Grrrr, on the last chapter, fanfiction kept messing up my chapter so sorry for all the mistakes… Ugh, technology I tell you!!! =P Based on several reviews, I have decided, that I am going to have a series of one-shots that go with this story, If any of you have a chapter you would have really liked in a different POV, let me know, and I will do my best to write it for you. So far, there is the first encounter between Bella and the Cullens which will be written in Edward POV, this was asked by AlexaET- thanks again for all your constructive criticism! Go check it out if you want!

Anyway, thanks for the reviews and here if your reward =)

Disclaimer: I own NADA!

Chapter 17

Jasper POV

We were all surprised when Bella arrived, but we were ecstatic! Whatever the reason, she came to us!

I swear that when Alice dragged Bella to our room, the others were going to explode from jealousy! Everybody wanted to spend time with Bella, but nobody wanted her to feel uncomfortable, so nobody objected to Alice stealing her away for a few moments.

When they came back down, we made sure Bella ate dinner, which she was going to refuse, but she loved nevertheless. When Bella told us about her mother, her emotions were very sad, but they were buried deep. She hadn't come to terms with that grief yet, she kept herself detached, but it was obvious to everybody that she missed her mother. Esme and Rose were particularly affected as they had always considered themselves as Bella's mothers and they too had left her. Bella had gone through a lot of things she shouldn't have, such as being violently bullied. Growing up motherless also fit in the 'unfair' category.

Alice had come up with the brilliant idea of cookies; which had cheered Bella up previously, so Emmett tried to lift her mood by reminding her, but he was a bit exuberant… Bella's fear levels (I have decided she has levels since she is in constant fear, even if it is minimal) spiked as she jumped away from Emmett's enthusiasm. We all scowled at Emmett, which wasn't really necessary as he already felt guilty. Then Bella amazed us all by reassuring Emmett and breaking her 'no-contact' rule. We were all extremely happy, but we knew not to push her.

Making the cookies was hilarious! I doubt the family has ever had that much fun! The cooking turned into a flour war and we automatically paired in couples leaving Edward and Bella as a team. We all went light on her, but Edward still blocked our attacks. Bella was slower than any human I had ever seen and I just assumed it was due to the constant pain I could feel coming from her, probably from Lauren and Jessica… After a while, Esme broke up the fight and we set back to work contently. I was making the dough with Alice when a wave of sadness hit me; it was coming from Bella.

As Edward heard my thought, he snapped his head around to look at Bella who had a single tear sliding down her cheek.
"Bella, what's wrong?" Edward asked concerned, and for once, Bella didn't retreat within her fortress and instead, she opened up.
"Every week, I used to make cookies with my mom until she left. It was always the best day of my week." She smiled sadly at the memory while more tears escaped her eyes.

Everybody's first impulse was to go comfort her. The family advanced one step while Edward lifted his arms, but then, we all remembered that physical contact would make things worse.

Bella then took some initiative and made physical contact for the second time that night, she was shocked, scared and tense. However her grief overpowered those emotions. Edward cautiously wrapped his arms around her and ignored her tension as he soothed her. A feeling of need was coming from Bella and as Edward heard me, he tightened his grip minimally in a protective manner. Edward was happy that Bella opened to him, but not smug. The family didn't feel jealousy, only concern.

As Edward brought Bella to the living room and sat her down, I could feel guilt coming off Bella and then a struggle to control her emotions. Her feelings were too deep and needed to be released.
"It's okay to cry Bella." I murmured. I staggered back as she let her emotions flow and Edward tried to help her as we sat down before her; supporting her morally. If our family could cry, we would probably been crying an hour ago. I couldn't help but think that if we had kept he, nothing like this could have ever happened and judging from the amount of guilt pouring from my siblings; they felt the same way too.

Eventually, Bella chocked back her sobs and was only sniffling slightly.
"I'm sorry, I ruined your shirt." Bella told Edward as her fear started rising. Everybody laughed while she became confused.
"You silly girl, that is the last thing you need to worry about." Edward explained and she smiled shyly. Nobody made a big deal about what had just occurred. She apologised like the ridiculously selfless girl she is and when the whole family reassured her that they understood; she finally calmed down.

She got out quickly of Edward's lap in a slight panic and we all sighed silently –oh well, it was still progress… Bella was pretty emotionally drained, so after asking (again) it she could ride to school with us tomorrow, she went to bed.

"Well that was progress." Carlisle said. We all agreed and went to 'bed' for appearance sake. Everybody was happy and hopeful. After all, Bella did come to us. Therefore, her future is bright.

"What are you thinking about?" My stunning wife asked innocently.
"Oh, the usual."
"Bella?" she asked and I nodded.
"Yes, the usual." She agreed while wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

Edward POV

Last night was incredible in many ways. Bella asking us to stay over was already a wonderful surprise. Then, her making physical contact was amazing! When she was upset, all I wanted was to comfort my angel and when she actually seeked that comfort, it made me ecstatic! The more time I spent with Bella, the more I wanted. I just needed to be near her. I decided to spend the night watching over her as I did when she was a baby. She still looked beautiful and peaceful when she slept. The only difference now, was that she talked. I listened eagerly.

"My angels, at last." She sighed.
"D-don't leave me!" She exclaimed louder.
"I am sorry mom." Barely above a whisper… She then started thrashing in her bed.
"No, no! Leave her alone! Wait, n-no! Don't touch me!" She shrieked as I started to panic and my family rapidly made their war to Bella's room.
"What happened?" Rose asked acidly and she glared my way.

"I don't know!" I cried. Bella was still struggling, so Esme went to her side and stroked her face,
"Shhh darling, you're safe." She soothed.
"N-n-n-no!"
"She is terrified!" Jasper said stressed.
"Bella? Bella listen to me, you are safe here." Carlisle said strained.
"D-don't leave me…" she repeated and I knew she was still asleep, but I answered anyway.
"We won't."
"EDWARD!" she yelled, jerking awake and startling us. She immediately shrunk away from Esme's touch and retreated to the corner of the bed.
"Bella honey, it was only a dream." Jasper said calmly using her old nickname. Her head snapped up when she heard it. Did she recognize it?
"You ok Bellsy?" Emmett asked hopefully, now using the name he used to call her. It was clear that she remembered that name too, but she seemed too worked up to make a connection.

"Everybody, give her some space." Carlisle whispered. We all backed up unwillingly as Bella hugged her pillow and mumbled,

"It was so real." She shuddered.
"What was?" Alice asked. Bella abruptly became guarded.
"Someone was taking my mom away." It was a half-truth.
"Anything else?" I prodded.
"They were going to-" she hesitated. "I am sorry. I woke you up. It is just a recurring dream, I should have remembered when I asked to sleep here. I am sorry. It only happens once. You will be able to sleep now." She said in a completely detached voice. We were about to press for more details, but she added,
"I'm tired." Clearly dismissing us. We grumbled our goodnight's and left her alone.

The next morning, she was still talkative, but more jumpy than usual. We went to school in two cars which Bella seemed okay with. The day was uneventful; nobody dared bother Bella with us around her all the time. Bella was acting normally so we didn't remind her of her nightmare. However, as the day wore on, she became very nervous, especially when we dropped her off at her house and said goodbye.

Well, as they say, two steps forward and one step back.

And there. Sorry if it was a bit delayed, but it just takes me so long tom type! You will find out what happened in Bella's nightmare in the next chapter, so keep reading!!