Disclaimer: Liz is mine, Everything else is Stephanie's!

Hey guys! I typed really fast and wrote this all for you guys in only 2 hours (that's really fast for me)! Anyway here's chapter 1. Please read and reply!!

Chapter 1: Arrival

I had arrived at the airport so that I had barley enough time to catch my flight. I knew I would be alone with myself for quite a while on the plane and didn't want any more time than necessary. I didn't need to pack. I always kept a fully packed suitcase with me incase I had a mission. Also, I was rich. I had, had 50 years to earn enough money for myself and I never spender it unless I needed to. Also, Aro had paid me for my 'services.' Not that it mattered though. I really hated myself for accepting the money that was pushed on me after each mission. Why would I want to be paid for killing someone of my own kind? However I was constantly reminded of what they did to people while they still existed and I finally accepted. I still felt bad about it though.

The plane ride as painful. I did everything I could possibly think of the keep my mind away from the pain. After 50 years I was finally able to listen to music again. But only if it didn't have any talent to it. Beautiful, soft music reminded me of him and I wouldn't be able to take it. However I had strangely been able to play the piano. It helped me, to express some of the pain I felt. I was attached to the piano at home. I had become quite good at a lot of things with all my free time but I was far more skilled at piano than anything else. Sometimes, when I was feeling brave, I would play Edward's lullaby. It left me crying but it helped me to remember him. Forgetting was not an option for me. I sat, listening to mindless music, and thinking about my new appearance. I was drawing myself. I had done quite a lot of drawing in the past and I had to admit I had become rather good at it. I decided I would be anything but a brunette. After all he preferred them. I decided to be a blonde, with slight brown highlights. My hair would be mid torso length. My voice and my eyes would remain the same. My eyes being a light aquamarine. I know, I know. I'm not supposed to have that color but I did. I think it was from all the crying I had done, but that was just a theory. I would have freckles and I would make my skin look human pale. As soon as the plane landed I bolted out and headed for the bathroom. I closed myself in a stall and focused on the new me. I felt my hair grow longer and my skin grow darker. I looked down at myself and saw my strawberry blonde hair cascading down my torso. I stepped out to examine myself in the mirror. I was beautiful. My strawberry blonde hair was straight and silky against 'normal' skin. If you looked at me, from a vampire's perspective, you would have guessed I was the most beautiful human in the world. When I was changed I had brought all of my human qualities with me, except the clumsiness. I could cry, something all other vampires could not do, blush, something I was hoping on losing. And the thing that surprised me the most was my ability to sleep. I didn't always have to sleep, I could go for about a day and a half without it but I could. And by far my best ability ever was that I could live off of human food and blood! At home I always ate human food but sometimes I went hunting just for something to do. And I brought my ability to block powers with me. I grabbed my luggage and headed out of the airport. Aro had arranged to get a car for me and it was waiting for me. Ugh, oh no he didn't! I thought angrily, looking at my car. It was beautiful. A Rinspeed Porsche 911, you know, the one where the doors fly up. Yeah, he was going to be dead when I got back. I angrily stuffed my luggage in the trunk and got in the drivers seat where I found a note from Aro. I opened in it, annoyed.

Dear Bella,

How do you like my surprise? I know it's a little over the top and that you hate over the top but just consider this payment for your job. I enclosed directions to the house that you'll be staying at. Oh, I'm such an idiot! I forgot to tell you what family you were staying with! Oh well…you'll find out soon enough and when you do promise me something okay? Promise me that you'll stay there and do your job and won't come back to kill me okay? This mission will be very hard but I'm sure you can do it. I have faith in you little sis!

Love,

Aro.

Oh fabulous! Two surprises in one day! And what's with his stupid promise? I wouldn't go back before my mission was done, no matter how hard it was. I sighed and stored my letter in my bag. I took out the instructions and followed them at almost human speed, because of my fear of the ice. Alaska was too white. It felt like Forks all over again except with a new and exciting color. Oh joy. After a whole 45 minutes of driving I finally got to a huge castle like mansion on the outskirts of Anchorage, where I was to be attending University. I pulled up the very long driveway. It really was a beautiful house. It was grey with castle like towers and windows with balconies. It appeared to be very old but so beautiful and peaceful at the same time. I hopped out of the car and grabbed my luggage. I had to reach into the back of my trunk to get it and when I turned around I was sure my dead heart had stopped. I was looking straight into the eyes of Alice Cullen.

I tried to hide the panic and fear in my eyes as she stared at me. Clam down Bella! She couldn't recognize you, even if she had a vision about you, you would be changed already, unless she saw me changing…Stop it! Do something, don't just stand there!

"Umm, hi," I said awkwardly. "My name's Clarice, Clair actually, and you are?"
She snapped out of her state and immediately returned to her old bubbly self.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! My name's Alice Cullen. I'm so glad that you're coming to live with us!" she exclaimed, hugging me. "We've been looking forward to your arrival ever since I saw it in my vision. I can see the future by the way,' she explained to me.

"Oh, well thanks…" I mumbled shyly. My dead heart was racing. If I was staying with the Cullen's that only meant one thing. Edward.

"Anyway, you have to meet the family! We are all thrilled to meet you, well almost all. My brother has been in a bad mood for the past 50 years. You'll have to excuse him. It's not his fault," she left it off there. Not giving out any further information. She looked sad. Poor Alice I thought. We entered the castle and I gasped. The floors were marble inside, the ceiling was raised to reveal chandeliers. The light poured through the windows and my skin glittered. There were two big hallways to my sides and an open fireplace ahead of me. Alice and I took our shoes off there and I left my luggage while we went to meet the family. I followed her closely, not wanting to get lost. My dead heart racing in fear of seeing Edward. I practiced keeping myself calm, remembering Jasper's power. I would also have to meet the new Cullen. The reason I was sent to my personal hell. I already hated the girl, whoever she was.

Finally Alice and I came to a hug sitting room. The walls were decorated in an Victorian style fashion. I saw a fireplace, on the far side of the wall. Golden candles were perched on the walls and the light from the window brightened the room. A piano was in the corner of the room, however it had been covered up and dust had accumulated on it. Expensive chairs and couches were in the center of the room. They looked inviting and Alice motioned for me to sit.

"Wait here, I'll go get the family," she said hurriedly then dashed off.

I sat motionless in this huge room. Fear creeped over my body. I had to do something with myself. I walked over to the piano and took the cover off. It was risky, playing the piano, knowing how much it had reminded me of Edward but I needed to do something, anything. The piano had obviously not been touched in years but was still in pretty good condition. I played my favorite piece, something that I had composed to play when I felt stressed, which was all the time. There was a lot of jumping around involved so it kept me focused. I let the music take over, controlling my body. It wasn't until I had finished the song when I turned around to see all of the Cullen's staring at me. I turned around and blushed a deep red. I awkwardly got up and turned to face them. They had not changed. Alice was smiling widely next to Jasper who had a pleasant smile on his face. Emmett had a goofy smile and Rosalie had a bored expression on her face. Esme and Carlisle's smiles were inviting and friendly. Next to them was a girl that I did not know. She looked almost exactly like the human me except some of her features were harder. Her face reeked of false happiness. I had a feeling that I wouldn't like her. Then finally my eyes lingered to the last Cullen. Edward. He had distanced himself from the family. Standing behind them, barley looking at me. His face was sad, as he fiddled with something in his hands. Carlisle was the first to break the silence.

"Welcome our family Clarice,' he said warmly. "We have been looking forward to your arrival for a while now. Let me introduce you to our family. This is my wife Esme," he said motioning to her.

"Hello Clarice, we're so happy that you're here with us," she said kindly. I wanted to run to her and cry and tell her everything but I kept myself under control.

"You can call me Clair actually," I corrected politely to everyone. Clarice sounded so old.

She smiled an nodded. Carlisle re-introduced me to everyone making small talk. They all seemed happy that I was here. Even Rosalie gave me a small smile. Carlisle finally got to the girl.

"Claire, this is Elizabeth or Liz, she's new to the family too," Carlisle said smiling.

'Liz' gave me a fake smile and ran over and hugged me, again another fake hug. In my ear she whispered something so low I could barley hear it with vampire ears.

"Stay away from Edward or you'll regret it,' she whispered threateningly.

She broke away and I returned the fake smile. I was fuming inside. To hell what Jasper thinks. And then finally. I was re-introduced to my angel.

"And finally this is Edward," Carlisle said, giving Edward a warning look. I knew Carlisle was probably having a conversation with Edward in their heads. Edward didn't move from his position, seated on the arm of the couch, with an extremely old copy of Wuthering Heights in his hands. I internally gasped. It was my copy of the book. From 50 years ago. He finally looked up at me, then gave me a look of pure confusion from his honey colored eyes. I knew he was frustrated because he couldn't read my mind. I wondered if I still smelled the same… I thought. I smiled at him shyly, blushing a deep red and he turned away. Then turned back towards me and stared at me. "Your eyes, and you blush…how?" he asked in his sugar coated honey smooth voice.

"Well as a human I blushed and cried a lot, I guess that got carried over when I was changed," I explained.

"Hey you know that the blushing part reminds me of-" Emmett started to say but the whole room, including me gave him a look. Edward's tortured face twisted in even more pain. I couldn't let him continue like this.

"So Wuthering Heights huh? That's my favorite book," I said, trying to move the conversation off the topic of 'Bella.' He gave a quick nod and I decided that that was as much Edward I was going to be able to take in one day.

"Well it was very nice o meet you all," I said sincerely. Well almost all of you… "But if you wouldn't mind, umm….well one of my abilities is human traits and I feel kinda tired so um…"

"Oh sure honey!" Esme exclaimed. "Alice will show you to your room. One question, do you need to eat?"

I blushed, I didn't want them to go out of their way to get me stuff.

"Um…yes, but I can hunt too if you want me to. I can do both so you don't have to go out of your way."

"Oh don't be silly honey! I haven't had the chance to cook since…a very long time. I'll go get some groceries!" she exclaimed happily.

"But you don't have to…" I trailed off. She was already gone.

Alice chuckled behind me. "Of Claire, you remind me so much of…someone who I loved very much. I think we're going to get a along just fine!" she exclaimed, grabbing my hand and pulling me up the endless staircases to my new room. When we finally got there I gasped again. My room as amazing! The walls were styled in the same fashion as the foyer except that instead of just white, the walls were lined with golden paint. It reminded my of one of the rooms of Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice, the movie. The bed was just as elegant as the walls. It was wooden, painted white with engraved patterns and cravings sketched in. Golden paint once again trimmed the edges of each design. The bedspread of course matched the rest of my room. I looked around further. There was a wardrobe, which was suddenly full thanks to Alice's unpacking. There was a desk on the far side as well has a vanity and a huge closet with lights and a revolving floor.

"I got Jasper to tweak the closets a little,' Alice said with a laugh. I laughed too. Typical Alice.

"I'm going to go wash up, want to hang out later?" I offered, wanting to spend more time with my almost sister, and also not wanting to be alone.

She smiled and nodded, I smiled and got my pajamas. I walked into the bathroom, which was of course, over decorated as well but still beautiful, to find all of my toiletries unpacked. Alice must have had a lot of time with my moment of shock. I turned the water on hot and savored in the delightful feeling of the hot water against my cold skin. I got out of the shower and dried my hair. Inhaling the sweet strawberry scent. Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated I walked out, feeling optimistic for the first time in a while. I had my family back! However Edward's pained face had broken my heart. Over the years I had learned to bury every feeling of pain into a dark box in the back of my head. I had gotten much better at hiding the pain and it was obvious that Edward had not gotten past that stage which is what confused me. Why isn't he happy? And why does he have my book? He CANNOT be heartbroken over me! Who would be? I was so…nothing compared to him. Besides he left me. He didn't want me. Realizing quickly the pain that I was about to feel I buried them in my box and headed to my bedroom. I found Alice sprawled out on the floor, reading one of the magazines I had bought at the airport.

"Hey Alice," I said cheerfully.

"Oh hey Claire!" she exclaimed putting the magazine back and stood up in one quick graceful movement. "Just looking at the juicy gossip sections!" she exclaimed with a smile. I sat down on my bed and lied on my stomach so that we could talk.

"I feel like I'm at a sleep over," I said laughing.

"I know me too! Oh, I know! Why don't we do each other's nails and talk about stuff. I've seen all the humans do it. I've never really had a sleep over except with this girl but I had to hold her there against her will so it wasn't fun,' she said with a little pout.

"Oh, really?" I asked, faking curiosity. I still remembered that. (A/N I know that's from Eclipse but please pretend it happened in the beginning of NM. Ok…moving on)

"Oh my god, this girl really hated makeovers and shopping, which is crazy, but yeah…good times…" she said, lost in our memories.

"Sure sounds like it," I said, breaking her trance. "So do you want to do toenails or fingernails first?" I said with a laugh. I had been deprived of Alice and girl chatter for decades I actually enjoyed every second of it.

We were lying down on my bed, our freshly pedicured feet dangling off the foot and us using our vampire powers to dry our nails. We were laughing, seeing each other's faces. It was so good to have Alice back. When our hands and feet were done we collapsed on my bed.

"Well that was fun," I said tiredly, yawning.

"Yeah, now you have to get some sleep," Alice said.

"Not yet! Can we talk for a little bit first?"

"Ok!" Alice jumped up in joy and sat at the edge of my bed while we talked.

"So how did Liz end up in you family?" I asked curious.

"Well…about three weeks ago, while Edward and I were hunting, we found her in the forest, just turned and alone and confused. We took her back with us because we couldn't risk her killing people and getting in trouble with the Volturi, so she joined our family. It's still kinda weird though, she doesn't seem to like anyone except Edward, oh my god! She always clings to him, I feel sorry for him. Poor guy, he still never got over Bella."

"Bella? Wasn't she a human?" I asked, just to keep the conversation going.

"Yes, he really loved her. It was really hard not to love Bella, she was so sweet and selfless. Anyways she got in trouble with a tracker named James and was almost killed. Edward was able to save her but I don't think Edward ever recovered. He was always so protective over her. He would do anything for her, even if it meant moving away to make sure she was safe, it destroyed him Claire," she explained.

"What do you mean?" I asked with real curiosity.

"He couldn't stand being away from Bella, the first decade was, unbearable. First, after he left her he was a mess. Emmett had to bring blood to him in a vial to keep him alive," she explained, her tone very sad.

"Oh my god…" I trailed off. All of that for me?

"Then, when he found out that she…died…he-our whole family was filled with grief. Even Rosalie cried. But that pushed Edward off of the edge. The past three decades were unbearable to an extent you can't even imagine. He refused to drink the blood and we had to force it down his throat. Also, he kept trying to kill himself by escaping to the Volturi. If I didn't have my power we could of lost him…it was just this pass decade that he finally was beginning to accept that she's gone. Even though he doesn't play his music anymore and he still holds on to her copy of Wuthering Heights, I feel like he may be just beginning to recover,' she finished solemnly.

Tears were beginning to form on my eyes and I said goodnight to Alice. As soon as she was gone, I cried myself to sleep.

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