DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bella finally sees herself as an asset to, and equal member of, the Cullen family.

Asset

Monday. The first day of school after the ordeal with Stephen. He was sitting in a jail cell at the moment. Alice said they would be sending him to a mental hospital soon. He kept raving to the guards that a blonde haired man had scaled the side of his apartment building and had convinced him to give up his secrets. He was claiming he was tricked by a demon from hell.

I felt apprehensive about school today, even though I knew no one would ever find out about our involvement. Something kept nagging at me, though. It reminded me too much of the feeling I'd had when I was trying to figure out what was going on with the newborn army. It seemed to be sitting on the tip of my tongue and every time I reached out for it, it disappeared again.

I was sitting in music class, trying to recall where my day had gone so far. English and math were a blur. I wasn't in the mood to pay attention. Edward noticed, but seemed to realize I needed to be able to brood a little. He didn't try to force me to talk like he normally would have. He really was trying hard to stop being so overprotective of me. I knew it had to be especially grueling for him today after dealing with the human this weekend.

Our music class had been the brightest part of my day so far; watching Edward relax to the music, then get excited about the discussion afterwards. Nothing made me happier than seeing a smile on his beautiful, pale face.

We headed over to the tree after class and met up with our siblings. Alice had the blanket spread out, like she did everyday. I plopped down next to her, leaning my head on her shoulder.

Alice put an arm around me. "Aw, my little sister is bummed out. Would you like me to take you shopping after school to cheer you up?"

I snorted, grinning like a fool. "No thanks, Alice."

I looked up to see Edward staring at the ground. His long fingers were tapping out some sort of rhythm against the blanket. I realized my taking comfort in Alice was probably bothering him. I crawled across the blanket and cuddled into his lap. He sighed and wrapped his arms around me, resting his head on my back.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," I replied.

"Hey, Bella," Jasper said, folding himself beside us. "Did you finish that poem I showed you yesterday?"

My brother had given me a copy of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was called The Rainy Day. Jasper and Edward were determined to get me interested in poetry.

I sat up a little, staying in the protective circle of my husband's arms. I recited the poem to everyone.

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the moldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the moldering past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

"Have you had a chance to think about what Longfellow is saying in his poem?" Jasper asked.

"In the very first stanza, I believe something happened that hurt him and made him sad. He thinks the weather is very fitting for his mood. He's trying to hold on, like the vine, but he feels pieces of himself slipping away, like the dead leaves," I said.

"He's also depressed and it's making it hard for him to see anything around him as being good. Notice how he called the wall moldering," Edward pointed out. "That particular word means decomposing, weakening, like his grasp on the life that he had before tragedy struck."

"What about the second stanza?" Jasper questioned.

"He's making sure the reader understands he's in pain and that his life is just as gloomy as the day. He's wishing he could go back in time, to when he was happy, but he knows that he can't. He looks to his future and expects that everyday will now be as awful as today," I replied.

"Excellent," Edward said, giving me a little squeeze.

"And the final one, Bella?" Jasper asked.

"He's trying to convince himself to go on. He's telling himself that even though things are really bad right now, he still has things to be thankful for. He's trying to believe his future will be sunny and he will be happy again. He's telling himself it's okay to be sad, but that it won't always be that way for him," I told him.

"I never knew the phrase 'Into each life some rain must fall' came from a poem!" Alice said.

"Very few people do," Edward replied.

"That poem has some good points," Rose mused. "Just because things are bad, doesn't mean you should disregard the good things."

"Wow!" I breathed. "I may have to rethink my opinion about poems. Alice just made a statement that had nothing to do with shopping and Rose's remark was not a wise-crack!"

"I'll remember you said that," Rose threatened.

"So will I!" Alice added.

"Oh, come on!" I cried. "You have to know how priceless that is for me!" I said, throwing their words from my training session back at them.

"Why you sneaky little…" Rose chuckled.

"We have taught her too well!" Alice giggled.

"Emmett, what did you think of the poem?" I asked, since he was the only one who hadn't spoken.

"I think it was cool. I hardly ever let anything get me down for long, so I can't really relate all that well to it. But hey! They can't all be winners!" Emmett chuckled.

I knew Edward and Jasper had brought up this poem for a reason. They were trying to reassure me that everything would be okay for all of us again. The near-miss with Stephen was over and would fade away in time. I took Edward's hand in mine and twined our fingers together, kissing his wedding band. I looked up to see him smiling at me, his love for me clear in his topaz eyes.

"You've read and heard nearly a dozen poems now, Bella," Edward said. "Which would you say is your favorite?"

I smiled sweetly at him, knowing he would love my answer. "The one you wrote for me, right before our first summer together. Do you remember it?"

"Of course I do, love. Vampire memory," he said, tapping his temple.

"Well then, recite it!" Alice ordered.

"I think not!" Edward chuckled.

"I'll do it," I said.

"I doubt you remember all of it. That was a very long time ago," Edward told me.

"I would agree with you, except I pulled it out and read it a couple weeks ago," I said, winking at him.

Our siblings snorted and snickered.

"If you prefer me not to…" I offered.

"No. It's fine," Edward said stiffly.

I sighed. I looked at all of our siblings. "I want a solid, sincere promise from each and every one of you that you will never, ever, use this poem to tease Edward in any way, shape or form. Otherwise, I keep it to myself."

"You don't play fair, Isabella Cullen!" Alice cried.

"Sneaky, sneaky," Rose chuckled.

"Picky!" Emmett sighed.

"No problem," Jasper said. At least one of them was on my side.

"Yeah, yeah," Alice said, waving her hand at me. I glared at her. "I promise!" she cried, holding her hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"No teasing," Rose sighed.

"None at all," Emmett said, looking glum.

"Thank you," Edward whispered into my ear.

"Now that we have that out of the way! Keep in mind that this was Edward's first time ever trying to write a poem," I told them all. I closed my eyes and recited Edward's poem to them.

Over a century the stars took to align;
For Fate to place your warm hand in mine.
Had you asked, I would've said my heart had no hole.
Had you asked, I would've explained my lack of a soul.

Feelings and emotions cannot be a part of me
For I died so long ago, over a century.
Or so I believed these tools, I could not possess
For I am damned – one of the eternal restless.

I was content as far as some thing like me
Can ever hope or fathom to be.
That was until you arrived in this place.
I thought you a curse for bringing out my monster's face.

But even as you tossed my life into utter disarray,
Part of me knew you were so much more than mere prey.
So much of my life spent avoiding contact and care,
Voided out completely by your chocolate eyes and hair.

The scent of you brought me to the edge of my personal hell;
Your love redeemed me and made my cold heart swell.
You are the only soul I can ever call mine.
All of eternity is not a long enough time
To fulfill all your desires, dreams, and wishes,
Nor is it long enough to allow the hugs and kisses
I wish to bestow upon you, My Bella, my love, my soul, my heart.
I can only promise to love you Forever, as you own my heart. (By My-Bella)

I opened my eyes and looked at each of our siblings. They were all smiling, but nicely.

"Very nice, Edward," Alice said.

"Not bad, bro," Emmett chuckled.

"Very telling," Jasper commented.

"You need to write her a new poem, Edward," Rose commanded. "Something that fits your current, happier self."

"I guess that one is a little dark in places," I said. I turned my head and looked up at Edward. "But I'm very pleased to know I've changed the way you view yourself."

We heard loud laughter and looked up to see a group of humans walking together on the nearby sidewalk. One of the young women seemed to be having trouble with her shoe.

"Stupid heel just broke off!" the woman muttered.

I turned to Alice. "Any tips for what to do with a broken shoe, sis?"

Alice was in the middle of a vision, though. "Jasper," she gasped.

Edward went rigid, then moved me, locking his arms around Jasper.

"What are you doing?" Jasper laughed.

"Jazz, get up and walk with me," Edward said, concern coating his voice.

The human woman took another step and started to fall. One of the men in her group tried to grab her, but wasn't able to get a good hold on her. The woman fell and hit her nose and arms. We could all smell the blood coming from her hurt nose.

Jasper started growling in Edward's arms, trying to get away. Emmett moved to help, but Jasper managed to kick him away. Jasper looked close to getting out of Edward's grasp. I jumped, grabbing a hold of Edward's bare forearm and Jasper's neck. I concentrated on filling Jasper's mind with my voice and taking away all thoughts of bloodlust.

'Calm down, Jazz. It's just me, Bella. I've got you. I'm not going to let you do anything you'll regret, okay? Just listen to my thoughts and relax.'

He nodded his head the slightest bit.

I knew Edward could hear me. 'We have to get him out of here. We're making a scene.'

Edward nodded. "Emmett."

Emmett came over and helped Edward get Jasper onto his feet. I quickly moved my hand from Jasper's neck to one of his hands. I walked in front, holding a hand from Edward and Jasper behind my back. We made it into the parking lot and over to Edward's Volvo. Rose and he hadn't finished with the modifications on the S63 in time for school this morning.

I let go of Edward and Jasper so they could put him in the car.

"I'm going to get him home and take him hunting," Edward said, kissing my forehead. "That was a wonderful thing you did for him, Bella. And very cunning of you to think of that so quickly."

"I'm just glad it worked the way I hoped it would," I replied, clinging to Edward.

"Bella," Alice called.

I let go of Edward reluctantly. "Get Jasper home. I'll see you later."

"Alice will watch over you and bring you home to me," he whispered, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. "I love you. I'll see you again in just a few hours." He jogged around the car and got in.

Alice and I watched them leave. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me as tightly as she could. "Thank you so much."

"For what?" I asked.

"Bella, if you hadn't done that…He would have gotten away from Edward," she whispered. "That is what I saw happening before you decided to do whatever you did."

"I started sending my thoughts to him, blocking out all of his own thoughts," I explained. "I'm really glad it worked."

Alice and I started walking back toward Rose with Emmett following close behind us. We sat down again and Rose pulled me into a hug.

"Bella, that was quick thinking on your part. I'm sure Edward is extremely proud of you," Rose said.

"Just wait until Carlisle and Esme find out!" Alice squealed.

"What will happen?" I asked, my curiosity peeked.

"You'll see!" Alice sang.

"No fair," Emmett whined.

"Oh, Tara!" one of the human woman said, trying to help her friend up.

"I know!" the woman named Tara cried. "I wasn't even supposed to wear those stupid shoes today! But I couldn't find the loafers that matched these pants!"

Right then it clicked. The elusive something that had been bothering me all weekend…This was the decision Alice hadn't been able to see. This was the reason Edward wouldn't be with me during class, giving Stephen the opportunity to take me.

I heard them calling my name, but it was hard to hear over the loud gasping noises that were coming from somewhere. I felt pain spread over my cheek and blinked a few times. The gasping noise had stopped and Rose was kneeling in front of me.

"Bella, are you okay?" Rose asked.

"My cheek hurts," I murmured, still unfocused.

"You were hyperventilating. I slapped you," she shrugged.

I started laughing ridiculously loud. "I…you…always wanted to do that…probably."

Rose smirked as she took my hands into hers. "Maybe a little. Are you okay, though? What happened?"

Alice was rubbing one of my shoulders and Emmett was patting my back.

"Alice, this is why Edward wasn't with me in your vision," I said, looking at my sister.

She stopped breathing for a moment, taking in my words.

"That girl said she hadn't planned to wear those shoes," I informed her. "Alice, it would have happened today and no one would have known it if you hadn't seen it on Friday," I whispered. The enormity of it all hit me again, harder than before when I'd been with Edward. I started sobbing. "Why can't I just be left alone? Why does everyone want me dead, even when I haven't done anything?"

"Bella," Rose said softly, squeezing my hands. "Honey, not everyone wants to harm you. Remember the poem Jasper gave you? Just because it rains sometimes doesn't mean it always does. Yes, you've had a few really bad experiences, but think of how many good ones outweigh them. Think of Edward and how happy you both are together. When you and I argued over you giving up everything to be what we are, what did you tell me?"

"Edward is everything," I whispered.

We were all silent for a minute as Rose and Alice hugged me.

"Look, we've all behaved pretty well so far this semester. Let's ditch and go home," Emmett said.

"Yeah!" Alice chirped. "Jasper will be feeling much better by the time we all get home. We can all go to the mall, the entire family!"

We got up and made our way to the parking lot. Rose and Emmett climbed into her X5 while Alice and I got into the Porsche. The drive home was filled with Alice explaining her views on why she liked Indie Rock and why it could never equal her love of the Punk Rock phase of music history. I tried to listen and keep up, but I think we both knew my mind was on other things.

When we got home from school, Edward and Jasper were still out in the park together. They had taken off immediately, not even telling Esme what had happened. Alice and I took turns explaining everything to Esme. She decided to call Carlisle home from work.

A half hour later, everyone was home and sitting in the living room.

"You all had a very interesting day from what your mother has told me," Carlisle said.

We all nodded in agreement.

"Bella, what you did for Jasper was extraordinary. I hope you know how proud we all are of you for finding a way to help your brother," Carlisle told me.

"It's nothing you guys wouldn't have done for me," I shrugged. I still hated attention. I tried to hide in Edward's arms.

"Bella," Jasper said softly.

I looked up at him, giving him a big smile.

He returned it. "Thank you. I hope you can remember what you did for me today and always know how much of an asset you are to this family. I know you've always worried that you were a danger magnet and that you brought nothing but bad luck to our family. But today, Bella, you saved me and our entire family. If I had broken free…"

"But you didn't and that's all that counts," Alice said, rubbing his arm. "We should be celebrating! Rose, Emmett, Bella, and I talked earlier and we've decided we should all go out to the mall as a family!"

I went to get up, but Edward held me tightly to him. I turned my head and looked at him, but he only shook his head. I waited patiently for him to speak, while he waited for everyone to clear out of the house. He then turned me so I was sitting sideways in his lap.

"Bella," he said, staring intently at me.

"Yes?"

"Do you know you've been shivering in my arms this entire time?"

I shook my head. I knew I was still a little frazzled from the past few days, but I couldn't feel myself shaking.

"What happened after I left? Why are you so upset?"

I took his hand in mine, twirling his wedding band around his long, pale finger. "After you left, we went back to sit down. I heard the humans talking and the girl was saying she hadn't planned to wear those shoes. She put them on because she couldn't find her other ones."

"And?" he pressed, knowing there was more.

"And that's the decision Alice couldn't see. The thing with Jasper is the reason you weren't with me…the reason that…"

"Ssh, love," Edward cooed, as he pulled me against him. "I know what you're trying to say. No need to upset yourself more."

I knew he was right; I didn't need to upset myself anymore. Hopefully, shopping with the family would help get my mind off of things. "We should go. Everyone's waiting," I whispered.

"Do you want to go?" he asked, rubbing my back.

I smiled, knowing he would force me to stay at the slightest sign of indecision. But I really did want to be with everyone right now. "Yes, please. But could you sit in the back with me?"

"As you wish, wife," he said, kissing my cheek. I felt his reluctance to share me, but he bit back his protective side and stood up, pulling me up with him.

We stepped outside together. Alice and Jasper were in the Mercedes with Carlisle and Esme. Rose and Emmett were waiting in the X5 for us. Edward opened the door and I scrambled into the back. He followed after me and pulled me back into his arms once he closed the door.

"Feeling better, Picky?" Emmett asked.

I sighed happily as I leaned into Edward's shoulder. "Much."

"Good," Rose chuckled. "Alice plans to hit every store and some of them twice!"

I laughed, knowing this was my pixie sister's way of cheering me up. She would never give up on changing my mind about shopping. And in all honesty, I never wanted her to. While Stephen and the Volturi might be the occasional rainstorms in my life, my family would always be my sunshine.

EBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEB

Thanks to Moonshifting for coming up with the idea that Bella might be able to use her power to control the bloodlust in some way for her family.