Sadly Beautiful

I hope everyone likes this chapter, we're going to meet the Cullens! Please tell me what you think, I love reading your opinions.

Jaz, I really hope you enjoy, your story is going great. Much love.

Chapter eight - Into The Lion's Den

When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of an impressive modern house, covered in glass, open to the outside. I looked at Alice and gulped, before opening the front door. To meet a family of vampires.

I was nervous but not for the reasons one would expect. I was scared that Alice's family wouldn't like me, wouldn't like us. As if she was reading my mind, she squeezed my hand comfortingly and gently pushed me forward, whispering that everything would be fine and to relax. I wasn't sure if she was saying this for my benefit or for hers, she looked just as nervous as I felt.

We both walked slowly inside, I let out a sigh of relief. I wasn't sure why but I'd been expecting something different, the house was very light and open. Whenever I had thought of Alice's house, I'd expected something more 'vampire.' I looked at Alice, she was eyeing my carefully, assessing my reaction.

"Your house, it's beautiful, it really is" I told her sincerely. Before Alice had a chance to reply, I saw two people moving slowly down the stairs, directly in front of us. They walked hand in hand, they were both as attractive as the rest of the Cullens. They introduced themselves as Carlisle and Esme, both smiling warmly at me.

I smiled back before introducing myself nervously, "I'm Bella, Alice's..." I stuttered and Alice finished for me.

"This is Bella my girlfriend." I smiled gratefully at, squeezing her hand gently. I looked back at Carlisle and Esme to see their reaction. They both had huge smiles on their faces and looked genuinely happy that Alice and I were together. Before I had a chance to thank Carlisle and Esme for being so understanding, Rosalie and Emmet came in behind us.

As soon as Emmet saw me he roared in delight and pulled me into a bone shattering hug. It doesn't seem like I was going to have any trouble getting along with him, it was Rosalie that I was worried about. She stood in the doorway, glaring at me icily, I shifted away from her gaze, feeling self conscious and embarrassed.

Alice hissed loudly at her sister, she stood there nonchalantly and smirked at me, before turning around and walking outside. Emmet looked at me apologetically and followed her outside, he turned around and gave me another apologetic look before running into the woods after her. Alice stroked the palm of my hand with her thumb, reassuring me.

"I hope you don't let Rosalie's behavior affect your opinions of us Bella, she's very protective of our family." Carlise explained. I shrugged it off like it was no big deal.

Alice gently led me into her living room and pulled me into a love seat. I leant my head on her shoulder and she moved her arm around my waist, I sighed contently and leaned further into her. Jasper, who was as attractive as the rest of the Cullen's, sat in the corner of the room with an amused expression on his face, this looked a lot better than the pained expression he often wore at school. Alice stuck her tongue out at Jasper, who chuckled throatily and winked at me.

Alice growled at Jasper, I quickly silenced her with a short kiss and Jasper cleared his throat awkwardly, still laughing. Before I had a chance to think of a witty response to this, Edward walked into the room. I smiled warmly at him and gave him a small wave. He smiled back in my direction.

"I hope you're enjoying yourself Bella, we want you to feel welcome here, please tell us if there's anything we can do." He told me sincerely. I felt a rush of gratitude, for the most part I was being accepted into this family without a second thought, I'd never felt such a strong sense of belonging.

I felt myself blush and tears were forming in the corners of my eyes, "You've got no idea how much that means to me." I gestured to the room, "Thank you for making me feel so welcome." I finished lamely.

Alice pulled me closer to her and squeezed me lovingly, causing a murmur of 'awhs' from Jasper and Edward. I smirked at them and Alice pulled me up.

"Time to see my room!" She could barely contain her excitement. She pulled me along gently, when I wasn't going fast enough she scooped me in her arms and carried me quickly upstairs. She stopped and put me down, we were standing at the end of a long hallway, in front of a large oak door. She looked at me, smiled and slowly opened the door, pulling me inside.

We were standing in a large room, the walls were painted a dark chocolate brown and they were covered in pictures. I moved closer to examine them and saw myself in every picture. There were some of me smiling, sun bathing in phoenix, every happy memory I have there was a picture here showing it.

Alice moved behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist, whispering in my ear. "The walls are the colors of your eyes, beautiful. I've been seeing you for years, you were the only thing that kept me same, so I drew everything I saw. I didn't want you to leave me." I felt tears traveling down my cheeks.

"Alice, I love you." I whispered simply, trying to convey all the emotion I'm feeling in a simple sentence. I didn't feel like I did my emotions justice but I was hoping she'd see a deeper meaning behind those simple words.

"Bella, my Bella... I love you too."

I turned and looked around the rest of the room, I was struck by the large bed in the center of the room and turned to her curiously. She winked at me and didn't say anything, I looked around the rest of the room. She had a massive collection of books and cds, they took up two walls. The only book my eyes focused on was Bram Stokers 'Dracula' I couldn't help but laugh. I picked the book up, holding it out questioningly to her.

She grabbed the book from me defensively and held it tightly to her chest. "It's one of the classics!" She pouted at me and turned her back.

This only made me laugh harder, causing her to turn and glare at me icily. I decided not to push her, I grinned sheepishly at her and took her hand. Pulling her out of her room.

"I'm starving" I exclaimed. She looked guilty, she still hadn't managed to figure out when it's time for me to eat. She poked me in the belly and laughed.

"Then lets find some food for the human" she joked. I slapped her shoulder playfully, wincing at how hard her skin was. Emmet took this moment to come inside and saw this, he collapsed in a fit of laughter, Alice paused a moment and joined in.

"Alright Alright, everyone laugh at the human. I'm going to find some food" before I stomped past Alice and Emmet and into the kitchen. I began grabbing ingredients and shoving them into a pan, not really sure what I was making. I heard Alice behind me and she wrapped her arms around my waist, whispering in my ear.

"You're quite sexy when you're angry."

When she said this I relaxed and started laughing and put more ingredients into the pan. She held me like this for a few minutes until my 'meal' was complete. I sat at a large table and started eating, within moments the entire table was full except for Emmet and Rosalie. I smiled at everyone and kept eating, content to listen to the conversation around me. Everyone looked at me expectingly, I quickly swallowed what I was eating and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, I wasn't really paying attention, can you repeat the question?"

Esme smiled kindly at me. "We were just wondering if you'd told your father, Charlie, about your relationship with Alice and how he took it."

I shook my head no, "I'm actually planning on doing it when I get back, I think he'll take it fine but I'm still nervous about it, but then Alice and I can finally be a real couple." I felt Alice purring beside me, apparently me telling Charlie was exactly what she wanted. Carlisle cleared his throat.

"Bella, I'm sure he'll take it perfectly and be supportive of your relationship as long as you're happy... If he doesn't then you're always welcome here, you're a part of our family."

I blushed furiously and tried to think of a reply that showed how much that meant to me but I couldn't think of anything. So I just stood up and hugged him, pouring as much emotion as I could into it. He looked like he understood what I was trying to show, he smiled and hugged me back.

Once Iw as finished eating, Alice told everyone that it was time that she took me home, if I wanted to break the news to Charlie. We said our goodbyes to everyone, they all told me that I could come back at anytime. I would probably end up taking them up on their offer, I liked all of them immensely and loved spending time with them.

Alice and I walked out the door, hand in hand. She led me towards the garage. I looked at her puzzled.

"Are we not running back?"

"No, we don't want to turn up with our hair tangled and out of place and with me looking flushed. I don't think that's the first image Charlie wants to see when you tell him that you're a lesbian and that we're dating." I nodded my head in agreement, her logic made sense.

She directed me towards a bright yellow Porsche, opening the passenger door for me and helping me inside. She was inside the car in less than a second, quickly pulling out of the garage. And the speed we were going, we'd be at my house in only a few minutes. She saw me looking at the speedometer and slowed down, giving me time to prepare. I smiled at her gratefully.

Before I knew it we were parked outside my house, sitting in the drive. Alice looked at me concerned, before she had a chance to talk me out of this, I opened the door and stepped out. Alice was by my next to me in an instant, her hands limply by her side. I reached down and took her hand in mine, before walking towards the door and opening it.

I stepped inside and saw Charlie in the living room watching the game. I let go of Alice's hand, she understood why and didn't look hurt. She nodded at me and kissed me quickly.

I stepped into the living room and blocked the T.V, Char-Dad, there's something I need to tell you and it's important". I quickly turned the T.V off and turned to face him. "This is really difficult for me to talk about, but I think that you should know." I paused and gulped loudly, trying to collect myself.

Alice walked into the living room and stood beside me, comforting me and relaxing me. I smiled nervously and nodded once to her before continuing.

"Dad, I'm... I'm a lesbian and Alice and I are together. I love her." I took Alice's hand in mine and looked deeply into her eyes. "I hope that you can be happy for us and be understanding."

Charlie sat there with a look of shock in his eyes, not saying anything. He was like this for a few minutes and I was beginning to get worried. Then suddenly, he opened his mouth and started to talk.

Sorry to leave on a cliff hanger, ish. Please tell me what you think and whether or not Charlie should be nice about it or if he should not be understanding. I hope you enjoyed.