Hey everyone. I want to thank my reviewers, Scampifish, sleepthroughthestatic, monkey-luver14, and Shannon R. You guys are so great!!

This chapter is a little shorter than normal, but very important. I hope you all like it!

Chapter Seven: The Truth

I thought it was going to be hard to see the Cullens in the morning and act normal. I thought I was going to run screaming from them when they stopped to pick me up, like they usually did. They lived farther, and when they walked by my house in the morning, I usually was ready, so I walked to school with them. I thought that was going to be impossible.

It wasn't. I fell into step as I normally did. I was singing "Stand By Me" in my head as loudly as I could, though, and Edward instantly knew something was up. Alice knew something was up, as well. He ignored it, though, and just talked to me about how rehearsals were coming. We had three weeks until we opened Thanksgiving weekend, and I was starting to get butterflies.

Yesterday was the end of the first quarter of the year, which meant that the entire school now had to switch their free block activity. I had taken gym the first quarter, because I had needed one more credit to graduate. For the rest of the year I got to take music, which made me happy. It wasn't the same as dancing, but it was still fun.

So fourth hour I headed down to our basement music room, already hearing a familiar beat. I grinned, realizing that at least Edward was in this class with me. Sure enough, he was at our ancient upright in the corner, playing with one hand. He was humming the melody, and I sat down on the bench next to him, picking up where he was.

"If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me"

"I thought you didn't like pop music." I said.

"I don't." He admitted. "But I make exceptions sometimes."

"Clearly." I smiled. "I love that song."

"I would hope so." He shook his head. "You've been thinking it all day." His eyes seemed to be darker as he studied me. "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing." I shook my head. I switched to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

He laughed. "I know that one too." He said, picking up on the rhythm. We sang along to that one as well, until we heard the rest of the class start coming in.

Ms. Furman, the music teacher, was one of my favorite teachers. She taught us the curriculum, but always as fast as she could so we could move on to the other, much more fun topics. My freshman year we had studies the last decade of music, and wrote our final paper on how we though the music of the 60's would grow on the music of the 50's. It was the best assignment I had ever gotten.

"Adele Foster, can I see you for a moment?" She called from her desk at the top of the room.

"Yes ma'am." I walked to the front of the room, her warm brown eyes smiling at me.

"Adele, you are the only new one in this class, so I hope you don't mind that we just keep moving forward. I think you had all of this four years ago."

"I did, ma'am." I smiled. "And I don't mind at all."

"I didn't think you would." She smiled. "You're all set."

"Thank you." I returned to the only available seat, conveniently next to Edward and Alice, who I hadn't seen slip into the room. I sat down between them, careful to sing "At Last" in my head so my thoughts couldn't wander. Edward chuckled, but didn't say anything. He touched my hand with the tips of his cold fingers, and I allowed his gift to flow into me.

What do you not want me to know? He asked bluntly.

Why would I tell you? I asked, humming the song to myself.

And why that song?

I love this song. I'm dancing to this song at my wedding.

And who will the groom be?

I don't know. A guy.

That's helpful.

I know.

His mind drifted to a wedding. I saw the memory like it was my own. The couple was beautiful, standing just ahead a little. I was seeing it through Edward's eyes, and I assumed he was standing in the best man's position. The man was standing tall, his eyes never leaving the face of the woman in front of them. With a slight shock of recognition, I realized it was Carlisle and Esme. They were breathtaking up there together, so clearly in love, you could feel it through the small chapel.

It would have been the perfect song. Edward decided, and the memory began to fade.

That was wonderful. I thought. It looked a scene from a film. Wait…how were you the best man? Shouldn't you have been a toddler? I also realized that the happy couple weren't looking any older than they had then.

Whoops. I thought you had figured that out already.

What vampires don't age, either?

We both froze. The thought had sipped without my meaning to. He was gazing at me with a strange mix of horror and contemplation. Finally, his mind began forming thoughts again.

When did you figure it out?

Last night. I didn't believe it at first, but then something kind of clicked. My Jasper memory flashed again, and Edward nodded. This means another visit with Carlisle, doesn't it?

Yes, it does. That irritating, amused tone had reappeared, so I knew all was not lost. But one question first. Why are you not trembling in terror?

I had this answer ready. I had figured it out during trig. Even though it hurt him, Jasper was able to control himself. Carlisle is able to control himself. If any of you thought you couldn't keep control, you wouldn't be here right now. You wouldn't blow the cover.

You have too much faith in us. He thought, a new, bitter tone to his voice.

I have no other choice anymore. I reminded him. He grimaced slightly, but agreed.

Carlisle's shift ends early today. You'll come home with us.

--- --- ---

The walk home was oddly silent. We were all wrapped up in our own thoughts. Well, all but Edward. He was wrapped up in our thoughts. I had been expecting some shiver of fear when I was in the middle of them again. Now that I understood just how dangerous they were, I should have been terrified. I wasn't afraid, though. I was comforted. I knew they could hurt me, but that they wouldn't. It was as much to protect themselves as it was to protect me, but I didn't care. I was protecting them too. I had kept my mouth shut, hadn't said a word about what they were. I didn't want them to leave.

We had just reached my house when Edward turned to me. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yes. This is my secret now too, and I want to know everything." He frowned, and I pushed. "It's my secret now too."

"She's right." Emmett agreed suddenly. "She's part of the family now."

"You shouldn't put so much stock in Alice." Edward warned.

Rosalie shrugged. "Even if she doesn't change, she's still family now." She said. "Esme is already in her mother hen mood over her. It's just a matter of time before…" She trailed off, her eyes falling on me and my curious expression.

"Before what?" I asked. All of their eyes darted to Alice, was staring determinedly at the ground. "What's going to happen?" I asked her.

"Well, this is just if nothing changes." She warned me. "If you stay on the path you are on now. If he stays on the path he's on now." I looked at her, my eyes wide. I could tell what was coming. "Your father is not getting better, Adele." She informed me.

"Yes he is." I argued. I had stopped walking, and was now tearing up in the middle of freezing sidewalk. "He's getting loads better. I made it through the weekend without incident."

"That's only because he's worried people are getting suspicious." Edward picked the thought out of my head.

"You don't understand." I shook my head, fighting back tears. "He doesn't mean it. He's not himself when he-" My voice froze, and I was just choking on my words.

"But he's not getting better." Alice said, her cold hands wrapping around mine. "He's sick. You know that."

"So how long until…?" I couldn't finish.

"For him, probably a few years." Alice said softly. "But for you and your mother, two months tops."

"What do you mean?" I asked, ignoring the truth for as long as possible. "My mom and I aren't sick."

"Adele, he's going to kill you." Edward's voice was soft, but I heard the hard truth of his words. The air was suddenly gone from my lungs, my head swimming. I couldn't feel, I couldn't think. Etta James was running through my head again. This clearly confused Edward.

"I don't think now is the time." He said, putting an arm around my shoulder and forcing me to continue walking. "We'll continue this conversation at home."

"Home." The word tumbled from my mouth without a purpose. It felt so nice to say, though I didn't have a reason to say it. I wasn't even sure if I had one anymore.

"You're coming home with us, now." Alice explained as though I were three. I felt three right then, blindly following where they big kids lead me.

We reached the Cullen home in a few minutes. The house was the same it had always been. A big blue job, with white gingerbread trim and a wrap around porch. There were even round towers in the north and east corners. It had been kept in pristine condition by the previous owners, and was one of the most beautiful houses on the block. The beauty seemed to strike me suddenly, and I thought that it was the perfect place to call home. It looked like a home, the way some houses do.

"Carlisle." Edward called as soon as the door was open. Having already seen the inside, I should not have been amazed by its beauty, and yet I was. The normalcy of it was surprising, too. Ever since the word vampire had popped into my head, I had been seeing cauldrons and coffins and chains and dungeons. Thought some part of me knew none of hose things applied to the Cullens, I was still surprised by the brightness of the interior.

"Adele?" My concentration was broken as Carlisle said my name. I looked around, and every pair of golden eyes watched me nervously.

"What?" I asked, suddenly feeling like I had missed something.

"I think you are right, Edward." Carlisle said, pursing his lips. "Perhaps we should stop in the kitchen then. Her body needs some sugar."

My stomach attested that fact loudly. There was a small ripple of laughter as Edward steered me into the kitchen. I allowed him, and was slightly surprised at myself. Normally I would have shrugged him off by now.

"Your body is in shock." He explained quietly. "You can't comprehend then new information yet, and so your body has shut down slightly. But it should fade. If you really are as quick a healer as Carlisle says, it should be in time for you to go home." He sat me down at a large kitchen table, Alice plopping down next to me. "You're going to need to eat something for me. It will help you recover quicker."

"What are you making me eat?" I asked, wrinkling my nose slightly.

He laughed. "Whatever you want."

I sighed, looking at Alice. She laughed, getting up. "You really think she's in the proper state to choose?" She asked, dancing across to the cupboards. She paused, and pulled out a jar of peanut butter, holding it up for me. I nodded.

"No jelly." Edward said, finding my thoughts again. That made him happy, and he and Alice made quick work of the peanut butter sandwich. Emmett sliced an apple and set it on the plate, bringing the finished snack over to me. I stared t it for a moment, then dug in fervently. I realized that the entire Cullen family had now arrived at the table, and were watching me eat. It felt awkward to me, so I swallowed and spoke.

"Why do you have food in the house if you don't eat?"

Esme's eyes widened, though she seemed to be the only one surprised that I had figured it out. I noticed Jasper at the far end turn his head sharply to look at me, but even he didn't seem surprised. Just worried.

"It's always good to have the props in place." Carlisle said. "And for you."

"Thank you." I whispered. They all heard me just fine, though. I cleared my throat, and louder, asked. "So, I hope you don't mind the question, but if you are vampires, why are you out in the daylight?"

There was more laughter, Emmett's the loudest, and I felt instantly better.

"Most of the things humans know about our kind are complete lies." Edward said. "Put out by other vampires to leave a false trail."

"While direct sunlight does us no favors, we are free to move about during the day as we please." Carlisle said.

"So what happens in sunlight?" I asked. There was a quick exchange of expressions, and I shook my head. "Tell me the truth."

"The truth is kind of stupid." Emmett admitted.

"In sunlight we…sparkle." Rosalie said the final word with a hint of distaste.

"You sparkle?" I asked. They all nodded. "Like Tinker Bell?" They nodded, the boys grimacing slightly. I tried not to laugh. It didn't work. A small giggle escaped, which turned into a full-blown laugh. "That is the least-vampire-like thing I've ever heard!" I dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"It's not funny." Edward mumbled. "It's supposed to make us more dangerous."

"Yes, because when I see glitter, I automatically think of danger." I choked out. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. "Wow. So it's a good thing you avoid the sun. We would want you blinding anyone." I allowed myself one more snort of laughter before I moved on. "Okay, so sunlight isn't dangerous. Is anything, then? I mean, garlic, mirrors, holy water, stakes…?"

"None of that." Carlisle shook his head.

"Good luck trying to get a stake through us." Jasper snorted. I gave him a curious look. "Our skin can't be penetrated by anything besides vampire teeth." He said.

"Wood wouldn't stand a chance, would it?" I asked. He shook his head, and I turned my attention on Alice's hand on the table next to me. I sent her a short glance, and she moved her hand forward, letting me touch it again. I understood as my hand ran along the hard, cool, white skin. It was like marble in every sense.

"So the pale skin is right." I said. "What about the super speed?"

"True." Carlisle nodded.

"Super strength?"

"True."

"And the diet?" I hadn't wanted to ask, but I had to know.

"Blood is a necessity." Carlisle said slowing, picking his words. "But it's not what you are thinking. We don't drink human blood. We've found that it is possible to thrive off the blood of animals."

"No human blood." I nodded to myself. "Only animals. Why?" I asked.

There was a pause. They were not expecting that question.

"We all have our own reasons." Carlisle continued. "But mostly it is a reverence of human life."

"It feels like murder." I said, again to myself, though I heard a few agreements. "Well, it is murder. That's why it feels like murder." I muttered at myself. I looked up again. "So you hunt animals. And it's a good substitute?"

"It works." Edward shrugged. "We're sustained, and don't starve."

"But it's not the same?" I asked.

"Not exactly." He paused. "Think of it like this. I put out a huge feast for you, all your favorite foods. Then I put out this." He motioned to my half empty plate. "Both would keep you from starving, both would satisfy your physical needs. But which would you rather have? Which would you enjoy more?"

"So the feast is humans." I said, drawing the analogy. "And the sandwich is animals. The feast is tastier, but you don't like the consequences. So it's like the feast coming with a huge price tag. So even though it would taste better, you make the sacrifice and have the sandwich, which does the trick, but only on one level."

"Exactly." Edward smiled. "You'll always want the feast more."

"That's unreal." I said. They laughed again. "So what about the eyes? Dracula had black eyes."

"Dracula was hungry." Jasper muttered. They laughed again, and he cracked a grin as he explained. "The color comes from our diet. All vampires start with red eyes. If they feed off human blood, the color fades to a burgundy color after about a year. The longer it has been since the hunt, the darker the eyes get, until they are black. Then, when that vampire feeds again, the eyes turn back to burgundy. We're different, because of the animal thing. They still get black when we get thirsty, but they are a goldish color."

"So it's about the diet. Is that why it's easier to blend in? I mean, your color is weird enough. I can't imagine anyone with red eyes fitting in." I was still eating, but I was curious.

"I suppose." Jasper shrugged. "I've never heard of another coven trying to blend in."

"Coven." The word sounded funny. I had always seen the Cullens as a family.

"We are a family." Edward said. "That's another effect of the animal blood. We're a bit more…civil towards each other than others of our kind. Other covens get as big as three, maybe four. Ours is so large because we are not fighting with each other constantly like others are."

"This is so intense." I shook my head, letting the information settle. "I didn't realize there would be vampire politics. So none of you are actually related, right?" They all shook their heads. "So how did you all come together?"

"Carlisle." Edward said instantly. I looked over at the doctor, taking him in as the coven leader. He wasn't formidable in any way, yet it was clear that he held the most power in his family. "Carlisle either changed or found all of us. He's what holds us together."

"It's much more than that." Carlisle disagreed. "Alice and Jasper found us. They were alone for quite a while."

"But before that." I asked, my eyes now glued to him. "What happened to you?"

He examined me for a long moment, probably judging if I was up for the story. To prove my point, I shoved the last bit of apple in my mouth. I felt like someone was telling me to put a good book down at the best part.

He smiled, but continued. "My life began in England about three hundred and twenty years ago."