Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; it is the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Italicized means Bella's thoughts and those she can hear

Italicized bold means Edward can hear it also (wont be bolded unless Edward hears it!)

Chapter two

Secrets with secrets

BPOV

I opened my eyes to the light streaming in through the window; it took me a moment to realize I was no longer facing west but east in a new room. I sat up feeling my mind clearing, it was a nice room, almost too nice I wanted to tell them I like plainer things but well... that didn't happen. Alice seemed to have a shopping addiction and begged me to let her take me shopping a buy a new wardrobe. I agreed only because I could tell she loved the idea of us bonding and shopping, and Lenora hadn't gone shopping in a few months. Between the two of them it was like I was on happy pills.

I managed to get Len to agree to only buy 7 outfits, she was so happy she spent the rest of the night planning what colors she had in mind. I have never been one for shopping but if she was going to have fun I could share that with her. Lenora, Len or Nora for short, is one of the people I carry. She's 27 and was enrolled in fashion and design school before she died. Yeah the line I see dead people really applies to me, I hated that movie by the way it was so obvious. Anyway she loves to pick out things or work with material; I let her dress and style me. Its fun because I can feel her joy and excitement in what she's doing. If I have to shop she comes with me well more as a part of me.

You see I can hold one person in me, well of the people that are in my head. Yes I know I am nuts thanks! I feel what she does and know what she knows. It isn't like I become her or she me more like I get a mix of her emotions and stuff and let that lead me. I still hear her voice but I can't see her. I think of it as the closest thing to being one, that's why they are my family I know them so well and they know me. It's nice to be understood by those that you love.

The schedule today is merely a shopping spree with Alice. Looking to Len she came over and sat on the bed. You know shopping isn't that bad right, you always look like it's painful. I know you don't like to go without me but it's not a horrible task! And you call yourself a normal sixteen year old girl! She said a smile on her lips; it was the norm for Len to make fun of me when it came to shopping. I smiled back and shook my head.

I hate shopping, that's not the end of the world. I'm sure Alice will make it fun. I remarked, editing the way that I replied so that Edward would think it was merely a pep talk to myself. This was just complicated, I was glad that in my dreams I could speak freely to them as it was more internal when I was unconscious. They knew I would be making weird non-comments to them while the Cullen's could hear, it was nice when they suggested that they also alter their speech if they had a simple question so I could nod or shake my head. It was really nice of them to change their lives for me.

Your weird but I love you anyway; now lets get this on with shall I sit on you? Lenora asked giggling; she always referred to joining as sitting on me. I giggled and nodded, and she lay to align herself with my body. Once it was all correct she vanished into me. It was a bit odd but I had adjusted to it when I was really little and Alastor protected me. It was weird that even different sizes we fit together perfect, all of us.

Everyone ready, campers? I asked Lenora, she giggled at my stupid question. Then we shouldn't keep Alice and shopping waiting! With that Len's excitement and joy coursed through me, and I was just as eager as she was to get going and get some 'decent' clothes. I rolled my eyes as we got dressed and made our way to Alice's room.

Just outside our door she appeared looking impatient and crazy happy. Smiling and just as keen we made our way to her side and grabbed her hand and began walking to the stairs. She giggled at our actions but kept pace.

"Last night you didn't seem to want to go shopping! I'm glad I managed to change your mind!" Alice stated as we made our way to the garage. I was totally lost without Alice so I had to wait as she kissed Jasper goodbye. They were mates, definitely but they both seemed so in love that their display made me smile, while tapping my foot impatiently.

Gees impatient enough Len? I feel like running there! I said in jest.

I can't help that I am excited gees it's been months since I have been in an actual mall or for that matter a decent shop! She replied in horror. I giggled at that. Alice seemed to realise I was still standing there when she had moved towards the door; oops no time for inner conversations when there was shopping to do. Quickly we moved to the door and out to the car and on our way to shopping!

****

"Wow, a day never flew so fast!" Alice exclaimed as we made our way to the till to pay for the final load of clothing. "You're a really good shopper Bella! I mean I would never have seen those jeans, or that beautiful dress! Thanks!" she exclaimed pulling out her card as I laid the clothing down. I rolled my eyes but smiled, it was true that Len had seen a flash of fabric and just had to know what it was, but the jeans were a total fluke, apparently they were the best cut for my body but they had been put in the wrong pile.

She's right, you are a good shopper, or perhaps I am the best shopper in the world and finally I am rubbing off on you! She giggled mutely, it was nice to hear her totally happy and content, sadly nothing did that but a really long day of shopping. The outfits had started to run together in my head as I thought back. Thank you for doing this for us, it was really nice of you. I mean nearly two hours in a change room is a lot for you. I smiled at that thought grabbing the bags and following Alice back to the car for the final drop and drive. I was totally exhausted it was only the shopping high that Len was on that kept me walking.

The bags wouldn't fit in the packed trunk, and so spilled over into the back of the car. Len pushed away from me with one last thanks. My eyes fluttered as she left, I was feeling the full force of a shopping day with Alice now. Turning to her I smiled and closed my eyes. She seemed to understand and drove us back to the house; it would be a little while before it was home. My mind wandered to many places but mostly I kept thinking about my interesting mind reading vampire. Wait! When had he become mine?! I mean he is well... hot... no more like beautiful, handsome or gorgeous. Drat I had a crush on a vampire who was also my foster brother... normal Bella normal! Would he find out about me? Or would Alice or Jasper? I hated this I had secret on top of secrets.

But so did they right? I mean its a big thing to keep the secret of vampires in the world. Would they promise to keep mine if I kept theirs? Well their secret would only cost me my life so obviously I would keep it. But mine... I wasn't sure if I truest them all that much. Alice maybe, Esme yes definitely and well I guess Carlisle too, but the others? My head began to ache and it had nothing to do with shopping.

****

"Hey Bella? We're home Bella. Time to wake up." Alice said smoothly as we drove up the long drive. I blinked my eyes and sat straighter stretching out my stiff body. Glancing at the clock only two hours had passed; it took longer if you didn't drive like a nutcase. Oh well there was a bed calling to me in that house and the few steps it would take to get there would be well worth it. Realising we had loads of bags made me want to cry, so much for the bed this would take a bit of time.

"Why don't you head to bed or the kitchen and get something to eat then bed? I can get Jasper and the boys to help me." She said looking at me, I wanted to nodded but I wasn't about to make others do my work. I shook my head and went to get out of the car. I held onto the door for dear life, I was a little more tired then I thought. Oh well, I shook myself and made my way to the back of the car. Before I got very far I noticed that Jasper and Edward had come out to give us a hand. I was relieved and a little angry I could do this even if I fell on my face doing it.

"Hey Ali need a hand?" He asked as he stopped behind her wrapping his arms around her tiny waist. She nodded turning to hug him; Edward was opening the trunk as I finally got there. I was moving way too slow for my liking. He looked at me as I approached the back of the car.

"You look like you were run over by a semi." He said a smile on his lips; I shrugged and went to grab some of the bags when my feet slipped out from under me. Before I could hit the ground Edward caught me, my eyes were wide as he brought me back to a standing position. Well that was one way to get some adrenaline in your system, I started laughing as he let go of me. I really had to be less of a klutz when I'm tired. Edward looked really confused by my laughter; I grabbed the bags I had gone for before still laughing.

I walked back to the house giggling; Alice caught up to me a big smile on her face. I put the first load on the floor near where Alice had put hers and went back for a second load. The boys had gotten most of it but what was in the back seat. As we walked back I finally managed to stop laughing, looking at the house I realized it felt more welcoming then any of the others and was glad to be staying here.

I sat on the floor of the room and began to sort through the bags looking for what we had gotten for me. It was needless to say that I had gotten more then 7 outfits but it was worth it, just to laugh like that. Alice sat beside me and began to help me sort and repack clothing. It was a nice little activity to put an end to my first day with the Cullens.

"I don't mean to pry but why were you laughing so hard before?" Jasper's voice was filled with laughter though he never actually laughed. I thought about it and didn't really have an answer; I shrugged with a huge smile on my face. Sometimes you just end up laughing about nearly falling on your butt. I thought knowing that Edward would hear and most likely tell his brother. I heard nothing but Jasper smiled and nodded as if I had.

"There we go." Said Alice as she put the last of her things in the bags she would take to her room. As I was picking up the nine full bags that were mine I notice that five were already off the floor. I looked up and realized Edward and stolen the others. I cocked an eyebrow in question and pointed to my bags; he seemed to understand the obvious question.

"I figure I can help you carry them to your room like Jasper is helping Alice." He said clearly amused by me, I noticed the two leave each with bags. I guess it made sense, I stood and signed thank you in American Sign Language, and Edward looked shocked but smiled after a second. "Your welcome" He said as I started towards the stairs. I nodded and continued hoping I wouldn't get lost and go into the wrong room. I had never stayed in a house this large before unless it was a government institution for social services. I managed to find my room and was relieved to set my new things down. I was slightly worried at how much Alice and I had spent but tried to not worry about it too much. Alice may go overboard but I think she knows her limits. "You didn't bring much with you." Edward stated putting his bags with the ones I had put on the bed. I turned about the room and shrugged, I don't have many things that I want to keep with me. I began to sort through the cloths and put them up in the closet and in the cupboards as Edward looked at the few things I had brought.

I had an old tribal knife from somewhere in Peru that was a gift from a friend when I lived in Seattle, he travelled loads but was a nice enough foster father. A small frame held a picture I drew while joined with Samuel of my family. It was nice to see a picture of all of us together like that, made them more real I guess. Edward was lingering there holding the picture in his hands looking both confused and kind of surprised. I had forgotten that Alastor was in that picture, did he know him? No Alastor would have told me. I approached him and took the picture from his hands and held it against my chest. I'm a little overprotective of the picture but he looked like he might crush it by accident. Without saying anything he fled the room, it was an odd response. I wonder what he saw in my picture to make him forget himself.

He saw me. Josephine replied sadly to my unspoken question. Forgive me I didn't realise who he was, I realise now that had I only looked I would have known him. He... his parents and mine were very well acquainted. I was quite smitten with him but he was not interested in me, not that way he sought the glories of war not of family life. I could hear the pain in Joe's voice and wished I could give her a hug. I looked at her and showed my desire to comfort her and she smiled sadly at me. There's no time like the present to bare your heart to people your not entirely sure about.

This would be interesting to say the least. I made my way to the front room where Alastor told me they had gathered Joe followed me with a grim expression and tears in her eyes. I begged silently that this not cause harm to my family of theirs.