Alice spoke to me quietly as Edward drove. She told me about what the family had been up to over the past couple of years. She told me that we were heading to Chicago where the rest of the family was anxiously waiting for us. She told me about an old house she and Esme had been renovating. Jasper had been taking courses in architecture at the local college. Emmett and Rosalie had been traveling the world but recently came back home and Rosalie started taking interior decorating courses at the community college. Emmett had become interested in Ancient Egyptian history during His and Rosalie's travels so he spent a lot of time doing research.

I was content listening to stories of my new family. Alice and Jasper had gotten documents made for me. I was now Bella Cullen. I would be known as Esme's orphaned niece who she and Carlisle had adopted and raised after my parents died.

"Bella, Esme is very anxious to see you. Do you remember her story of how she became a vampire?"

I nodded silently. Like me, Esme had lost her only child. She had been so distraught that she tried to end her life. Truthfully, I was just as anxious to see Esme. She was the only one of the Cullens who could truly understand my pain. I felt a small glimmer of hope when I thought of Esme. She had been able to build a happy life with Carlisle. So maybe I would be able to build a new life for myself where I could be happy again like Alice said she saw in my future.

When Edward finally pulled up in front of a beautiful large house that was surrounded by acres of wooded area I was ready to get out of the car and stretch. Carlisle and Esme walked out the front door and stood on the large front porch waiting for us. I stood shyly by the car watching while the Cullens greeted each other. Esme walked towards me. "Bella…"

I ran into her arms and let her motherly comfort envelope me. If I were still capable, I would have wept in her arms. My body shook with emotion.

"I know sweetheart. I know."

She held me tight as I clung to her. I didn't need to be strong for her. I could let myself feel all the pain and grief I had tried to hold back in front of Jacob at the funeral. After several minutes I felt strong arms lift me off the ground. I tried to fight against the arms as my hands clung onto Esme like my life depended on it.

"It's okay Bella. Let's get you inside and then I will give you back to Esme. I promise. " Edward's voice and familiar scent calmed me slightly. I let go of Esme and allowed Edward to bring me into the house. Esme followed. Edward carried me up a flight of stairs and into what I guessed was Esme's personal office. He gently sat me down on a comfy sofa that faced a huge wall of windows. He reluctantly turned and left Esme and I alone. Esme sat down beside me and I laid my head in her lap. She caressed my hair and told me about her daughter. There was pride and pain in her voice when she talked about her child. I kept silent while she talked. When she finished I started telling her about Emmie. She continued stroking my hair as I talked. I told her every last detail up to the funeral. I told her how I had put aside my pain and tried to be strong for Jacob. He had lost her too and I felt so selfish for not being there for him until that moment.

I felt mentally exhausted when I finally finished. Esme seemed to sense my exhaustion and we just sat quietly for a long while. When I moved to sit up Esme took my hands in hers.

"Bella, you will never forget Emmie. There will always be a part of you that aches for her but It will get better over time. I won't lie and say I don't have my bad times but Carlisle is always there to help me get through them. Eventually, the good times will far outnumber the bad and you shouldn't feel guilty when that time comes. It's okay to be happy."

"It's so hard to see beyond the pain right now."

"I know sweetheart. You need to mourn, it has only been a few days. We are all here for you Bella. Whatever you need, we are prepared to help in anyway you need."

"Thank you, Esme."

She hugged me tightly. "Are you ready to see your room?"

"I have a room?"

Esme smiled and nodded. "Alice saw you would be joining us. So Alice, Rosalie and I all worked together to get your room ready."

"You guys didn't have to do that."

"You are part of our family now Bella."

I smiled shyly. "Okay, Im ready to see my room."

Esme took my hand and led me out of her office and up to the third floor of the house. There were only two rooms on this floor. At the landing she led me towards the door on the left and let me walk in front of her. I opened the door and walked slowly into my new room. There was a wall of windows like Esme's. The view was breathtaking, I could see a stream in the distance and miles and miles of forest. I turned to look at the rest of the room. There was a large comfortable looking lounging sofa and floor to ceiling bookcases already filled with books. I ran my hands over some of the books and saw some of my favorite titles. I smiled softly.

The walls were painted in a cream color. Decorative pieces in soft purples and blues were scattered around the room. There was a huge walk in closet that connected to my own bathroom. "Esme, it's perfect." She smiled at me.

"I am so glad you like it. We weren't sure on the colors but Alice assured us you would like what we choose. And… Edward helped stock the bookshelves."

I had suspected as much. He knew my literary tastes better than anyone else. I saw my bag sitting on a table just inside my door. I walked over to the bag and opened it up. I pulled Emmie's blanket and stuffed wolf out placing them on the sofa. I went back to the bag and pulled out the pictures Jacob had packed and handed them to Esme.

"Oh Bella, she is beautiful. She looks so much like you."

I smiled softly.

"How did you choose her name?"

I looked down at my hands. "Emma was her first name but I called her Emmie, It was as close as I could get to Esme and Emmett without Jacob suspecting and her middle name, Allison, was after Alice. It was my way of trying to share the joy of her with you all."

Esme hugged me. "Would you like a tour of the rest of the house now?"

"Maybe later? If it's okay, I would like a few minutes alone."

"Sure. Anything you need Bella. When you are ready come down and join us."

I smiled softly. Esme quietly closed my door leaving me alone with my thoughts. I curled up on the sofa holding Emmie's blanket to my chest. I watched as the sun rose high in the sky and the leafs rustled in the wind. I let myself get lost in my own thoughts for a while.