Author's note: Wow… okay, well, I guess you guys want to read it! I have three boys five and under, am moving this week, am fixing up my house to sell and getting the new one ready, and I'm writing my novel.

One shots are one thing, but this is a somewhat more involved story, and I wouldn't have normally started this project right now. I had several requests, though, and was more than happy to oblige.

That said, the response has been overwhelming, so I will, of course, continue. I am posting the next chapter immediately and will do my best to write and update as often as I can. I'm glad you guys are reading it, and that's all I ask.

On with the show…

I don't own it, I just play with it. Thanks Steph…

Emmett refused to give me any details, so I was going in blind. I had no idea whether Edward would be there, what the meeting was about, who knew I was coming… By the time we arrived I was a nervous wreck. He put me down when we got near the porch, catching me as I tripped on my second step forward over the smooth, even surface of the ground. Laughing loudly, he lifted me again, taking me as far as the door before placing me down again; this time not letting go.

I heard hushed voices inside, but when the door opened, they stopped. Great. They had been waiting for me. He led me to the beautiful dining room, and I was glad for the support of his hand on my arm when I saw the entire family, Edward included, seated around the dining room table waiting for me. I walked in slowly, taking my place in the only chair that remained as Emmett took his seat next to Rose. It was the seat next to Edward's.

Unable to meet his eye or even cast a glance in his direction, I watched Carlisle, who was smiling at me reassuringly. The encouragement did no good though, as it was overshadowed by the clear look of worry wrinkling his flawless brow.

"Bella," he began, a feel of formality to his words "do you know why you're here?"

"No." I answered meekly, then remembering my irritation with Emmett, I spoke up, glaring at him. "Emmett wouldn't tell me anything." He didn't look the least bit guilty. He simply smiled at me as if I hadn't said anything against him.

"That's just as well." Carlisle replied, calmly. "Bella, we understand that you have decided to separate from Edward; to go your own way. Is this correct?"

"Yes." I whispered, guiltily, still refusing to look at Edward.

"We need to decide where we will go from here as a family." A million things raced through my mind as I took in his words. I knew they were vampires… if they didn't kill or turn me, Aro could wipe out their entire family… Maybe they had decided to leave Forks now that I was out of the picture… maybe they were considering changing me… maybe…

"Bella?" Carlisle asked, pulling me from my thoughts. "Are you alright?"

"Are you ill, sweetheart?" Esme asked "Would you like some water?"

"I'm fine." I told them, willing myself to believe it. "What did you mean, Carlisle?"

"Bella, as you know, you're a part of this family. We've grown to love you. Now that you two are… no longer together, we need to decide what happens next." The look of confusion that must have been painted all over my face urged him to continue. "There has been some debate about your place in this family."

Huh?

"Bella, some people" Alice clarified with a seething tone, though she didn't look at anyone except me "think that now that you're not with Edward, you don't belong in our family anymore. The rest of us disagree."

"Oh." I said numbly. The last thing I wanted to do was intrude where I wasn't wanted. "I uh… I'll just…" I began to rise from my seat, but froze as Carlisle spoke again, sinking back down.

"No. Bella, that's not how things are decided in this family. Bella, do you have any thoughts on this matter?"

Did I have any thoughts on this matter? I suppose I did. I suppose I had a lot of thoughts on this matter. I just wasn't sure what they were.

"Umm… well, I love you guys… all of you… very much. You've been my family for a long time and you've seen me through a lot. I don't… You're Edward's family, and I don't want to be where I'm not wanted. I love Edward" my eyes flickered to him briefly, but didn't linger long enough to read his expression "and I don't want to take away his only source of happiness or support. I don't want to cause a rift in the family I love so dearly, so… I think I should just…"

I made to move, but was stopped once again. "Let's vote then." Carlisle said calmly. "The question on the table is: now that Bella is no longer with Edward, is she still a part of this family?" I fidgeted nervously with the hem of my shirt, afraid of what I might see if I looked up to meet anyone's eyes. "Esme?"

"Yes, of course you are, dear. You're my daughter and I love you."

"Thank you, Esme. I love you, too."

"Rosalie" Carlisle continued, making his way systematically around the table.

"No." My eyes dropped down again. I knew what her answer would be. I even agreed with it, but it didn't make it any easier to hear. "Look, Bella… I"

"No, Rose. It's okay, really. You don't have to explain." I assured her.

"I want to. It's nothing personal, Bella. You aren't a vampire, that's all. I just don't think you belong in our world."

"I understand. Thank you, Rose."

"Emmett?"

"Hell, yes! Bella's my little sister. Besides, if she wasn't around, who would I laugh at?" I couldn't help but smile at his answer.

"Love you, Em. You're my big brother." It felt like I was saying goodbye to them all, and I had to try hard to bite back the tears that were threatening.

"Jasper?"

"I don't… I can't vote on this, Carlisle." He took in Carlisle's wrinkled brow, and probably his confusion and curiosity directly, and continued "I can feel all of this, Carlisle; every side. It's just too much. I can't. I…"

"It's alright, son. I understand." I felt bad for Jasper. He didn't know me well, so he didn't have as much stake in the decision as the others, but this was affecting him more deeply than any of them. I wanted to stand up right then and leave so I wasn't hurting him anymore, but I knew they would never let me go before everyone had had their chance.

"Alice?"

"Yeah!" she said in a mocking sing-song voice. "Bella's my best friend and sister. Of course she's a part of this family. She has been since the first time I saw her in a vision."

"Love you, Alice." I told her, sadly. It really did feel like goodbye. I chanced a look at Jasper as the pain shot through me and caught his grimace.

"Edward?"

"No." he whispered, his eyes in his lap. Everyone waited for his explanation or a little speech, but it didn't come.

"Alright" Carlisle continued "Bella?"

"It's not that I don't want her around." He snapped defensively, probably in response to someone's thoughts. I didn't blame him, nor did I need an explanation.

"It's okay, Edward. You don't have to…"

"No. It's alright, Bella. I… You aren't cut out for our world. You don't belong here. You should be living a normal life. I just think you would be better off without us." He looked down silently, so Carlisle continued.

"Bella?"

"No." I told them softly, and I felt several pairs of eyes shoot up to me as I continued. "I love you guys, but I don't think my being around is what's best for you. I don't want to cause problems, and I don't want to hurt Edward…" I glanced around the table at the faces that surrounded me, noticing every look of pain, satisfaction, surprise, confusion. My eyes paused as they reached Jasper. I could see in his face how hard it was for him to have his family so divided like this, emotions flying everywhere. "or Jasper." I continued. I could feel how badly this was affecting him, and it wasn't fair to him; to any of them. "This is an amazing family, and I won't tear you apart. The decision we reach here doesn't matter. I'm not a part of this family…. Not anymore."

"My vote is yes." Carlisle said calmly, as if I hadn't said any of that at all. "The vote is four to three with one abstaining. Bella is a part of this family. In what capacity will be up to her."

"Bella," he continued, turning to address me directly and taking my hand "We are your family, whether you accept that or not. We can't, and won't, make you be a part of this family, but we will always be family to you. You are always welcome at this house, or any of our others. We'll always be here if you need us, and I sincerely hope you'll choose to let us love you."

"Thank you, Carlisle." I murmured, and I truly was touched by his words, I just wasn't sure how much good they would do me now. "Could someone take me home now, please?"

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