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Chapter 9: Family

I pulled into Forks after only two hours of driving. Snow covered everything from the rooftops to the ground like I was drifting through winter wonderland. Next to me, Bella's body went rigid when just a moment ago she was animatedly talking. Her eyebrows were slightly scrunched together and her lips were pulled in a thin line. An expression of worry if I'm not mistaken.

"Care to share your thoughts?" I gently nudged her.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm just a little worried," Bella replied staring intently at the winding road.

"Why?" I asked curiously.

She sighed, "I should have thought this through. What if they don't want or like me?"

I squeezed her hand, "Relax. They're going to love you."

"How can you be so sure?" Bella challenged.

"Because I can read their minds," I replied automatically.

"You can read minds?" Bella's angelic voice rang in my ears from her surprise.

Somehow, that tidbit slipped through the cracks of our conversations.

"Don't worry. I can't read your mind," I reassured with a grim smile.

"Thank goodness for that," Bella said happily.

I chuckled, "What goes on in that mind of yours that you don't want me to read?"

Bella winked, "You'd be surprised."

I remembered the twists and turns of the road like the back of my hand. So, I didn't pay much attention to it at all. We are about ten minutes away from the Cullen mansion.

"Can you read everyone else's minds?" Bella asked curiously.

"Yes," I replied.

She smiled, "Except mine. How very interesting. You know, in Lynsay Sands books, vampires who can't read the opposite sex's mind means that person is their soul mate."

"I guess you're stuck with me, soul mate," I teased.

Then, something she said made me laugh out of loud.

"You read raunchy vampire novels?" I chortled.

"I was practically raised in a catholic orphan, and I was in my rebellious stage during high school. A girl lent me a copy one day and you should have seen Sister Agnes' face when she found it. I had to do an extra five rosaries a day for a month!" Bella frowned at the memory.

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Do you believe in your Catholic faith?"

"When I was a little girl, I believed what they taught me in my catechism classes. Once, I got older, I believed God had forsaken me by taking both of my parents away. After learning that, I forsaken him as well," Bella replied with a shrug.

I decided to drop the topic, because talking about religion beyond that made me feel uncomfortable. Besides, I could hear Alice ordering Jasper to shovel the snow in the driveway faster for our arrival. She was jumping up and down when I rounded the corner onto our street. Same old, cheery Alice.

"Are those your siblings?" Bella asked excitedly.

"Yes. That's Alice and Jasper you see. They're married," I replied.

She looked on with adoring eyes as I made a sharp turn into the driveway splashing Jasper with snow in the process. I chuckled when Jasper stuck his middle finger at me and thought 'welcome home'.

"Ready?" I asked Bella.

Before Bella could reply, her passenger door flew open and tiny arms pulled her into a friendly embrace.

"AHH!" Alice squealed. "You and I are going to be best friends!" She chirped.

Bella snapped her head in my direction for help. She probably didn't want to hurt Alice's feelings by prying herself free. I could hear Alice's stream of thoughts running through my head.

'She's beautiful, Edward! What's with the jeans and t-shirt combo? I can't wait to take her shopping!'

"Okay, Alice. Let's not scare Bella away," I said.

Alice released Bella almost immediately, and Bella gave Alice a friendly smile in return.

"She's so excited you're here that she forgot to give her favorite brother a hug," I told Bella.

I felt Alice's arms around my waist after I saw her blurring outline. 'It's so good to finally have you home,' Alice thought.

"It's good to be home," I replied ruffling her hair.

Alice quickly dodged away before I could mess up her perfect black spikes. Bella giggled softly and the front door of the Cullen house flew open.

"So, the prodigal son returns home with a chick," Emmett teased standing on the front porch. Carlisle, Esme, and Rosalie emerged from the house to stand next to Emmett.

'Esme's been on the edge of her seat waiting for you to come home,' Jasper thought.

I owed both of my parents an apology. After everything I've done, they stood there with smiles and patience. Esme looked different from the last time I saw her. She was more radiant and happy, but maybe that's because I am finally home where I belong, or maybe because I was holding onto Bella's hand. I couldn't figure out which because her thoughts were just as speechless as she was.

We reached the porch slowly with Bella firmly at my side.

"I-" I started to say, but all the words caught in my throat.

"You don't need to say anything, son," Carlisle patted my back in understanding.

I extended a pale hand towards Bella, "This is Bella Swan."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cullen," Bella shook Carlisle's hand.

"Please, call me Carlisle," He corrected.

I hesitated to move onto Esme because I disappointed her when I left, and I couldn't stand to see that disappointment again in her eyes. When I finally worked up the courage to look at her, I didn't find disappointment in her eyes. Just relief. Esme pulled me into a fierce hug in which I returned with the whole family looking on.

'I knew you'd always come back. Only, I didn't think you would come back with such a gorgeous looking creature,' Esme spoke her thought to me. I chuckled briefly at her, and she released me to meet the gorgeous looking creature.

"Hi, I'm Bella Swan," She introduced herself before I could.

Esme patted her hand gently, "Make yourself comfortable, Bella. I have a feeling you're going to be staying with us for awhile."

Awhile? How about forever? Forever with Bella sounded extraordinary. I wanted forever. The important question was, did Bella want forever with me?

When I turned my attention back to Bella, she was shaking hands and exchanging greetings with the rest of the Cullen family. They seem eager enough to welcome her.

After spending the whole day with my family downstairs, I led Bella to my room after excusing ourselves. Everything was the same way I left it and without a speck of dust.

"Are you tired?" I asked popping Debussy into my sound system.

There was no way Bella could be physically tired, but she can still be mentally tired after all the probing questions from Alice and Esme. I knew I was.

"I'm too excited to be tired. I don't think I've ever spoke so much in one day," Bella laughed.

Acting on impulse, I pulled her into my arms and held her tightly against my chest. With a slow inhale, I breathed in the scent of her. It was like smelling melting honey with fresh freesia.

"Edward," Bella called.

"Stay still, Love," I whispered.

Bella pushed gently against me, "What if your family sees us?"

'Aww! You guys are so cute together!' Alice squealed in her thoughts. I laughed and kissed Bella's forehead. "Silly girl, there are no secrets in this family," I stated a fact.

She relaxed against my chest and locked her arms around my waist. Her fingertips glazed over the skin underneath my shirt, pulling my yearning feelings for her to the surface with every touch. Yet, she had no idea what she does to me.

"I haven't been this happy in a long time," Bella's voice pulled me out of me reverie.

I looked down at her and she met my gaze, "I was never happy until the day I met you."

A soft smile made it's way across her lips. Those heavenly perfect lips of hers. She closed her eyes when my lips touched softly against her eyelids. I planted another kiss on her cheekbone, caressing her jaw line with my fingers. Then, I rested my hand against her neck to trail tender kisses across her jaw. I paused to stare at those luscious lips that beckoned me to taste her. 'Just one taste,' it called out to me. Forget about being a gentleman, it was already an impossible feat when it came to Bella.

'Just one taste,' I reminded myself as I moved in closer to her.

And closer. 'Just…'

And closer. 'One…'

And closer still. 'Tas-'

'Edward, I need to have a word with you. Meet me in my study,' Carlisle's thought ripped through my intentions like a knife through silk. I suppressed a frustrated groan and reluctantly pulled away from Bella. I was so close! Her eyes fluttered opened.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked.

"Carlisle wants to have a word with me," I replied slightly annoyed.

"You should go talk to him," Bella encouraged.

Then, I noticed the color of her irises. They were such a deep red, they looked black.

"Are you hungry? I should take you hunting. Those eyes are getting darker by the minute," I stated running my thumb under her eyes.

Bella shook her head, "Nothing unbearable."

I smiled at her bravery, "I'll take you hunting right after I'm done talking with Carlisle."

Quickly, I made my way to Carlisle's study hoping to return to Bella soon.

I knocked on the door before stepping into the spacious room filled with medical books. He offered me a seat and I sat down wondering what this could possibly be about. His thoughts were carefully guarded, and I was left in the dark about our spontaneous conversation.

"How's everything at home?" I asked to start us off.

"Fine. Alice threw a fit when Jasper tried to limit her spending a few weeks ago," Carlisle said shaking his head with a smile.

I chuckled, "I hoped he learned his lesson."

Carlisle grew serious almost instantly, "I want to talk about you and Bella."

I instantly tensed up and nodded once.

"What you do away from this family, away from this town is entirely up to you. I hope your return means you're ready to embrace my lifestyle again. Just so we're clear," Carlisle said in a firm voice.

"I am," I replied.

"And Bella? What about her?" Carlisle asked.

"She's learning and adjusting," I simply answered.

Carlisle looked thoughtful for a second, but concern dominated his features. He rolled a calligraphy pen between his fingers for awhile before looking up at me again.

"Alice told me you changed Bella yourself," Carlisle said slowly.

I nodded, "I did."

He didn't seem too concerned about that issue, though. Maybe even proud that I possessed the control to do so. There was a slight change in his features, however, on whatever he was about to say next.

"She also told me you changed Bella in hopes that she will become your…" Carlisle paused searching for the right word.

"Partner?" I offered.

"Yes, partner…Edward, she may not feel the same way for you. Are you prepared to let her go if she doesn't?" Carlisle asked a question I have been avoiding all along.

I always hoped Bella would never leave my side. We were like opposite poles on two magnets. Were we easily separated like they were? I certainly hoped not, but I already took her humanity away. I don't want to be responsible for taking her free will, too.

"If that's what she really wants. Yes," I replied. He accepted my answer easily.

"When she was with you, did she make any mistakes?" Carlisle asked the most important question to him.

I frowned, "One."

"Keep an eye on her, Edward. She's so young and this town is too small for mistakes," Carlisle cautioned.

I nodded, and Rosalie burst through the door with alarmed eyes. Something was terribly wrong, I could tell from Rosalie's tense stance.

'Bella went hunting by herself! She crossed the treaty line. Everyone left to-'

I leapt up and didn't wait for Rosalie to finish before I was out the front door.

'You better be alive, Bella! Or I'm going to rip the limbs off of those mutts,' I growled inside my head as I flew through the trees.

To be continued…

What will become of Bella now? Please review. Thank you!

For3ver Immortal