Can I just say how seriously sorry I am for making you guys wait for, like, four months? *cowers back behind pillar as angry mob throws stones* I guess not. Look, I have a reasonable explanation, I swear! I had school, exams, tryouts (in which I made the team and varsity), leaving one day after school let out to go to NY to see my bros and mom, just getting back, going to a mandatory camp the next day, and going to school days later. Plus, there's this creepy guy from my bio class who sits next to me (the farthest thing from Edward in every aspect!) who will NOT leave me alone! Creepster. I don't even know how he got my cell number! So yeah. BUT the good news is I pretty much finished the story (on paper) and am trying to speed through this so I can start writing my next story and possibly a sequel to this one, depending on my mood when I write the ending. Also, I have a new obsession that keeps me glued to my chair in front of the TV. It's called Ouran High School Host Club and it's hilarious! (It would be nice if someone left me a review with a comment saying that I'm not the only fan of that show in the world…is that asking too much?) So without further ado here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer:

Me: I wish I could own Twilight or at least Edward Cullen *sigh*

Tamaki Suoh: You could own me if you'd like, my dear.

Me: NO WAY! A real guy doesn't spread his love around like cheap margarine! You're just an airhead pretty boy! A cut-rate Romeo!

Edward Cullen appears.

Tamaki: Don't even ask her. She doesn't want to own anybody.

Edward: Okay. I was going to ask her to marry me, but never mind.

Edward goes away and I howl at the sky while Tamaki sneaks away to grow mushrooms in my closet.

Me: NOOOOOOOOO!!!!

"Rest up love."

"Why?" I asked through the haze that was starting to cloud my vision.

"We're going to my parents' house tomorrow. I want you to meet them so that…" Edward kept talking, but I fell asleep listening to the sound of his perfect voice.

Their house was gorgeous, to put it mildly. It was all big glass windows and in some areas, wood. I stepped out of the passenger side of my Mercedes and smoothed my outfit. I was wearing a black Tommy Hilfiger halter dress and black platform sandals. To accent the look, I was also wearing diamond studs and my mother's delicate gold necklace (one of the few things saved from the fire). As elegant as I looked, I was nervous as hell.

"They'll love you; I'm positive," Edward reassured me as he closed the door he had opened for me and took my hand as we walked to the front door.

"So you say," I muttered.

Edward opened the door and of course the inside was more beautiful than the outside. Plush white carpets and matching furniture with wide clear windows that brightened the house and made it feel bigger. I was amazed at how different the Cullen's where from the vampires in movies or books. None of the fictitious vampires lived in gigumbo crazy-beautiful houses or went to school, much less fall in love with a human with a twisted past. My thoughts fled my mind as soon as I looked over to the living room. On one of the walls hung an elaborate painting with nine figures, to far away to see their faces, but close enough to distinguish genders. I gestured to Edward as I walked closer to the painting and he handed my wallet that I had asked him to shove in his pocket (since I lack them). He handed it to me and I took out a picture that had been folded up many times (it was also the picture I had seen by my car that day I almost got hit in school). I unfolded it and held it up. The picture and the painting were exactly the same, from the position of the sun in the sky, to the sandcastle that was starting to fall. My gaze went to the corner of the painting and there was her familiar signature. Then, I remembered:

"If he breaks your heart, Esme and I will never forgive him."

"Esme?" I asked, confused. "How do you know about Edward's mom?"

"All in good time," mom said mischievously. "But when you meet her, just remember this one thing: our beach."

I nodded as I recalled that night with my mother.

"I understand now. But I would have preferred a life with less drama." I sighed as I recalled that day at the beach. One of the last happy moments with my family.

This painting was us. Mom used to paint for a living and so she liked to go places for inspiration. I suggested we go to the beach during spring break and she agreed. What else is there to say? Nothing. Those times are behind me now. The point is to look to the future. MY future.

"That's us Edward," I said as my fingers brushed the painting. "Me, my brothers, my sisters, and my dad. This painting comes from a day we had at the beach during vacation. An exact replica of a photo."

"Your mother painted this?" Edward asked, amazed.

"Yeah, she had some real talent."

It was quiet for a moment as we both examined the picture. Then I sighed and turned around.

"Oh!" I exclaimed in surprise. "I'm sorry I didn't feel- I mean see you standing there," I corrected myself quickly because I didn't want the Cullen's to know about my heightened senses. (Usually I'm able to feel someone's presence. Not theirs …Hmm…)

"That's quite alright Bella. I'm sure your attention was otherwise preoccupied," Dr. Cullen chuckled. "We happen to be very fond of that painting. And the woman who sold it to us as well."

"Yes, the woman was one of the kindest I'd ever met," Mrs. Cullen said, smiling softly. "That's the main reason why I bought it. Also, not only does it catch the human spirit and joy, but the scenery in the background is gorgeous. The woman who sold it obviously enjoys life to the fullest to paint such an open and bright painting."

My throat tightened a little, but I smiled as I walked up to them. "Thanks. She was my mother."

"I know. Your mother and I kept in touch for a while after meeting a couple of times. But even so, I can see her in you," Mrs. Cullen said.

"Thank you," I murmured and cleared my throat. "Well, it's very nice to finally meet you Dr. and Mrs. Cullen." I held out my hand as I spoke.

They smiled as they shook my hand and I felt as if I had just passed an important test.

"Please, call us Carlisle and Esme," Carlisle said as he smiled at me.

"Awesome," I said and they let out laughs that sounded more like bells chiming than anything else.

"Just then, Alice bounded down the stairs (actually, scratch that; she danced) and stopped next to me carrying a ball of energy with her.

"Hi Bella!" Alice leaned over and kissed my cheek. "I'm so glad that you could come!"

I smiled at her upbeat attitude.

"And this is Jasper," Alice continued as she hugged Jasper's arm.

"Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you," he said.

I noticed that Jasper was standing kind of rigidly so I took a miniscule step backwards. I also saw from the corner of my eye Carlisle giving Edward a meaningful look and Edward nodded once. Deciding to give them a chance to exchange information without prying eyes, I looked away and let my eyes wander. This time, they landed on a gorgeous black piano.

"Do you play?" Esme asked as she noticed the direction of my gaze.

"The piano? Oh no. I could never learn and I didn't have the patience to learn correctly," I told her, trying not to lie.

"Play something for her," Esme urged Edward.

"I thought you said it was considered rude and impolite to show off?" Edward asked, and his eyebrows rose.

"Well some rules are made to be mended and broken," Esme pushed him in the direction of the piano and Edward pulled me along.

"I just recently finished this piece and I don't think it's quite ready yet, so it might be a little choppy," he said as we sat down.

"Play, please." I was curious to hear these unfathomable music skills of his.

He rested his hands on the keys for a quick moment, then started to play. And to say that it was the most beautiful thing I had every heard in my life would be an understatement. The song started off a little fast, but then slowed down into something that was sweeter and more innocent. It was an engaging melody that had me at the brink of tears (Almost, but not quite. Because I'm so NOT the crying type…)

When it was over, I wiped away the INVISIBLE tears. "That was beautiful. Truly."

"Really?"

"Yeah," I hesitated. I didn't normally do this, but why not. I wasn't going to start keeping things from him now. "Can you scoot over? I want to play you something."

"What, Jingle Bells?" Edward chuckled at his joke and I made a sour face at him.

"No, just do it."

We traded spots and, as I sat down, I rested my hands briefly on the keys, just like Edward did, then I started to play. It was the exact same song he had just played for me and I could feel the surprise emanating off him.

When I finished, I looked over at Edward and said, "Did you like it? Or did you want me to play Jingle bells?"

"How did you-," he breathed.

"That's just my skills," I said giving him a smile. "Besides, I'm a complex individual!"

"Isabella Swan," Edward chuckled as he leaned in to kiss me lightly. "You are something."

"And that is the Volturi."

"The Volturi? The Volturi Volturi?! From Volterra, Italy?!" I asked, shocked, as I stared at the painting of the three most famous vampires in history in Carlisle's office.

"You know of them?" Edward asked and I nodded.

"I did some research after-after Birmingham," my voice faltered slightly n the middle of my sentence, but I pressed on. "These three men are, like, the royalty of the vampire world. To those in the know, they're some of the oldest vampires and are known for drafting some of the most powerful people with the best powers to join their group. According to my research, even some humans have been chosen and changed for the talents that they would possess."

I looked over at Edward and saw him staring at me.

"What?"

"Why aren't you running?" he whispered.

"Huh? Why would I run?" I was confused.

"People have had their lives taken away and have been made into monsters for the benefit of a couple vampires, to be food, and anything else they desire," Edward told me. "So why aren't you running?"

"Edward," I said softly and took a step forward. His eyes snapped up to meet mine and they looked haunted. "I'm not going anywhere. My desire to be with you is much stronger than anything else. But if you want me to…"

I stepped away from him and took off running down the hallway. I ran down the stairs even. The sight of Alice at the bottom was enough to stop me before I got as far as I had planned (which had been the front door). She was laughing.

"That…was…a…good…one!" Alice managed to let out in between gasps. She managed to calm down a couple pf seconds later though. "You better go back up there so that Edward doesn't get all gloomy because you left him for a minute. Personally," she leaned forward and lowered her voice, even though we both knew everyone in the house could hear us. "I think he's going through meno."

We both cracked up and I went back upstairs. The moment I walked back in, Edward pulled me into a big hug.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want you to really go." He tried to apologize, but I silenced him.

"It's cool. It was nice to stretch my legs out anyways." Edward smiled as I said this and the agonized look left his eyes.

"Come on," Edward grabbed my hand. "I'll show you my room."

Usually when a guy says this, they're hoping to get some. Ya know, SOME. A flash of boob, a hint of leg…the works. With Edward of course, it was the total opposite: he really did want to show me his room (I guess to show how me awesome it is).

When Edward opened the door, I was impressed with the size of it. The room itself was a little messy, but organized in the weirdest way. Like, it was organized because it was messy. CD's and various music sheets were scattered in different parts of the room and a black stereo stood in one of the corners. I guess he really is a music lover.

I lay down on the couch he had (No bed. Vampire, remember?) and closed my eyes. "Wow. For the first time in a while, I'm exhausted, but not at the same time. And it has been one heck of a day."

"The adrenaline of meeting my family formally and knowing our secret is probably it," Edward spoke and his voice became closer.

My eyes flew open when Edward proceeded to pick me up like a feather and sit me back down in his lap. Not that I was uncomfortable. I snuggled my head into the crook of Edward's neck and relaxed as he hummed the song he had played earlier.

"Edward," I started hesitantly and I pulled back slightly so I could see his face. "Where are Rosalie and Emmett?"

He stiffened.

"I mean, I realize that Rosalie doesn't like me all that much, but what about Emmett? I was under the impression he liked me, at least a little. Unless," I continued ignoring Edward's sounds of disapproval. "Emmett is with Rosalie instead of here because he knows that if he should go against her now, he'll pay for it with no videogames or "something" along those lines. Smart man," I mused.

"How perceptive," he murmured as he caught my meaning of "something". "As much as I would love to say that you're wrong, you're absolutely correct. Spot on, even."

"So what sort of prize do I get for being right?" I asked coyly.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I can think of a couple of things," Edward said, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

We were just about to kiss, when Alice burst in the room. Stupid pixie, I thought.

"The weather is perfect and everyone else has already agreed; you wanna go?" Alice asked us, a little ball of energy in the doorway.

Edward looked down at me and Alice added, "Well duh! Of course Bella can come, but make sure she fits in."

After Alice left, I looked back at Edward. "What was she talking about? And isn't there supposed to be a huge thunder storm tonight?"

"If I read Alice's mind correctly, she wants the entire family to play a friendly game of baseball tonight. And we play when it thunders because we're so loud. I want you to come along and see us in action," Edward said.

"That's cool. I like watching people play baseball. But what was that other thing she said about 'fitting in'?"

"Well," Edward said as he absent mindedly played with a lock of my hair. "When we play sports we like get into it; go all out, if you will. So, that means we all dress accordingly as well. Also, Carlisle has informed me that has Alice had a vision earlier and has seen some vampires crossing near and we don't want to give them incentive to stay by drawing unnecessary attention to you."

"That's cool with me. I've always wanted to wear proper baseball attire," I replied smoothly as I noticed the tension behind his calm mask. "I don't have anything to wear though."

Edward opened his mouth and started to say something, but a bell-like voice called out, "You can borrow something from me! I already picked out an outfit for you!"

Edward and I looked at each other in the same moment and we both laughed at Alice's eagerness. Strangely enough, I think I already trust Alice. And her sense of style.

"This looks great!" I exclaimed to Alice as I stood in front of the big mirror she had in her room. "And I was worried you would go all out or something!"

"Silly Bella!" Alice laughed. "I always go beyond the limit, but Edward made me promise not to so that you would feel more comfortable."

"And if you didn't?"

"He said he would cut up my credit cards," Alice mumbled.

I grinned. I had known Alice for all of forty-five minutes (plus a couple more for earlier encounters, but that doesn't really count) and I could already tell that the words 'best friends' were somewhere on our horizon. The first thing she did after she pulled me out of Edward's lap and into her room, was scold me for wearing to many pairs of jeans to school and not enough fashion (No seriously. That's what she said.) Then, being totally hypocritical, Alice had chosen for me an outfit that she told me not to wear. She picked a snug referee's shirt and a pair of white skinny jeans to match.

"Hold on," Alice said as I finished buckling the white studded belt. "I'll go get you some shoes."

"That's alright," I said as I turned to her and her face fell. "I have a spare pair of Converse in the car."

Alice sighed then muttered, "I was hoping you would forget about that."

"Silly Alice," I mimicked her and we both burst out laughing.

By the time everyone got changed, readied the cars, and gathered the bats and bases, the sun was setting.

"Are you ready?" Edward asked me as he started Emmett's jeep.

"Duh!" I rolled my eyes at his question and speedily strapped myself in. "The real question is: are…you…PUMPED!!!"

Edward, Alice, and Japer, laughed at my upbeat attitude. As we pulled out of the driveway and went down roads, Alice informed me of all the "necessary" shopping we needed to do. Edward held my hand while he maneuvered through the rocky forest and Jasper looked on, less stiff than before, but not entirely relaxed. While Alice rambled on, my mind wandered. I already felt at home with the Cullen's; like this is where I belonged and was wanted. And that's a good thing, right?

"Have I ever said how much I hate playing baseball?"

"No."

"Oh," I said as I looked out over the extra-large-supersize-me baseball field. "Well, I really do. I just like watching it. I know the rules and stuff so I'd be more than happy to ref for you."

Edward smiled as he glanced at my and tucked a blonde strand behind my ear. "I'm pretty sure that that was the general idea. Besides, we're known to…bend the rules a little."

"A little?" Esme repeated as she walked over to us. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that all of you were raised by a pack of wolves."

Edward and I smiled and I waved goodbye to him as he sped off towards outfield.

"Play ball!" Esme shouted and everybody split up into their separate teams.

The game was nothing like I had ever experienced. It was fast and loud. When the bat connected with the ball, the sound was thunderous! The baseball would go sailing out of sight and the batter would race around the bases until they slid on home plate. Sometimes they would already be out because the person who caught the ball ran quicker than the person who was running. Still, no matter how fast someone was going, I could follow their every move with my sharp vision.

Everything was going fine: we all were having fun. Everybody could feel the positive atmosphere (not entirely Jasper's influence. I'm think.) and it seemed as if nothing could ruin this time. Until something did. The fog came out of no where. I was barely able to see a couple paces in front of me. I straightened up slowly from my position and got the sense that something was horribly wrong…

"STOP!" Alice's shout was piercing and sudden.

In less than a second, all the Cullen's surrounded me; in a way that was supposed to look casual, but also ready to defend, let's say…a helpless human. Namely me.

"I'm so sorry Bella," Edward whispered fiercely as he grabbed my forearm and pulled me closer to him. "I should have paid better attention to Alice's warning. There's a fair amount of them and the slightest thing could give you away.

"Warning?" I asked, even though I'm pretty sure what his answer is going to be. "And a fair amount of what?"

"Vampires."

Just then, I saw a slight movement in the distance. A group of people was moving towards us at an extremely fast pace. Even from far away, it was obvious who they were once you were in the know. There were four of them, but there was only one person in the front so it was obvious who the leader was. The only thing I could make out about them is that there where two black guys and one white girl and guy. By the time they came to a stop a couple feet away, Carlisle and Esme moved so that they were blocked from my view and me from theirs.

"Hello," a voice said. "My name is Laurent. We were just passing through when we heard you playing."

"Really?" Carlisle sounded casual. "I guess we were playing louder than I thought."

"Actually," Laurent said in a way that sounded like he would be smiling. "We were all hoping to join you if you don't mind…"

"Forgive me," Carlisle apologized and started to introduce us. "I'm Carlisle and this is my family: Esme, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, Edward, and Bella.

"So many of you guys," one of the guys murmured.

"Yes," Carlisle replied. "We do have a permanent residence here. So if you could please understand that hunting in this immediate area would raise some suspicions."

"Of course," Laurent nodded. "And about the game?"

"We'd be more than happy if you joined our game. A couple of us were leaving just now, so you can take their places," Carlisle answered.

As we turned to go, Carlisle and Esme finally moved out of my direct line of sight, and I got a faint look at the vampires. A blonde guy was staring in Edward's direction curiously (well, I think he was looking at Edward. I couldn't see through the fog. Damn fog!) . A redhead girl, who didn't seem to be much older than myself, was debating with Laurent about who would pitch. The last black guy was staring at me. As our eyes met, I froze. I knew him. How could I not? But how…?

"Come on Bella," Edward whispered in my ear and tried to tug me away, but I broke free and took a step forward. Tears filled my eyes as I did so and it suddenly felt like someone was suffocating me. This cannot be happening, I thought as I took another step towards him and he mimicked my movement.

"Any good headshots lately?" he asked quietly.

"Nope. I got the Halo cd, but it was all scratched up when I tried it," I said lowly.

"Stupid Josh," we both said and laughed, breaking the tension.

He opened his arms wide and I ran into them, ignoring the panicked looks of the others.

"I've missed you Isabee," he murmured and I buried my face into his shoulder.

"I missed you too," I hesitated before saying his name. "Anthony."

IMPORTANT! Anyone who can remember who Anthony is first AND tell me correctly who the blond guy is will get a part in The Cinders of Bella (and I'm almost done with the first chapter of it!) because I need a couple more characters.

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