you're so, hypnotizing

could you be the devil, could you be an angel

your touch, magnetizing

feels like I am floating, leaves my body glowing...

Esme POV

This was what I had always wanted. A house full of happy children, each of them finding in somebody what I had found in Carlisle. I had thought that Edward- quiet, reserved, too-intelligent-for-his-own-good Edward, would never find anybody to make him really smile, but Angela's presence seemed to be having this very effect on my son. He was in his element, the picture of a true gentleman.

And then there was Emmett. I had been sure that Emmett was completely happy with Rosalie, that he would never, that he could never, look at another woman the way he had her. I'd hoped, of course, over the past few months- it was evident that she wasn't coming back, at least not soon, and what mother wouldn't want her child to know joy again? So seeing Emmett be tender, seeing him caress Kelly's hair and all-but cradle her to his chest, made my heart soar.

"I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate you spying on him." Carlisle said, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist, but there was a smile in his voice.

I flicked the curtain shut, leaning back into my husband's embrace. "I don't think he even noticed. He doesn't notice much else, when she's around."

"Told ya so!" Alice came prancing, looking extremely proud of her self.

"She's been a nightmare, honestly." Jasper complained, but as he could only ever look at Alice as though she were the center of his world, we knew he wasn't serious.

"Why don't you call them for dinner, Alice? Everything should be about ready."

Alice grinned again and dashed from the kitchen to the back porch.

"Well, this should be interesting." Jasper muttered.

oooo

"Number one thing you have to know," Emmett said, pulling me back to him by my hand when I started to walk towards the house, "we don't drink human blood. Ever. I just...wanted you to know that."

I raised my eyebrow. "Then what do you eat? I mean, I've done research Emmett...what I could get my hands on anyway, and I've never come across anything about an alternative diet."

"Animals." Emmett said simply, and a piece in my mind clicked into place.

"Your eyes...that's why they aren't red. Animal blood, it does this to you? I wonder why that it is...mammals are mammals, wouldn't you think?"

Emmett shrugged, as though he'd never really given it any thought. "All I know is that our family is rare. Only a few other vampires that I know try to live this way."

"And..." I began tentatively, "why do you live this way?" Not that I was complaining. But I was very curious as to what made the Cullens so different from the majority of vampires.

Emmett shrugged again. "At first it was because of Rose...because of Carlisle. He's the one who figured out he could live on animals, you know? But then I started to think that maybe it was okay, trying to blend in with the humans, because some of them," he nudged me, "aren't that bad."

I wasn't really surprised by his answers, because anybody could see that the Cullens had no desire to harm humans. They were peaceable, and I'd known from the first second I'd seen them that they were different, even if I didn't understand just how much differently they were from a typical vampire.

"The animal blood...does that satisfy you?"

"In most ways. Human blood makes us stronger, doesn't leave you wanting more as much. It takes more animals to stop the hunger."

"So...you have had human blood before." I didn't say it as a question.

Emmett searched my face for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah." He didn't elaborate, and I didn't want details. I had known the answer before I'd asked the question, and it made me more than a little uneasy that I didn't mind that he'd...I mean, he'd killed people! How could this not matter to me? Really, all I could think about was the gentle way he put his arms around me, the coolness of his lips. Emmett hadn't made a move to hurt me since I'd arrived, and he hadn't hurt anybody in Forks...the lives he had taken, really it wasn't that much, when it came down to how he resisted the temptation every day. And I knew it wouldn't be like her. Emmett would be quick with his kill, it would be clean. There would be no pools of blood, no broken screams and cries of pain.

Here I was, making a case for a vampire...but if I faced reality, I didn't view Emmett as just a vampire, or really associate him with that title at all. He was just Emmett, funny, down-to-earth, strikingly good-looking. He was the only person who could comfort me, and he'd been the only one to give me a reason to smile in the past few months.

"So...what's your favorite, then? Your favorite animal?"

Emmett grinned mischievously. "Bear. Not just any bear; grizzly."

I tilted my head, trying to picture Emmett taking down one of these gargantuan animals. I didn't know who had the greater advantage here. Emmett's muscles left little doubt in my mind to his strength, but bears were...well, bears. It wouldn't be a fight to miss, that much was for sure.

"I'd pay to see that." I said, shaking my head.

"No." Emmett said with such vehemence that I stopped dead in my tracks. "Over my fucking dead body."

"Alright," I said, raising an eyebrow.

"I...I'd never be able to...when I'm hunting, I'm all instincts. Anything, anyone, is prey."

"Including me."

"Including you. I would never let that happen. Never." Emmett came up to me, tugging on a tendril of my hair.

"You guys are taking about fifty years, so hurry up, would you? The food's getting cold." Alice appeared at the back door again, and Emmett rolled his eyes, but we hurried to the house.

He brushed his hand along the small of my back as he held the door open for me, and I couldn't help but think it was a gesture of apology.

oooo

Edward POV

Angela's thoughts were a bit disquieting. I'd known of her feelings for me, of course, though she only thought of them briefly and never in much detail. The things she was thinking now, though, how I'd never return her feelings, how could I care for somebody so below me, like she was...it wasn't pleasant, to say the least, and it wasn't true.

The fact of the matter was, I very much cared for Angela. Perhaps not in the typical, conventional way of wanting to take her to a horridly overrated movie and slipping my arm over her shoulder in a pathetic attempt to be subtle, but in my own way. I wanted to know her passions, to talk about music and books and world issues. I wanted to make her smile, for her heart to flutter with my nearness. I wanted to spend time with her, to be able to offer her comfort in times of fear or of hardship.

I didn't know how to approach these feelings, much less act on them. It was utter insanity that I should want to be these things for Angela. I was dangerous- my entire family was dangerous- and if she were to find out our secret, surely she would want nothing more to do with us.

It was quite disrupting, then, to watch Emmett and Kelly interact. Kelly knew about us, had known from the minute she'd seen my family at Sea-Tac, and if anything this wasn't something holding her back from Emmett, rather it had been a foundation on which they had started their relationship. If it was possible for Emmett, why shouldn't it be possible for me?

After all, as Alice so frequently reminded me, I deserved to be happy too.

oooo

"Hey." I said to Angela. She and Edward were seated at the long dining room table, which looked to be an antique piece. The table was set with beautiful pottery dishes, and I held one up, admiring it.

"These are lovely." I said, running my finger along the edge of the plate. They were smooth and perfect, handmade, but done so by somebody with experience.

"Thank you," A woman from the kitchen said, setting down a basket filled with cornbread. "Where are your manners, Emmett? The poor girl is probably thirsty, and you haven't even introduced your family."

"Forgive his rudeness," Edward stood, extending his hand. "I'm Edward."

"Right," I said, shaking his hand. Edward was...regal, as though he'd just stepped out of a different time.

"I'm Esme, dear, it's such a pleasure to have you in our home." Esme said with sincerity, and she came up and hugged me.

I stood shocked for a moment, but Esme was pure kindness, and I could tell that she truly did want me here. "Did you make these?" I gestured toward the table.

Esme waved her hand dismissively. "Oh yes, pottery is one of my hobbies."

"You have a very artful touch...the greenhouse, the yard, you did all of that, too?"

Esme nodded. "Well, I'm a hobbyist to say the least. Now, you must be hungry?"

Edward pulled his chair out for me, and I sat next to Angela. "Thanks." I told him. He smiled and nodded, moving to the chair on the other side of Angela. Emmett stood in his path, though, unmoved from where he had been when we'd entered the house.

His arms were folded in front of his chest, his eyes boring into Edward's. "Well, then do it yourself next time." Was all Edward said, attempting to pull his chair out, but Emmett had blocked one of the legs with his foot.

Emmett opened his mouth but Esme pulled on his arm. "Would you get Kelly and Angela a drink?" Emmett grunted, looked like he wanted to say something to Edward, but turned and left into what I could only assume was the kitchen.

"So, Kelly, how are you liking Forks?" Esme said, taking a seat on the opposite side of the table.

"Oh, it's...' I trailed off with a shrug. Things flashed through my mind, my mother and father's funeral, the first foster home I was in, one of nine children crammed into a three bedroom house...the first time I was caught running away by the cops, after two days of living on the streets...my nightmares of the red haired woman, of the blood...and then of Emmett, of seeing him at the airport, of his smile that unhinged me...the feel of his arms around me, knowing with his closeness that I was safe...rain pounding on the roof of his Jeep while our foreheads were pressed together... "A nice change." I said, and Angela squeezed my hand.

Edward was looking at me with a sort of fascination, as though I'd just been telling a wonderfully engaging story and he wanted to know more. "Alice mentioned you were from New York. Do you mind being away from the city terribly?" Esme was now passing around the cornbread, which smelled amazing.

"You guys...cook?" There was a question in my voice. I mean, the Cullens lived outside of town, presumably so they wouldn't be watched by their neighbors, and probably so they could be closer to the wildlife the woods had to offer. They wouldn't need to use their kitchen which was more for show, I was sure, than anything else.

"Of course we do," Edward said with an easy smile, "doesn't everybody?"

I considered myself warned, to watch what I said in front of Angela. Edward gave a small, almost unnoticeable nod as soon as I'd thought this. I narrowed my eyes at him, but at that moment Emmett came back from the kitchen, holding two glasses of lemonade. Behind him was Alice, followed by the tall blond that had to be Jasper, and the man from the airport, obviously Dr. Cullen. Like Esme, he radiated kindness.

"Hey Kel, Angela!" Alice said, setting down a bowl of coleslaw and quickly pecking Angela and myself on the cheek. "This is Jasper." Alice said, waving over her shoulder. Jasper nodded at me, proceeding toward the end of the table. "Uh, nice to meet you." I said, but he didn't acknowledge me. Emmett, who had taken the seat next to me, squeezed by knee under the table in a reassuring gesture. I guessed there was more to Jasper's story, things that couldn't be shared with Angela around.

I felt somewhat guilty, though, deliberately keeping something from Angela. She and Maureen were all that was left of my family, and it just felt wrong, somehow, because I could tell that Angela liked Edward. Not only that, but Maureen was my aunt, my mom's sister, and didn't she have some right to know what had really happened to her?

"This is my father," Edward said, gesturing toward Dr. Cullen. I'd always associated doctors with old men in lab coats and superiority complexes, but Carlisle was young, attractive just like the rest of his family, and had a very comforting aura around him. My first impressions of him at the airport were correct close up as well.

"Dr. Cullen, right?" I said, taking his extended hand.

"It's Carlisle, please."

And so commenced what could only be described as pleasant. Esme had made a delicious Southern style meal, with pulled pork sandwiches, fresh coleslaw and baked beans with molasses and bacon. I couldn't believe how good of a cook Esme was. She was easily on par with Maureen. It was a bit amusing to watch the Cullens attempt to eat; Carlisle and Esme were a little more out of practice than their children, but then Alice, Jasper, Edward and Emmett had to feign eating lunch almost every day at school.

Interested, I watched Emmett shovel food into his mouth. Jasper would quickly do the same, only with a bit more. Just a little bit, one bite, maybe a spoonful. Emmett would glare at him, and then wolf down another sandwich, or gulp and entire glass of lemonade. Across the table, Alice just grinned and shrugged her shoulders.

Edward and Angela, it seemed, were in a world of their own. They were discussing some historical non-fiction book that Angela had recently read about ancient Egyptian geometry. Edward was thrilled that Angela had even heard of the book, let alone actually read it. After a few seconds of trying to follow their conversation, I turned to Esme and Carlisle, who were full of questions about my life in New York. They were careful to never mention my parents, but they would ask me things like, where did I like to eat the most, what was my favorite thing to see when I was in the city, did I have a favorite museum. Occasionally Esme would appeal to Emmett and Jasper to not embarrass her in front of guests, but she knew a lost cause when she saw one.

We were talking about my favorite movies when Emmett broke into our conversation. Him and Jasper having cleaned every plate and bowl until there was nothing left, he seemed to have been the victor because Jasper was looking sullen, Alice's head on his shoulder. "You like movies?" Emmett asked.

I nodded. "Very much. It's one of the best things about the city, a lot of films open in theaters there that aren't released nationwide."

"Then you gotta see this." He stood, pulling me up with him.

"Er, excuse us, I guess." I said to Esme, and she smiled again, one of tenderness.

Emmett lead me out of the dining room and up a set of spiral stars. We came out into a large living room, with overstuffed suede couches and armchairs gathered in a half-circle around the largest flat screen I'd ever seen. Underneath was a dark wood entertainment center, and through the glass panels in the doors I could see various gaming systems. The walls were built-in shelves, and every inch of them was covered in DVDs. There had to be thousands of movies in this room.

I stood in awe for a moment, before dropping Emmett's hand and rushing to the nearest wall. I ran my fingers over the cases, reading titles I'd never even heard of. A lot of the movies were foreign, and a lot were classics. This was a collection like I could only dream about. Back home, my real home, when my parents were alive, we usually spent any extra money that came along on going to art openings, or doing things in the city. Living upstate was nice because we got the best of both worlds. We had a decently sized home, a nice yard, and were only a train ride from one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Having an art dealer for a mother was a great experience, because I'd been shown worlds I wouldn't have had the chance to see if my mom had chosen a different career path, but our DVDs weren't very numerous and wouldn't have filled even a small section of the Cullen's library.

"This is amazing." I said, turning back to look at Emmett. He was leaning against the wall, a slight grin on his face. "So," I said, gesturing toward the shelves, "which is your favorite?"

"As if. I can't just pick one, and you, fellow movie buff, know it."

"Okay okay, dumb question." I agreed. It was probably one of the hardest things to do, to pick a favorite movie. That would involve picking a favorite genre, and I could no more favor horror over comedy, action over psych thriller than I could deny my absolute attraction to Emmett. I pulled out a movie, giving a nostalgic sigh. "D'you know what movie I love?" I held it out to him as he came to stand beside me.

"Oh dude, no way." Emmett accepted the case, shaking his head.

"Right? But you know, the whole allure of that movie...I mean, what girl wouldn't want a king to fall in love with her? And Bowie can sing, no doubt."

Emmett laughed. "Guess I have to agree. Hoggle gives me the willies, though."

"Duh. When he's peeing in that fountain? Totally creepy." Emmett slid the movie back in its place.

"What about...this one?" Emmett started to pull one out.

"Oh my god, have you lost your mind!" I shoved the movie back into place. "No. Way."

Emmett looked bewildered. "What? What's the matter?"

"Seriously? You can't be serious." I said, my hand on my forehead.

"What, the movie? You didn't even see what it was! Girl, please."

"Bro, I don't need too. It has this demonic feel to it." I backed away from where Emmett was standing. He grinned, pulling out the movie too quickly for me to see.

"I love you Kelly, take me home with you!" He mimicked in a perfect imitation, holding the case in front of his face.

"Holy shit Emmett Cullen, don't even! Don't do that again!" I half shrieked, half gasped. We were both laughing so hard I almost couldn't breathe, and then Emmett tackled me to the ground. We laid there, a tangle of limbs, until I'd regained my breath.

"Care to explain why one of Steven Spielberg's most lovable characters sends you into hysterics?" Emmett asked, his fingertips lightly pressed into the pulse throbbing in my wrist.

"Well, I...okay, for one, he's creepy as fuck! And I used to have these nightmares. I mean, tell me you wouldn't be batshit crazy scared of something if you kept dreaming about finding its head in a box."

"You have a thing for nightmares, don't you." Emmett said in a quiet voice.

I sat up, giving a big swallow. "Yeah...yeah I guess I do." And I wanted to say that now, it wouldn't be so bad because I had somebody who could chase away those nightmares. But I knew my time with Emmett was short, that sooner rather than later I'd realize my grave mistake, and that was getting in too deep, because Emmett Cullen was at the most basic level addictive. I'd never done well with moderation in the first place, and now this...

Besides those points, when it came down to it, really, I was nothing more than a human girl with issues and problems he wouldn't want to deal with. I was damaged goods, and Emmett deserved somebody just as amazing as he was.

"Let's head outside for a bit. Alice said the stars are supposed to be kickin." Emmett said, standing up and holding a hand out for me to grab. Easily he pulled me from me the floor, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze, as though he knew what I had been thinking.

oooo

Alice POV

At the end of the day, my brothers really should have been kissing the ground I walked on. Without my help, they'd both still be moping, miserable messes without a shred of fashion sense. But now, here they were, each on what could only be described as a date, with a girl so perfect for them it was almost painful.

And I knew a lot about perfection, having encompassed it most of my life, at least what I could remember of it. So as an expert, I could really have an objective view of the whole issue.

Beside me, Jasper raised an eyebrow at me. Clearly, he didn't agree with my self-proclaimed ability to be objective about this. He raised his other eyebrow. Okay, about anything concerning my family. Still, I knew Emmett and Edward inside out, even Jasper couldn't disagree with that. It had been sheer luck, of course, that Kelly had come to us at this time. I loved Rosalie, even after everything she'd put Em and everybody else through, but there was just something about Kelly that seemed to click with Em in a way he and Rose never did.

It was a little early, maybe, to be making these judgements, but time is immaterial when you can live forever. When somebody affects a vampire, it is almost instantaneous. If Rose had still been around, I wondered how this all would have turned out. I didn't see Emmett staying away from Kelly, but I also couldn't see him betraying Rose in any way. Because Emmett wasn't like Rosalie; he wasn't selfish.

Emmett was innately good, and he deserved somebody who would grant him the courtesy he always granted them; Emmett deserved somebody who would always put him first.

Edward, on the other hand, had different needs. He needed somebody soft, like Angela, soft and patient. Angela's intelligence was a draw for him, I knew, and if tonight was any indication, they wouldn't be running out of topics to debate or discuss any time soon.

In short, Kelly and Angela were exactly right for my brothers, for my family. Perhaps it didn't make the loss any less, but Rosalie's absence wasn't what our world revolved around right now, and I would do everything I could to make sure it wouldn't be again.

oooo

Alice had been right. It was a clear night, not too cold, either. The stars were so bright out here, the sky so clear. It was vast, and I felt insignificant under the massive universe that lay above me. Emmett and I were on our backs a ways from the house, the grass under us soft and springs and immaculate.

"Look!" I said, raising my finger as a star shot across the expanse. "A shooting star!"

"Whoa, a long one too." Emmett said, and I fought the urge to reach out to him. "You know, my pops used to say that a shooting star was a soul going to heaven." Emmett turned on his side to face me.

I nodded once. "I like that. It's...it makes you feel like you're not so alone. Like even though it's so big," I gestured above me, "maybe somebody up there, somewhere, is watching over you." Unable to resist at least looking at him any longer, I also turned on my side. "So, should we wish on it?" I asked. I was such an idiot; what use would a vampire have for wishes? He could have anything he ever wanted, really. I doubted anybody alive would deny Emmett Cullen anything.

Emmett gave a half-smirk. "What would you wish for?"

I had so many answers to that question, I honestly didn't even know where to begin. But in that moment, with Emmett's caramel eyes drinking me in and him being so close, I could only think of one thing. What I wanted...the logical answer would be for my parents to be back to me. To have never died. But really, right that second, what I wished for was to be lost in Emmett's warm eyes, to pursue the promises of each of his smiles. To be allowed to kiss him whenever I wanted. To have Esme's hugs, Carlisle's kind eyes, Alice's enthusiasm, Edward's chivalry...all within my reach, because they were Emmett's family, and if he loved me, I could be a part of that. Most importantly, I could be a part of him.

And I knew how unattainable it all truly was. I really was so insignificant in their world...in their world where human things, time and money and emotions, were of little interest...merely specs on the horizon.

"Something I can't have." I said in a whisper, our eyes locking.

oooo

Emmett POV

Kelly's eyes were so dark in the night, so deep. If I was ever going to keep some control around her, I'd have to suggest she wear sunglasses all the time. "Something I can't have." She said in a soft voice, and I hated the things that passed through those eyes. Pain, and what seemed to me, a lot of longing.

"Anyway," she said, clearing her throat and sitting up, "I should, uh, probably head. I don't know what time Maureen expects Angela and I to be home."

"You're good. I can still hear Angela and Edward chatting it up. 'Sides, I'll take you home. Be all...gentlemanly or what the hell ever."

Kelly looked like she was deciding something, then nodded. "Then...then I'm just going to stay right here. For now." She slid back down on her side, closer to me now, her head resting on my bicep. She took a few deep breaths, her eyes close. She must have been really tired, but then it had been a big day for us. "It's really unfair," she mumbled, and I could tell from the way her heart was slowing that she was falling asleep. "Entirely unfair, actually."

"What is?"

"The way you smell...the way I fit against you...I want to believe that you smile just for me. That I...affect you...the way you affect me." She gave a small yawn, and I pulled her closer into me.

"You have no clue." I replied, my cheek against her hair.

Kelly was quiet, her breathing even. I wondered what made her think that I wasn't totally gaga over her, because I really was, when it came down to it. She was interesting, funny, unlike any girl I'd ever met, human or vampire. She wasn't hot in the way Rose was, not with outrageous curves or long blonde hair. Her skin wasn't flawless and I could probably kill her with just a second of lost control.

Kelly was the kind of beautiful you had to work for to understand. She was strong in ways that Rose wasn't, she was down-to-earth and that was something I really wanted. Kelly wasn't vain, she didn't mention her looks much, aside from the first night I was with her and she agreed that she was too skinny.

She made me happy. In just the few days that she'd been in Forks, it seemed like my life had done a 180. Alice and Esme said all the time that some things are just right, and I was pretty sure that applied to me and Kelly.

The back door opened and Alice came running out. "Angela's gone home, Edward saw her out. Carlisle's called Maureen and told her he'll give Kel a once-over, then send her on her way. He wasn't too happy about my using him so Kelly and you could skip class, but whatever. So you should probably drop her off."

I nodded and picked Kelly up. She was still, and the only time I'd seen her this relaxed was the first night I'd come to her, trying to calm her down after her nightmare. I shifted her so her head was tucked into my chest.

Alice's hand flew to her heart. "This is...I've never seen you like this." She said, tilting her head to one side. "It's...adorable."

"Stop being so annoying." I said, shoving past her, but she just laughed and skipped to catch up with me.

"Just run her home. Maureen will be in bed, and Angela in the shower. It'll be quieter that way, you can just go in through her window. She didn't leave it open, but busting the lock shouldn't be a problem. Just watch yourself, lover boy."

I ignored Alice, picking up speed as I ran by the house. In no time, it seemed, I was outside the Weber's, the house dark and quiet. I gently jerked open Kelly's window, sliding the window open as the lock cracked and gave way. I easily hopped inside, holding Kelly against me with one arm, pulling the blankets on her bed down with the other.

I laid her down, Kelly reaching up and grabbing onto my arm as I turned away. She tugged, and I didn't need telling twice. I slid in next to her, and Kelly pulled herself to me, her hand grabbing at my shirt. She inhaled deeply for a few moments, and I was pretty sure she was smelling me.

"Stay with me." She murmured, her forehead against my chest, her hand still curled in my shirt. I looked at her, her hair falling over her cheek, her cedar and citrus smell making my mouth water, the warmth of her body against my skin.

"Always." I said, a sleepy smile the only indication that she'd heard me.

As ever, feedback is greatly appreciated. Okay guys, so E.T. OHMYFUCKINGGOD. I can't...you guys. I've been afraid (like, irrationally so) of E.T. since I can remember. I think he is the creepiest mofo ever. Kelly's nightmare about find his head in a box? I HAVE THAT DREAM ALL THE TIME. And it's not like "hell yeah I killed that fucker and now his head is in a box". It's like...terror and I wake up hysterical. It's not even...ugh.

ANYWAY. Ignore the fact that I'm not psychologically sound, and just uh, hit that review button.