When the sun started to set I got up off my sofa and draped Emmie's blanket over the side. I followed the sound of my new families voices. When I slowly entered the large living room they all turned and looked at me. I suddenly felt very self conscious. Jasper sensed my discomfort and I felt a wave of ease hit me. I smiled softly at him. He nodded and turned back to the chess game he was playing with Rosalie.

Carlisle stepped forward and embraced me. "Welcome home Bella."

"Thanks Carlisle." I smiled at him. He went back to reading his book. As I watched him I felt a pang of sadness. I missed Charlie. I wished I could call him and tell him I was alive and okay. But I wouldn't be able to explain the changes in my appearance. It was better for him this way. He would mourn the unfortunate death of his daughter and go on with his human life. I wondered what Jacob had told him about how I died. How would he have explained the absence of a body?

I was suddenly picked up and twirled around. "Bella! I have missed you!"

I shocked myself when a giggle escaped from between my lips. I hadn't heard that sound in a really long time. I hugged Emmett tightly. He sat me down and I made my way over to Alice who had a pile of fashion magazines at her feet. She smiled without looking up from the magazine she was reading and handed me one from the pile. I flipped through it pretending to be interested but I was really using my new vampire senses to try and find the one vampire I both craved and dreaded seeing.

"He went out to hunt a little while ago. He is trying to give you space."

I nodded surprised by the feelings of disappointment. I had wanted space from him hadn't I? I sighed causing Jasper to look up. I shrugged. Alice took the magazine from me.

"How about I show you around the house so you don't get lost trying to find one of us."

I let her lead me through the house. She showed me her and Jasper's room, Carlisle and Esme's, Emmett and Rosalie's. The third floor of course contains my bedroom and Alice informed me that the other room was Edward's.

As the first day turned into night. Emmett and Rosalie headed out to hunt, they had invited me but I politely declined. I was not comfortable with Rosalie yet. Jasper and Alice had become engrossed in the most intense game of chess I had ever seen. Carlisle and Esme retreated to their bedroom for private time. I went up to my room and pulled Treasure Island from the book shelf and curled up on my sofa. I heard Edward moving around his room and the soft sounds of music from his stereo. I tried to concentrate on my book but finally gave up. I closed it and carried it with me as I walked across the hallway and stood in front of Edward's door for a minute. I knocked lightly.

"Come in."

I slowly opened the door and stepped inside. He watched me, waiting for me to speak first. I looked down at my hands.

"I.. I just don't want to be alone right now. Can I come in here and read?"

"Of course Bella." he was sitting on a chair with a book in his hands. I looked around and found a sofa nearer the door. I softly closed the door behind me and took my place on the sofa. He went back to his reading and I opened my book. I was acutely aware of every move he made but he stayed on his side of the room and gave me space. I found his company calming.

This became our regular routine over the next several months. He gave me space during the day and at night we sat quietly together in his room. Some nights I stayed in my room and curled up with Emmie's blanket and watched the night sky. These were usually preceded by a bad day emotionally. Esme was always very comforting but when I had one of my panic attacks only Edward could reach me. If I had a particularly bad one Jasper had to step in and help Edward. Afterwards, I withdrew and spent time on my own.

On the good days I spent the majority of my time with Alice, Esme or Emmett. I helped Alice and Esme with renovations on the house they were working on. Much to Edward's frustration, I found myself seeking out Emmett more frequently. Emmett had made it his personal mission to bring back the laughter to my life. It was hard not to laugh at Emmett's antics. I also appreciated that he didn't treat me like a fragile creature. As time passed I felt the smaller less damaged cracks in my heart start to stitch back together.

After having one of the worst panic attacks since I arrived at the Cullen's house I laid curled up on my sofa gazing out at the night sky. I loved laying in the dark staring out at the stars, I found it calming. For a while I listened to Edward moving around in his room. I felt a sudden need to be near him, so I quietly got up and walked the short distance to his door. I knocked softly.

"Come in Bella."

He looked up from what looked like a journal sitting open on his desk.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you."

"You didn't interrupt me. I was just finishing up." He closed the book and got up from his desk.

"I was stargazing and thought maybe you would like to join me?" I looked down at my hands.

"I would love to. Do you want to sit in here? Or should we go to your room. It has the better view."

"We can go to mine. If that's okay?"

"Sure, I will follow you."

I turned and headed back through his door. He followed me into my room and closed the door behind us. I took my usual spot on the sofa with Emmie's blanket wrapped around me. Edward took a seat on the floor in front of the sofa.

"Why did you save me?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

Edward kept staring out the window. "I couldn't live in a world where you didn't exist Bella. I was almost too late to save you. Victoria had already pushed you over the edge and I arrived just in time to see you hit the rocks. I got to you as quick as I could and carried you up to the shore where Jacob found us. You were fading fast and I knew I didn't have much time. Plus there was the treaty and I knew if Jacob wouldn't give me permission to save you. I would die trying to save you any way. Jacob hesitated but then you started talking to your daughter as if she were right there with you. He and I both knew at that point you had minutes at most. He demanded I save you."

"What did he tell Charlie?"

"He told Charlie that you had come to talk to him that night you disappeared but you ended up fighting and you took off on foot. You followed a hiking trail Jacob had shown you a long time ago that led to the top of the cliffs on La Push beach and from what any of them could figure out you had lost your footing or tripped in the dark and accidentally fallen off the side. Your blood was still on the rocks from when you actually did fall and everyone figured your body must have been washed away. Only the members of the wolf pack know the truth because they were all there chasing Victoria."

"I miss Charlie." I sighed. "I hope he doesn't mourn me too long or blame Jacob for my death."

"I could take you to see him again if you want. Like you did that night."

I considered it for a moment and then shook my head. "I think it's better this way. It would hurt too much to leave him again."

"If you ever change your mind the offer is still open."

"Thanks."

Edward sat with me for the rest of the night. We didn't talk anymore but it felt nice to have his company.