Chapter 12

CatPOV

The rest of the day was spent getting me up to speed about life as a vampire. Carlisle took the time to tell me all about the Volturi and the "rules" that come along with this new life. Edward and Bella had retired to their room a few hours ago, leaving me with Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle. Emmett stayed with me to help me feel more comfortable since Jasper hadn't left my side, fearful that I would lose my temper and ignite. I didn't blame him, but at the same time it hurt my feelings. I hated feeling so weak.

As the sun began to set, I stood up from my new stinky couch and stretched. "Well, once again, thank you so much for everything. I should be heading home now. Chance needs to get fed. I bet he's freaking out right now."

As I turned from the couch, Jasper grabbed my arm. "You're not leaving," he said sternly.

I yanked my arm from his grasp. "The hell I'm not!" I exclaimed. I could feel the familiar heat begin to burn from my chest. My skin began to grow hot, alarming me and the rest of the people in the room. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, allowing my anger to dissipate. My skin cooled down to its normal temperature.

"Interesting," Carlisle mused. "If you control yourself, you can just create a heat instead of a just a flame."

I didn't have time for his observations. "I'm leaving and there is not a damn thing you can do about it!"

I turned to walk towards the door, but stopped when my arm was grabbed again. This time, the grip was not harsh, but rather mild. I turned my head around and was met with Emmett's sad face. "I'm sorry, Kitty Cat, but Jasper's right. You can't leave. It's not safe for you to be around humans. Not only would you probably eat them, but there's also the possibility you could turn them into a barbecue."

"So you just expect me to stay here?! What about my family? What about Chance? He'll die without me there to take care of him. I don't know anyone else in this city to take him in and care for him!" My body was trembling and the heat poured out of the center of my body. It hurt badly and I pushed the heat down my arms and centralized the feeling in my hands. My hands burst into flames.

Emmett instinctively stepped back from me. I liked it. I liked that he feared me. Maybe now he and the rest of the world would take me seriously.

"Catherine, please I need you to calm down," Carlisle soothed. I refused to listen.

"NO! Not until you swear that I can return to the only life I know. I know it sucks, but it's all I have." My voice was cracking, showing my weakness. I would not let them take advantage of it. I would never be taken advantage of again.

"Catherine, it'll be okay." Emmett took a step towards me, but I backed away. "Just calm down and we can talk about this."

"No, goddammit, no more talking. I want to go home!" My entire body burst into a flash fire, then quickly extinguished once I regained control. My hands were still lethal as they were consumed in my bright blue flames. This time I took the step forward while Emmett moved backward.

"We can't do that, Catherine." Jasper's voice became harsh, reminding me of my very worst memories. It was a voice that I used to hear during the tears that were caused by fists and pain. "We can't just unleash you on the unsuspecting population. You know we can't. Now stop acting like this."

Jasper lumbered towards me, his posture imposing. I couldn't help but think of Scott and the posture he took right before he would beat the ever-living shit out of me.

The fear I felt was sobering and my flames quickly snuffed out. My body tensed as I instinctively threw my arms over my head to protect myself. I crouched and lowered my head. I was so scared. It's like I was right back in Texas and nothing had changed. I was right back in that same terrifying position. I closed my eyes and let out a small whimper.

I heard large footsteps move away from me. Then petite steps that seemed to float on air moved towards me. I felt a small, gentle hand lie itself on my shoulder. I couldn't suppress the small squeak that came out of my mouth. I kept telling myself to not be afraid, but it just wasn't working.

"It's okay," a smooth, tender voice told me. "He can't hurt you. No one can ever hurt you again."

I looked up, expecting to see Bella or Esme, the mother figure of this family. I was surprised to see Rosalie's bright piercing eyes gazing down at me with sorrow.

"How did you know?" I asked her. She looked down, unable to meet my gaze. "I understand," I said softly.

And I did understand. She had been hurt like me. We were sisters of pain. I instantly knew her hurt just like she instantly knew mine.

I allowed her to pull me to my feet. When I stood completely erect, I softly threw my arms around her shoulders. She mimicked my actions and we stood there for a moment holding each other. We didn't cry; we didn't pity each other or make false promises to each other that one day everything would be okay. We just stood there, sharing our stories and pain mutely. After we broke apart, I didn't feel healed, but I felt better.

"Don't let Jasper scare you, he's a big pussy at heart," Rosalie said with a wry smile. Her expression softened. "We'll take care of you here, but we won't keep you against your will. You'll always be free to make your own choices. I hope, however, that you choose to stay with us."

I smiled and nodded. Right now, my place was here with them. They could never take the place of my dad and Brad, but they would become a family to me. I knew it deep inside, and it made me feel more comforted.

I looked over at Emmett, who was giving me a look full of sympathy and remorse.

"Stop that," I said to him with a tone that was part humor, part seriousness. "I don't need that from you."

Emmett looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry we haven't been treating you so great, Catty. I'm sorry I didn't know about… whoever he is." Emmett looked back up at me with a rage that I never knew could come from such a kindhearted man-child. "I'll kill him. Give me the word Catherine and he will be sorry he ever hurt you."

I smiled, happy to see the protective side of him. "Thank you, Emmett, but he took care of that himself."

He looked at me inquisitively. I gave him a small smile and said, "I think it's time for you to know why I came here."

Carlisle stood to leave, but I stopped him. "No, you should hear too. Everyone should hear." With that, the rest of the Cullen family came into the bare living room. There was so many of them; it felt weird to tell this story to such a large audience.

I sat on the couch while the Cullen family gathered in front. Esme had brought in a few chairs so that people could sit. Rosalie sat on the couch next to me, holding my hand. Emmett took his seat on the other side of my with his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders.

"This feels like some sick sort of Story Time," I said, letting out an awkward laugh. I was met by a mix of amused and awkward gazes. Bella gave me a reassuring smile which prompted me to start.

I took in a deep breath and began.

EmPOV

Catherine told us her story without pause. Even during the really difficult parts, the parts that involved her friend Christy she did not pause to cry. Not that she can really cry anymore, but you know what I'm saying. The amount of strength and resilience she showed was unparalleled.

When she told us about the fire, I was shocked. Catherine lost so much and lost even more when she moved here to Portland. All she had was that dog, so I can see why she clung so dearly to it. I hadn't told her yet, but Chance was okay. We had a buddy looking over him while she's away.

When she finished her sordid tale, she had her head down and was wringing her fingers. She looked ashamed.

"You shouldn't feel like that. Not even for a second." We all turned to Jasper in surprise. I know my mouth practically fell to the ground. "It's not your fault that a man deceived you, beat you and killed one of the best people in your life. He shouldn't even be referred to as a man."

Catherine met Jasper's intense gaze. I couldn't read her expression, but Jasper could certainly read her emotions.

"Rosalie's right. I am a big pussy at heart," he said with a little smile on his face.

Alice leaned over and gave him an affectionate kiss on the cheek. "It's about time you admitted it!"

Jasper leaned forward and grasped Catherine's hands. "I'm deeply, deeply sorry for how I handled this situation. I should have never treated you so badly."

"It's okay," Catherine whispered.

"No, it's not," Jasper said firmly. His gazed hardened slightly. "It's not okay. I will accept your forgiveness, but I will not accept you making excuses for my behavior."

Catherine's face filled with emotion. It must have hit Jasper pretty hard because he manifested an enormous grin on his face.

"Okay, you're forgiven. But if you do it again, I'll kick your ass." Catherine was back to her normal, playful self. I like it when she's like this.

"Speaking of ass-kicking, I think it's time for a rematch, don't you Catherine?" I grabbed her around the waist and carried her outside. She laughed, but it sounded funny because I was bouncing her up and down while running.

As soon as my feet hit the back lawn, I threw her away from me and settled into a crouch. Catherine lithely landed on her feet and mimicked my stance. A low growl came out of her chest and she reminded me more than ever of an angry cat.

She made the first move, running towards me. We wrestled around a little bit then I begged her to show me her boxing moves. She showed me a lot of the basics, and a few little moves she picked up along the way. She said she used to do amateur fights, but quit when she left for college.

We continued to fight with the occasional talking until the sun began to rise. When a ray of sun hit Catherine's outstretched arm, she gasped. I forgot to tell her that we sparkle in the sun.

"Freaky, huh?" I asked her while she stared at her arm in amazement.

"Yeah, really freaky," she said.

I shrugged. "You get used to it."

She looked at me with a soft expression. "You remind me so much of Brad. I miss him so much. Will I get to see him again?" Her voice sounded hopeful, which made what I had to say very hard.

"Catherine, your car was smashed to bits and there was blood everywhere. We set the car on fire to make it look like you burned up. I'm sorry, but they think you're dead."

Catherine's fear contorted in pain. She collapsed to the cry and her body was wracked with sobs. I kneeled next to her and wrapped my arms around her and held her while she cried.

"Catherine, I know I can't take their place. I don't even want to try. But you are the only blood family I have. You're the only McCarty who knows what I have become and I don't want to lose you.

I never really thought of my life before the Cullen's until I met you. It wasn't until you that I realized how much I miss the family I was forced to leave behind. Now that you're here, I get a second chance. I know it's not fair to you. I'm so sorry for that. I was just so selfish; I couldn't watch you die."

Catherine looked up at me, pain still in her eyes. "You were the one that changed me?"

"Yes," I admitted. "I refuse to call it a mistake. I don't want you to, either. Please, please Catherine. Will you be my family?" I was hoping so bad that she would say yes. I wanted to help fix all the bad things in her life. I wanted to be instrumental in giving her the life she deserved, not the one that was forced upon her before her change.

It took a minute for her to answer, but I think she just wanted to stop crying first. "Okay, Emmett. I'll be your family."

I was so ecstatic that I picked her up in a bone-crushing hug and spun her around.

"Put me down or the deal is off!" she screamed, but I chose to ignore her.

"Emmett Cullen, you put her down this instant!" Rosalie yelled. She had stepped outside and was watching us from the porch. I set Catherine down and smoothed her hair.

"Aww, you're fine," I said with a teasing voice.

Catherine punched me in the arm, hard. "Ow! What was that for?"

Before she could answer, Rosalie appeared in a flash behind me and smacked the back of my head. "Ow, dammit! Now what the hell was that for?!"

The girls just giggled, then linked arms and walked inside. I was left outside, dumbfounded and confused.

Jasper met me outside. "Alice told me to come out here and tell you that you're an idiot who deserves to get hit."

I looked at him with my sad face. "Do you think that?"

Jasper shrugged. "As long as we agree that we're idiots, the women will take pity on us. So it's best if you agree too. That is, if you still value your quality time with Rose."

I thought it over and decided that it was much too important to me that I still have relations with Rose. I walked inside, Jasper following close behind.

I found Rose, Catherine, Alice and Bella in the living room. Catherine looked to be focusing hard while Rose and Bella looked between Catherine and the couch eagerly. Alice just had a smug smile on her face.

My curiosity got the best of me. "What are you guys doing?"

"We're trying to get Catherine to test the fireproof spray we out on the couch to see if it works," Bella said nonchalantly.

I could hear Edward scream, "WHAT!?" from their upstairs bedroom. He appeared downstairs in an instant. "What do you girls think you're doing?"

"It'll be fine, Edward," Alice said with confidence. "Emmett," she said directing her attentions towards me, "don't you have something you wish to say to us?"

"Yeah yeah yeah I'm sorry I'm such an idiot," I muttered. I was very intrigued in what Catherine was attempting to do.

Edward starting arguing with Bella and Rosalie about how unsafe this whole thing was while Alice started in on my about my "less than sincere apology." The room quickly filled with our heated conversations.

"Everyone be quiet!" Catherine yelled capturing our attention. The whole room fell silent. "I think I got this," she said.

She squinted her eyes in focus then flicked her right wrist. Her right hand became consumed her in patented blue flame.

"I did it!" she squealed. She walked over to the couch and held out her burning hand. The flame moved away from the couch determining that the spray did in fact work. Catherine flicked her wrist again and the flame vanished.

"So it works by flicking your wrist?" I asked.

"No, that's just flare. I think it looks cool when I do it," she admitted with absolutely no embarrassment. "I can ignite through my emotions then push the flame to where I want it. It's weird and very hard to explain."

I swelled with pride and threw my arm around her. "That's my baby niece."

We moved more furniture into the living room and sprayed it with the spray. It smelled really bad, but you could get used to it. It would do for now until Esme had the time to get in some special furniture.

After we had rearranged the living room to Esme's satisfaction, the seven of us sat down to relax. Carlisle was called in to the hospital for an emergency and Esme was busy decorating a spare room for Catherine. She had to make it a special way so Catherine couldn't catch it on fire. We didn't want to just douse the room in the fire retardant spray.

It was quiet for the briefest of moments. Honestly, it hadn't been quiet all day. Alice and Rose were pretty talkative as is, but Catherine took the cake. She was also pretty good at dragging Jasper and Bella into conversations, two people notorious for being pretty quiet.

"What did you guys do with all my stuff? And what about Chance? You guys didn't leave him to starve, right?" I kept forgetting all day to update Catherine on that dog of hers.

"We had to leave your stuff. It would look bad if you died and then all your stuff disappeared," I said. Catherine winced at the word "died" which promptly made Rosalie smack me.

"Have some tact, Emmett!" she scolded.

"Dogs don't really like vampires so we had a friend come in from out of town to help with Chance," Bella said. I scoffed at the word friend. "Be nice, Emmett. He's helped out a lot despite what you may think of him."

"Get real, Bella. The only reason you called him is because you knew he would be good with the dog. Hell, he is a dog!" I laughed at my little joke. I'm pretty sure I was the only one.

Catherine looked slightly disturbed. "Who is this guy?"

"No worries Kitty Cat," I said. "It's Bella's friend, Jacob Black."

A/N: Reminder that Renesmee is not in my story. Do you maybe, kinda see where I'm going with the Jacob character? Do you like that direction? I didn't initially intend for there to be romance in the story, but the more I fiddle with the idea the more I like it. Let me know. Comments are greatly appreciated!