I want to thank my beta!! You are so wonderful I love you. With out you, my story would need help!
Everyone go read her stories at EclipseoftheTwilightMoon. After this go read her stories!
BPOV
"Alice!"
She kept throwing clothing over the top of the dressing room door. She wouldn't stop finding things for me to try on.
"Just try it on Bella," yelled Alice from the other side of the door.
"What are you going to do to me if I don't want to?" I pushed the door open to see Alice staring at me.She just stared at me with the look that said do-as-I-say-or-I-will-hurt you. Oh crap that was most definitely the wrong thing to say to her.
"Fine," I grabbed the dress that she threw at me. She was really hyped up to see me in this dress. For the life of me, I could not figure out why she wanted me to try the stupid thing on. It's not like I was ever going to wear it anywhere.
As I walked out of the dressing room, my whole family was staring at me. Family… it felt weird to think about them that way, but it was a great feeling though.
"Alice, this is way too expensive. How about we go to Wal-Mart and we can get something a little cheaper?" They all stared at me like I had two heads. Honestly, the way I was feeling at the moment, it wouldn't surprise me if I hadn't sprouted an extra head.
Rosalie dropped her shirt on the floor, and I had this feeling that if she could have lost color to her face, she would have. Emmett stopped in place with his foot up in mid-stride, and it looked like he was honestly afraid to put it down. Jasper acted as if he was going to double over and it looked like Alice had busted a blood vessel. My parents looked at each other for a moment before they turned their attention back to me. Edward, on the other hand, was staring at his feet and it was clear he was trying really hard not to break out into fits of laughter.
The feeling that I was getting from their reactions was honestly about ready to make me sick. I don't like being the center of attention and at this moment, I was.
"What?!" I screamed a little louder than I expected. I couldn't take the tension that was radiating off them, I had to know what I said to make them feel that way.
"DidyoujustsayyouwantedtoshopatWal-Mart?!" Alice said in such a rush that I couldn't even make out the words if I tried. I did though catch the end of what she said though.
"What is wrong with Wal-Mart? It's been good to me over the years. So has the Salvation Army. I could go there and for the price of this dress," I pointed down at the dress, "and get an entire wardrobe."
Then she smacked me. "What the… Alice, why did you hit me?" I was confused.
"You are my sister, which means you are a member of the Cullen family, so therefore I can not have you messing up the reputation of this family by dressing badly," she said while she was waving her tiny arms in the air as if she was trying to prove something. "You are going to get this dress, and don't say a word." I was going to try to protest, but after seeing the look in her eyes, I decided against it. How can such a tiny little thing be so scary? I backed away from her, I could almost say that I was terrified.
"Stop it Alice! You're scaring her." Saved by the bell. Thank heavens for Jasper. I then in turn dashed for the dressing room as fast as I could.
While I was standing in the dressing room, a soft knock came at the door. "Sweetie, it's me." It was the soft voice of my mother coming from the other side of the door.
I opened it up, and I really felt shy that I was standing half dressed in front of her. I looked down at the floor while I brushed my foot against the carpet. I was making patterns in it with my toes trying to avoid her eyes.
"Don't be shy, honey. I'm your mother and you are such a beautiful young woman." I felt tears welling up in my eyes at her comment.
"You really think I'm beautiful?" I had to ask, I had to be sure she was being honest with me.
"Absolutely," she said caressing my cheek.
"No one has ever told me that I was beautiful." Not long after I spoke those words, I was surprised to hear six pairs of feet dashing toward me. All of them were standing in front of the dressing room door with wide eyes. I felt really uncomfortable with the fact that they were staring at me and I was half dressed. I couldn't help but try to cover up all the parts that I could, because I was honestly so embarrassed to be standing there like that in front of them like that.
"What?" Asked Emmett. He was very much like a big Teddy bear. I could say that I loved him dearly.
"Bella, you don't know how incredibly beautiful you are. I am having a really hard time controlling my urge to beat all the human boys in this store who were staring at you when you came out of that dressing room." My father was so protective of me and his warm smile warmed my heart. I couldn't help but smile myself.
"You are my sister, so naturally you are going to be gorgeous! Come on… look at what you came from," Alice said waving her arms again to my mother and father. I was starting to think that she just liked waving her arms around. Maybe it felt like she was flying or something.
"I am proud to stand next to you as my sister," Rosalie said as she stepped in the dressing room giving me a hug.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. You are intelligent, and everything about you is absolutely perfect. Don't you dare let anyone tell you any different. You are beautiful on the inside as well on the outside. Bella have a beautiful soul." Edward said and he came in and wrapped his strong arms around me in a hug that felt like nothing before. It was not the same kind of hug that I would get from my parents, it was almost like an expression of the passion that he had in his heart for me. In his arms, I felt so much love. The tears were welling up again in my eyes and they were threatening to spill over with all the emotions that were flooding my heart and soul.
"Don't cry my love, I only speak the truth," whispered Edward as he gave me another slight squeeze before he placed a tender kiss on my forehead. The next thing I knew was that all seven vampires stepped inside the dressing room around me and hugged me.
"Oh! A family hug. I so love this!" Emmett is so weird sometimes.
With everyone crushed up against me, I couldn't breath. I felt like my body was going to crush with all the pressure.
"Em...mett……. I can't...gasp….breath," I chocked out, then everyone moved away in an instant.
"Oh my God…I am so sorry. I keep forgetting that you're not a vampire yet."
"What do you mean yet?" Was I supposed to be a vampire? I asked them with my eyebrow raised.
"This is not the place to discuss this topic. Let's just get your shopping done and then we will get some stuff to fix up your room at the house." My dad just had a way of dealing with stuff, and with him saying that, the subject was dropped and we went on with the shopping.
They were all about to head out the door. I stood there thinking about how much everything was going to cost and that was when my parents turned around to look at me.
"Don't worry about the money, darling, it doesn't mean anything." Even with my father saying this to me, I still felt bad that they were spending that much money on me.
"You are beautiful and worth every cent, Bella. If you like something please, do not look at the price… just pick it up and buy it, ok?" I looked up at my mother as she spoke, and her eyes sparkled with joy.
"I will," I said smiling at them both before I shut the door to dressing room to change back into my regular clothes. As I was getting dressed, I couldn't stop thinking about what Emmett said. I would love to be a vampire like my family. It wouldn't be such a bad idea, considering I am half vampire. Why not be full?
I walked out of the dressing room with a bunch of clothing. The family took me through the rest of the mall. I never really liked shopping but today I really loved it. I was betting it was because it is the first thing that I did with my family. I sighed in contentment.
"Are you ok sweetie?" My mom asked as we exited the last store.
"Yes, I'm just happy for the first time in a really long time." She smiled so wide that I thought that I would be blinded by the brightness of her teeth.
My stomach growled as we met up with everyone else who had been off shopping themselves.
"Looks like someone needs some food," said my father. I couldn't help but blush at his reaction.
"What would you like? They have Italian food… Chinese… I'm not sure what else, but we can check it out," he wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he spoke and led me toward the food court.
Everyone sat down at a table while I walked around trying to decide on what I actually wanted to eat. I couldn't really remember the last time I actually got to eat out somewhere. Then I felt someone walk up behind me and they slipped their arms around me waist. I thought I had jumped a mile high and I let out a small squeal.
"Shh. Its okay, Bella. It's just me." I smiled as I heard Edward's velvety voice whisper to me.
"I'm so sorry." I never thought he would put his arms around my waist, it just startled me. I turned back to looked over at my family and they looked at me wondering what happened to make me cry out like that.
"I didn't mean to scare you. I just didn't want you to walk by yourself." I turned to look into his golden eyes as he spoke. They were truly beautiful. I couldn't help but smile at him.
"So do you know what you would like to eat?"
"I don't know I never had this food before" I said blushing, he looked at me with was that sadness in his eyes.
"Well from what I heard, the Chinese food is pretty good."
I agreed to try it so I got chicken with noodles and a bottle of water. We headed over to my family. As I walked toward them, I noticed that they were the vision of the perfect family.
"Are you ok?" Alice asked while she looked at Edward. I will have to ask about that later.
"I'm fine, he just took me by surprise that's all." The truth was I was scared out of my wits. I was never touched by a man that way. It was just a new feeling that I wasn't used to. I gave the best smile that I could muster up. They all looked at Edward though. Was something wrong with him?
EPOV
I never thought she would react that way. Then again she has been through a lot. I know it was not directed to me personally, but I still felt bad that I was the cause of her fear. She thought I was going to hurt her. It pained my heart because I knew why she was so frightened. It makes me angry to think about what that creep did to her.
You shouldn't have done that Edward. She was so scared. I started to panic when she jumped. Jasper's thoughts cut me like a knife.That was never my intentions, I just wanted to hold her like a normal man would hold the woman that he loves. I just had to realize that I was going to have to take it slow with her, so she could get used to me.
I know you don't want to hear this, but you have to give her time. We really don't know what kind of life she had. Edward, he touched her in ways we may never find out. In her heart, she knows that we won't hurt her, but her brain is probably screaming at her to be fearful of us. She won't even let Emmett or Jasper touch her, she backs away from them. The family hug we gave her… I felt her shiver and the only reason that she didn't scream was because her mother was there with her. I know what I am talking about. I have been where she is at right now, and it is not a great place to be. We have to give her time and work with her. It will help her get out of the shell. Of course Rosalie knows what she been through. I know that she is right, but I just want to grab Bella up into my arms and kiss away all her pain, but I know that is something that I can not do, at least not yet.
She is my sister too, at least you got to hug her. Emmett's thoughts were so sad. I had never heard him filled with such sorrow. He was the one that was full of life and jokes.
You will be ok, my son. We will get through this, and we will all help her. She is my daughter and I don't want her to be afraid of me when I want to go for a hug. I know how you feel, every time she gives me a hug I think she is fighting a battle within herself, but hopefully in time she will get over the fear. I knew Carlisle was right about this, but it was still something I was having trouble dealing with. I had waited so long to find her and to know that she was so fearful of me hurt.
You will have your love, my beautiful son. She loves you. The way she looks at you is proof of that. Sometimes she doesn't seem afraid, but when she is in certain situations it comes out. Esme always knows how to make someone feel good even when you're not the one in the need of it.
My poor sister… Edward just wanted to give her a hug, that's all. She is not afraid of me at least I hope not. If I could cry I would, she is so beautiful maybe more shopping with make her happy! Yes, that's it. More shopping!
I couldn't help, but laugh at my sister. Her and her obsession with shopping. I couldn't help but shake my head at her. In her mind, shopping was the solution to all the world's problems. You couldn't help but love Alice that was a fact.
We all stared at Bella as she ate her food. It was amazing how she made the act of eating look amazing. We all pulled are chairs in closer.
She looked up, and her eyes were filled with confusion "Is there something wrong?"
"How can you eat that? It smells horrible!" Emmett said making a face.
"Like this," she said as she scooped up noodles and put them in her mouth and chewed. It was funny. It was a good feeling that she was able to joke with Emmett, with us.
"Can I have a taste?" Emmett is such a moron
"Um, sure if you want," she said as she slid the plate over to Emmett and he took the fork and he one swift moment, cracked it in half.
"Way to go moron!"
"Be nice," she scolded me. Bella scolded me… how funny. She got up and got another fork and she handed it to Emmett.
"Here. Hold it like this," she explained while showing him how to hold it in his big claw which he called a hand. She reached over to help him, but before she touched him, she backed her hands away. "Sorry" she mumbled as she stared down at the table.
"Don't be sorry, Bella. You were showing him something. It's not like he is going to eat it anyway," Rose said as she gave her husband a weird look. I couldn't hold in my laughter anymore. Bella looked over at me like I was crazy as I continued to laugh.
"I'm sorry. It's just funny that Emmett wants to try human food." All of them started to laugh, even Bella. Then she stopped after she realized what I had just said.
"Wait, you don't eat food?" She asked raising an eyebrow. She looked so adorable when she did that. It was almost as adorable as she was when she blushed.
"No," Carlisle said in a low voice. "I will explain more when we go home I promise." She seemed happy with that answer.
"Okay, then in the mean time, give me back my food," she said as she snatched the food from Emmett.
"Hey!" He said pouting.
She finished up what she was eating and we headed to the car. I carried her bags in one hand, but the other felt bare to me. I wonder if she will let me hold her hand.
Ask her first Edward. Rosalie thought to me. I knew she was right, I would have to ask.
"Bella..."
"Yes?" She looked up and met my eyes. God, her eyes are so beautiful.
"Would it be alright if I held your hand?" I asked with hope in my voice, but really expecting to be rejected.
"I think that would be fine," she said extending her arm. As I took her hand, I felt electricity shoot up my arm and throughout my body. Her hand was so warm and I was content to say that I liked that she would feel comfortable enough to take my hand. I could deal being this close to her, at least for the time being. If she was willing to give me just this, I would take it.
I was in the front seat and everyone was stuffed into the car. Bella was in the middle and she looked like she was packed into a sardine can. I started driving home and everyone started talking. When I glanced into the rearview mirror, I noticed that Bella appeared to be sad. Why?
"Why do you look sad, Bells?" I asked her and that was when her eyes met mine in the mirror. She tried to give me a smile, but she just shrugged.
"You can tell us anything, Bella." Alice was trying to get closer to her.
"It's just you all have your own conversations. I really don't know what to say." She looked embarrassed by admitting to that, even though she had no reason to be. She didn't feel completely comfortable with us yet, it is understandable.
"What would you like to know, my daughter?" Carlisle asked her turning around in his seat to look at her.
"Whatever you want to tell me," she said as we pulled up into the driveway of the house.
"Let's get in side and get a little more comfortable. I will make you some hot chocolate if you would like," Esme said to her. She was such a good mother. Bella is letting her be that mother that she never had while she was growing up. It was a wonderful sight and feeling to see.
I get to make my daughter something to drink how exciting. Esme thought as she bounced into the house and raced into the kitchen. I couldn't help but laugh. I carried in the bags and raced them up to Bella's room. It had her scent all over it. I just breathed in deep to take in as much as I could. This place was truly going to become my sanctuary.
I raced back down the stairs and I found Bella lying on the floor with her eyes closed.
BPOV
It was a great day, but my nerves were shot. I knew that Edward was not going to hurt me, but I still couldn't get over my fear.
I laid on the floor. I was so soft and comfortable that I couldn't help but shut my eyes. Everyone was moving all over the house. I could hear my mom in the kitchen making me hot chocolate. I could smell it and it smelt so good.
I started to think of Emmett and the fork at the mall. Oh gosh that was funny. I started to giggle. Then I felt that I was not the only one in the room anymore. I opened my eyes to see Emmett and Edward standing over me.
"I think she is going crazy," Emmett said looking at me. I couldn't stop laughing, I just laughed even harder.
"What are you laughing at?" Edward asked me. Oh his smile was just outstanding. I just kept laughing, even though they were clueless to why I was. Then Jasper stepped into the room to start laughing himself.
"What's wrong with him now?" Emmett asked. I totally loved my clueless brother. I don't even know why I was laughing, all I knew was it just felt great to laugh. It was a release that I longed for.
"What did I miss that was so funny?" My mom came in the room with a smile on her face holding my mug of hot chocolate.
"We don't know, we are trying to figure out the same thing," Alice said as if she was getting upset by the second because she doesn't know what is going on.
"Ok, I'm sorry," I said trying to stop laughing. "I'm just happy, it feels good to laugh. I haven't laughed like that ever."
"It's okay, sweetheart. I love hearing you laugh. We all do," said my smiling father as he helped me to the sofa, "and yes, you did once laugh like that. It was when you were three and Edward tickled you non stop."
"Really?" I asked looking up at Edward, he just nodded his head.
"We can show you home videos if you would like," my mom said handing me my drink, "It's what got us through all those years that you were gone. We watched them every day." When I looked at her soft features, it looked as if they would soon be filled with tears, though I knew she could not shed tears.
"Can you tell me about your lives? What I am? I mean I know that I am half vampire, but why? How can it be?" I had so many questions that needed to be answered. I looked out to the faces of my family as they thought about the questions that I had asked and how they would go about answering them. It was time for me to learn where I came from and what the purpose of my existence really was.