54

When the doorbell rings for the second time today, Jane enters the house before I can answer.

She walks in like she owns the place, and her brother Alec follows closely behind, apologizing for her lack of manners.

"I can't remember clearly, but I'm sure she was dropped on her head when she was a mortal babe," he explains with a big smile as he pulls Bella in for a hug that lasts too long, if you ask me. "Hey, Izzy."

I wave off Jane's entrance. Not because I'm scared of Jane or anything. Tests determined that was a lie. I'm terrified of the girl-woman.

"When are Mom and Pop going to be here?" she asks, flopping down beside me on the couch.

It takes everything in me not to recoil at her being so close to me. I mean, I did watch her swish my blood around her mouth like she was at a wine tasting. Can you blame me?

Bella steps out of Alec's embrace, ignoring the pitiful look on his face when she does so, and takes a seat on the one recliner in the room. "They should be here soon."

Soon turns out to be minutes later.

Before they can even ring the doorbell, Bella is out the door and hugging and kissing them excitedly.

I expected the secret service to come sweeping in before Madam President to make sure there weren't any threats, but that doesn't happen. It's different when a vampire is president. If it came down to it, she can protect herself better than a fleet of super soldiers ever could.

Renee Swan's reputation precedes her. She's just as beautiful as her daughter, light and bubbly albeit a little flighty, and she immediately attaches herself to my daughters in a grandmother's sense.

I don't know if Jasper is working double time or if it's just her presence that has Angela so at ease. I'll have to ask him when this is all over.

Charlie Swan is the polar opposite of his wife. He's quiet and stoic, introducing himself to everyone. His hard façade crumbles when Alice wraps her arms around him instead of shaking his hand.

In a whirlwind of pinching cheeks and a plethora of gift bags, the Swans make themselves at home, choosing to sit on the floor with the girls, who eat up the attention.

They haven't seen my parents in a while, and I need to rectify that soon because they still don't know Bella is working for me. Knowing my mother, she's going to make Dad take leave from the hospital and be here the same day.