When I had first met the Smiths, I had been intimidated by Anais. Her dark brooding, the fact she always spoke sarcastically, and the recklessness of her everyday life caused me- and her family- a lot of worry. She attacked nomads with almost pleasure, and she disappeared for days on end.

She had calmed down slightly in the years since, but the many scars from vampire attacks, that went up and down her arms marked her out- like Jasper, but for Anais, it told you she was reckless and she was tough. On Jasper, it told you he was a soldier. She and Max had become my best friends in the years since, and I barely noticed the scars anymore.

Casey had welcomed me into the family happily, like I was a long lost made an effort to immerse me in day-to-day life, but she needn't have worried- everyone welcomed me.

Peter and Jagar frightened me slightly. Peter, covered in muscles and at least six five foot, scared me in the usual 'You could rip me apart' way, but Jagar scared me in a 'you would rip me apart, burn the pieces, and then pour poison on the ashes- and you'd enjoy it' way.

Faolan reminded me of Edward- his bronze hair, topaz eyes, human girlfriend, piano playing- but he was vain, and very romantic, always treating Kati to picnics and brought her bouquets of flowers and boxes of chocolate every day, practically.

Jonathan was pretty much the only regular one- he got annoyed at Faolan and Peters constant tricks, worried about Anais' behavior, exasperated at Max's constant need for attention, tired of the way Jagar scared everyone, and happy when we all got along- not often.

Max, as I said before, was fueled by a need for attention most of the time. She dressed in interesting ways, listened to loud music, and got in fights, but she was one of the more sympathetic members of the family.

I could still remember the day I met them...

" This," Laurent said. "Is Bella."

I surveyed the family standing and sitting in front of me. The woman in the middle had long, bright red hair, soft gold eyes, and the usual white skin, but also an expression of kindness, and she smiled at me. I smiled back. Beside her, a quite tall man with brown hair seemed preoccupied with the teenagers. His eyes were a more amber color, and his brown hair was the color of chocolate.

One of the teenagers who were acting up was tiny, and had dark blonde hair and tanned pale skin, if you get what I mean. She was wearing a purple corset style thing, and a matching skirt. Underneath, she wore purple pumps and black leggings. She was having an argument with the boy beside her, but she shot me a smile.

The boy beside her had bright blonde hair, and matching eyes. He was huge- reminding me of Emmett- but he wasn't as.. wide. He was leaner, and about seven feet tall.

On the other side of the redhead, and African boy with an awesome Afro stood, staring absent mindedly into space. My new vampire instincts screamed at me to run away, but I stayed where I was. The black boy's eyes were an almost reddish gold, like he had just quit the human bloodsucking. Beside him was another fairly small girl, with black hair and dark purple highlights. She wore a black hoody, and black jeans, and black boots, and black fingerless gloves. Her eyes were pitch black like she hadn't hunted for a few weeks, and her fingers were clenched into fists.

A bronze haired boy that reminded me painfully of Edward stood beside her. His hair was gelled into an impressive array of spikes, and he was wearing a gray jacket and jeans. From behind him, I could make out Dark brown hair.

"Who is that?" I asked, gesturing slightly to the brown.

"My girlfriend Kati." The bronze boy answered. Kati looked out from behind him. She was human, with beautiful dark blue eyes, and skin that wasn't white, but definitely wasn't dark. It reminded me of mine before I had been turned.

The red haired woman stepped forward. "I'm Casey." she said

. "This is my husband Jonathan." The brown haired man nodded. "My sons Jagar-" The African boy waved slightly. "Peter-" the boy who was arguing didn't bother to wave, or anything, just kept arguing. "Faolan-" the bronze haired boy. "My daughter Max-" The blonde. "And my daughter Anais." The dark haired girl smiled at me- more baring her teeth, really, but the intent was there.

"Anais is my real daughter." Casey said. "Other then that, they're not really my children, but they are pretty much the same thing."

I smiled, and took a deep breath. "I'm Bella Swan."

Casey smiled. "Welcome to the family, Bella." . . . . . . .

And so that is how I met The Smiths,and I love them as if they are my real family.

And then Edward came back and ruined it.