Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, I am not Stephenie Meyer.

--

Chapter -10 Family Involved Emotions

"How was your first day of school, Bella?"

Esme had just stepped into the living room in green wooden clogs, a straw hat, gloves and some kind of mini-shovel. I figured she was working in the garden again.

"Nice… and difficult. I think I'm going to have to work a little harder on my self control." I said this last part with my eyes on Edward. He smiled genuinely.

"Actually, Esme," came Alice's voice from beside me. "I think Bella did rather well. I kept an eye on her and Jasper said her hunger was perfectly under control."

I turned to quickly glance at Jasper, who was slowly walking through front door, along with Rosalie and Emmett.

"Really?" I asked Jasper.

"Really. I felt your thirst a couple of times, but I believed it to be well under control. You're a lot stronger than you think, Bella."

I had to smile at Jasper's generosity. He's always so quiet, so modest. I immediately wished we were a bit closer, he would be an understanding older brother.

Jasper smiled back at me momentarily. He must have felt my sudden rush of emotion.

"Well, I'm glad to hear you will be able to attend school for the rest of the semester, at the least," Esme said to me. "But, first things first, I think you should feed, Bella. Precautions must be taken seriously."

"May I join you?" Edward whispered into my ear.

"Of course. I would love for you to come with me."

His crooked smile spread across his face as he removed my backpack from my shoulder. I watched as he quickly sprinted upstairs. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of the springs on my bed that restricted from the weight of my bag, and then I heard Edward's feather light steps as he descended the stairs.

My eyes opened and landed on his. My stomach clenched as I took in every shape of his perfect face. How could someone so beautiful be mine? I thought to myself.

"Ready, love?" Edward's voice seemed to caress the hungry animal in my chest. The one that longed for him.

"Yes," I breathed quietly.

I was faintly aware of Alice and Emmett snickering in the background, but I didn't care. Edward was mine, and I his. That's all that could possible matter to me now.

Before heading outside, I quickly withdrew my jacket and placed it neatly folded on a nearby chair, then Edward and I headed out into the misty air, his large hand in mine.

"Do you ever get tired of the rain?" I asked after we had walked a few miles into the woods. Edward was aware that I only really spoke to him when we were a safe distance away from his family… our family. He knew I enjoyed the privacy.

"Yes, sometimes. I enjoy the alienated beauty of this town, but nothing can ever blind me from the glory of the sun…" Edward met my eyes. "…except for you."

I smiled as I dropped my eyes to my feet. Edward's unexpected compliments always made me instantly shy. Especially the way his eyes would smolder at his words.

"Do you miss the sun, Bella?" I was aware that his eyes were still on me, so I kept them on my feet.

"Yes, I do."

"Then let's leave sometime. Take a vacation. Just you… and me." I looked up at him now. He was wearing that crooked smile again while he looked at me curiously.

"Where would we go?" I asked.

"Anywhere you wish. How about the city? We can keep indoors during the day with large wide windows so we can still enjoy the sun, and attend clubs, stores, and parks at night. Or how about the countryside? Spain, perhaps? Or… a deserted island?" He grazed my ear with his lips as he said that last part.

"All alone," Edward continued to purr in my ear, one hand around my waist, one softly caressing my jaw, "No eyes, no ears; just you, me, the sun, and the clear blue sea."

I turned to slowly look into his eyes.

"Just you and me?" I whispered.

"You and me," he whispered back.

"I would love that."

And then he kissed me.

"We should definitely take a vacation, then," Edward said after a long moment of kissing.

"We definitely should."

And with that, we took off at a comfortable jog through the forest, in search of an evening feast.

--

I was on my way to my room when a cool voice came from behind me.

"How was your hunt?"

I turned slowly to face the person standing behind me. Of course I knew who it was, but why would she be speaking to me?

"Rosalie?" I asked as I finally fully faced her.

She gave me an awkward smile before saying, "I'm sorry I've been so cruel to you these past months. Honestly, it wasn't really my intention. I seem to be more stubborn than I let myself think."

"That's okay," I responded, not knowing how else I can word my acceptance of her apology. "But if you don't mind me asking, why have you been angry with me?"

"It's kind of a long story. Would you mind if I followed you to your room? I'd be a bit more comfortable with a little privacy."

"Of course."

As we entered my room, I wasn't surprised not to see Edward sprawled across my bed waiting for me. He must have either heard our discussion downstairs, or heard her mind. I smiled knowingly to myself before I turned to offer Rosalie a seat.

"Would you like to sit?" I gestured my hand towards my bed.

"Thanks."

She took a seat two feet away from me, her body language facing forward, uninviting. My observation told me we still aren't friends.

"So," she began, "I'm guessing you are still curious as to why my actions towards you have been uncanny?"

"Yes."

"It isn't easy for me to admit this, Bella, but I'm beginning to realize that you are now part of the family and so I believe I do owe you some explanations. Please bare with me. Apologizing isn't one of my strongest talents."

She gave me a small smile, one with I returned encouragingly. "Okay, well…" she began, "the truth is: I was unfortunately very unhappy that Edward took a quick liking of you. But let me explain before your stray your mind towards false accusations. Edward is my brother. We have thought of each other as brother and sister for many, many years now. I am indeed in complete and utter love with Emmett. He is my other half, the love of my everlasting life." Rosalie paused for a moment before continuing. "When I was first born to being a vampire, I don't know if Edward ever told you this, but Carlisle's intentions of turning me where partly for Edward's sake. Carlisle wanted me to be Edward's mate, his companion. Immediately, Edward had no interest in me, and of course, it was hard for me to accept it, let alone understand. So when Edward was suddenly attracted to you the very first day you met, jealously overtook me. All that would run through my mind was, 'Why her, why not me?' 'How could this average looking vampire girl hold his better interest rather than me?' But the truth is, Bella, I know now why he loves you and never loved me. You are everything that I am not. My complete opposite. You are not average, Bella, though I have to admit, I believe I am somewhat prettier." We both laughed at her bold statement. "I guess what I am trying to say is, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for treating you so negatively. I'm sorry for not understanding. I am not asking for your friendship if you'd prefer it didn't exist; however, I am asking for your forgiveness."

Rosalie and I sat starring at each other for a few long moments before either one of us said anything. I wasn't sure how Rosalie saw me now, but I was definitely sure of what I now saw in her. I can agree with Edward and say: yes, Rosalie mind is a shallow pool with few surprises; however I now understood her in a different way. She is honest and understands only what she's known her whole life. She is the most beautiful person in the world, and it must be very difficult to hear someone tell you otherwise. I couldn't believe the facts myself; Edward has chosen me over her. As much as it surprised me, I felt the intimidations slowly recede. And still I can understand, as conceded as Rosalie is, her intentions are still good. And for that, I can accept her apology.

"Well, of course I accept your apology. The truth is, Rosalie, I would like to be friends, or try to at least, if you are okay with that."

"I think we could try it out. Well… I will leave you to your thoughts. I know Edward is desperate to get you into his arms," she giggled.

I couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed of her statement.

She rose from my bed gracefully and strode quickly to the door. Waiting to enter on the other side of my door was Edward. Rosalie gave me a quick smug glance before leaving my room.

"Good evening, Edward," she said as she passed him.

I saw him give her a welcoming smirk as she turned away from him.

"I'm glad to know you two are on good terms now," Edward said as he sat beside me.

"I am too. There is so much I don't know about her. Its hard to fit it all together," I mused starring down at my hands.

Edward gently put his large hand on top of mine, swaying me from my thoughts.

"At least now you know you have plenty of time to get to know the real her."

Edward was now only inches from my face, his cool sweet breath floating against my skin. Before I had the chance to place my lips against his, Edward dipped his head towards my neck, lightly kissing the hollow underneath my ear.

"I love when you do that," I whispered to him in a trembling voice.

"I don't know if I tell you this often enough, Bella," his voice was barely audible as he kept his lips against my skin. "I love you."

I froze. It's been months sense that day in the forest when we exchanged our love for one another. It's amazing what three words can to do someone. For Edward to tell me he loves me; the beauty of his statement engulfed me in so many emotions, one's I've never felt, and knew I could never feel with another person.

Edward lifted his head to face me, his face only inches away. His eyes seemed to be clouded over as he stared into my eyes. Desire overtook me and I roughly captured his lips with mine, deepening the kiss, savoring every moment.

"I love you, too," I whispered against his mouth.

I would always love him. He is my forever, until the day I die.

--

I kind of like Rosalie... Review!!

-PuppetStrings19