Chapter 8

"If you don't mind, I think it's time you met the rest of my family." He arose, & she followed silently. She was amazed at herself, by many things. First of all, how graceful she was. Another thing, was her crystal clear vision. Colors were vibrant, & she saw every slightest movement with intense clarity. Also, she heard everything. Every thump, bump, rustle, whisper - anything - that was within a mile radius. Voices near her didn't seem uncomfortably loud, but things far away were uncomparably clear. She wondered briefly if she would have any extra senses, or powers or whatever they were. But before she could give it much thought, they were in the study they were in before, where a young couple sat quietly & closely together, reading the same book. The woman had her feet pulled up under her on the couch where they sat, & the man - the young blonde she had seen before - had his arm around her shoulders. They looked like a picture-perfect scene from an old movie - they both definitely had that old movie star era quality about them - or perhaps two models in a photograph. The man - Carlisle, if Bella's memory served her well - placed a bookmark in the thick volume, & they both arose to greet her.

"Bella, hello. My name is Carlisle Cullen."

"& I am is Esme Cullen."

"My Mother & Father," Edward added, smiling. It was clear to see the genuine love in his eyes for his parents.

Is she handling everything all right, Edward? Esme thought, & Edward nodded once, discreetly.

"Just let us know if there is anything at all we can help you with," spoke Carlisle sincerely. Esme agreed.

"I understand how difficult a time this is for you, Bella," she said kindly, exuding maternal warmth & compassion, & Bella could tell that she meant not only now, but ever, even if she left the Cullens. It wasn't hard to tell that was the type of people Esme & Carlisle were. People, she thought, being a loose expression.

"Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, & Alice are downstairs, if you'd like to meet them as well," Carlisle said, smiling warmly.

"Yes, thank you," Bella answered politely.

"My brothers & sisters," Edward explained.

"They can't all be your real family, can they?" Bella asked, remembering what Jessica had said - it felt like a lifetime ago.

"Not technically, no," Carlisle was the first, & then me, & the rest were added through time. Carlisle & Esme are mates - which you probably already figured. As are Alice & Jasper, & Rosalie & Emmett.

"So you're the only one who's alone," she pointed out.

"And you," he replied, the look in his eyes unreadable, but it made Bella feel uneasy. She could barely control the urge to reach out & touch him, & she wasn't sure why. She crossed her arms across her chest.

They winded down the long staircase, & found themselves in front of an old, beautifully carved wooden coffee table, where the two boys sat on the floor, & the girls, on the couch in front of it, smiling wide. Boys, Bella thought, as she realized what they were doing, will be boys, vampires or not. They were arm wrestling. She smiled at this, despite herself. The one that seemed slight next to his muscular brother, appeared to be winning. They appeared to be completely involved in their game, but the petite, pixie-like girl jumped off the couch to greet Bella.

"Hi Bella!" she sang out, kissing her cheek, surprising her. "I'm Alice!" It was impossible not to like this beautiful, enthusiastic girl. Her smile turned sympathetic, comforting, as she asked Bella how she was doing.

"I'm surprisingly well," she answered. "You're family seems lovely."

"They really are," she answered, back to enthusiastic. "This is Rosalie," she gestured to the most beautiful, blonde haired girl she had ever seen, who looked up for a fraction of a second in acknowledgment. "& these two dopes are Jasper & Emmett."

"Hey! Dopes?!" Emmett argued playfully, & in his moment of distraction, Jasper forced his hand to the table. "Thanks a lot Alice!" he teased. Jasper sprang up.

"Yeah, like I wouldn't have beaten you anyway? No reason to blame this sweet, innocent girl," he joked, spinning Alice around, feet off the ground, as she giggled. Jasper was unintentionally using his gift - his playful attitude had affected everyone there. Everyone was laughing now, including Rosalie. Bella was affected as well, & it was good for Edward to see a smile on her lips. He wanted her to feel happy & comfortable.

"So, hunting tonight?" Emmett asked cheerfully. "Look at this girl - she needs it!" he noticed Bella's black eyes. Bella surprised herself by not being offended or uncomfortable by his comment.

"So do I, obviously," Edward muttered, feeling guilty. Everyone ignored him except for Alice & Bella, giving him sympathetic looks.

"Why not today?" Bella asked.

"It's too sunny out. You need to learn to stay in-cog-nito," Jasper replied, drawing out the syllables with a silly smile.

"Have you seen yourself in the sunlight yet, Bella?" Alice asked, even though she knew the answer. Bella shook her head.

"Oh man, you'll love it!" Emmett replied. Bella was extremely curious now. Edward said the sunlight didn't hurt them, but she didn't know what it did. She noticed the sunlight pouring in from the wall length window on the opposite side of the room. She walked toward it, stepping out of the shadows, into the sunlight, & gasped.