I'm very sorry for the VERY delayed up date. Been really busy.

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot are the property of the author, Stephanie Meyer.

Bella's POV

I picked up the picture frame and turned to put it down on another table when I heard a growl come from behind me. I turned around. Esme was crouched on all fours, staring at me like I was something to eat. I felt the picture of her and Carlisle slip from my fingers as I realized what she was going to do…she was the predator and I was her prey….

Esme continued to stare at me, snarling and growling and getting ready to pounce, when Edward and Alice ran into the room. Their movements blurred in my vision. They both reached Esme at the exact same moment and grabbed her arms, restraining her as best they could as she was moving so violently. She was trying her best to shake them off, but it wasn't working.

"Stop it, Esme," Alice almost pleaded, frustration seeping into her voice as Esme tried to bite her fingers.

"Is he still coming, Alice?" Edward asked as he tried to avoid Esme's sharp teeth. I never heard Alice's reply because Esme had somehow escaped Alice's tight grip on her arm and was trying to lunge toward he again. Alice cussed, which was really not like her at all. Thankfully Edward was still holding onto Esme but he was having trouble holding her off by himself, despite his strength. At that moment I was truly afraid although I knew in my heart that Edward would not let her harm me, but this was his mother for all intents and purposes, this was different.

Esme was about a foot away from me snapping her venom coated teeth at me. There was a look of sheer hatred on her face and her eyes had a wild look to them, they were as black as coal. It was horrible, especially since the last time I had looked into those eyes all I had seen was love and devotion, the kind of love and devotion only a mother could show. I was afraid, very afraid.

I stepped back until I could feel my back hit the wall, the glass shards from the broken picture crunching underneath my feet. Just then a memory flooded into my mind, a memory of not so long ago when the Cullens fought against the newborns.

That time Esme was helping to protect me, no like now, now she just wanted to kill me. It was horrible and painful seeing Esme like this—all wild and…dangerous. It is times like this that remind me of what the Cullens really are; it reminded me that Edward could be dangerous too. As I stood there, terrified I thought to myself, "Now was not the time to be thinking about wedding plans and the honeymoon after, but was my decision to remain human before the wedding something I could do? Would I need to rethink my plans and persuade Edward to change me before the wedding?"

I stirred from my reverie when I heard the sound of wood splintering and glass shattering and I focused again on what was happening in front of me. Alice had regained her grip on Esme but she had, in all her anger and frustration with her thirst, kicked a table and sent the other pictures of her family falling to the floor.

I heard the door burst open and I sudden rush of air go past me. I looked over and realized that Carlisle had entered the room. He went to kneel in front of Esme and reached to take her face gently into his hands. He very carefully placed a hand on either side of her face and ever so softly began to speak to her in his calming voice. "Remember who you are, sweetheart. You're not like this at all. Think of the people you love, Esme. You don't want to hurt them, you don't want to hurt Bella, do you? I know that's the last thing you want to do."

As Carlisle said this Esme seemed to calm down and stop struggling. She looked at Carlisle, realizing who he was. Her face looked shocked, embarrassed and confused. She looked from Carlisle to me and back to Carlisle. Her mouth fell open, horrified at what she had tried to do. "It's all right, Alice, Edward. You can let her go now, she will be all right."

Even though Edward trusted his adopted father explicitly he seemed reluctant to let go of Esme—for my safety, of course. Although right now I was a little glad he was so protective.

Carlisle stood up and tried to bring Esme into his arms. As soon as he started to do so Esme turned and dived into the bed to crawl under the blankets, hiding herself from us. Carlisle sighed and went to clean up all the broken glass.

Edward walked over to where I was standing, rigid against the wall. He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly. I lifted my arms around his waist and tucked my head under his chin. He spoke quietly saying, "Are you okay, Bella?"

"Of course," I lied. If I was honest with myself, I was quite shaken by the whole thing. I truly did not think that something like this could happen, especially involving Esme! It wasn't on the same scale as watching Edward fighting Victoria but it was close. I don't think I fool Edward, however!

"Really?" He started to lead me out of the room.

"Yes, I'm fine, but Esme, is she okay?"

"She'll be fine, Bella." Carlisle came up from behind us. He sounded frustrated. Not particularly at anyone, but more of at the situation. "You don't have to worry about her."

How am I supposed to not worry about Esme? The most gentle person I know almost killed me! Something strange is happening to the family I love. Esme seems to be developing human traits but still retains her vampire traits. Another problem is that Rosalie is becoming more bitter that ever and no one knows what to do to help or to stop what is happening. It's no wonder that Carlisle is stressed out, if vampires can be stressed!

I still can't help but think that this is my fault somehow. If I had just done something differently maybe it wouldn't have turned out this way. If I wasn't a fragile human none of this would have happened.

"Bella, please stop thinking like that," Edward chastised.

"You don't know what I'm thinking, Edward," I mumbled.

"No, I can't but I can tell from the look in your eyes. This wasn't your fault you know," he said, leading me into his bedroom and sitting me down on top of the bed. He sat alongside me and put his finger under my chin and lifted it up so I had to look into his eyes.

"But what if it is, Edward? What if I could have stopped this somehow? Your family was normal until you met me."

"Bella, we're vampires. What part of that seems normal to you?" He grinned. We sat there just looking at each other until he sighed. "Bella, I'm so sorry about Esme, I never thought for a second that she would try and attack you. Once again I have let you down, I'm so sorry!"

"Edward," I scolded, "I have told you before, you cannot protect me from everything all of the time, that's just silly."

Edward looked deep into my eyes and said, "Bella, everything I do is to protect you, that's my job. I just never thought that my mother would be the one I would have to protect you from."