Chapter 13

I woke up the next morning from a peaceful sleep and it took me by surprise. I open my eyes and see myself lying next to Milo on his bed. I survey my surroundings and let out the breath I was holding. I almost forgot I was at the Cullen's. I have been so used to sleeping outside for so long that Im not quite used to a bed, let alone a whole room for myself to use.

I crawl over Milo's sleeping form and step out of the room and into the hallway. I pause not taking any step further.

It's so strange to feel the soft plush carpet between my toes and feel the warmth of the

Home envelope my body. To be in an actual house is too surreal for me.

After a few minutes of debating if I should make myself present downstairs, I take one small step.

'One at a time, one at a time' I chant in my head.

As I walk down the elegant stair case, reality sinks in a little bit more and when I step into the kitchen where I see vampires, it only fuels to what I feel. It wasn't a dream after all.

"Good morning." I say as I take a seat at the dining room table.

"Good morning." Esme smiles. She walks over to me and places a plate full of bacon and eggs in front of me. My mouth waters instantly but I can't seem to take a bite.

I stare at the food and utensils for a long time. When was the last time I had this kind of meal? When was the last time I've used a fork?

Shouldn't I at least wait for Milo and Jimbo so we can share this fine cuisine together? It may seem silly, but for me, this is a milestone.

I don't have to wait any longer when I see Milo take a seat beside me. "Good morning, Bella."

"Good morning" I mumble as I look at him.. I give him a small smile and he smiles back. A silent conversation has passed between us. We are clearly excited for this meal.

"Jimbo will be asleep for a while." Alice says.

Milo looks up at her and then at everyone else. "Why does everyone look like their dog just died?"

Esme looks away and places a plate of food in front of Milo as well and then walks out of the room. I give everyone a confused look and I watch Carlisle go after his wife.

"It's hard for Esme to know that you have gone through what you have. She has always seen you as her daughter, Bella. This pains her." Alice frowns.

I look down at my plate once again and finally begin to eat ignoring the questioning thoughts in my head.

"This is good." Milo says breaking the silence. Thank god.

"Esme has wonderful cooking skills." Edward frowns. He takes a seat across from me at the table and stares at me.

"Stop staring Edward. You're making her uncomfortable." Jasper hisses.

"How did you know that?" Milo suddenly asks looking up.

Everyone is silent and I don't know what to say and neither do they.

"Well, we might as well tell him, anyway. I have seen how things will turn out." Alice dances happily to Edward's side and sits next to him. She's finally perky again, I see.

Jasper follows suit and places a hand on his wife's shoulder to calm her.

"Here we go again" Rosalie groans and I can't help but to chuckle at the irony of it all. Of course she would be the first to protest.

Emmett and Rosalie take a seat at the table as well as Esme and Carlisle but not before I notice Esme give me a sympathy smile.

"I'm not even going to have a pause for a dramatic effect. We might as well just blurt it out and—"Edward starts.

"We're vampires!" Emmett yells.

Silence.

Smack.

"Owe, Rosie" Emmett whines.

"Mhm... Well, awesome."

"Awesome?! That's it?! Why are you humans so calm and collected about this? Of course you would befriend Bella!" Rosalie shouts.

I give a tiny smile and lean my head on Milo's shoulder. I hear Edward let out a low growl and Milo chuckles.

"Bad vampire." He chastises. I laugh at that.

Edward gives Milo a death glare and Carlisle shoots Edward a look to back off.

"Now, Jimbo can't know." Alice explains. "He wouldn't take too well to it and that is the way fate wants it."

I ignore her cryptic messages; as usual and put my plate in the sink, taking Milo's in the process.

"C'mon, Milo. Let's go outside and get some fresh air, shall we? We all know you need it after finding out you're in a house filled to the brim with vampires." I say, taking his hand in mine and leading him outside.

We take a seat on the front steps and gaze out into the woods.

"How are you?" He asks me.

"What do you mean 'me'? I should be asking you that. You just found out you're in a house full of people who could drink you dry.

"I figured something was up with them and I trust you. If you're okay with it then I will be too."

"Wow, humans are weird." I murmur.

"So do they want to keep me as a pet and drink me dry or something?" he jokes.

"Ew, no." I laugh. They're veggies."

"Veggies?"

"They consider themselves vegetarian. They live off of animals."

"I see..." he seems to be pondering that, but then all of a sudden his eyes go wide. "Your ex boyfriend is a vampire!"

"Yeah" I sigh, a hint of a smile playing at my lips. "I dated a vampire. What are the odds of that happening?"

"Wow" he breathes. "I'm kind of jealous. Not the dude part, just the vampire part."

"I guess" I shrug. "It's nothing too exciting."

A minute of silence pass between us before we're interrupted.

"Hey children", Jimbo jokes and takes a seat on the other side of me.

"Did you sleep well?" I ask him.

"Hell yeah! Crazy isn't it? Yesterday we were outside and now... look where we are... The Cullen's are great people and you know how much I appreciate them fixing me and everything..." he starts to laugh and looks at us with a sad smile, "...But you know I cant stay here; no matter how long or short the time. This isn't my world you know."

"But Jimbo, you can't leave!" I protest standing up in front of him. "You don't have to stay here forever but you can't just leave me and Milo."

"She's right. What will we do without you?" Milo asks.

"The same thing you did before you met me. It will be the same after I leave but you two will have better lives. I know it."

"You're talking crazy, man." Milo insists as he stands up beside me as well gripping my hand in his own for comfort.

"No" Jimbo shakes his head and looks out into the forest surrounding the mansion. "You two will be fine and so will I. I got some food in me and some meds Carlisle gave me. All is right. Im a wanderer... the world is my backyard. I've been out here too damn long for me to go back and sleep in some house. It feels wrong."

I start to cry and I sink to my knees in front of him, "Jimbo, you just have to get used to it. You were like my father to me. You can't leave me."

"You know, I had a daughter once... she reminded me of you. That's probably why I have been so taken with you. You remind me of my Lilly. God rest her soul, she died at the age of 4 so I never got a lot of time to spend with her. Her hair was a deep brown like yours and her eyes were the same shape. Her laugh was like bells; the same as yours. You are like a daughter to me as well and will always be family."

He starts to cry and soon Milo follows as well. Within a few moments we are gripping each other in a hug; saying our goodbyes and promises of our future.

As I am sandwiched between the two men in my life who have helped me not go through this alone, I look into the trees and see a blur go by.

I blink once then twice and it is gone before my eyes. Good, it's just me. I don't feel like getting eaten today. I laugh to myself and then spot two more blurs that follow. I rub my eyes thinking my eyes are playing tricks on me. It was too fast for me to notice. Why are the Cullen's out here right now? Unexpected hunting trip?

I can't shake the feeling that something is bound to happen though and very soon.

Two weeks have gone by since we've been here and things are still a bit rocky. I'm still adjusting to my surroundings and trying to stop the big grin that plants itself on my face when I step into the shower; an actual shower.

I finally sleep in my own room now, but the restlessness doesn't leave, so Jasper comes up every night to put me under influence of his gift. I hate to rely on it but I can't sleep without it.

Edward and I have made no progress. It knows to stay away until the time being. We are civil and polite one another and can even watch TV as we try to ignore the electricity that flows between us but... no change otherwise.

Alice tried to drag me shopping but I wouldn't let her and she actually caved in. Well how far can she give in? She can gave in to the point where she can shop... just without me. So now I have all of these clothes and my closet is filled, but I could never be happier. It's nice to have lots of clothes again, despite what they may look like.

Milo has been hanging out a lot with Rosalie and Emmett. Emmett teaches him how to play the Wii whereas Rosalie and he work on cars together. I'm kind of jealous that Milo gets to be her friend I can't; im still waiting for her to come around for me.

Carlisle works at the hospital all day and when he comes home, adverts his attention to Esme and me. He's trying to council those who have been homeless. Milo and I try to open up, but it can be quite hard whereas Jimbo doesn't participate at all.

Today is the day that Jimbo decides to leave. Everyone is pretty sad and no one wants him to go but Alice assured me that this is the way it is supposed to be. He was not to be a Cullen. When I asked her what the meant for Milo, she gave me a little smile and said, "No, he won't be a Cullen." But it seemed her voice took on a deeper meaning, but as usual, I let it go.

I walk into the front room where everyone is gathered to say goodbye. We all watch as Jimbo places some food inside of his brand new back pack; courtesy of Alice.

"If you ever need anything, give us a call." Esme smiles.

"Oh I will."

After everyone has gotten their hugs, it's finally my turn. "I'll miss you, Jimbo."

"I'll miss you, too. Ill try and visit one day."

Milo and I walk him outside and watch him walk down the long driveway away from our lives, but not before I see that red blur again. The red blur is joined by two others that seem to whiz by.

My body and tenses and I begin to panic but not before I whisper a name that I know has come for me, "Victoria."


I know its been a few days since I updated. So sorry.

I know some of you are wondering if this will be an Edward/Bella/Milo love triangle. I aasure you that is NOT happening. He's just a very close friend' a brother.

In a few chapters back I belive when Bella first came to the Cullen's house, a picture of Bella was on top of the paino. Yes, it was supposed to be creepy and sort of symbolic in a way. It was their love. That piano represents a lot, i think. Hence... Bella's lullaby as we all know :)

Dont worry, I will try not to make you guys cry anymore. I know its been rough for everyone to see Bella go through it all, but thankfully she's not 'out there' anymore.

I still have yet to finish 'a dream or a nightmare'. Im trying, Tarkonta. LOL. That stroy is aggervating me beyond what you can imagine. I dont know what to do with it exactly and...The plot and blah, blah, blah . So, it will take some time for me to finish. Sorry. Just be patient.

Thank you for all of the reviews and pm's! Keep on sending them!