Chapter 108

Bella

I was made to feel very welcome, as if I belonged and it wasn't long until I realized that the welcome was genuine, everyone was really happy that Jasper had finally found his mate. The only person who made me uneasy was Felix, not that he did or said anything to upset me or untoward, it was the simple fact he was Volturi, a kind of policeman and I was supposed to be a vampire already. As I watched him from the corner of my eye I noticed how close he was to Kat and how she showed no sign of being in the least bit scared of him although he towered over her. When she showed me some of the pictures she had drawn and painted with his help I thought I understood. After her "father" no man would be as terrifying even one twice her size and with a face that was rather forbidding unless he was talking to her. I think he understood that he intimidated me because he kept his distance, gave me space.

Rose on the other hand kept close and I was grateful for that, especially when we went upstairs to bath Skye leaving Jazz downstairs with the others.

"Edward and Darius will be back soon, I don't think you've really been introduced to either have you Bella?"

I shook my head reminding myself Edward was Jasper's "brother" and Darius had helped to find and rescue me, they were friends not enemies or a threat to me. Watching Skye play happily in the bath made me think of Sophie who would never see her daughter so happy and well looked after and for a few minutes I felt guilty at surviving when she hadn't but then Kat spoke to me and I forgot about it.

"Hey Bella, did you know Skye and I were really sisters?"

I shook my head,

"No, how?"

"Rose and Carlisle did a blood test on us and we had the same something, so both of us had the same dad. I didn't like it when they told me, I didn't want my dad to be a monster but then Rose told me it meant I wasn't all on my own, I had two families now, Skye, Rose, and Emmett and Peter and Charlotte which is pretty cool."

She frowned then,

"But you'll be my sister too won't you?"

"Of course, I'll be proud to be your sister always."

Skye was lifted protesting loudly from her bath when Kat grabbed my hand,

"You have to meet Felix properly, I know he looks scary but he isn't really, he's great. He taught me to paint properly. Hey, did I tell you that its my birthday soon?"

Again I shook my head feeling a little apprehensive as she dragged me back downstairs and away from Rose.

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm having Peter's birthday as mine, isn't that great and I'm having a party. I don't remember much about my last birthday, not even how old I was but we decided I'm going to be thirteen this birthday because Carlisle says that's about right. Then I can have a birthday every year and you can come, along with Jazz and Felix and everyone else."

I couldn't help smiling at her pleasure of such a simple thing that I had taken for granted up to now.

Suddenly I found myself confronting the huge Volturi but seeing the tender way he acted with Kat I found myself if not warming to him at least not so terrified as I thought. We shook hands but before we could get into conversation there was a knock on the door and two men walked in, this must be Darius and Edward. Jasper was at my side instantly and took my hand,

"Come on Bella you must meet two of your saviours, if you'll excuse us Felix."

Felix nodded smiling, he was just happy talking to Kat and hardly missed us as we went to meet the newcomers.

First was Darius who reminded me a lot of Jazz, they were more alike than Emmett or Carlisle and Jazz, even more so than Garrett or Peter, and I warmed to him immediately. He didn't say much but he shook hands quite formally then stepped aside for me to meet Jasper's "brother" Edward. Now Edward was as unlike the other guys as it was possible to get. True he was good looking in a boyish way but he didn't have that air of worldliness the others possessed, if anything he was more like Esme. He gave me a hug and shook hands with Jazz,

"I guess you heard the news from Felix?"

Jazz nodded without replying and Edward grinned,

"So Bella, you're the cause of this fuss. Its great to see you looking so well again."

As he spoke he frowned, his words ill matched by his expression and then he shrugged,

"Well that's certainly a first. A mind I can't read."

I was relieved to hear it, I certainly didn't want him trampling about in my thoughts, that was plain creepy but I wondered why not all the same.

Once Kat and Skye were in bed we sat down and Darius explained what had happened and I was pleased Jasper hadn't tried to shelter me from this, I needed closure and this gave me some. Understanding I didn't know the story all the way through Charlie and Darius proceeded to explain and I was taken aback by just how much they had done to try tracing me. I was in tears by the end but not because I was upset, far from it, I was overwhelmed by their kindness and determination and proud that I would be joining them soon. As they split up into groups, Garrett, Edward, Darius, Charlie, and Carlisle going hunting while Peter and Felix went back to be with Kat in case she woke, Emmett disappeared upstairs to sit with Skye. That left me with the girls and Jazz although I told him if he wanted to join the hunters that would be fine.

"I'll be OK now really."

"I promised to stay with you Bella and I have no intention of breaking a promise to you."

"That's OK, we're going to work out Kat's birthday party, the little minx is listening for anything about her party and we want it to be a surprise."

"Isn't Peter supposed to be doing the arrangements Charlotte?"

She laughed at Jasper's question,

"You of all people should know I wouldn't let Peter organize anything I wanted to run smoothly so no. He and Felix can do the muscle work, putting up the marquee and decorating but we will organize the entertainment."

"What did you have in mind Charlotte? Perhaps Bella would help me with the Birthday cake."

I nodded,

"I'd like that Esme."

I was glad to be included in things especially if it meant spending time with my new family to be.

"Great, Alice and I will arrange the entertainment, we thought a bouncy castle, I know she's a bit old but she's missed out on all these experiences and Peter will love it. To keep with the theme of a child's party, as she hasn't had any I thought we'd do all those silly little games like hide and go seek, pinata, pass the parcel, spin the bottle, charades. What do you think?"

"I think it sounds wonderful Charlotte, Kat's going to love it all."

"I hope so, I want her to have the kind of experiences she's missed out on, its so unfair otherwise."

"What about presents?"

I wasn't sure what kind of things would be acceptable, after all it appeared the Cullen's and their friends had plenty of money but then they'd been around long enough to accumulate a good amount.

"Well, Peter and I are taking her to Europe with Felix. See the sights, visit some museums and art galleries."

"That sounds dry and boring Charlotte, why not take her to the fashion shows, teach her about dressing and glamor?"

Charlotte looked at Alice with humor on her face,

"There's plenty of time for that, we just thought she should taste some culture and she loves art."

"Why Felix though? Or has he insisted on tagging along? He always seems to be hanging around Kat, I mean I know he's got a job to do but really, he's rarely away from her side."

Charlotte looked slightly uncomfortable at Alice's question but then Alice's eyes went blank then she blinked and grinned,

"Oh, I see, well that's a turn up for the books. It seems a little strange to me."

The rest of us looked between the two of them and eventually Charlotte sighed,

"We thought it would be Edward who let the cat out of the bag not you Alice but I guess I have to explain now."

As she did so I understood the way Felix was acting towards Kat and personally found it quite endearing. At least with Felix looking after her she would never be in any danger again, much like me with Jasper my own personal protector, and the age difference would soon shrink as she matured while he stayed the same.