Chapter 29

Annalise's POV

The room is silent. Only the heartbeats of us two and Nessie are heard. "A Cullen? Be part of a real family?" He looks like a small child whose been offered a special candy. Then his face falls. "But I've done things… things I'm not proud of…" He trails off.

"We've all done things we're not proud of. But having each other has been what motivates us to keep going," Uncle Edward smooth voice says. He wraps an arm over aunt Bella who is also smiling.

"Axel," He looks at me. "Being a Cullen for me has been the best thing to ever happen. You deserve to be loved like me. To get rid of that disgusting last name and have another that you deserve."

Grandpa walks to us with Grandma behind him. "Axel Jai Cullen,"

Tears escape Axel's eyes as he looks at us all with a huge smile that can split his face in half. "I have a real family," He whispers.

Grandma walks around Grandpa and wraps her gentle arms around him. "Welcome to the family son," He hugs her back.

I place my palm over my heart. Axel is finally going to know how it feels to be in a family. Jessie stands next to me leaning in. "So he is your brother slash Uncle?" he whispers.

I slap his arm playfully. "Stop it. He is always going to be my brother."

I watch how Momma and Daddy step in front of him. "There is nothing to repay you for what you did for my daughter," Momma kisses his cheek and hugs him. When she lets go she points to him squinting her eyes. "Now that you're my brother Alice and I will take you shopping,"

Daddy steps forward rolling his eyes while patting Axel's shoulder. "Little bro, your nightmare has begun," Axel chuckles with a gleam in his eyes.

"Yes," Every guy except Jessie agree in an annoying tone. Momma slaps Daddy in the gut making him grunt. I giggle.

I run to him and hug him hard. "Welcome to my loving family."

"Thank you baby sis,"

"Now you are going to have to watch The Vampire Diaries with us." Nessie has a sly grin as she stands next to Axel. "Every member of the family watched it with us. You're missing. And there is new Seasons,"

I gasp exited. "Really?!"

"Vampire what?" We both laugh as my Daddy grunts giving him a look that says 'You will be bored' making me laugh more.

The laughter dies. My head snaps to the direction of the front door when my favorite scent surrounds my nostrils. My body fills with tingles. A wave of excitement consumes me. Grandma runs down and opens the door. The scent is closer and my skin begins burning. Their steps heavy on the floor as they near us. I can feel him getting closer as my breathing changes; my chest moving rapidly. Uncle Jasper clears his throat. I look at him and blush. I forget he feels what I feel. I hear Jessie hold his breath as he moves from my side. I follow him with my vision until I see him sitting on the couch. He sits there silently now completely serious. His red eyes looking everywhere but me.

I sigh. I hear Jake. "Good morning," Jake greets walking directly at Ness.

A light breeze moves around the room showing that I have no control when Embry is close to me. "Morning," Embry greets next with his eyes directly at me. I blush as I see Embry walking up to me in all of his perfect, gorgeous glory. He wears skinny khaki pants fitting him to a T with a white v-neck t-shirt. This would be the first to see him without sweat pants. "Good morning," He whispers as he moves the hair from my face making sure nothing is in the way as we stare at each other in the eyes; into those melted chocolate orbs I can lose myself in.

Someone clearing their throat bring us back. "Morning to you too," Daddy says sarcastically.

Embry turns around quick. "Ah... yes… Good morning Mr. Cullen and Axel,"

"Better," Daddy crosses his arms.

"Much better," Axel agrees and stands next to Daddy.

I roll my eyes. "Embry don't listen to them,"

"So what brings you here boys?" Grandma asks sitting on the couch while holding Grandpa's hand.

"We all know that answer," Aunt Alice says huffing like if it's obvious.

I keep taking peeks at Embry. I want to be alone with him. "So we're leaving," I begin pulling Embry as I walk.

"Where?" Momma asks sternly.

"Momma can I go to the cliffs, please?" I poke my bottom lip.

"Um… Emmett," She says.

"Why do I have to decide?"

"Yes Annie. You can go. And Ness you can also go," Aunt Alice says with finality.

"Great," Ness says as she skips out the room after hugging everyone super-fast.

I run to her and hug her, "Thanks Aunt Alice," Then I run to Embry trying not to waste any time I have with him. I hold his hand, I kiss Momma and Daddy on the cheek, I give Axel a meaningful glance and I drag Embry out. "Bye!" I call out.

"No kissing!" Daddy yells back.

I close my eyes in embarrassment. I look back at Embry to see his face red. "Don't listen to him Annie!" Aunt Alice yells back making Daddy grunt then they start play fighting,

I ignore as I drag Embry out. I need to be away… it's so embarrassing. He chuckles all the way as we make it deeper into the woods. I concentrate on the natural sounds of the woods trying to calm myself down. Embry is still chuckling.

Farther away from the house Embry stops and pulls me into his strong arms. My body crashing with his as my breathing becomes hollow. I stare at his eyes as they've become a dark Brown, then my eyes dart to his thin pink lips. Lifting me off the ground effortlessly with an arm around my waist he gently pushes me against the tree trunk and he clashes his lips into mine. My heart pounding hard hitting his chest. Like an animal attacking his prey Embry does with my mouth. His hands travel at the sides of my body making my skin burn under his touch.

"Will he like you when he finds out you're a monster?" I hear Richard in the background. I open my eyes and look behind Embry scared.

"Embry… stop," I whisper grabbing his wondering hands. I mask my fear hoping he doesn't think it's him.

He chuckles placing his forehead over mine. "Sorry, I got carried away. I missed you,"

"But you saw me last night. Actually I should say very early today after our marathon. And we also broke some rules."

"But not having you for one second has me crazy," My heart soars. He holds me from the waist giving me the cutest smile ever. "About the rule braking… No-one will know." He smiles mischievous.

"I guess you're forgiven," I smile. He hugs me and I return it. My eyes scatter every tree, every bush. The wind picking up reminds me that I need to keep focus. No-one can know… not even Embry.

We let go. "I came to invite you to a bonfire later on today in your honor."

"A Bonfire?!" I haven't been in one since… My eyes fall.

His finger curls under my chin bringing my eyes to meets his. To meet my safe haven. "What's wrong beautiful?"

I shake my head. "Nothing. I would love to go. Actually I can't wait,"

"I'm glad to hear it. You're the guest of honor and can't miss it." He pecks my lips and sighs. "I have to go. I have patrolling in two minutes."

My brows crease. "Patrolling?"

"Yes, it's only for precaution." And I know that's all I'm getting. "I know I should've come to see you after but I couldn't wait." He smiles sweetly. Suddenly his expression turns hard. His eyes snap towards the forest. "Newbie," He nods curtly.

I turn to see Jessie approaching. "Jacob sent me saying you have to do something and we shouldn't let Anna alone,"

Embry nods curtly again. His eyes turn cold to warm until they're staring at me. He kisses me in a passively way. "I will see you later." I whisper.

"I'm counting the seconds 'till my eyes get to see beauty again," I blush before he turns to give Jessie a look and runs off phasing in the process.

"He's a bit cocky," Jessie huffs. "What happened to no kissing?" his eyebrow arches. I only smile. "Anyways," he continue to forget the whole kissing conversation. "What did-" he points to the direction Embry disappeared in. "-he want?"

"Jessie," I warn.

He raises his hands defensively. "Yes, I know, I know. Can't compete with an imprint. That doesn't mean I've stopped caring about you."

I nod as we continue to walk. "Jessie, have you thought about your family? About Haylee?"

He stops and sighs. "In Haylee all the time. She must be really sacred that I haven't shown up in school or that she can't find me in my house. My family… well it's only me and my mom and she is never around." I don't push for more information but it feels like he needs to say it. "My mom is busy traveling and having a life of a queen," He closes his eyes. As he opens them they are immensely sad. "Haylee is my only family. That's why I acted the way I did when-"

"-When we first met," He nods. "Your mom travels a lot?"

"More than any other human being. I guess it's a way to cope with my father's death and leaving her with a child to raise on her own. It also could be that she's living life as a widowed Millionaire."

"Millionaire? So Jessie is rich?" I wiggle my eyebrows.

He shakes his head chuckling. "My mother is,"

I roll my eyes. "You know that is what rich kids say,"

"You don't?"

"Nope, I'm a Trillionaire," We laugh. As the laughter dies we become serious again. "Jessie, you know you are going to have to fake your death,"

He sighs rubbing his hands over his face; I guess human traits are still very present. "I know and it will break me to see Haylee sad."

"Me too but we both are going to for her safety,"

"Can't we just tell her?"

"No! You will put her in danger,"

"I just need one more day and I we will go on with it," He says before I know it he disappears.

"Jessie!" I call out.

"He needs time," I turn to see my brother standing at the top of the stairs.

"I didn't want this for him,"

He walks down the stairs calmly. "Me neither but he is a vampire and there is nothing we can do now," I look at the direction Jessie disappeared and back at my brother nodding. "Good. Annie," He holds my hand. "I have to go,"

"Go? Go where?" I asks urgently.

"I need to go back to our nightmare to tie any loose ends."

"You're going back there?"

"I have too, we just vanished. It will look a little weird to the humans,"

"You will come back right? Right?"

"And why will I not come back? I have entire family waiting for me."

"Mr. Cullen." We smile. "Just don't take long. I will panic,"

"Promise to be hear faster than you can say my name." He kisses my temple. He flings his book bag over his shoulder and runs off; disappearing like Jessie.

"Bye," I say hoping he heard it. I walk up the stairs not knowing what else to do.

My family is still gathered around the living room looking at the news. The news anchor talks about some strange weather in Canada that came and vanished. The disaster I caused. I am a monster.

Then I hear it…"My angel is here,"

With the words I tumble backwards catching myself on the wall. Almost everybody is next to me in a flash. "NO! Don't call me ANGEL! DON'T!" I start to hyperventilate. Dots appear in my line of vision.

"Sweetie, we need you to breathe. Just breathe," Grandpa breathes like indicated so I can mimic.

"Baby," Momma's voice brakes.

"I'm so sorry Annie," Daddy looks so sad.

With my weal hand I palm his cheek. "It's alright," He carries me back to the couch. Sitting next to me he wraps an arm around me.

"You're safe now,"

The oxygen that was absent for that short while made me sleepy. "Yes... safe," my heavy eye lids close and I surrender to darkness.

….

My eyes snap open. I sit up and look around. I see Jessie staring at me intensely. "You know that's creepy. Especially with the red eyes." I try to joke but his expression doesn't change from serious. I look around to see we're alone.

"Everybody left for a grownup talk in one of the cottages." He explains. "Good to know you're feeling better," He offers a small smile. Then his lips meet in a hard line. "What happened? You scared me…"

"It was-" I stop immediately when I start smelling something good. Too good. I stand as my insides tighten. My muscles contract. I hiss bearing my teeth. Jessie stands in a flash as his eyes grow bigger; a deeper res. His lips begin curling upward. "Jessie-" I sound like I'm in pain.

"Annie, I feel like…" He trails off as his expression turns savage. I throw myself on him crushing our bodies on the marbled floor.

"Jessie you need to control yourself," I hiss, trying to control myself.

"I…" he hits the floor in a closed fist making the marble brake. "…Can't," He pushes me off.

My body hits the ground in a loud thud. "Jessie!" I stand prepared to fight him off. I hold the side of my ribs where it met the floor as I run towards the stairs.

"I'm right… here…" He says from the bottom of the stairs. I run to them but I walk slower as the smell gets stronger. My throat on flames. I grasp it swallowing the pain. "It's- Haylee," He hisses. He's holding himself on the metal railing denting it from the strength.

I hold on to it too as I hear the heartbeat pumping for what my insides desire. My eyes wide. "What?"

He gasps. "Its…Haylee…"He looks down as he heaves.

My eyes dart to the door. I hold my breath. "Hello?" She knocks on the door. "Is someone there?" she knocks again.

I close my eyes. "No," I whisper. Haylee!

A/N: I hope it was what you expected and more...Thank you so much for your amazing and AWESOME reviews. I LOVED ALL OF THEM. They made my day, heck they made my week. SO what you think? Did you like? Would you wish something changed? What do you want to happen next? Please review. I LOVE THEM ANYWAYS! They make me happy :)) I know I take long to post but I'm having a hard time finding free space to write. But when I do I want to make you guys happy... Well Review and hope to write for you soon!