I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 6

The majority of Edward's family left right after the meeting. Esme paused long enough to give me a hug, telling me that she would be in touch with me soon. There was something warm and comforting about her—it made me long for the mother that I didn't have growing up.

"I hope we can get together to go shopping soon. This place is in dire need of redecorating, and we need to update your wardrobe," Alice suggested excitedly.

I frowned, feeling slightly insulted by her mention of my clothes. However, next to Esme, she seemed like she could be a kindred spirit. "There's no need for shopping," I told her.

I transformed my outfit into the dress I wore to the club the night before. Then altered the room by making the walls powder blue with white accents. I changed the dim light to a sparkling crystal chandelier. The dark oak table to a warmer cherry stain with matching chairs.

Alice looked around the room wide eyed. "I guess you don't."

"I'm happy to get your suggestions for the other rooms. Since you are also a seer, you could join me at my store and give people their fortunes. That was why I dressed in the stereotypical vibe. Humans seemed to buy into it more," I explained.

"Hmmm. That could be fun," she agreed, her eyes glazed over then she smiled slyly. "Talking about visions, I'll stop by tomorrow."

Alice grabbed her mate's hand and started to leave. Jasper gave us a quick nod and they both left. I wasn't too sure what to think about him. While he seemed very protective, there was also a side of him that seemed a bit darker.

Speaking of darker, Carlisle gave me the shivers, and I didn't trust him at all. For some reason, he blamed me for Esme's missing arm. I would have to ask Edward why.

"Where is your kitchen?" I asked, turning to Edward. He was standing close behind me with an expression that told me he was glad that his family had left.

"Kitchen? I guess it's through there." He looked apprehensive as he pointed to a door.

"You guess? Don't you know?" I snorted then pushed my way through the swinging door.

I understood him once I looked around. The room was obviously meant to be a kitchen; but all there was, was a fridge, a sink, and a strange cubic device that I didn't recognize.

"This will never do." I shook my head. "What does that thing even do?"

"It's a blood warmer," Edward informed me.

I wrinkled my nose and nodded. I added a large stove and then opened the fridge, inside was filled with bags of blood. I made some room and added my own food, then filled the cabinets. I grabbed some ingredients to cook, so I could start a grilled cheese and tomato soup on the stove.

"Wouldn't it have been easier to make your meal appear already cooked?" Edward asked, looking amused.

I shrugged sheepishly. "Maybe, but I enjoy cooking. Do you want me to heat you up a meal?"

"I'm fine at the moment, I don't need to feed as often," he softly told me.

I finished making my meal then added a nook with a small table where I could eat. I was enjoying my food when Edward's hovering nearby started to get on my nerves.

"Either join me at the table and we can talk or do something other than just stand there. It's unnerving to be stood over and watched."

Edward chuckled then took the seat across from me. "What do you want to talk about?" He rested his arm on the table.

I dipped the corner of my sandwich in my soup and swirled it a bit. "How about why does Carlisle blame me for what happened to Esme?"

"It wasn't your fault. You were practically still a baby." His eyes darkened as he frowned.

"I didn't say it was my fault. But obviously, he still blames me. And it's making me not trust him, even more than Jasper. At least, he's just overprotective like you."

Edward scowled at me. "We're not overprotective of our mates—our world is dangerous. As for Carlisle, he'd never harm you. He knows not only that I would end him, but Esme herself would be mad with him."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. One would reason, if their world was dangerous, to leave the life of crime and fighting behind and go live somewhere safer. "You're still not answering my question."

Edward heaved a sigh. "Didn't you find out by reading his mind?"

I shook my head as I took another bite of my sandwich. "No. Not after Jasper pointed out that it was rude to use my powers to my advantage."

"How much do you remember about the night when your mother was killed?" he asked.

"Not very much. I know it was a vampire. And my father wasn't there when the attack started. I don't remember seeing anyone that you consider your family there that night," I answered.

"And that is why I, and other members of my family, blame ourselves. We were led on a wild goose chase, so they could attack. We arrived in time to save you, but not your mother." He paused, looking regretful. "We planned a counterattack for revenge after your father got you to safety. Esme insisted on joining us, wanting to help since she was close to your mother. The fight was brutal—there were losses on both sides. Esme was lucky to have only lost her arm. However, it led to a cease in the fighting and an uneasy truce. For insurance purposes they kept Esme's arm."

"They kept it? That is so disgusting." I lost my appetite and pushed my bowl away from me.

"You wanted to know." He smirked.

"And what did your family get?" I huffed.

The smirk dropped. "Your safety. They promised they wouldn't go looking for you again."

"That explains Carlisle's attitude. But you didn't trust them to keep to their word," I surmised.

"No. Because they were foolish enough not to realize how well I could read their minds," Edward frowned.

"Oh." I bit my lip. "Why do they want me so bad? Just to get to you?"

He tilted his head and let out a big breath. "Yes, and because you have been foretold to be a very powerful witch."

I snorted. "Too bad, I don't know how to use half of my magic. I don't suppose you know any other witches that I could talk to?"

He paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Perhaps, there is one or two we could trust to reach out to. I'll have Alice look into it for us."

"Good." I cleared my plates and then stood and walked over to his side of the table. "I'm bored, let's go dancing at your club."

"Don't you need sleep, Kitten?" he asked with an eyebrow raised.

I wondered why he had said sleep like that, I wasn't a kid who had to go beddy-bye. I sat on his lap then wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzled his cheek, letting out a small purr. "Please."

Edward's hand rested on my thigh. "I have no desire to go to a hormone riddled club and share you with a Miami Vice wannabe."

"Who Mike…Mitch…or something like that? I only used him to get your attention. I was there for an hour before you noticed me. I had to do something to get your attention." I played with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"I'm surprised you didn't just come to me in the VIP lounge." He smirked.

I gave him a coy smile. "One could say you could've come for me yourself rather than send a minion to do your bidding."

His eyes darkened and his smile became more sinister. "If I had done that, I would've killed the boy in the middle of the club in front of many witnesses."

A shiver ran through me. His eyes softened and he looked regretful. "Did I scare you, Kitten?"

I started to shake my head then paused more concerned than scared. "Did I miss something about him? Was he a rapist or something?"

"No. Not from what I could tell. However, his thoughts were lewd. No one is allowed to think of my mate that way."

I blushed then kissed his cheek. "I guess that is sweet."

His eyebrows arched. "Guess? You're awfully hard to impress, Kitten." He brushed a lock of my hair away from my eyes. He curled the strand around his finger before tucking it behind my ear, looking thoughtful. "Are you satisfied with how we settled things about the wolves?"

I pressed my lips together and took a deep breath before speaking. "Yes. Although they wanted revenge, I couldn't bring myself to do it myself. Especially since not all of them wanted to hurt me but were being forced to do it. Like little Seth, I used to babysit him. He thought Jacob should've listened when I said no. The leader, Sam, has some sort of mind control over all of them, it was creepy."

"Mind control…you didn't share that before." Edward frowned.

"I'm sorry. I thought you knew since you met them before," I apologized.

"Don't apologize. I think it's time to shelve this conversation, it's become overdone in my opinion. It's time for other things." He stood, still holding me in his arms.

"I told you I didn't want to go to bed." I tried to shift out of his arms, but he held tight.

He smirked. "I heard you, and I don't want to go to the club. I want to keep you to myself, so we will just have to compromise."

He started up a set of stairs to the second floor.

"You want me to create our own personal dance club?" I suggested, starting to feel a bit more excited.

"Not quite, I don't think your magic will be necessary for this." He stopped outside of a door and opened it.

I wasn't expecting to see what was inside; it was probably the only room in the house that looked like someone gave any thought to it when decorating. The walls were lined with shelves, filled with books and music. There was a large grand piano off to one corner of the room. By the far side of the room there was a fireplace with a comfortable looking chair. The center of the room was clear enough for plenty of room to dance.

"I have to make another amendment to allowing you make to changes to the house. Please, no disco ball or strobe lighting," he requested.

"Don't worry. I love this room as is. Except for one small change." I added my own soft looking chair across from his.

"Perfect," Edward agreed, setting me on my feet. He went over to the shelves and selected a CD before going to his stereo system. Soft, romantic music wafted out of the speakers. He came back to my side, holding out a hand.

"I'm afraid I don't know how to dance to music like this," I confessed.

"I'll teach you. You can even stand on my feet if you'd like," he teased.

"Not happening. I'm a quick learner." I took his hand and placed the other on his shoulder.

He chuckled lightly. "It's easy, you'll just have to let me lead, and not fight me."

We began slowly and I only stumbled once or twice before I picked up the four step pattern. I was hyperaware of how snug I was up against his body. I could practically see the bonds of our connection, wrapping around us. I looked up into his eyes, and my breath caught when I saw how intently he was gazing at me. He lowered his head and his lips gently pressed against mine. Our swaying paused and our kiss quickly deepened, and years of pent up emotions raced to the surface.

A/N: A glimpse into the backstory when Bella was a baby. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.