BELLA

I am so drained. I can't believe I slept last night, with Edward here. His family probably told him to give me space after my story last night. I hear a light knock on my door. Jen would just come in. Okay, most of my friends would just come in. I make myself roll off my bed and head to the door of my suite. I open the door to find a penitent Alice standing on the other side.

"Are you still angry with me?" she asks in a quiet voice.

"I'm too drained to be angry," I sigh.

"I'm so sorry! I should never have listened to that boneheaded brother of mine. I never should have left you behind," She launches at me and wraps her arms around me.

"Alice…" I start to reply.

"I'm not finished yet. I know that, at times, I have made you feel like a child. That was really rude of me. I mean, how arrogant was I? I know that any decision about your life has to be made by you. I didn't even realize I was taking that away from you. I'm not using it as an excuse. There is no excuse for my behavior. I just wanted you to know that it wasn't intentional on my part," Alice rushes through her little speech.

"Okay, Alice," I answer.

"Well?" she asks.

"Alice, I don't know what you want me to say," I sigh.

"Say you can forgive me. Say you don't hate me. Say that you want me around as you friend, on an equal basis."

"Of course I forgive you. I could never hate you, no matter how angry you can make me sometimes. As for being friends, we can certainly try. Just know that I have changed and there are things about me that, while you might not like them, you will just have to accept."

Alice nods while wearing her serious face to let me know she understands. Now that Alice has shown up to apologize, I guess I should be prepared for the whole family to do the same. They will show up individually, of course, because they don't seem to want to pressure me. I'm going to have to deal with Edward. There is still a lot to talk through and deal with before we can even broach the whole relationship thing. I am so drained though. Since the next target won't even be decided until tomorrow, I think I'll just go back to bed for the rest of the day.

"You look tired… maybe you should go back to bed. I'll check up on you later though," Alice interrupts my thoughts.

I head back to bed. However, I anticipate many visits. I don't know if I can deal with Edward today. It's a good thing that Jen allows a few days in between targets. The reason is so that we are rested and fresh for our fights. Sleepiness means sloppiness. We can't afford to make mistakes because mistakes could cost someone their life. Actually, I'm a little surprised that Jen hasn't stopped by my room yet. Maybe she's waiting for the various Cullen family members to have their time to talk with me first. That is just like her. I hear another light rap at my door. Sighing, I heave myself off my bed, again, and head back to the door. This time Esme is waiting on the other side.

"I wanted to speak with you, is that alright?" she actually looks worried that I will turn her away.

"Of course it is. Come on in and sit down. Where's Carlisle?" I answer her with a question of my own.

"I felt like this should be a conversation just between us. Although, I do believe that he'll be along later as well," she smiles a little.

"What did you want to discuss?" I just want this to go fast.

"I understand your feelings, and I want to apologize for my part in what happened. I truly am sorry for anything I said or did that made you feel like I was taking away your decisions or made you feel like a child. I know that you are your own person. I knew it then too. Please forgive my behavior. I have always considered you to be like a daughter to me. I obviously didn't show it well with our departure, but know that I have mourned your absence," she eloquently says her piece.

"I forgive you, Esme. I missed you too. Maybe one day we can all be one big family," I respond.

"I would love that. Jen seems like she wouldn't mind us joining in," Esme says.

"She's usually very laid back. I think she would want you guys to be a part of her family," I inform her.

Esme gives me a hug as she leaves. Okay, two down. Let's see who shows up next. If Jen or Dakota was here, we would bet on it. I'm thinking Carlisle will be next. It's not that I am vindictive, I'm not…usually. I just had to let it all out. I've spent too much of my life bottling things up and then burying them deep inside. Jen was right when she told me I needed to vent. I feel a little lighter already. I hear another vampire knocking and get up to see if I was right with my guess. Nope, surprisingly it's Jasper this time.

"Hi Bella. May I speak with you for a moment?" he asks quietly.

"Sure Jasper, come on in," I respond.

"I'm sorry about your birthday," he starts.

"Please, that is a non-issue. You have nothing to be sorry about. We weren't close, so I never expected you to look for me. Unless, of course, Alice dragged you along," I try to put him at ease.

"Then I'm sorry for being stand-offish. I didn't really trust myself around you. However, I would like to remedy that, if you'll give me the chance," he persists.

"That sounds nice, Jasper," I smile at him. He looks relieved.

As Jasper is leaving, Carlisle walks down the hall. Did they draw numbers? This order is way random. I should have a revolving door installed. I motion for Carlisle to come in. He sits down before he says anything, collecting his thoughts.

"Bella, I owe you an apology. Leaving without talking with you was wrong. I took the decision about Edward away from you. By leaving, I gave you the impression that you did not belong to our family. For all of that I am deeply sorry," he stops there.

"I forgive you, Carlisle," I should just get that phrase tattooed on my forehead. That would certainly save time.

"I know that you have a family, but I would like for you to consider if we can stay with you. Of course you will need to discuss the matter with Jen and Dakota first."

"I will talk with then about it and let you know. I don't foresee a problem with that though," I inform him.

Carlisle gives me a fatherly hug as he leaves. No one is in the hall yet. I guess Emmett is the logical, and really only, choice. Rosalie has never really liked me. So, I don't anticipate her showing up…or feeling the need to apologize ever. I hear Emmett bounding down the hall. Smiling to myself, I go to open the door to find both Emmett and Rosalie.

"May we come in, please?" Rosalie asks sweetly.

"Uh…sure," I move aside to allow them to pass.

"Bells, I am sooooo sorry. I can treat you like the equal you are. Give me a chance to show you. Please?" Emmett pouts as both Rosalie and I stare at him.

"Of course I forgive you," I can't help but answer as I laugh.

"ALL RIGHT!" Emmett holds his hand up for a high five. I slap his hand.

"Now for the grown-up portion," Rosalie says as she rolls her eyes at her mate and shoos him out of my suite.

"I'm a little surprised to see you drop by," I inform her.

"I know I'm a self-centered bitch. I was jealous because Edward never thought of me as a possibility for his wife. He's never looked at me like he looks at you. I don't love him like that, I never have. I just hate that he never even considered me attractive…which I am. I am trying to get over that for both of you. Emmett accepts my selfishness, but it hurt Edward…and you. I also was angry at you for wanting to give up your mortality. You see, I've always wanted to have a child. And you were just going to give up your ability to have one," she explains.

"If that's an apology, then I forgive you. I don't expect you to change if you don't want to. Just like I'm sure you don't want me to change if I don't want to."

"You are cooler than I gave you credit for. We might just be friends after all," she says as she leaves.

I don't know if I would go that far. Who knows though, weirder things have happened. All members of the Cullen family have been accounted for, with the exception of Edward. I sit down. Amazingly enough, I don't really feel drained anymore. In fact, I feel pretty good. There is still a lot to deal with, but now only Edward remains. It's a little early to tell, but I think some of my anger has dissipated. Jen walks over and sits next to me.

"Way to knock," I greet her.

"Psh, who knocks?" Jen asks.

"Polite vampires," I answer.

I figured they would show up at you door throughout the day. She switches to telepathy.

They did in fact. I follow her lead.

How did it go? She enquires.

It went well. There was a lot of apologizing. I sigh.

So, all that's left is Edward. Then you leave, she comments.

What do you mean? I ask, feeling a little twinge of panic. She wouldn't kick me off the team, would she?

I never expected you to stay and work with me forever, Bella. Edward is your one love. You should be with him, no matter where he is.

I'm not leaving. I love Hunting with you. Besides, the Cullens want to join us. I think they would like not being able to have to hide what they are.

If you are sure. Leaving wouldn't mean that we would stop being friends. Jen sounds skeptical.

I am sure. I assure her. There is no way I am leaving her family…I mean team.

Carlisle could work with some Healers who know about the various possible medical needs of the many types of immortals. The others could work out well too. Jasper, especially, will make a good addition.

Why Jasper especially? She has caught my attention.

He throws off a soldier vibe. That trait is helpful in our line of work, you know that. She explains to me.