Chapter Fifteen: Family Meeting

Bella's POV

I took my seat in between Edward and Alice at the table. Emmett was sitting across from me with Rosalie and Jasper on either side of him. Carlisle and Esme took the ends of the table. I waited for someone to speak. Edward did.

"Ok. Bella, you have no idea what happened since I got home from hunting. Well here it is." Edward explained what had happened in the garage with Emmett. He told me everything Emmett had gone through today with me.

"Emmett, you did a great job with me. I really appreciate it, bro." I told him during Edward's pause between Rosalie's declaration and when I fell asleep.

Emmett grinned and said, "thanks, sis. Do you mind if I tell her about my promise I made to her while she slept, do you Edward?" Emmett was looking at Edward with pleading eyes and a sheepish grin.

"Fine, she has to know anyway, I suppose." Edward growled. I looked at him for a minute then turned my gaze back to Emmett. Edward was controlling his emotions and I'm sure I looked really confused.

Emmett started where Edward left off. I cut across him when he said I was talking in my sleep.

"Damn it! What did you hear, Emmett." I tried to sound angry but my voice cracked in panic.

Emmett smiled evilly and said, "oh, nothing important, just that Edward is a god to you and you love him with everything you have. Nothing we didn't already know." He smirked and chuckled to himself. I was angry now. A side effect of my mood swings kicking up.

"Damn it, Emmett! Just shut up!" I shrieked at him.

Edward stiffened next to me as he sensed my mood and probably read Jasper's thoughts. I felt a wave of serenity and calm wash over me as Jasper said, " ok, Bella. Calm down, sis. You have had too many emotions today. Level it; you are giving me a headache. Knock off the obnoxiousness, Emmett. I can't handle my brother and sister fighting anymore. Isn't one fight a day enough?"

"Ok, Jasper. For your sake, I will try to stay calm. Just someone slap Emmett for me, please." I said and smiled in satisfaction as Alice popped Emmett in the back of the head.

"Dang it, that hurt, Alice. Great, both of my sisters are ganging up on me. There is one thing you said that is important to the explanation, ya know Bella." Emmett mumbled, irritation in his voice.

"Oh. Then just say that. Get to the point already." I told him I smiled a little at him and he returned it with a playful grin.

"Ok, then. You murmured 'vampire, newborn, marriage, Edward, stubborn ass' very clearly. The way I see it, you were dreaming about becoming a vampire and are mad at Edward for standing in your way." Emmett said lightly.

"Oh, Edward. You aren't upset about that, are you? I'm so sorry-" I began frantically but Edward put a finger to my lips to stop me.

"Love, you have no need to worry. I actually found that funny. I was angry at Emmett for what he did in response to your words." Edward said as he pulled me into his arms.

"Oh, that's a relief." I sighed. Then I remembered Emmett. I turned to him and said, "What did you do?" I had one eye on him, the other on Edward, gauging his reaction.

"I made you a promise." Emmett said simply. " You know the happy, fun-loving creature I am, right? Well, I hate seeing people, especially my family, miserable or in pain. Right now, Bella, you fall into both categories."

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I am in a little pain but I'm not miserable. Right now, I'm pretty happy." I told him as I leaned into Edward to emphasize my contentment.

"Ok, rephrase. You don't like being human and you aren't having any fun as one. Am I right?" Emmett said and I nodded.

"I promise that you will be changed soon and until then, you will enjoy your remaining human life. You are going to have fun and be pampered. I promise you that." Emmett said. While he was talking, he reached across the table to take my hand in his. I couldn't let myself hope for that. Edward wouldn't allow it.

"I'm touched by the sentiment, Emmett. But I don't see how you can keep that promise right now." I moaned. He started rubbing his thumb on the back of my hand to comfort me.

"Let me explain the rest of the afternoon's events first. Try not to interrupt again." Emmett said and continued with the story.

I stared, horrified as I learned why Edward had been furious with Emmett and Rosalie when he got back. I couldn't believe it. Rose had tried to bite me.

"I was trying to help, I swear. I was trying to make you happy and give you what you want, Bella." Rose explained.

"I know. Thanks for that. I appreciate that you want to keep me that much." I told her as I smiled warmly. Then Edward continued the story.

I was surprised when he said that they were going to turn me and soon if I wanted.

"No more marriage condition?" I asked skeptically.

"No. When you are ready-" Edward started but I interrupted.

"Oh, Edward. Do it now. I'm ready now." I shouted in excitement. I jumped into his lap.

"It can not be now, Bella. There are things to take care of first. You can not become a vampire for at least two weeks." Carlisle's soothing voice rebuked me.

I turned around to stare at him and asked why. I listened in horror at his theory. It was a really good thing Edward had stopped Rose from biting me. Living with the symptoms of a period would be unbearable.

"So I have to wait two weeks to become a vampire?" I asked.

"You aren't mad at me?" Rose asked in disbelief.

" Nope, your heart was in the right place. You weren't trying to hurt me and you didn't know what would happen. I forgive you, Rose." I told her.

She stared at me blankly for a second before saying, " Wow. You just called me Rose."

"Yes. What's the big deal?" I asked, not understanding the look on her face.

" You have never called me that. Only my family calls me that because they love me. I like the way you say it." Rose said with a huge grin on her beautiful face.

"Well, you are my sister. I gotta love you even though I don't understand why you like that." I replied with my own smile. "Of all the people in this room, my voice is the least pretty."

"I love you, too Bella. You do have a pretty voice but that isn't the reason I like it. It's new, a new voice that loves me. I like having you love me enough to call me Rose." She explained.

"Oh. I like calling you Rose. My sister, Rose." I mused. We smiled at each other for a minute.

"So are you gonna join the family and become a vampire or what?" Emmett shouted.