why is she after you guys?"

She looked up as she thought. "She's sort of Justin's stepmother."

"Huh?"

"James was Justin's father," she said nonchalantly.

.

.

.

"WHAT?"

Holy…

"Yeah, he was the vampire who raped my mom."

"Oh my god," I whispered.

Jenna continued in spite of my shock, "So she wants to kill my mom for cheating, it seems, although she had no say in the matter. Not only that, but she wants Justin."

"Wants him?"

"She thinks Justin should be with her seeing as he's James' son, and they were mated. Like, she should be his mom or something? I'm not sure, but that's the impression I get. You remember me telling you we moved around a lot?"

I nodded.

"She's why. She tracks Justin, Justin feels it, we move."

"Wow. Small world, huh?" I tried – and failed – to joke.

My thoughts were jumbled. I took Jenna's hand.

Our time was interrupted by a knock. I yelled they could come in, and Justin stood in the frame.

"Dessert's ready if you girls want any."

I ran to him and threw my arms around him, blurting, "My dad killed your dad, I'm so sorry."

He put his arms around me and laughed heartily. "Don't sweat it, Ness, I'm glad he's dead."

Jenna joined us at the door.

"Now come on, we're gonna watch a film together, and you've got to claim your slice of pie before wolfy eats it all."

"I heard that!" Jake called from the bottom of the stairs where he was clearly waiting for us.

The Hart's proceeded me down the stairs and into the kitchen. Jake was waiting for me at the bottom as I expected. Bella came from behind him and ushered us into the kitchen as a knock came at the door. Without really paying attention, Bella went to open the door.

The smell hit us all at the same time as two beautiful creatures pushed their way over the threshold before an invite could be extended or refused.

"Excuse me," Bella hissed, "what do you think you're doing? Get out of my house!"

"Not until you hear us out!" The female yelled back. She was an absolute goddess. She stood tall and her golden locks were thick, voluminous and glowed like sunshine. Her face was terrifying but beautiful. The man stood by her side was the largest vampire I'd even seen. His build was equal to Jake's. Rosalie and Emmett - I recognised them from the scrapbook.

"I have nothing to say to you," Bella grumbled back, her hand still holding the door open.

"But we have things to say to you, Bella!"

"I don't want to hear it, now leave!"

Rosalie stepped forward into Bella's personal space. Jake was quick to pull me behind his back.

"GET OUT!" he shouted, spitting through his teeth; his body already vibrating with anger.

"Shut it, dog, you have no authority here!" She countered in his direction.

"But I do!"

Charlie's voice came from behind them as he positioned himself on the living room doorway. "Rosalie, Emmett, neither of you have any right to come onto my property unannounced, particularly not to shout in my daughter's face. You've been told twice, but now I'm telling you... Leave." His voice was calm and controlled, carrying a grace and power that no one else had.

"Chief Swan-" Emmett tried this time.

"LEAVE!" Bella shouted, completely losing her temper. I'd never heard that voice before and it startled me. My hand found the bottom of Jake's shirt.

"DAMN IT, BELLA!" Emmett lost it too: "We just want to know what happened to you! We have a right to know considering we brought you into all of this. It's tearing us apart not knowing what happened, and with you being so hostile towards us all. The Bella we knew has changed and we just want to know what we can do to help; we want to know you, but you're not giving us the chance! Please, we've missed you!"

Bella scoffed and looked away.

Rosalie tried again, this time a little more humane: "Bella, listen-"

"No, you listen. I don't want to hear anything any of you have to say to me, I don't care. You left me and I've moved on. You weren't concerned for me when I needed you the most so you do not have the right to show concern now." She was fuming. "Christmas day of all days, are you serious?"

Emmett sighed; Rosalie folded her arms in annoyance.

"Okay, so today may have been a bad day," Emmett pacified, "but it's the first time you've been of the reservation. Bella, you don't know what's happened to our family, we've not been the same. We're not blaming you, we're just trying to get you to see that you mean a lot to us and we just want the chance to explain and hear your story. I mean, you have a sister now?" He asked her in disbelief.

Rosalie's eyes flicked to me. I started back, not wanting her to see how much her penetrating gaze was making me feel uncomfortable.

Bella looked at me too, biting her lip as she thought of something. She sighed and then responded: "Not today." They turned their attention back to her. "Give me three days and I'll come over. I'm not staying long and that does not mean I want you back in my life. As far as I'm concerned, you are all dead to me, am I clear?"

Emmett looked withdrawn, but nodded anyway, "That's all we can ask."

With that, Bella indicated for them to leave through the still open door. They took the hint and walked out.

Everyone remained silent, allowing everything that happened in the last few minutes to sink in. Jake reached behind and took my hand from his shirt. He didn't look at me as he walked into the kitchen to watch them out the window. It didn't concern me. I looked at my mom's face and she came to me quickly, wrapping her arms around me tightly and kissing the top of my head.

"I'm coming with you," I decided. After I fit the puzzle pieces of what they'd done, how they'd made her feel, and the utter mess they left behind them, together, no way was I letting her walk into that lion's den without me by her side.

"So am I," Dawn said from somewhere. I couldn't see where she was as my face was buried into my mother's chest. "I'll call Shane and tell him what's happened. He'll be there too."

I felt her relax momentarily, "Thank you."

I heard Dawn's departing footsteps. I was aware that the audience had once again disbursed, leaving Bella and I to our little moment in the entryway. I stayed in my mother's arms. Her embrace always provided me with comfort, but at this moment in time, I believe she needed this more than I did.

"What are you worrying about?" I asked her.

"You," she replied honestly.

"I'll be fine, Mom, I can take care of myself."

"I know you can sweetie," she pulled away and bore her eyes deep into mine, "but are you ready for them to know who you are?"

Her brow furrowed in worry. Deep down, I knew it was worry for me but also worry that I'd be drawn to them more.

With all the honesty I could muster, I held her arms in reassurance and told her, "Absolutely nothing will change. It doesn't matter to me whether they know who I am or not – my family is right here."

Her smile wobbled.

"You know I'm there too, right?" Jake spoke from his place in the kitchen. He didn't look at us; his gaze still concentrating on the street.

"That was a given," I joked.

With everything that has happened recently, and everything that had just transpired, I was ready to go back into the bliss that was Christmas.

"Let's enjoy the rest of Christmas and the next few days, okay?" I said.

Bella chuckled, "Now who's sounding like the mom?"

I smiled up at her: "I learned from the best."

We walked back into the living room and found seats among the bodies already congregated there. I was determined to not think about the Cullens for the next three days.

Three days.

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