Thanks for the reviews.

Previously…

He looked at me. "They're here." he said quietly.

"Who?"

"My family." He looked down at me.

I gulped. Carlisle and Edward liked me, I think, but how about the others? He pulled me up and stood. I hid behind him as the door opened.

Edward POV

Carlisle's thoughts rang into my mind. I'm sorry, Edward. Alice had a vision. You know how she gets. Just then, the door swung open to reveal a grinning Emmett and an excited Alice. Behind them, Rosalie and Jasper followed. Rose looked happy and Jasper looked deep in concentration. Smiling, Esme and Carlisle followed close behind. I took Bella's hand. I didn't need Jazz's talent to know that she was worried.

Oh! She's so cute! Surprisingly, that was Emmett's mind. He walked forward, bent down and hugged Bella. She returned it, though she was confused. Interesting. I wonder what Alice's vision was…

"Emmett! Let go of her!" Rosalie shouted.

Emmett smiled sheepishly and got up to stand next to Rosalie. "Sorry, Rosie." She rolled her eyes.

I bent down next to Bella. She was amused and confused. I pointed to Rosalie and Emmett. "That's Emmett and Rosalie."

She leaned into, not knowing that we all could hear, and whispered, "Wow, Rosalie is really, really, really pretty. And Emmett is…" She seemed at a loss of words to describe Emmett. Rosalie and Emmett both smiled at her, Rosalie maternally, and Emmett mischievously.

Emmett started with his rambling, "Bella, we're gonna have soooo much fun! I know a couple of pranks we could pull, and…" Rosalie gave him the death glare and he quickly shut up.

I continued, this time pointing to Jasper and Alice, who was so ecstatic she was bouncing up and down on the balls of her. "This is Jasper and…" I was abruptly cut off.

"Alice!" Alice said, pointing at her chest. "We are going to be the best of friends! We can do makeovers, and go shopping…" Alice trailed off, listing other supposedly 'fun' things for her and Bella to do. Bella had slightly grimaced at makeovers, and grew more pronounced at the mention off shopping.

I chuckled slightly and turned towards Esme and Carlisle, both of which were smiling. "You've met Carlisle. This is his wife Esme." Bella smiled shyly.

"Bella, dear," Esme started, concerned. "Are you hungry?" Bella nodded. "Okay, you stay here, and I'll get the food and clothes out of the trunk."

Food and clothes? When did we get those? Upon seeing my puzzled expression, Alice smirked and thought, Me, you idiot! Who else? That explained it. Whatever she can do for an opportunity to shop, Alice does.

For the first time, not counting the Rose and Emmett incident, since she didn't know we could all hear, Bella spoke. "Hello, everyone." She received several 'hello's back. Jazz and Alice sat down on the recliner, Alice on Jasper's lap, Rosalie and Emmett on the loveseat, and Carlisle in the only other seat. We didn't have any places for Bella and I, because we don't usually spend time together as a family. Not knowing what to do, Bella just plopped down on the floor. Emmett, Jasper, Carlisle, Rosalie, and I chuckled lightly. Alice frowned.

We need more seats. I think Art Vann's is having a sale. I'll have to stop by tomorrow… Alice thought as I sank down next to Bella. She took my hand. She was still uneasy. By this time, Esme had walked in balancing an extreme amount of shopping bags. Bella gaped.

"Bella, take some of the clothes out of any of these bags and change. You might want to shower, too." Esme said.

"What? These are all for me?" Bella asked incredulously.

Esme smiled warmly. "Yes, dear."

Bella looked embarrassed, and pink tinged her cheeks. "You didn't need to get me anything, especially not the whole store." I smirked. Alice actually had done that once or twice.

"No, really, it's okay, Bella." Alice assured her. "Now scamper off and do what Esme said." Bella did as she was told after being pointed to the bathroom. I took her things, new and old, up into the guest bedroom. It was part of the charade. No one ever stayed over, and if they did, they didn't sleep. Alice followed and, when in the bedroom, folded the clothes and put them away. When we came back down, Bella was seated on Rosalie's lap. Rosalie was brushing out Bella's wet mahogany hair.

It was surprising, the way she so simply interacted with us. The hardness of our skin, the cold, our inhuman speed and strength, none of it seemed to faze Bella in the least. She smiled when she saw Alice and me. That made me happy, which made Jasper happy, which made all of us happy. Although, without Jasper, I think we would have managed to be happy anyways.

That's sweet. We were talking while you were gone. She really is an adorable child, Edward. Carlisle thought. I smiled at him.

"Bella, the food is ready." Esme called, walking out of the kitchen. She was carrying a bowl of macaroni and cheese, grapes, and a mug of milk. Bella smiled at Esme.

"That's really nice. Thank you. Thanks everybody for letting me stay the night." she thanked us. That reminded me of the conversation my family and I would have later. It should be easy. Everyone was smitten with her, even Jasper, though he kept his distance. Bella ate quickly. She got off Rose's lap, only to be replaced by Emmett. I rolled my eyes. She came and sat next to me instead. Our family asked random questions, which Bella answered. Then, in the middle of one of her answers, she yawned. I checked the time. 2:48 a.m. That's not good.

"Come on, Bella. You should probably get some sleep." I advised.

"Yeah, It's dark." she observed. I stood up, and she did the same. Their goodnights said, Bella followed me into the guest bedroom.

I took her in. "There are clothes in the dresser. Your duffel bag is on top." She got in bed. Just when I was about to walk away, she said, "Um, Edward?"

I turned and smiled. "Yes, Bella?" Her face was cherry red.

"I-I, uh, can't sleep without music."

I chuckled. "Okay, come on. For tonight you can sleep in my room. I have a stereo you can listen to." This was finished with a chorus of 'aww's downstairs. I doubt Bella could hear them.

I led her to my room and she lay down on the couch. I gave her a comforter and turned on Clair de Lune by Debussy. "Goodnight, Bella."

"G'night, Edward. Thank you." I turned off the light and went downstairs. I turned and faced my family.

"Okay," I began. "We need talk."

Did you like that chapter? The next chapter will be the meeting. It will probably be short, but that just means I'll be able to write the next one! In case you can't tell, I'm a little excited about this story! Thanks!