Oh wow guys, i am totally floored (which doesn't happen often) by the response in reviews to this story. I'm so glad you all like it.

I know the last chapter was a little confusing with the introduction of Annabella Lee but it will all become crystal clear in later chapters as to who she is but you can probably guess.

I have always wondered at the relationship that Bella would have Carlisle and Esme so that is why there is a couple of chapters with them as the main characters with Annabella.

CORRECTION: A thank you to Norweigian Eyes who pointed out that i had Bellas birthday wrong the letter in the first chapetr. It is in fact September 13, 1987 so take all dates from this line.

Chapter 3: Staying Mum

Annabella sat very still on the couch in her living room. She still crossed her ankles every four minutes and tossed her hair over her shoulder every six minutes. She had been playing the human for 150 years and it was a hard habit to break. She didn't understand why she was acting this way; her home was one place where she didn't need to pretend, where she could be what she was. Maybe it was a human memory surfacing. It happened occasionally. She would be in the middle of something and she would get a flash back or do something automatically that a human would do. Mainly her flash backs would consist of people she didn't recognise. Faces would be blurred or the image would flicker away as soon as it had come. One overriding emotion she felt though was one of pain and betrayal. She had learned to live with them.

xxxx

At last, footsteps on the path outside. Dr Cullen and his wife had arrived. She opened the door before then had time to step onto the front doorstep. She knew that they were just keeping human speed for appearances but her nearest neighbours were a 15 minute human walk away and her house was completely surrounded by trees on all sides.

"Welcome." She shook Carlisles hand again and turned to greet his wife.

She was beautiful in the classic sense of the word. Her demeanour oozed warmth and welcome. The smile on her face was so genuine that Annabella couldn't help but smile back at her. She felt like she already knew this woman and the thought caught her off guard.

"I'm Esme, Carlisles wife. What a lovely house."

Annabella smiled. This house was one of her favourites. It was three level, colonial style house that Annabella had seen over 60 years ago. It had been dilapidated and ready for destruction. She had done it up in keeping with its original style and some associates had kept an eye on it when she had to move on until she could move back again. "Thank you. You should see inside."

She showed them the house and gardens. She had kept them out of the two occupied bedrooms and showed them the music room and library. Her living arrangements were her own private business. Carlisle had lingered in her library, impressed by the textbooks she had. He had questioned her about how long she had been a doctor, why she chosen to become a doctor when she had education in so many other areas including languages, history and business. Annabella explained that she did dabble in the stock market for fun, when one existed, but no matter what happened in the world, children were a constant source of joy for her.

They sat in the large sun room at the back of the house. The silence was comfortable, as if amongst old friends.

"You mentioned your daughter, Alice, at the hospital. You have a coven?"

"Yes, we have five children." Exclaimed Esme, clearly proud of her coven. "Two of them, Roselie and Emmett, live a short distance from us. Alice, her husband Jasper, and Edward live with us at home."

"And you turned all of them?"

"Alice and Jasper found us with her gift. Carlisle turned Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, and I. We love Alice and Jasper as our own and they are all my children in every sense but biological." Emse assured, as if there was any doubt in her eyes. "Do you have a coven, a mate?"

Annabella looked away, not able to keep eye contact. "No, i'm alone. I was with my creator for a while but we parted on differences over diet." She motioned to her ochre eyes. She will come by every now and then. I have been alone since. I haven't come across any of our particular kind before."

"If your maker preferred human how are you vegetarian?"

"I was instructed to try it." She answered cryptically. She had learnt to be guarded about her past.

"Amazing. And your blood lust?" Carlisle asked, looking at her like a subject.

"I had one slip up when i was first born but i have always been able to control it. These days i can go three or four weeks without feeding."

"Incrediable. And..."

Esme laid a hand on his thigh. "How about we don't scare our new friend with all the questions about being a vampire."

Annabella flashed her a grateful look. Her head flew to the left as she concentrated on something and then rose to her feet in lightning speed. Early for once she muttered under her breath. "Excuse, i must take care of someone, i will be right back."

She flew out to the garden and down to the tree line. "Sophia, i know you are there. Come here please."

The branches parted way and a small girl in long sleeved top and skirt came forward. Her pale skin gave off a hue as the sun struggled to break through the clouds yet you could never escape the iridescent paleness that seemed at odds with her childish look.

"Yes mum?"

"You're early. I hope you hunted properly." Sophia looked over Annabella's shoulder. "We have guests sweetie. There is another vampire coven in Burton and they were curious."

"We never have guests." Sophia turned her eyes to the ground. "Can i meet them?"

"You know the rules?" Sophia nodded. "OK, but you know what their reaction will be, its nothing personal."

They walked back up to the house together, slowly for a vampire. "Wait here and let me give a bit of warning. I know you prefer the element of surprise but i like these people." Sophia giggled.

Annabella headed back in the living room. Esme was still on the couch but Carlisle stood in front of a painting.

"You have a Degas?"

Annabella moved beside him and looked at "Dance Rehearsal" with him. "Yes, an acquaintance gave it to me. It was rescued from the Fogg Art Museum after the flood. Aro thought i would appreciate it."

"Aro! You know Aro of the Volturi?" She nodded. "But how?"

"We go way back." Annabella tried to sound blasé but Carlisle wasn't buying it. "I want to show you someone. She would like to meet you and maybe then you will understand why i know Aro." She turned to the kitchen. "Sophia, come in please."

Carlisle and Esme turned towards the kitchen as Sophia stepped through the kitchen door. They gasped, Esme's hand flew to her mouth in horror. "She's...she's a child, an Immortal Child."

Sophia giggled at the name. "My name is Sophia. Annabella is my mummy."

Loved the idea of the Immortal Children so am running with it. Edward will make an appearance in Chapter 5 but Bellas relationship with Carlisle and Esme is very important to me so bear with it for now.

Again let me know what ya think.