A/N: I think I've waited long enough...

Read it in 3/4 or 1/2 page width so you don't get a headache :3

Chapter 1

Sweet Seventeenth?

"Happy birthday!" I woke up to the collective greeting of my family members who were surrounding my bed.

I smiled. Every year.

Got that right. Edward's voice popped in my head.

I laughed out loud as they sang to me, Emmett sitting before me with the cake in his large hands. He was making funny faces as they continued to sing in such precise tunes, making the song fit for Broadway.

I shook my head at the numbered candles. Once they finished with their song, I smiled. "Yes, thank you all for reminding me just how old I am."

"Eighty-five is a milestone!" Alice explained, her flyaway hair reflecting her giddy mood.

"We've been through this! I'm only a few years behind you guys." I shook my head lightly, inspecting the delicious looking cake before me.

"But you still age... Sorta... we don't. So, just blow the candles!" Rose smiled encouragingly, taking a seat next to me. She placed a sisterly arm around my shoulders, and kissed my temple.

I closed my eyes tightly and made a wish to humor them, blocking Edward from my thoughts.

I thought hard. What did I want? What do I not have? Am I happy? ... Am I happy with being me?

Oh, the questions in life. I softened the muscles on my face, settling for something vaguely simple...

I wish... that I can finally find myself. I then blew the two candles and waved at the thin lines of smoke that rose up from the wicks.

The vampires cheered. Edward and Jasper pulled out confetti blasters from behind their backs and set them off, resulting in streams of color covering me from head to toe.

I blew at one strand hanging on my face. "You know, I kinda prefer that you use my physical age of seventeen." I laughed.

"Those candles are downstairs for your birthday party later." Carlisle chuckled and kissed the top of my head, dusting off the glitter from my nose. "Happy birthday, my love." He smiled.

"Oh, happy birthday my sweet, sweet girl!" Esme sat beside me and hugged me tightly, kissing my cheek.

"Oof." Her hug was crushing. "Mom, mom, I know you love me, but please, you're suffocating me!" I squirmed, and she relaxed her grip.

"Sorry. It's just, you grow so fast." She said, wiping an imaginary tear while gazing at me.

I chuckled.

"She was fully grown when she was fourteen. That was seventy-one years ago." Edward commented, chuckling as well.

"Forgive me for trying to be human." Esme joked, dusting me off and standing up.

"Anyway, get dressed, and come downstairs! Presents await." Alice ordered, handing me a zipped dress bag.

I sighed. "Alright, alright! Go." I shooed them out, shutting the door behind them.

After showering, I unzipped the dress bag. Inside was a beautiful baby pink dress, with a Sabrina neckline and cap sleeves, and a full skirt. I put it on, and it looked great on me. I paired the dress with white flats and a white ribbon headband.

I combed my long hair, and it fell perfectly in waves. Then I headed downstairs with my packed messenger backpack for school. The family was gathered in the dining room, and a plate of my favorite breakfast was set in my place: funnel cake with caramel sauce.

"Yum!" I smiled as I went to my place at the head of the table.

"Oh, you're beautiful, sweetheart. Come on, I made your breakfast special." Esme placed the fork and knife in my hand to help me start eating.

"This is delicious, as usual. Thank you, mom." I smiled, savoring my breakfast.

"Hurry up, I'm growing impatient!" Alice clapped.

"Relax, Alice." Carlisle chuckled. "School doesn't start for another two hours. Let her finish her food."

I smiled. I loved how my family really put effort into sitting with me at the table even if they don't eat. This gave us the chance to talk about anything that comes up, and keeps us united despite nearly a century of having to deal with each other.

"Carlisle, I'll go with you to work today, just drop me off at the mall." Esme said.

Alice perked up. "Mall?"

"Need to have Callie's printer fixed." She said, nodding.

"Can Rose and I come? We have some last-minute shopping to do before the party tonight." Alice asked.

"You told me you had a test today." I pointed out, giving her an accusing look. Besides, I was pretty sure the party stuff I saw in the garage was way more than enough for tonight.

"As if we haven't taken senior year a gazillion times." Rose said sardonically, rolling her eyes.

Everyone snickered.

"Sure." Esme said. "We might as well take our own car."

"Please don't tell me you're going all out again." I looked at them, sipping my water.

"Don't even bother asking, Cal." Emmett snickered.

I rolled my eyes, but laughed all the same.

"Every year." Edward said.

"Hey, she's the only hybrid we know of. You never know." Alice said in her defense. She sent a worried look at me. "Not to offend you, or anything."

"Alice." Jasper quietly scolded.

"No, I get it, thanks." I smiled. "Anyway, I'm done."

Everyone stood up, and Esme brought my dishes to the kitchen. We all moved to the living room and sat on the couches.

"Alright, so we all decided to collaborate on this." Carlisle smiled proudly.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "That's a first."

Carlisle and Esme sandwiched me, a medium-sized velvet box resting in Esme's hands. She handed it to me, and I gladly took it. I opened it gingerly, and found a stunning rose-gold chain bracelet within it.

I widened my eyes. "This is beautiful." I said gratefully. "Thank you."

Carlisle put it on me. "You're most welcome. It's a charm bracelet."

Esme took the box gently from my hands and dug deeper into it. She produced two charms, one a tiny, green gem-like heart and the other a wooden cross, which she handed to Carlisle.

"Ok. So this is an emerald, your birthstone, cut into the shape of a heart." Esme explained, holding it up for me to inspect. "Do you know what an emerald means, Callie?"

I shook my head in response, eyeing the precious stone.

"It means happiness." She smiled. "Callie, my dear, you brought me eternal happiness when you came into the world. When... he left me... us, for dead, I thought for sure neither of us would survive, but I tried with all my might to protect you. Carlisle was doubtful I would be able to still give birth to you since he changed me while I was still pregnant with you. But, miracles happen, and thankfully, you survived the c-section and came out as a beautiful surprise: a hybrid. You could only imagine how surprised we were, and how full of bliss we were in. I loved you so much until now, and for millennia to come. You bring me so much happiness, that I only wish that you do what makes you happy as well, and do what you love. We will always be here for you." She smiled widely, clipping the charm on my bracelet and hugging me, then kissed my forehead. "Happy birthday, sweet girl."

"Thank you so much mom." I teared, and kissed her cheek. She then nudged her chin to Carlisle who was on my other side, and I turned to face him.

"I hope this little cross will always remind you of me and your faith. I want you to remember to be everything I taught you to be, which is basically a good Christian. Do what feels right, as I hope I always taught you." He smiled, and clipped it on my bracelet. "Happy birthday, my love."

I hugged him, and he returned it. "Thank you."

They both then stood up, and Emmett took my mom's place at my left.

He smiled and held up a tiny velvet box, this time the kind that usually would fit engagement rings or the sort. He opened it with the box still facing me, and I giggled, taking the small charm.

"Alright, now, I think you know why I got that one to represent me." He raised an eyebrow and smiled mischievously.

"I think I do, too." I smiled like he did, and inspected the bear paw print charm with my thumb.

"You know I'm your bear of a brother, and you know what they say about bears?" He asks.

"No. What?"

He whipped out his smartphone with a site about bears pre-loaded. I laughed. "Well, it says here that bears are affectionate and friendly creatures yadda yadda yadda... Mother bears are protective of their kin." He looked at me and put his phone back into his pocket, then took the charm. "You know I was close to dying because of a bear, right? Well, that was mostly my fault, I was an ass. But now? See, that bear changed me. Literally and figuratively. I'm like a mother bear now, except, I'm your brother. So I'm your brother bear! And that's cool too, coz if any boy comes near you they're lunch."

Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Edward darted him a look.

Emmett laughed. "I'm kidding, yeesh. But, yeah, there it is. Happy birthday you little rascal." He said, locking the charm into place.

"Thank you, Emmet." I smiled and side-hugged him, which he responded to with a bear hug only he could give. He then kissed my cheek and stood, only to be replaced by his wife, Rosalie.

"Here you go." Rose happily handed me the small box, similar to Emmett's.

I opened it and found a lovely white ivory rose. It was so intricate and beautiful, just like Rosalie.

"So, you obviously know your full name means gift of beauty." She smiled.

With a weird name like Callidora, I got suspicious over the years and did some research. I used to get weirded out by my name, then found its weirdness to be fitting. But beautiful? …Ahem.

"This symbolizes that, as much as Emmett discouraged me to choose it since it resembled my name so much." She rolled her eyes. "But anyway, back to the point. You of all the people I know, have one of the purest spirits and kindest hearts, which is why it's white. And that beauty you have here -" she caressed my face "- has no match, which stems from in here." She put her hand over my heart. "And, every rose has its thorns — referring to myself — and you know how much I hated being a vampire at first. But, you helped me get through it, and slowly helped me shed off some of those thorns. You're a blessing to me; to all of us. Happy birthday, angel."

We shared a tight hug, and I thanked her. Since I was a hybrid and Rosalie missed being human and wanted a kid, she treated me like her own. When Rose first joined us, I would ask her to do human things with me, like eating in a restaurant (though she really couldn't), going to the bathroom, training for my marathons. She really supported me, as I supported her.

She then switched places with Jasper, who sat beside me rigidly. It was still a little difficult for him to be around me, which I totally understood.

He opened the box as Emmett did, and lying on the velvet cushion was a miniature brass bullet. I gave him a look of confusion.

He smiled.

"Callie, even though it wouldn't kill me, I'd gladly take a bullet for you."

I broke into a grin. Our relationship has never really been able to develop especially since we had to keep our distance from each other. Hearing this was bliss.

"Thank you for always respecting the space I needed from you. And even though it was difficult at first, you held no hostility against me and actually accepted me into the family wholeheartedly, even if I still thirst. Thanks. And, happy birthday."

I started to tear and moved to hug him but he backed away and sucked in a breath. I stopped, but then he surprised me and took me into his arms, all the while holding his breath.

I saw everyone smile, and the girls pretended to shed tears.

I hugged him as tightly as I could in return, treasuring this rare physical contact. I then let go, and thanked him profusely.

He smiled as he stood to be replaced by a giddy Alice.

"You look beautiful, Callie." She said, before handing me the small box.

I smiled in thanks.

I opened the small box, finding a simple golden word: SISTERS. I giggled at how adorably simple it was, ironically coming from Alice.

"This is us. Callie, you're an awesome sister and I wouldn't trade you for anything. You're unique, down to earth, and have a heart made of gold. You're a great shopping buddy and are a great person to share stories with. I love you, and happy birthday."

We shared a hug.

"Thanks, Alice." I smiled.

She stood, and Edward took her place.

He gave me the box and I opened it, finding a plain jade stone on a hook.

He took it, and held it up. "This is a jade. When Esme and I went to the gem store, the merchant said it was for protection, love, healing, and money — though you probably won't be needing any more of that." He chuckled.

"So, at first when you were born, it took a while for me to accept. You were living and half human, which was nothing short of a miracle especially because of the circumstances. I grew angry and jealous, especially since when I turned, it was because I literally had no chance of living anymore. But then you came along, all healthy and strong, with probably the most powerful ability any vampire—any creature could have. I watched you grow at an inhuman pace and could never get a handle on it. So I set out and had that vigilante phase, only to realize that you were family, and were my duty to protect. When I returned, you had grown so fast that in that time you were already in your fully developed form, which is how you are today. I saw how happy you made all of us, which is when I learned to accept you. Callie, for as long as we should exist, I will protect you and love you as a brother should, and help you feel better when anything happens. I only hope that you can find a love as strong as I have for Bella, Alice and Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett, and especially Carlisle and Esme. Happy birthday." He smiled.

He clipped it on, and I tackled him with a hug. He gingerly kissed my forehead, and I smiled.

"Thank you, Ed." I said nuzzling my head into his neck.

"No problem." He smiled. "Bella will be coming over later tonight to give you her gift."

I nodded, then turned to everyone. "Thank you all so much. This is an amazing gift, and I'm happy that I can always have all of you with me with this bracelet."

"We love you so much, Callie." Esme returned by my side and hugged me again.

"I have to head to the hospital now, so I'll see you later tonight." Carlisle stood and kissed Esme, then placed a fatherly hand on my head. "Bye, everyone."

We all greeted him, and stood from our places.

"School doesn't start for another hour, so..." Alice said and looked at me mischievously.

"Yeah, ok, but just this once!" I exclaimed and held my pointer finger up, allowing her and Rosalie to pull me to the stairs.

"That's what you said last time!" Alice laughed, and we headed up to her and Jasper's room.

Response(s) to Review(s):

SummerHuntress - sorry to keep you waiting! Junior year was incredibly stressing, haha! Seth doesn't come up until a few chapters, but I really hope I'll still be able to keep your attention.

Debbie Hicks - I have absolutely no idea what in the world you were trying to say...