*All characters except Emily are the intellectual property of Stephanie Myer. Emily is the intellectual property of me.*

When Esme finally released me from her hug, I noticed the look that had crossed the blonde's face. I think her name had something to do with a rose. She stepped forward and just stood staring at me.

"So, you didn't want this?" Her voice barely came out as a whisper yet I heard her clearly.

"No. I don't even know the one who did this to me. All I know is that he turned my best friend then killed her right in front of me. I have to wonder what I did to deserve this. Why me?" I shrugged and tucked my hands into my coat pocket. I heard and felt the small spunky female at the same time.

She gripped the back of my coat and slid it from my arms. Taking it under the lamp, she tsked as she saw all the patchwork that I had done over the last six years to keep my clothes together. She spun around and held it out to me.

"How long?"

"What?" I stepped back and cocked my head.

"This coat! It's a disaster and definitely not something you should be wearing!"

"Oh. It's about eight years old. First coat I picked out myself from the church donation bin. Mom didn't make much so I kind of had to fend for myself. Now can I have it back?" I held my hand out and glared at her.

"Absolutely not! I will give you something of mine that's in much better condition!" She spun on her heal and was gone. I grasped at thin air and felt my frustrations rising.

The blond male was suddenly on his feet, standing between me and everyone else. Edward was at his side and they were crouching in a defensive manner. I felt a wave of calm flow over me as the blond slowly stood. I quickly put as much distance between us as I could. A growl tore through my lips.

"Do not try and control me!" I hissed at him and hoped he would get the message.

"Jasper let off. She won't hurt us." The short one walked right over to me and held out a pile of clothes. "It's time to begin your new life. Follow me."

She grabbed my free hand and dragged me from the room. A short walk down the hallway and she opened a door, pushing me through. Inside was a stunning room. There were windows everywhere yet there seemed to be privacy. Shimmery blue and purple cloth hung over the windows creating an atmosphere of peace. There was a bunk bed, a double bed on top with a desk on the bottom, placed under a sun roof or whatever they are called. The comforter was purple with stars while the sheets were sky blue. It was my dream room. I spun to face her with my jaw hanging open.

"How?" I waved my hand to the room behind me.

She reached up and tapped her head as a smile spread across her face.

"I saw you coming little sister." She gently closed the door behind her as she left me alone to enjoy my new room.

I slowly walked around the room, running my fingers over everything making sure that it was all real. Upon climbing onto the bed, a teddy bear caught my eye. It was a beautiful lilac color with bright pink eyes. I barely reached out, afraid that this would be the straw that shattered this perfect dream. As my finger brushed the fur, a sob escaped my lips. This was the teddy that I had wanted for my tenth birthday. The teddy that I had fallen in love with through the store window yet never got. Mom never had the money for extras; all she ever had enough for was clothes and food. This was the only toy I ever wanted and here it was.

I held the teddy against me and allowed all my grief to flow free. I was frozen in this state for eternity. I would forever be a child unable to be ever seen as a mature adult or able to look after myself. My mother had condemned me to be an adult before it was my time while a stranger had condemned me to be a child.

When I was finally able to stop sobbing, I set the teddy back between the pillows. I quickly kissed the top of its head before jumping to the floor. I took a deep breath and noticed that a door was propped open at the back of my room. I quickly walked over and saw that it was a bathroom. There was a beautiful tub with a small vanity and toilet. There was another door on the opposite side but it was locked from within. The tub had been recently filled and was topped with beautiful smelling bubbles. I quickly shed my dirty clothes and slide into the warm water, sighing as I relaxed against the tubs back.

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to enjoy this moment of pampering. Perhaps being an eternal child wouldn't be so bad if there was someone to look after me. Maybe I could finally be a child rather than an adult.

A knock at the door attached to my bedroom pulls me from my thoughts. The bubbles are completely covering me so I should be okay.

"Yes?" I hear a small giggle from the other side of the door.

"It's me Alice. I was wondering if I could come in and wash your hair for you?" I hear her pause, waiting for my answer.

"Sure, I don't see why not." I sink further into the water not wanting Alice to see any part of me.

She slips into the room with a smile on her face. She quickly fills a basin with warm water and grabs a bottle from the vanity. She pulls a small stool over to the edge where my head rests and sits down. I close my mouth and quickly submerge my head. When I come back up Alice immediately begins working shampoo into my hair.

"I saw you coming about six months ago. I had to swear Edward to secrecy in case you changed your path and didn't end up here. But about a week ago you became a whole lot clearer so I knew that you were gunna be here! Did you like your room? I just know that you did! Isn't it incredible? Esme helped me with the window coverings and Carlisle put the bunk bed together. Now close your eyes so I don't get soap in them!" Blessed silence came as she slowly poured the warm water over my sudsy hair. She kept one hand in my bright red hair, working out all the soap. When she was done, she left, closing the bathroom door behind her.

I had never known someone who could talk so much! She just kept going, answering her own questions and then jumped to the next thought. I couldn't help but smile at the excitement that she had let off. Yet she had been caring; the exact way that I had always imagined an older sister.

The water had begun to cool, so I pulled the plug. I grabbed the fresh towel from the rack and dried myself. I tucked my hair into another towel and wrapped the first around my body. Stepping out, my feet gently touched an incredibly soft pale green mat. Alice must have placed it there right before she left. With a small shake of my head I returned to my bedroom, locking the bathroom door as I closed it. My old clothes were nowhere to be found, most likely thrown out. I slipped into the new long sleeved shirt and jeans, quickly pulling my hair into a ponytail. The damp locks hung to my hips, creating a pendulum affect across my lower back.

I hesitated as I stared at the door to my room. I wasn't sure if I was ready to face them yet but I knew that hiding was futile. So I grabbed the doorknob and yanked it open as if it was on fire. No one was waiting for me on the other side so I cautiously started down the hall. I heard slight rustling from the living room and decided that I would start there. Esme quickly came into view and she appeared to be folding clothes. I leaned against the wall and watched her for a few moments. My adult tendencies kicked in sooner than I had expected.

"Do you want some help?" I moved over beside her and reached for a towel.

"Sure sweetie. Don't feel that you need to though." She smiled at me and went back to folding. I found it odd that she wasn't bombarding me with questions like the rest of her family. I finished the towels and sat down in a small chair watching her work. She stayed silent, not prodding just allowing me to be there. Finally I had enough.

"Why aren't you questioning me like everyone else?" Instead of looking at her I began tracing the pattern on the arm of the chair, afraid to look at her.

"Because if you want to tell me you will. There is no need for me to pry into your life. If you want to begin again and forget all the past then that is what you will do." She slid the last sweater into the basket and left the room.

The fact that she was willing to allow me the space that I needed amazed me. Perhaps she was what was supposed to be a mother. I was hoping that she would want to be my mother.

"She does." I jumped to my feet and spun around to see Edward standing in the doorway. "Esme is our mother even though most of us don't need mothering. In your case she will be whatever it is that you need. From what you told us, you have been a mother. I would say that it's time to let someone else be a mother." He smiled at me before he turned and started to walk away.

"Wait!" I didn't know why but I wasn't ready to be alone. He paused and looked at me. "Will you stay with me?" He nodded and headed over to the couch where he sat.

"So Alice says that you like your room but do you really?" He had a curious expression on his face so I knew that he was truly interested.

"Yes I do. Alice got everything exactly right but I think she always does." I smiled at him and settled into my chair, tucking my feet under me. "She even got the teddy right."

"I had actually seen that in a passing vision and mentioned that it might be important. Esme knew exactly where to find it and immediately ordered it. I am very glad that you like it." He settled into his spot and just sat waiting for me to continue the conversation.

"Edward, why take me in? I mean I am a complete stranger so why?" I was afraid that if I got too comfortable here I was just going to end up alone again. It seemed that whenever life got to good it was all taken away.

"Alice saw you here. Her visions have yet to do us wrong when it comes to meeting new people. Although you are the first addition to our family since Alice and Jasper's arrival." He smiled slightly and leaned forward resting his elbows on his thighs. "I remember the day that Alice first caught a glimpse of you. At first we weren't sure if it was actually a vision it was so brief. She saw you with us on Christmas day opening gifts that a young lady would get. She couldn't help the exclamation that escaped her. We had to work very hard to keep you a secret until she was sure that you were coming here. Although you are immortal just as we, Esme finally has the child that she always wanted. If you choose to stay here you are welcome to. If you chose to leave then we will support your decision. Just know that it is your choice." With that he stood and left the room, leaving a heavy silence behind him.

I pulled my knees up and rested my chin upon them. He had left me with a lot to think about and a hug decision hung before me. Do I stay here and place my complete trust in these strangers or do I leave?