Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own Twilight or any of its characters.
"Oh shush Edward! No one's gonna harm her" Alice suddenly broke the tension as she bounced up from where she was sitting and we stood shocked when she sat on the bed beside her.
"Sorry Bella. My family, especially my brother here, is just being over dramatic. You're perfectly safe here. My name is Alice by the way" She held her hand out. I saw her look of surprise when she touched Alice's cold hard hands but she didn't seem to mind.
How could she say that Bella was safe here when I've already tried killing her, twice for that matter.
"She's not safe here" I tried to argue.
"If it's not safe then why bring me here in the first place?" Bella was the one to answer.
"We couldn't just leave you in the woods!" I almost shouted.
"I meant you could have brought me to a hospital or something but you brought me here"
I ran my hands thru my hair and sighed.
"Good question. I was wondering about that myself" I looked at Carlisle for an answer.
Carlisle was apologetic as he reasoned out "The circumstances that led us to you were quite unusual and I figured that because of that, you may have your own secret to keep. Now I guess we wouldn't be able to know what secret that is because of your lost memories."
Our secret was very important for us so I understood what Carlisle meant. It would be so hard if our secret would be exposed because of something that was uncontrollable like what happened to her.
"Oh don't worry Bella. You can stay here as long as you want" Alice cheerfully announced.
"What?!" Almost everyone in the room exclaimed.
I could feel the monster almost shouting in glee at the opportunity. So many opportunities…. I tried to tone down my mind and focus on the situation.
"Oh come on Edward. Give yourself some credit! You're stronger than you think. You're not going to do anything to harm Bella" The way Alice spoke of her name sounded like they were already best buddies. Then I saw it, the reason why Alice was so confident. I wasn't able to catch this vision earlier. Bella and me lying side by side in the middle of my favorite meadow while the sun casting rainbows in my glittering skin. Bella was looking at me without any fear but such wonder in her eyes and something else that I couldn't seem to grasp. Then the scene changed. Alice had her arms around her and Bella was laughing. She didn't seem to be bothered by Alice's closeness.
"See"
I stood open mouthed as this vision kept playing in my head. The one image that stuck was the one of me and Bella. It was something that I never would have anticipated. How could I even let it lead to something like that? Even if that might be true, how could she choose to be with someone like me? Someone who wants to suck the life out of her?
"C'mon guys! Not again with that silent stuff!" Emmett grumbled. He always hated it when Alice and I had our silent exchange.
"Alright, that's enough. Everybody get out. Bella needs to get some rest." Alice stood up and was gesturing for all of us to go outside.
"Wait! I...uhmm... I appreciate you all doing this for me but... I don't want to be a burden to all of you. I can find someplace to stay..." Bella finally spoke.
"And where do you think you'll be going? You don't have any money." Alice pointed out.
"I can find a way..." she said uncertainly.
"We can't let you leave" Carlisle started to say.
"I won't tell anyone about you. Well, there's no one to tell anyway. I don't think I know anyone here" She defended. My father smiled reassuringly.
"Bella, I can see that we can trust you. It's not that. You've been through an accident and your memories are lost. As a doctor I don't recommend you going on your own. That's why you're here in the first place. So I can keep an eye on your condition. Maybe if you can start remembering then you can decide if you would like to leave."
It was just like Carlisle to trust so easily and I couldn't see why not. Even I can sense the truth in her words, even if I can't read her mind.
There's just going to be a bit of a problem if she's going to stay here 24/7. Jasper is just new to the lifestyle and having her scent in the house might not be a good idea. Not to mention I'm very much drawn to her blood regardless of how long I've been with our diet.
"Carlisle, don't you think it's a bad idea to have her and Edward in the same roof considering he's been trying to attack her every time she's near?" Jasper pointed out. I growled at him.
"Are we really going to do this?!" Rosalie was furious.
"Rose..." Emmett started to say.
She looked at me in irritation.
"Yeah... just let the human live in a house infested with vampires" She said in a sarcastic way and all of us gasped including Bella.
"You're a..." Bella struggled to say the word out loud and I groaned. Way to go Rosalie.
"What?! It's not like she's not going to find out eventually. I'm not playing charades in my own house just to keep the human in the dark" Rosalie stormed out of the room with Emmett following behind, trying to catch up.
Bella stared at the door after Rosalie left.
"No..." She started to say.
"I will keep your secret but if I'm the reason that you're all fighting, it might be best if I don't stay." She tried to stand up but Alice stopped her.
"Nonsense. Please don't mind Rosalie, she'll get over it. We want to help you Bella and you don't have to worry. No one here is going to harm you. Right Edward?" Alice smiled knowingly. We're going to be best friends Edward and you're going to find it in you to keep her safe. I know that.
How can Alice put her trust in me when I don't even know if I can trust myself?
"I'm not really worried about you harming me" Her words surprised us. Up until now, I still have not seen any hint of fear from her, even Jasper was perplexed at the emotions that she was showing.
"Then there's no reason for you not to stay" She bit her lower lip unconsciously and my eyes were drawn at the movement. It caused the monster inside me to stir and I had to grit my teeth to keep myself in control.
"So... you're really vampires?" She asked tentatively and her eyes traveled to each one of us as if to look for anything out of the ordinary. Her eyes seems to linger in mine a little bit longer and I felt a sudden disappointment when she broke eye contact and then I saw a blush forming in her cheeks. The monster rejoiced at the sight. I felt Jasper tense beside me and I cut off my senses. He was feeling my thirst. I had to keep the monster at bay. Being attacked by one member of the family was already enough.
"Yes but we only drink animals blood. Sometimes it can be a bit difficult for some of us but we have been able to maintain this lifestyle for a long time now." Carlisle explained to her and she nodded as if in understanding.
"Me being here..." She started tentatively. "I don't want it to be any more difficult for all of you." Bella was gesturing at me and Jasper and I was surprised to see that she took notice of Jasper's struggle as well. She was very observant.
That's odd. She's more worried about how it would be hard for us than worrying about her own safety. Carlisle thought.
Alice was looking at her mate. She probably cares for Bella but Jasper always came first. I saw were her thoughts were leading and I realized that I was hoping that it may actually work out.
"There's a small ruin just across the river from us. I'm sure Esme can work her magic on that place. Esme?"
Esmes eyes lit up.
"Of course. I can work on it right away!" She replied delightfully.
Bella was looking at Alice questioningly.
"Esme loves restoring houses so it won't be a problem. In the meantime, there's a spare room at the end of the hallway. We'll get you settled there and since we're going to school during the day, Carlisle to the hospital and Esme working on that restoration, you'll have the house all to yourself"
"That's just too much" Bella mumbled.
"Oh think none of it. You're our guest" Alice smiled.