A/N: it would seem you all are liking this one. Lol. I had some interesting guesses as to who the villains may be. All in due time I promise. Although Alice will reveal a new plot in the end. First Jasper needs to let Bella know what he is. After Bella takes Rosalie down a peg. ;)

Chapter Four

Alice

I knew Rose wouldn't let this happen without voicing her opinion, but what she doesn't know is Bella is willing to dish out what Rose does. Bella isn't a meek mild little mouse. She may be human but she won't just take whatever Rose gives her. What she says next will prove that.

"Rosalie right? I'm sorry Esme, Carlisle, but I won't take her rudeness a moment longer. I wasn't raised to let people walk all over me and I'm not about to start now. So Rosalie, let me tell you something. You have been rude and disrespectful since I got here.

"Apparently you need to learn some manners and with the way Esme and Carlisle treat people I'm sure they taught you, so you must have learned your bad manners elsewhere. Couldn't have been from your real parents because your brother is a perfect gentleman. I don't know what your issue is with me, but maybe you should tell me so we can get it over with."

The looks on their faces! Oh! I've already seen it once but to see it in the flesh is even better. Rose looks like she's swallowed a prune, Emmett is laughing his ass off, Carlisle and Esme are just shocked and Jasper looks proud as shit. Bella is bright red with anger and Rose is now gaping like a fish. She can't figure out what to say.

"Right, I thought not. I've dealt with mean girls like you all my life. I know when you're actually given reason to dislike someone and when you're just trying to find excuses to do so. So forgive me if I choose to ignore you until you can say something nice! Again Carlisle, Esme, I apologize."

"No we should. Rose knows better than to treat guests like that."

"I accept your apology. Now can someone please tell me what Alice meant? And why a woman I thought just met Jasper only yesterday is in your home looking as if she lives here?"

"I think I can explain better Jasper, if you'll allow me?"

"Of course Carlisle."

"Bella, remember Saturday I said you looked like someone I saw in a portrait. Well it's sort of true." Carlisle pulls a portrait out of a box he had next to the chair and hands it to Bella. Her eyes widen as she takes in the woman and child in the picture.

"Her name is Anne Cullen," he continues. I can't wait for what's coming next. She's about to shock them all even more. I wish Felix were here to see it.

Bella

I take the picture from him and look upon my own face. She looks just like me, or I should say I look just like her. The only difference is she's clearly a few inches taller than my 5'4" frame and her eyes are a lighter brown than mine. She's a lovely woman. In her arms is a little boy, no more than 2 with the same brown hair as she, but with blue eyes. I look up at Carlisle to see him looking at me intently.

"Bella, what I'm about to tell you may seem absolutely impossible. I must first warn you that knowledge isn't always power. From what we know things may be changing but until we know for sure, what you hear here cannot go from this room. You must keep quiet about it to anyone but us. Do you understand. We have reason to believe it'll be ok to tell you though."

"Yes Carlisle I think I do. Clearly there's more to all this and I think I need to know, not just want to. I have the feeling I need to understand, so I can understand what's between Jasper and I as well." I don't know what it is, but there's something between us. I haven't been able to stop thinking about him since Saturday.

"Yes, you'd be correct. Ok, I'm just going to lay it all out there, if you could maybe leave the questions for after?"

"Sure Carlisle." And he launches into his tale.

"The woman and boy in that portrait are my wife and child, Anne and Samuel. This portrait is from 1662, after three years of marriage. And if I'm right, they're your ancestors. You're my descendant. I was born in 1640, to an Anglican pastor. I was his only son and as I grew he taught me that vampires, witches and werewolves were real, not just stories. He hunted them with regularity but he never truly researched and a lot of innocent people died.

"I married Anne at the age of 19, she was 15. We loved each other very much and in less than two months she was pregnant with our son. He was born one stormy summer night in the house we lived in with my father. I loved them very much and tried my hardest to not follow in my father's footsteps. By 23, my father's health was failing and I had to take over the 'family business'.

"I refused, however, to point fingers without definitive proof of guilt. So I researched a lot. I finally found a true vampire den and set about creating a plan to trap them and kill them. Now let me tell you a little about vampires. The stories of Dracula are completely false. Vampires are nearly impossible to kill by anyone other than another vampire or a tribe of Guardians, I'll tell you more about the latter, later. You can only kill a vampire by setting it on fire after ripping it to pieces. Which is pretty much impossible for a human as our bodies are hard, like marble. Stakes don't work, garlic stinks but it doesn't bother us. We can even walk in the sun.

"Anyway, I set my trap but it went terribly awry. A very old vampire was the first to come out that night, see this was when vampires were hiding still, now that we've become nothing more than folklore we can integrate more into the human world. The vampire scented us before we saw him and ran. We gave chase, I was in the lead, he set upon us. After biting me I was left in the street as he carried another man away. I knew what would happen if I was found. I would be killed. Even though I hated what I was becoming I also didn't truly want to die so I hid in a mound of potatoes for the three days it took me to change.

"You see, vampires are venomous. One bite and you become one. They can't just bite and suck a little blood out, they have to take it all or risk creating another. My family doesn't drink human blood though. When I emerged, I tried everything I could think of to kill myself, ironic I know, but nothing worked. I couldn't drown because we don't breathe. The sun doesn't hurt us, starving hurts but won't kill us.

"I had gone so long without feeding that I hid in some caves, trying to stay away from the temptation of human blood. One day a herd of deer wandered past the cave and in my thirst I scented their blood and fell upon them like an animal. It was then I found that we don't have to drink human blood to survive. Now animal blood doesn't make the thirst go away like human blood does, we also aren't as strong or as fast, but it sustains us and for me that's all that matters, not killing humans.

"I traveled after that. I couldn't go back to Anne or my son, Samuel. I couldn't trust myself at that time and tried to stay away from humans as often as I could. I studied medicine and the arts. Eventually finding myself in the seat of the vampire government, Volterra. Home of the Volturi, the brothers Caius, Marcus and Aro. They let me study their archives and I learned a great deal about this new world I found myself a part of.

"Their desire for me to be like them though finally wore thin and I left them to come to the new world. In all my travels though I eventually became lonely. I found Edward in 1918, during the height of the Spanish Influenza epidemic of Chicago. His parents had already been lost to the disease and, I don't know why exactly, I changed him. He was close to death and I saved him from it the only way I could. We traveled about, just the two of us. I met Esme when she was 16, fixing her broken leg. It wasn't until ten years later that I found her again."

He pauses here, looking to his wife for permission it seemed. She gave him a swift nod and a reassuring squeeze of his hand, then he continued.

"She had tried to kill herself. Her little baby had died of lung fever and she was heartbroken. Her husband had been an abusive bastard and she had run away from him. I found her in the morgue. Her heart was still beating but just barely, the humans had already thought her dead. I snuck her away and changed her. The second she woke up we realized she was my mate. To this day I don't know why we didn't recognize each other for what we were ten years prior- perhaps the mating bond is different for different vampires. It still makes me shudder to think I was almost too late."

He falls silent for a moment as he remembers that time. If what I feel for Jasper after just days is the way he felt for Esme, he's very strong to have walked away from her for ten years. I don't think I would be able to do that for Jasper. Whatever this pull is is obviously extremely strong given my reaction to him, so perhaps he's right and it wasn't the same for him and Esme. After a few minutes Carlisle continues.

"After Esme, the three of us traveled around for another fourteen years before I came upon Rosalie one night."

Again he pauses, looking this time to Rosalie. Instead of giving him permission to tell her story though, she begins talking.

"I don't know why I'm doing this, you can ruin every thing we have and put us all in danger and for that I don't trust you. Plus you just yelled at me, but I understand what happened a few days ago with Jasper means that like it or not you will more than likely remain a part of this family so I suppose you should know all of our stories.

"I don't want your pity though. I was 18, when I met Royce King. I thought I was the luckiest girl alive. He was handsome, rich, and socially acceptable. He asked me to marry him and I said yes. Little did I know how much I would come to regret that decision.

"I was visiting a friend who had just had a baby and I stayed later than I meant to. It was dark by the time I made my way home. I came upon Royce and a group of his friends on a corner and he beckoned me to them. I never dreamed I would be in danger. By the time they finished with me, I wished I were dead. I fell into unconsciousness. I don't remember what happened after that, I'll let Carlisle tell you, but let me just tell you. I got my revenge on them. I started with his friends. By the time I got to Royce, he was terrified. I wore my wedding gown as I ripped him apart."

She turns to Carlisle and motions for him to continue before Emmett takes her in his arms to comfort her. I feel for Rosalie, but like she asked I won't pity her. She got her revenge and I can't say I blame her at all. Carlisle looks to Emmett and Emmett gives him a slight nod. And Carlisle continues.

"I found Rose by following the scent of her blood. As much as there was, I was surprised she was still alive. In my mind she needed to be saved. I can never regret that decision, no matter what Rose may feel about being a vampire, I couldn't just let her die and I've come to love her as a daughter and this family would be lonely without her." I have a sense his words are for Rose to hear alone.

"Three years later, while we were living near the Appalachian Mountains, Rose came home carrying a badly mauled Emmett. She had found him while hunting. She told us his curls reminded him of that little baby of her friend's and she couldn't let him die. Afraid she'd be unable to stop herself from feeding and kill him she carried him over 100 miles to me. He's been a part of this family ever since, and we're better for him.

"We moved to Hoquiam not long after. It's not far from here. That's where we had a run in with our first Guardian Tribe. The Quileutes. I have promised to allow them to tell you their story. One of their leaders Samuel Uley wishes to speak to you if you'll allow it. This weekend is what he hopes either Friday or Sunday when you're off."

"Sure, Friday is fine. Is that it or is there more?"

"There's a little more. We signed a treaty with the Quileutes, it has since been changed but again you'll learn about that Friday. Jasper came to us about fifty years ago. He was a nomad looking for a different way of life. I'll let him tell you about himself, that's his right as your mate. We traveled around until two years ago when we moved back here to Forks. We've been here since. Now, are there any questions you have?"

As unbelievable as his story sounds, I find myself believing it. Perhaps it's my mother's ideas, perhaps it's that fact that the four have gold eyes even though they aren't related, while Alice's eyes are red- which they weren't at the diner. They could be contacts, but I tend to doubt it. I should be afraid, I should run screaming, but something tells me the man beside me would protect me with his life. Would never hurt me. He makes me feel safe, like I'm home. So I'm going to ask more questions and go from there.

"Yes. How old is everyone, both their physical ages and actual ages."

"Well I was 23 when changed, 365 now. That makes me the oldest. Jasper comes next. He was 19, and is now 160, but will soon be 161. Then comes Esme, she was 26 and is now 110. Edward, he was 17 and is now 104. Then Rose and Emmett are a year apart. She was 18 and is now 87, but will also soon be turning in her true age and will be 88. He was 20 and is now 87. The years we were born make all the difference. I was born in 1640, Jasper 1844, Esme 1895, Edward 1901, Rose 1917, and Emmett 1918.

"We matriculate a lot. The younger we start in a place the longer we can stay, like Jasper, Rose and Emmett being the same age and just graduating Sunday. It's also easier if we're a foster family. It explains better why we all look so close in age. Jazz and Rose look alike so they became twins using Rose's actual birth name. Emmett is really a McCarty but for general purpose he became a Cullen. Same with Edward, he's really a Masen, not a Cullen."

"Ok, I understand. What about the mating bond? What's that? What does it mean to be a vampire's mate?"

"When we find the person we're meant to be with for eternity we have symptoms. An ache in our chest, the desire to never be parted, it's hard for us to be away from our mate for any length of time. The longer away the more it hurts until we can't function properly without them. That's why if our mate dies, we generally tend to follow them. If someone killed Esme, the only thing that would keep me alive is the need for revenge.

"Once that's fulfilled I'd more than likely do something to get myself killed. I'd either go to the brothers I told you about and ask for death or, if they refused me, I'd do something to force their hand. That's why, besides keeping the secret of vampires existence, the second most sacred vampire law is to leave another's mate alone. As I said, we are hard to kill. That's why often, if justice had to be meted out by the brothers and that vampire has a mate, they'll kill them both. A vengeful vampire is the most dangerous of all."

"So what I have felt, this ache, that's my body's natural way of bringing us together?"

"Yes. Were you feeling it? I know Jazz was."

"Yes, I felt it, remember I said something drew me here, that was it. Like a tugging of my heart. It stopped Saturday when I met Jazz. Whenever I'm away from him I feel it again. What happens now though? I can't very well move in here, and he can't move in with me. I mean wouldn't that be weird?"

"Yes, what you felt was the pull and yes, it is a little soon. However, people saw you two together Saturday so to begin dating wouldn't look weird. I'd say maybe two months of dating would be enough for the moving in stage. The people of Forks are understanding and romantic. They'd see it as wonderful, the new orphaned girl falling in love with the orphaned foster boy. It would be a romance story made in heaven."

"One more thing, with what you just told me, will this mean I have to become a vampire? I have to confess, now that I've found him not having him forever just doesn't feel like an option."

"It's your choice. No one will ever push you. But if you wish to remain with him forever, then yes. You'll need to become a vampire. But if you're content living just the length of a human life with him then you can, but know that he will probably die not long after you."

I turn to Jazz then, I like this nickname for him, and I can see in his face that he'll do whatever I want him to. However, the choice for me is easy. This is my family already. Carlisle is my ancestor and I have no one else besides those sitting here with me. I have no one to leave behind; and to not be with Jasper isn't an option. Nor is allowing him to end his life because of me. No, there isn't a single choice for me. So I say the one thing that comes to mind next.

"Change me."

Jasper

"Change me" she said. If it were only that simple, I'd change her right now. But our interaction with humans prevented us from causing suspicion and the new girl in Forks just suddenly disappearing would certainly do that. I hated to be the one to disappoint her but it was unavoidable. She was looking up at me with such hopeful eyes, but I could feel her apprehension. She just wasn't as ready as she thought she was. She needs to know more about our world first. It would be extremely hard, everything within me screamed to claim her. To mark her for all to see she was mine, but that would be a death sentence and it wasn't time yet for her to become like us.

"I love that you're so willing, but you need to understand something. I am an empath. I can feel the emotions of others and project my emotions upon them. I can feel your apprehension and know that you aren't ready. You need to learn more about this world you'll be entering. We need to plan this. You can't just disappear, even if you are alone. People in town will wonder what's happened to you and we have to think of the whole coven. Carlisle is the only doctor the Quileute pack will allow to treat them, Edward still has to graduate next year, and we've only been here a couple years. Let's make plans for this. I promise, I WILL change you, but how about we get to know each other more first?"

"Ok, I know you're right. I'm just anxious to get our eternity started. So, is there anything else I should know right now or can I learn as we go?"

She addressed this at Carlisle. I could see, and feel, Rose's apprehension. I think it needed to be addressed, today.

"Carlisle if I may?"

"Sure Jazz."

"Rose, get it out now. I don't want this to blow up into something larger later, I know you don't like this and Bella needs to understand why."

"Fine. I can do that. I don't like you. You're human and now know just what we are and that endangers us. You're putting myself and my mate in danger. Not just with the possibility of you telling someone about us but because as a human being in our world it's dangerous. You're fragile and if anything happens to you it will hurt my brother and could bring unwanted attention to us all. I didn't agree with bringing you into our family, but as Carlisle's descendant it was his right and now that I know you're Jazz's mate I know it would have been inevitable, but that doesn't make me like you any more. Just keep our secret and try to not get into trouble."

Now that Rose had said her piece I hoped they could get along, even possibly be friends eventually, what I didn't expect from Bella though, was her anger. I figured now that she knew just why Rose had acted the way she had since Bella walked through the front door, that she'd finally understand just why. Apparently I was wrong.

"You know you don't even know me. The fact you've passed your judgement on me based solely on the fact that I'm human just proves to me that my first impression was correct. You're spoiled and selfish. How dare you judge me?! The fact that you would assume because I'm new to all this I would ever do anything to hurt Jazz, let alone those he loves, makes you sad; and quite frankly stupid. I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt him. I'd die first. So don't you dare assume the worst of me. Get over yourself Rosalie."

We all waited, unmoving, as if any sudden movement would cause one of them to leap at the other. I'm the only one that had an advantage. Being able to feel their emotions. Bella was angry still, but Rose? Well that was interesting. Where I thought I'd feel absolute rage, I felt respect.

She liked Bella! Well if that didn't beat all. In one anger fueled speech Bella had done something no other human ever had. Gained Rose's respect.

"Fine, you're right, I shouldn't have judged you before I learned more about you. We'll see if you can impress me Bella Swan. Just try not to get us in trouble would you."

And with that the confrontation was over. I decided it was best for Bella and I to have some time to ourselves. I needed to tell her my story. She needed to know who and what I was. She may have accepted that I was a vampire, but I'm afraid when she finds out just what kind of vampire she might not feel the same about me.

"Carlisle, if you guys don't mind I'd like to spend some time with Bella. Tell her my story."

"Yes Jazz that's fine. We'll see you around Bella. I'm sure you'll be around a lot from now on."

"Yes Carlisle I'm sure I will be too. It was nice to meet the rest of you. And thank you for trusting me with your secret. I won't tell a soul."

After nice to meet you's from everyone else I took her hand and led her outside toward the river. I had a spot just downstream that was secluded, far enough away from the others that I couldn't hear them and they couldn't hear me.

Alice

Well, with the exception of Rose, everything went swimmingly. Things were moving along nicely. Edward would be back eventually though and nothing good would come of it. Luckily I wouldn't have to warn them of the danger. Peter would. His "knower" would tell him danger was coming. He would in turn call Jasper and warn him. At least they'd be prepared and Jasper would be looking for danger.

This would in turn make him more wary and he'd be able to stop Edward before he hurt Bella. After that things get blurry. Decisions still have to be made. This is the problem with my gift. I can see certain things; like Bella becoming a vampire and her and Jasper's happily ever after, but not all the detail, like the how. And I can't see the immediate future except that Edward will be a danger to Bella. I can't see what will happen to him to stop him or what he might do afterward. Such is my life.