Sorry for the wait, I've been totally brain-dead, and sorta ignoring my homework. I hope you guys appreciate it!!

Also, thank you very much to Jessluvsharry, who took note of my AN, and checked out my other story, Forgotten Myths. You're the best!

AND... if you love Twilight AND Maximum Ride, please R&R my new story, The Beginning Of Forever.

THANK YOU!

Disclaimer: I've said it before, but those of you who weren't paying attention, I don't own Twilight, nor am I named Stephenie Meyer.

P.S. This is set AFTER the Cullens have adopted Bella, so there is no confusion.

Denali

Carlisle

Having Bella in our lives had really changed us, even though she had only been ours for a few short weeks.

We had kept her last name of Swan: she was a Cullen, yes, but we of all people knew how important it was to respect the past, and not to forget. Alice seemed even more excited when we decided not to change her last name to Cullen… though I cannot imagine why. Something to do with some undetermined future or other, I supposed.

"Carlisle, Carlisle, Carlisle, guess what?" She sang, skipping happily into my study. I heard Emmett playing dolls with Bella downstairs; he was such a child. Edward growled, for some unimaginable reason.

"Yes, Alice?" I asked.

"The Denali's are coming for a visit! They can meet Bella!" She chirruped. Well, that could be an… interesting meeting. Would the Denali's stop and listen to our explanation? Would they make assumptions?

And, perhaps most importantly, would they approve of Bella?

"Yes, Carlisle, they will," answered Edward, breezing into the room. His jaw was clenched, his eyes furious. It took me a few seconds to figure out why he was so angry.

Ah. Tanya.

"Yes, Tanya," he snarled from between his teeth.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY, EMMETT!!" He hollered. Really, must he shout? We all had perfect hearing, and his anger might upset Bella.

"Sorry, Carlisle." Edward was repentant.

That's quite all right, Edward. I know how she… irritates you. That won a wry smile from him.

"Understatement," he muttered, as he walked out of the room.

Keep your thoughts centred on Bella. It might help you stay calm.

"I'll try that. Don't bet on it, though."

"Bet on it," laughed Alice.

Edward only growled.

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Jasper

Edward's emotions were a mess. He was angry, anxious, confused, and everywhere, everywhere there was love and adoration for the little bundle of joy; who was currently sitting on Emmett's back, screaming and tugging on his hair to make him change direction, like he was some over-sized, deformed pony.

"Bella! Go easy on your noble steed!" Cried the 'noble steed'. Edward swooped down and plucked Bella off of Emmett's shoulders. Bella wailed, but stopped when Edward swung her around and placed her on his hip.

"Bella, we have some very special friends coming to visit us. They are like us, and will love you, but you must be on your best behaviour. Can you do that for me?" Edward asked, as though he might get an answer. Bella watched him quietly for a few seconds, and then she smiled broadly like she had understood every word Edward had said and was now reassuring him that everything would be fine. Alice was certain of the outcome, so I wasn't worried. Edward, however, seemed less than convinced, though he could see the visions in her head.

*****

We were all tense, anxious. All of us but Alice, who couldn't remain still from excitement. I sent calming waves as frequently as needed, though it didn't really do much to alleviate the atmosphere. Bella was the only one who seemed unaffected. She sat on Esme's lap, gurgling happily, and playing with a stuffed lion. She smiled round at us all, her cherubic face lighting up the room.

"They're three minutes away," whispered Alice. "And counting."

Edward stiffened, and shifted almost unconsciously closer to Bella. I didn't have to be a mind reader to know what he was thinking.

Three minutes of agonising silence passed, and we heard a quiet knock on the door. Carlisle stood up and flitted to the hall, opening the door and welcoming our guests.

"Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen, Eleazer, welcome!"

"It's good to see you again, Carlisle," we heard Tanya say. "I trust everyone is in good health?"

"The very best, thank you," Carlisle said, continuing with the formalities. "Um, before you go into the living room, there is something you need to know."

"Yes? Oh, and is there a bird trapped in here? I hear a heartbeat."

"Well, that is to do with what I have to say…" Irina interrupted Carlisle.

"Why do I smell a human? What is this, Carlisle?"

"Yes, Carlisle, I think we would all like to know the answer to that," said Tanya, rather sharply.

Carlisle sighed. "Well, if you'd like to follow me," he walked into the living room.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet the newest Cullen, Bella Swan."

"OH, has Edward finally found a…" Kate trailed off as she walked into the room and saw Bella in Esme's arms.

Their emotions were a mess. Shock. Fear. Confusion. Horror. Disbelief. More Confusion. Anger. Even more confusion.

"Carlisle! How could you! You know it is strictly forbidden!" At the sound of Tanya's screeching, Bella looked up from her stuffed toy, curiosity evident on her face. They took in her rosy complexion, her warm brown eyes, her body heat, scent and heartbeat. Now they were simply shocked. Bella was not the bloodthirsty killing-machine they had thought her to be, and their minds could not process this new development so quickly.

"She's… human," whispered Carmen, walking forward slowly, one hand extended as though she were going to touch Bella. She stopped about a foot away, watching us all cautiously.

"May I?" She asked. Esme handed her over; Bella seemed to like Carmen as much as she liked the rest of us. She smiled, her little dimples peeking out, settling comfortably into Carmen's cold, stone arms. Carmen smiled back at her, while the rest of her family stared in shock.

"Carlisle, why do you have a human baby in your house?" Tanya asked.

Carlisle proceeded to explain the whole thing to the Denali's while the rest of us Cullen's watched Carmen with Bella. She played dolls, played with the stuffed toys, placed Bella in her walker when she was fed up of being held, and even managed to bottle-feed her, with a bit of instruction. Eleazer smiled at his wife, happy to see her happy. Kate joined in a little bit, though Tanya and Irina just sat gravely and listened.

Eventually Carlisle finished and Tanya sighed loudly, causing the rest of us to jump slightly.

"Well Carlisle, you have certainly given us much to think over. Would it be all right if we came back in a few days? We need some time to process this, and it seems that several of our members have already become attached," she smiled down at where Carmen was sitting happily on the floor with Bella. Carmen sighed sadly.

"Until we next meet, mi querida," she said, lightly kissing Bella's forehead. Everyone took turns saying goodbye, before eventually leaving.

"I think that went rather well. Tanya wasn't trying to get Edward's attention, Bella behaved and didn't throw up, and nobody was killed."

In one sentence, Alice summed up all of our thoughts and emotions.

That's my wife.