Previously: "Well, my story's kind of a long one too."
I told them everything. I told them about the Cullens and about him. I told them how we fell in love and everything that happened with James and Victoria. Finally, I told them about my disastrous "18th" birthday party that the Cullens threw and how he left me not long after that. It took longer than I expected and by the time I was done I saw that Elena was trying to fight back sleep in Stefan's lap. But Stefan and Damon were both wide awake with a look in their eyes so frightening that even I was a little scared.
"Say something. Please." I begged. Neither one of them had said a single word since I started my story and now I was getting worried.
"I think I speak for both of us when I say that I want to be furious with you for associating with such obviously dangerous vampires, but I just can't find it in me after hearing all that they put you through." Stefan said softly, but with such a deadly undertone that I knew that he was reeling inside. Elena must have picked up on it too because she began running her fingers through his hair in an effort to try calming him.
"You knew what they were and yet you still hung around? Are you insane? After all the horror stories we've heard about their kind," Damon sneered "you, not only befriended all of them, but fell in love one of them?" he asked. And I couldn't look up. I was afraid to see the look of disgust and contempt that I knew must have been present on his face. Through out the years we had heard so many terrible stories about The Volturi and how much more brutal and vicious their kind was compared to ours. Damon had even met The Volturi leaders once and told us that all the stories we had heard about them over the years were true. After that, he warned Stefan and I to avoid "The Cold Ones" at all costs.
"I'm sorry" I whispered because I knew how disappointed they both probably were in me. But when I looked up all I saw on both of their faces now was concern.
"Bella, no one's mad at you, but what if they had done something to you ? I don't think either of us knows what we would have done if we lost you forever." Stefan said with the outmost sincerity.
"Exactly, Sorellina. Just the thought of you in such dangerous situations scares the hell out of me. Especially because, from the sounds of it, you were constantly outnumbered." Damon said while he had me in, what was probably, the worlds tightest hug.
"They really weren't dangerous" I said in an attempt to defend my actions.
"Bella, you were attacked by two of their kind and then again by one of their own coven members" Stefan argued.
"I know it sounds completely crazy, I just couldn't help it. They were like a second family and I loved them all so much. Especially him" I whispered that last part hoping they wouldn't hear. Unfortunately, I wasn't that lucky.
"Does he have a name?" Damon sneered. I hadn't told them his name partially out of fear that they might try and find him, but also because I just couldn't muster up the strength to say it without having a breakdown. So when I remained silent, Damon spoke again.
"Bella, tell us his name." he said forcefully.
"No, I don't want him hurt." I said.
"Why not? After what he put you through he deserves it. How dare he say that you weren't good enough him." I was shocked to hear Elena speak up and apparently so were my brothers considering how they wore matching expressions of utter shock.
"What?" She asked when she realized we were all staring at her. "What he said to her was awful." she stated with conviction. "No one deserves that especially not when it couldn't be more wrong," she said and then turned to me. "I know I hardly know you, but if you're a Salvatore then that means you've got a heart of gold," then she looked at Damon "even if some like to hide it under snarky comments and sarcastic remarks." And at that I couldn't help but smile because it described Damon perfectly.
Once she spoke again it was directed at me "And I hope I'm not overstepping my boundaries or making you uncomfortable, but your obviously beautiful." she said "Another Salvatore trait." she added with a laugh.
"Thank You." I said. And even though I completely disagree with her on the beautiful thing, I was starting to see why both my brothers adored her, the girl was perfect. And even though she looked like Katherine, I definitely could see us being close.
"Just stating the obvious." she said sweetly. "But it's late so I should be getting home." She stated as she stood up "It was nice to meet you and I really hope you stay here in town." Then she hugged me, and I had to admit that I was really starting to like this girl.
Stefan offered to drive her, but before he left, reminded me that we weren't through with this conversation. This left me and a very frustrated looking Damon home alone.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I sat back down next to him on the couch. He sighed and looked at me with a serious expression.
"I want to kill him for doing the things he did and saying the things he said. Elena's right, he fucked up big time." He venomously as I sat there wide eyed. Even though he put up this big bad front, at heart Damon was raised as a gentleman and using that language was something he only did in the most drastic of situations. I knew this meant that I seriously had to calm him down before he went out and hunted down all of the Cullens.
"Damon,-" I began, but was cut off.
"Listen. I need to know something. You said they were like family to you, but you already have a family. Stefan and I fight, but the one thing we agree on is your happiness. If you needed a family, why didn't you just come home? Why did you have to get involved with some of the most dangerous creatures out there just to feel like you were part of a family?" He asked me with the saddest expression on his face.
"That's not what happened. I was fine living with Charlie and giving you and Stefan your space. It was a sick twist of fate that I met him and once I fell for him and met his family it all just kind of fell into place. They treated me like I was family and like they actually cared, but I guess that's how they treat all of his playthings." And as I said that I could feel the tears start to flow. Damon just wrapped his arms around me and let me cry on his shoulder for what felt like hours. Finally, once I stopped he spoke again.
"This." he said as if emphasizing a point "This is exactly why I'm so angry. They may not have physically hurt you like other 'Cold Ones' would have, but they screwed you over emotionally without so much as a second thought. And nobody hurts my Sorellina and gets away with it and I'm sure Stefan would agree with me. So, why won't you let us defend you?"
"I don't know, I just know that I can't stand the thought of any of them being hurt. Please, Damon. Just do nothing. Just don't bring it up again, let me forget about all of it and move on. That's why I came here. I want to forget and move on. And I figure that starting out in a new town with new people and my real family will make that easier." I was begging at this point, but I really just wanted this conversation to be over.
"Fine." he said " I won't go hunting them down, but remember this. We're immortal. Our paths are bound to cross sometime. And if that ever happens just know that Stefan and I are not responsible for our actions." And even though he said that with his trademark smirk I knew that he was completely serious.
"Okay." I agreed only because I really didn't think that I would ever be seeing the Cullens again.
"Now, how about you go unpack and get some rest." he suggested. "You look like you need it and I'll make sure to fill Stefan in on what he missed and make sure he agrees to our terms."
"Thank you, Fratello. Goodnight." I said as I walked off to my new room.
Once I got to my room, I laid down hoping for sleep and a fresh start when I woke up, but all that I could think about as I drifted off was Edward, and I knew that moving on would be much harder than I'd hoped.