I'm a slightly rare thing, not completely unknown around here, but quite rare all the same! Do you all want to know what that is? Well let me tell you now, I'm an almost twenty-one-year-old virgin in an American college, in my second year! I'm also ever so slightly tipsy, but that's neither here nor there. Why am I still a virgin? Because my boyfriend of just under four years won't put out! He says he wants us to get married first, I don't think so! I doubt if he'd give it up even then, It's just so 20th century of him! The only bases he's hit are on the field with his family! Not one grope, Christ he won't even kiss me properly, he gives me nothing, nothing but frustration! I have finally decided on this, one last-ditch attempt! That's why I'm a little smashed; this is so far out of my comfort zone, it's strat ..., stratis ..., and it's way, way out there!

Tonight's the big sorority dance, party, rave; get your freak on thingy. It's also fancy dress and I'm going, yup! Voluntarily even. I was surprised to be asked, but as I know several of them, from classes and some tutoring. I got the status of a temporary sister! I'm going for two reasons really, first, to see if he'll take this one last chance, to have me outside of wedlock! Not really holding my breath, though. Sadly Edward could give a saint a run for his money! Second, to shut his damn brothers up for good, at least, I really hope so! They still treat me like I'm fourteen or thereabouts, well Emmett always has and it's wearing on the nerves. God damn it I was seventeen when I met them, so why did he go backwards? I'm sure it has something to do with Rose and Alice, Edward's sisters, but I can't be totally sure.

By now you'll be thinking I'm a pushy bitch and if the poor boy wants to wait, then I should let him! But you need more facts, the boy is no boy, he's a more than a century-old vampire and I'm really beginning to think that he's non-sexual! I don't even think his hand has touched his dick since the last time he peed as a human in 1918! Why have I waited so long, cause I'm a coward, a sexually repressed or is that depressed coward! I had no frame of reference, we've been dating since I was seventeen and he is my first and only boyfriend! But enough is enough, I'm only human Why does he always make me feel like I'm perverted, dirty even, for only wanting to show him my feelings, physically! It was okay putting me off during High School, but College too!

I have come to the end of my rope. Funny he's all about me having human experiences, just not this one, well not with him anyway! So it's 'Do or Die' tonight, well shit, I made a joke! Where's Emmett when I need him? Oh yeah, speaking of his dear brother, he's teased me nonstop for all this time, about sex, sex I'm not getting mind you! You would have thought he'd get a clue, but no every single time he sees me, I get some kind of smutty remark or innuendo! I do love him, but he's an ass and needs to get a life! As for Jasper, he thinks he's so damn funny, playing about with my emotions, making me needy and horny all the time! Maybe I should send him the bill for all the toys and batteries, I've worn out over the last couple of years, see how he likes that!

It's no longer funny to me, he's being childish and it's starting to verge on cruel, both of them are. So this is for them, just as much as Edward. I'm not a mindless child, but a grown woman, one with needs and wants, so I will put a stop to this shit! One way or another. Oh hell, I think I'm losing my buzz a bit that will never do! Where's that bottle, ah, better? So the theme of this bash is 'Animal Characters from Movies'. So since they all find it funny to call me kitten, or tiger, sometimes kitty! As in 'Hello Kitty', as if I would be seen dead in anything with that on, even as a child. I'm going as a cat alright, 'Puss in boots', thigh-high boots to be exact! Alice and Rose have no idea, thank goodness. It's been hard to hide it from Alice, she's a wheedler, that one, but it stopped working on me about a year ago.

She needs to know everything, no, she needs to control everything. But luckily for me whatever the glitch in my mind is, it's getting harder for her to see my decisions lately. I think I know why, I've grown up, left them behind and no longer think like them anymore, that being very immaturely! They seem to be stuck at High School age, permanently! I tend to work out my problems during the night, with my subconscious mind, almost in dream sequences, not my conscious one. Told you, crazy glitch, but it's working for me, big time now. So I'm not really making important decisions whilst awake, just minor mundane ones, like clothes, food all that stuff. So as long as I don't think it, she doesn't see it! If I ever do let something slip, I think of burning all her shoes right after it and nobody ever hears about my thought processes!

For instance tonight, I've only looked in the mirror to do my makeup, not wanting any stray decisions to get out unintentionally. So nobody has seen my costume so far. No, seeing me slipping in the cat eyes contacts, or putting on the skin-tight leather shorts, with the false tail of course and the strapless corset and then those boots. The choker, the scabbard for my sword and the floor-length cloak to hide it all. I have just to add the hat, over the little ears and I'm ready to go, my hair well that might be a shock to them all, I got it cut today, time for that old High School hairdo to go, so when I went to get false nails for tonight, I got it layered and about eight inches off it. It's bouncy and way lighter, still below my shoulders, but more age-appropriate, well I think so.

I'm now older than them all, except for Carlisle and Esme. Geez, it took me a whole lot of convincing, for them all to meet me there, at the sorority house. I live on campus nowadays, year one I lived with them, it was hell. So year two, I applied for student accommodation and cited 'Human Experience' as my excuse to them! Edward whined,

"But a gentleman always picks up his date!"

But I need him to be less of a gentleman and to be able to make an entrance! I've been practising on these damn heels for weeks, so I don't face plant, but I'm not as clumsy as I was before. At least they're broken in and I'll have no blisters by the end of the night. Well, one more drink before I leave, wish me luck!

God, it's so weird, I've never gone anywhere with as little clothes on as tonight. Hell, I wear more in bed! But I've seen Rose in less, so it's not so bad, in fact, it's pretty darn sexy if I say so myself. As I walk along I hear a couple of whistles, 'that's good', so I toss the sword side of the cape over my shoulder. Just like in the movie and that gets me a few 'hey baby's', well okay I'm feeling more confident about this. As I round the corner I see them all waiting outside, like High Schoolers. Why couldn't they have behaved like everyone else for once and waited inside for me? They draw so much attention to themselves with all these outdated mannerisms; they have never blended in anywhere. So I backtrack and swing around to the other door, I need to make an entrance and I will not have Edward spoiling it for me.

He'd have me bundled up and out of there in a flash, if I walk up to the front, with their backing, of course. So as I enter from the side, I throw back the other side of the cape and stride forward, thank god for Dutch courage. Several people do a double-take and one says my name hesitantly, as if unsure. Someone handed me a drink, which I have no intention of drinking, I'm not that dumb. Already got my own buzz going and a flask tucked into the top of one of my boots. As the music quietened, some boy from one of my classes shouted out,

"Looking mighty hot Bella!"

And that brought the Cullens inside immediately. It was actually quite funny, they just stared at me, you'd think I had horns on, not cat ears. Those five looks told me everything I didn't want to know but really had known all along, it was so inevitable. I had surmised it could only end one of two ways and here it is! Jealousy, Shock, Confusion, Anger and was that Lust? I was getting very good at reading them all because even now, they still kept secrets and talked above me, so I learned to read their body language. As per usual they never thought I could work them out, but it was pathetically easy, they are so unchanging and rigid. The jealousy was Rose of course, how dare I attempt to take all the attention away from her! Most eyes in the room were for once on me, the human and not her.

She didn't like it very much, but I think it was worse because it was me, plain old Bella. She never understood that I attracted people, because I was nice to others and approachable, unlike her 'Ice Queen' persona,

"Who does she think she is? She's only here because she's Edward's date!" Rose spat nastily,

Loud enough to be overheard by some of the other party-goers,

"That bitch is so up her own ass, she can't see how much better looking than her, Bella is!"

A stunning redhead I didn't know, said loudly and there were a few murmurs of agreement, I stood a little taller hearing that,

"Actually Rose, we only got asked because we're Bella's extended family, nobody really likes us or wanted us here!" Alice whined that shut the Ice Queen up.

Alice was confused, poor Alice, how could I possibly have pulled this off without her input! Easy, I had a brain of my own and didn't need a vision to pick my underwear out for the day! Alice thought her fashion sense was the be-all, but personally, I felt it was outdated and garish. I liked more casual and classic stuff, this was college not a Paris runway of the '80s! Emmett, well he was in utter shock, almost as if he couldn't compute it was really me. All that teasing and now nothing, he couldn't handle a grown-up, and might I add slightly sexy Bella! What had he expected to happen, I was human and therefore going to change over the years, god they were all in denial,

"I don't understand, what happened to our Bella, why does she look so different?" Emmett quizzed,

The other two emotions, well, anger and lust! It didn't take a rocket scientist to work it out, so I raised an eyebrow at Jasper and he smirked before turning away and adjusting himself. I would have blushed in the past, now I was merely confused! As he looked really happy to see me, if you know what I mean?

"Fuck me, that's just so damn hot!" Jasper growled a little too loudly, drawing the other's attention,

So much for being my brother, I made sure he felt all of my negative emotions and he didn't look quite so happy now! Sure I'm not getting any from Edward, but did he really think I'd turn to him for relief? Was that, what's been going on all this time, that sly, conniving cheat! That Left me with Mr Angry, Oh well, looks like I won't be getting any tonight, from anybody, except Jasper, he looks like he'd oblige! If looks could kill, both Jasper and I would be so dead! And by the smug sneer, he's just got Jasper's thoughts on my lack of reaction to him; Edward didn't want me but didn't want me to want anyone else. But deep down I knew that!Typical Edward, he just sees what's in the moment, now was hardly the time to digest any wayward feelings Jasper had for me.

But he took my reaction as if written in stone, how can he live around humans for so long and still not understand them. He thinks only vampires can compartmentalise their thoughts. So before he could start his usual high-handed, immature ranting, I turned away and accepted an offer to dance. I knew it would either work or blow up in my face, Ka-boom! That's the thing about vampires, they never change much unless they want to, but humans always do. I grew up while Edward was dreaming of the perfect life with the seventeen-year-old me. If that's who he wanted, he should have changed me way back then, like I had wanted! Had wanted? Did I not want that now? Shit, no I didn't, well not in this format anyway. I had loved the boy dearly when I was that girl.

But I was now this woman and he was still that boy, unchanged and unwilling to even try. Whilst standing with a group of classmates, I sent a text to Esme, begging them to come right away for an emergency family meeting! Everyone but Edward had left, I heard Alice giving Jasper some choice words, hell mend him, he's an empath and he got caught out by his own feelings. He played with my emotions for long enough, time to pay the piper, it's ironic really. Edward was hanging about glaring at everyone and a few people mentioned it. I shrugged and said,

"Some people just can't see the end of the road, even when they fall off it!"

I got a couple of Ohs! Then, it was left alone, see humans can do it, not everything needs to be analysed to death. As the party started to wane, I saw Edward glance at his phone, it was apparently time. So I pulled the cape forward and walked up to him, asking,

"Was that Carlisle and Esme arriving?"

He looked confused, so I told him,

"I asked them to come, for a family meeting"

I walked out to his car and waited, so he said snidely,

"I'll take you to the dorm so you can get dressed!" I laughed loudly saying,

"I am dressed, Edward", a few people around us snickered,

Then once in his car, I faced forward. He took the hint and drove out to their house, once my house but no more, it ceased to be when, it was decorated around me, without my input, especially my room and I was requested not to bring classmates there anymore and on and on, little nitpicky things that accumulated. When we arrived I got out of the car by myself and entered the house. Esme looked up and said,

"Oh Bella, how absolutely lovely you look",

I saw Rose raise an eyebrow and frown. Carlisle appeared, stopped, looked at me and said,

"Yes, very beautiful and all grown up, quite stunning, sweetheart!"

They at least saw it, I knew they would. Both had tried to get through to Edward and sometimes the others but to no avail. Then Carlisle asked,

"Why have you called a family meeting, dear?"

That got everyone's attention, Alice again whined, because she never saw that! I shrugged, not really caring anymore. I told them,

"Although I think of both, you Carlisle and Esme, as family, I don't feel like part of it anymore",

I told them all about Rose's petty attitude and demands, even insisting I eat elsewhere, not here in my own home! Which eventually made me leave! How Alice decorated my room without asking and how I had to hide my personal belongings and clothes in case she threw them away. How Emmett walked into my room anytime he felt like it, no matter what I was doing, usually trying to catch me changing so he could tease me again, for the forty-seventh millionth time, as if it would suddenly get funny that time! How Jasper played with my emotions as if I was a toy. Making me sexually frustrated, knowing I would not have any way of releasing it, how I was actually becoming immune to it as he did it so often! I told them I put up with it all willingly, to begin with, to be with their brother.

But even he found fault in, well everything! The way I dressed, talked, what I ate, who I spoke to, the list was endless! But what annoyed me the most was how they totally ignored the fact I was growing up! I was still expected to let them think for me, dress me, and when I didn't want to wear childish clothes to college, certainly not dresses! I was being selfish! How even now they still talk over me, above my human hearing range and keep their childish secrets, which usually are pathetic, when they come to fruition! Esme was livid as she heard all this,

"What about you and Edward? Has he tried the things he promised us, the last time?" she asked I shook my head sadly.

I told them how tonight had been my way of proving a point, that I had changed, force them to see it and I also told them of everyone's response! The five were shocked I'd seen their reactions, I raised an eyebrow saying,

"See what I mean? I'm not seventeen anymore, I'm three weeks away from being twenty-one, older than them all, physically and most definitely mentally!"

I sat down then, crossed my legs and turned to Carlisle, hoping for some help. Instead, I was hit from the side by Jasper's feelings. I asked Alice,

"Would you like to borrow my 'Fuck Me' boots, Alice? As Jasper seemed rather taken with them because it better be the boots if he wants to keep his balls!"

Everyone was stunned, well everyone but Alice, she was mad. I turned to Jasper and asked,

"Do you do that to other members of this family?" he shook his head, "Well don't damn well do it to me" I ordered and he slumped down the wall, with his head down,

All that time Edward was watching me as if I was an alien life form, I think he was beginning to see the problem. I was not his Bella anymore, I was mine! He too slumped down the wall, I hope he realised, he'd done this to himself, let me slip through his fingers, his arrogance and unyielding attitude had destroyed us. Carlisle cleared his throat unnecessarily, he was very angry,

"Emmett and Jasper you are being sent to Denali for six months, without Rose and Alice. There you will have the pleasure of being bombarded day and night with the unwanted sexual attentions of the three succubae. Emmett, you will suffer every innuendo, every smutty remark and Jasper you can have the pleasure of all the unwanted, constant sexual emotions. You will have to put up with the girls walking in on you at inopportune times and maybe just maybe, you will feel how Bella was made to feel by you both for the last four years!"

Alice and Rose were making so much noise about this, Esme yelled,

"Be quiet, you idiots brought this on yourselves!"

Then Carlisle turned to them and they quailed, as he said,

"You two are going to live with the Amazon coven, No credit cards, no shopping, no fancy cars, nothing! You will be helping out the local tribe, in a remote village with little or no facilities. This too will be for six months, hopefully, you might learn some humility and kindness for your fellow man! Lord knows you both need it, Alice you are forbidden to act on your visions, these people had no need of them before and it is not your place to interfere in other's affairs!"

He then turned to his firstborn saying,

"Edward you are being sent to Japan, the leader of that coven is seventeen as well and has been for three thousand years! You needed to learn to grow, to see the world as it was now not in the era you were born in" Carlisle said and then asked them,

"What do you think would have happened, if I had stuck rigidly to my 17th-century ways? You all need to grow up" and he looked at Jasper saying,

"You at least should have known better, I'm beyond disappointed in your behaviour, son! What you were doing verges on being sexual harassment!"

They were all huffing and grumbling noisily, about these decisions, until Esme said,

"Clearly you are all misunderstanding us and need to be taught more of a lesson! So we'll make that a year now. Any more complaints?"

Edward looked around at the house and then asked,

"What will happen to the house, I bought it for Bella? In fact, the deeds are in her name!"

"What!" I shouted,

"It's a pity you didn't see fit to tell Bella or stop your sisters, wouldn't you say Edward? Good god, I'm embarrassed to be your parent, and not for the first time in my life!" Carlisle said shaking his head,

"I suggest you all pack now! Don't leave anything personal behind; I doubt you'll ever be invited back!" Esme ordered them with a sneer of disgust in her tone.

"I can't accept this! That's probably why I was never told. But why would you let Rose run me out, knowing this was my house and not the families, Why Edward?" I demanded,

"I, Alice said ...," he stammered,

"You knew? I thought you were my friend. Wow! Obviously not, I don't think I know or like you at this moment, Alice!" I growled as I rose and for once I actually stood looking down on her as if she was much less than me.

That had her sobbing and running for the stairs to pack, Rose sauntered slowly behind her,

"You have thirty minutes to get the fuck out of my house Rose, don't waste it!" I warned her and that moved her ass quicker.

I had nothing to say to the two men who were meant to be my brothers, so I turned my back on them. They must have known as well and I was beyond hurt, how could they do that to me? Oh yeah, I was the human! I was so ready to burst into tears, but I won't give them the satisfaction, god I'll be glad when they all go! Thirty minutes later they were heading out the door after Esme checked Alice's cases for anything that belonged to the house and not her personally. She knew her so well; I think maybe Alice is a bit of a klepto! Edward was looking at me sadly,

"I'm so sorry Bella!" he almost whispered,

"Too late, way too late! I grew up Edward, now it's your turn! Goodbye" was all I said,

Once they'd gone and we could no longer hear the cars, I just took one look at Esme and started to sob, it was so painful, I thought they'd done it all out of ignorance, but it was worse they did it on purpose.

"Did, did they never care about me, at all? Was I just a plaything to them? I loved them all as my family and they treated me like the family dog. I don't know if I can ever forgive them for this, mom!" I spoke to her with a catch in my voice,

"I know, sweetheart, but maybe one day when you're in a good enough place, you'll take pity on them! But we will never force you to accept them until you're ready, okay?" Esme told me and I nodded.

"We're so sorry Bella, we should have been more aware, seen what was going on! I never meant to let you down" Carlisle said sadly,

"I didn't see it either and it was happening to me, please don't blame yourselves, dad!" I said with a small smile,

"So what now?" I asked unsurely,

"While their father goes back to sort them out, I'll be here with you. I think we should sell this monstrosity, or rent it out, you'd get a steady income that way and then you get a nice apartment for the next couple of years, what do you say?" Esme asked and I nodded because I didn't want to live here ever again,

"Well, first off Carlisle and I need a place to live so let's start there, first thing tomorrow. Do you want to come with me to a hotel or go back to the dorm?" she asked, I looked down at myself and laughed,

"Back to the dorm, I think and I'll meet you in the morning for breakfast and help you search"

The next morning I was feeling much better about the whole thing, the issues with Edward were much different than the ones with his siblings. We were over, but I would be happy to be his sister, one day, them not so much! He just didn't let me be me; they used me and used our relationship problems against me!

"What's Carlisle going to do, while you're here?" I asked as I ate my breakfast in a small cafe in town,

"Lecture I think, he enjoys it now and then, so do I!" she answered smiling, I cocked a brow enquiringly,

"Oh, the horn-rimmed glasses, tweed jacket and mussed-up hair, might have something to do with it!" Esme said with a twinkle in her eye,

"Mom!" I said laughing right back at her,

The rest of the day was taken up looking for an apartment for me and a small house for them; my house was to be rented out, fully furnished but was being repainted to quell some of Alice's excesses. I decided I'd take my bedroom furniture as Esme had helped me pick it out in the beginning. Everything else could be reshuffled between the rooms, there was plenty. The rent made on it would cover the costs of my new one, so I was happy about that and Esme explained it could carry on that way even after we leave, to be a small permanent income for me alone. I was worried about repairs and all that, but she said their, now our lawyer would see to that for me. So here I am on the property ladder, who'd have thought it. As the weeks sailed by, I hardly missed any of the other Cullens, that's a sad indictment on them.

Nobody could believe that Esme and Carlisle were their parents, seeing as they were so nice and friendly. People asked where they had gone and we just said they hated being in the same school where their father taught so transferred away. Charlie came for a visit for my birthday and stayed at my apartment. We had meals with Carlisle and Esme and he was so happy I'd broken up with Edward. He thought I could do so much better, though he never said that to them, they and Phil were abroad and couldn't come, not that I expected them to. Soon months had passed and it was the Christmas break, I was going to Florida to see my mum, now they were home and Esme was going to Denali, to check on the boys. Carlisle was making a quick side trip to the Amazon before joining her.

Apparently, Rose was taking the separation from Emmett hard. Edward was happy in Japan and wanted to spend it there. Of them all, only Rose and Emmett were suffering, the other two not so much. That didn't really surprise me at all. I had received three letters over the months, one from Edward of course, but it was good because he knew we were done and it was his doing. Believing if he kept me ignorant, smothered and oblivious, I wouldn't grow up. The second and third were both lengthy apologies from Rose and Jasper. Rose said she knew the house was mine because Alice had told her, in fact, she'd encouraged her to mistreat me, she never said why! But that everything she had done was to get me away from Edward. She admitted she didn't care for me but was sorry for the way she'd acted; she felt that we were wrong for each other and not because of our species.

She saw how controlling he and Alice were and was trying to chase me away, not just out of the house. She also apologised on Emmett's behalf; he had no idea what was going on and would have stopped if she'd explained it to him. He really was a big kid and she had let him run amok on purpose, so not to blame him. She had now told him everything and he was devastated about his part in all that happened. Jasper to was sorry, but he admitted he initially was trying to help me seduce Edward, then just to use me to immerse himself in my emotions. Using me to alleviate his boredom and waning interest in Alice. He knew they weren't mates and because of the diet, he wasn't ready to leave. He never meant to make me so frustrated, but as time wore on it became habitual.

He also apologised for his behaviour the night of the party and said it was karma, biting him in the ass and he deserved it. He said that he was doing this year's punishment for me, then he was leaving the Cullens to return to Texas and his real family. I suggested to Carlisle that maybe, Rose and Emmett should be allowed to be together somewhere else. They were mates, after all, I still didn't want anything to do with them, but I'm not that nasty. So Rose and Emmett were going to Ireland, at the beginning of the year. Liam said he'd watch over them there. I was coming back for New Year, spending it with Carlisle and Esme at the college. This was our college's year for hosting the grand faculty gala. All the professors and lecturers from the many surrounding colleges would be there, with their husbands, wives or partners.

Esme had been roped in to help and therefore so had I. Carlisle was full of new ideas when he returned, no more high school or college, he'd decided. Everyone would make a living, he didn't care what it was but they would only attend night school if they needed new qualifications or do them online. He worked; Esme had her own business, time for the others to contribute. He was sad about Jasper, but he had a coven of his own and needed to take charge and stand on his own two feet, once again. Being a perennial teenager had not helped any of them, especially Edward. But nothing was said about Alice and I didn't ask, basically, I didn't care, she had hurt me the most. Even more than Edward really, that was a failed relationship; Alice was supposed to be my friend and my sister.

Here I am, once again getting ready for a dance. This time though I have nothing to prove, but, I am making an effort. So I'm not sloshed or hiding my thoughts, Esme and I picked out the floor-length coffee-coloured gown. It's dressy and it's much more me, blue was Alice's go-to choice, but it always washed me out as I'm so pale. But this show's off my eyes and hair so much better, giving me a warm glow. Carlisle is escorting us both, looking very dashing in his tux, while the glasses do nothing to make it look bad. Esme is stunning in gold and they make a beautiful couple. We had a small scare through the evening when a lecturer recognised Carlisle, he said he taught him at Stanford twenty years ago! Carlisle laughed and said,

"No, my uncle Carlisle probably taught you. Everyone says he should have been my father and not Pops, strong family resemblances run through ours, we both look like my grandfather! In fact, I have a painting of the original Carlisle Cullen, who came over from England and it could be me, well except for the pantaloons!"

That was enough to smooth things over and everyone laughed at his joke. But there was a worried look on Esme's face; maybe it was time for them to have a name change too. About an hour later Carlisle and Esme stiffened, not that anyone else would have seen, but I did! That meant only one thing another vampire was here, very close by. Then a deep voice said,

"Carlisle my old friend how the hell are you?", both Esme and Carlisle relaxed as they spun round to greet the other vampire,

"Garrett, I'm fine, it's been a long time, how goes it with you?" Carlisle answered grasping the very tall, dark vampire in a hug,

"Good, very good, taken a leaf out of your book and I'm trying to teach the uneducated about history!" he laughed heartily,

"Garrett, you know Esme and this is my daughter, Bella!" Carlisle said,

Garrett raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as he took Esme's hand kissing the back of it,

"Esme my dear, beautiful as ever!" he purred,

Turning to me he smiled, but as our eyes met we both froze momentarily, taking my hand in his he bent over it, his eyes never leaving mine, his lips brushed the back of it and a jolt of electricity ran up my spine,

"Holy shit!" was all I managed and he once more laughed,

"Hello, my angel! I've been waiting a long time for you!" he growled sexily,

"Well, your wait is over now!" I returned lost in his gaze, not even realising we were suddenly dancing around the ballroom,

"I hope you haven't made any plans for forever, that you will have to break?" he whispered in my ear,

"No, nothing that can't wait a few years, or decades!" I said smiling up at him,

We were now outside on a balcony and he had me held tightly against him, every inch of him and I shuddered with pleasure, a small moan leaving my mouth. He smelt like leather, chocolate and aniseed, it was a very sexy combination. I inhaled deeply and he growled when he realised what I was doing,

"You obviously know what I am, but do you know who I am, to you?" he purred, nuzzling my neck,

"Yes I do, You're Mine!" I said, my voice low and grave,

Pulling his head down and letting our lips connect for the first time, but this was like no kiss I'd ever had before. It was demanding and giving at the same time, it was as much about me as it was him. Perfect in every way, I was on cloud nine,

"Wow! So this is what being loved is meant to feel like? More, I need more!" I said deliriously happy,

"And more you shall have, for eternity, my angel," he said bending his head to my throat, just as his teeth were about to sink into my throat, we heard Carlisle say,

"Stop! Garrett, you can't!"

"Oh, I think you'll find I can and I'm going to! Bella is my mate, Carlisle, why would I wait? Only a fool or a child would pass up on eternity with his mate!" he answered then looking at me again said,

"Ready my angel?"

I nodded smiling and felt his teeth break the skin, then suddenly I was flying or it felt like I was, before I sank into oblivion. The only thoughts on my mind were my mate, my future and my forever with him!

Do We Have To Go?

I was so happy, maybe I was too happy. Is this my eternal punishment? Why me? Why do I have to go? Why do I have to be involved with them again? I know, I know, I'm whining like a child. But I have a very good reason. Four years ago I was in college, living in the dorms just like any other student. But I was not like any other anything. Because my so-called family were jealous, manipulative, lustful, oblivious and non-sexual vampires! Well maybe that's a little harsh, they weren't like that all the time. Although they were unfeeling, petty and cruel most of the time. I loved them all in the beginning and they treated me like the family pet. All except for our parents they loved me just as parents should. No matter that I was different from them since I was still human.

Out of all our screwed-up family, they loved me back. They stood by me and punished the others when the truth came out. They wanted nothing from me, but that I am happy no matter what I chose to do with my life. It just so happened I met my destiny while with them. I'm now mated, married and blissfully happy, to someone who could never belong to a family of perennial teenagers. Why? Well, it's simple he's a man, not a child pretending to be one. Even Jasper didn't behave like a grown-up and that really hurt, he should have known better.

"Do we have to go Garrett?" I asked after handing him back the fancy flock and gold embossed Christmas invitation,

"Oh yes, it's a royal decree I'm afraid, Liberty. At least it's at the Denali Coven in Alaska and not the Cullen's newest place. Won't you be happy the see Esme and Carlisle again? You haven't seen them since our wedding" he answered rubbing my back gently,

"Them yes, of course. The other's not so much! Well, maybe Emmett too. I can't blame him for being duped by his bitch of a wife!" I said sighing overdramatically,

"Well alright my sexy mate, now go put on some shit hot boots and let's get going," he said smirking at me and I laughed along with him,

Garrett knew how to cheer me up and had a serious fetish for boots. No, his fetish was for me in boots would be more like it. I had told him all about the Puss in Boots outfit and he had asked Esme to ship out all my stuff including the boots. The first time I could dress myself without his help, after my change. I put them on with a black thong and strapless bra, which I had secreted amongst my stuff. Well, a girl can dream and I did often back then. That was all I was wearing and he, well let's say he was basically incoherent for a couple of minutes and then went serious caveman on me. This had been exactly the reaction I'd been looking for the last time I wore those boots and only got it partially from Jasper. So needless to say I was a very happy girl now.

That was a night and day to remember and since then I wear nothing but boots of some description because my man loves me in them and I love to please him. It's a win-win situation. Oddly enough Garrett and I have so many things in common. Not liking exactly everything, but more than half of our interests were so similar. It made me realise how wrong my relationship with Edward was. He liked a few certain things, his outlook was very narrow as I recall and he expected me to also like them, just because he did. Not once taking my age or lack of vampire years into account. But relationships don't work like that; there should be give and take as well as common ground. Garrett had smiled at my revelations and told me,

"Of course we do, we were made for each other Liberty,"

He called me that all the time, as in, yes you guessed it 'The Liberty Bell', said I was his guiding light and his saviour from the monotony of his nomadic life, his freedom ringing out into the darkness that was his life. He's an old romantic at heart and had explained all about mates and it made perfect sense to me. This was something I should have been told long ago. But then if I'd known the truth, Edward couldn't have fooled me into believing he was my mate. Carlisle and Esme shared a passion for theatre, but not always the same plays, but theatre in general. Emmett and Rose liked doing lots of things together, mainly sex but were happy in each other's company. Just being together and themselves. Jasper and Alice, I remembered had nothing in common, just as Edward and I hadn't.

In fact, they were the most mismatched pair I'd ever met. I mentioned it to Garrett and he laughed,

"They, similar to you weren't mate's just companions. As much as Alice tried to convince everyone including Jasper otherwise. But he would never have been sexually aroused by you if she was his mate. It's a physical impossibility and one that keeps mates together. Attracted to you yes, because we're not blind.

Did you know he left the Cullens after his stint in Alaska with the Denali's? Returned to his own coven and Peter was ecstatic about it. He told me he asked the Major what woke him up at last and all Jasper said was. 'A little bird Peter, a clever little bird'. I'm guessing that was you Liberty" Garrett answered,

Before throwing his arm around my shoulders.

"You want to drive or will me?" he asked,

I loved that, he always asked for my input and was very drama-free, unlike Edward who made eating lunch into a ten-part soap opera or one of those boring documentaries on the value of healthy eating portions! Garrett wasn't really happy about Jasper, but it was before we met and he said he would let it lie. If it happened again that would be a different matter altogether. It wasn't Jasper that bothered me, it was Edward! No matter how much he's got his shit together as Carlisle has continually told me he had as if I cared. I had a feeling he wouldn't take seeing me and Garrett together very well. Oh, he knew and pitched a bitch-fit when he heard that not only was I mated, I was now a vampire. Something he never wanted for me, because he wanted to savour my blood until I died of natural causes.

How now it was Garrett who had all the things Edward had denied himself and that worried me a little. I didn't want any bother happening in a stranger's home over Christmas and I'm sure Edward won't even consider I might kill him if he tries to attack Garrett because that's what real mates do! Well, be it on their own heads if they try to piss me off or put me down again. I'm not the weak helpless Bella they treated badly anymore, I'm stronger, much more resilient and a damn good fighter nowadays if I do say so myself. I'm Garrett's 'Liberty Bell' nowadays and not the blushing klutz Bella Swan, they used to know. Hey, that would make an awesome stage name or a cage fighter's name! I could get a black leather jacket with it printed on the back, hell I sound like a biker chick!

Oh, bikes, I wonder how Garrett would like that. The freedom, the wind in your hair, yeah, bikes next I think. A late Christmas present to us both sounds good to me.

"You drive it's good practise for you, baby. Lots of different terrains and all that" I said kissing his chin,

Since normally I couldn't reach his face anywhere even standing on my tip-toes, that's where boots came in handy. They gave me a few needed extra inches and made me feel good. I never had great balance back then, but now it was awesome. Hell, I could do a one-handed cartwheel in those original boots now. That was one truth Alice had told me, good expensive footwear made you feel more confident, better within yourself. I love how they made my legs look longer and seem shapelier. I wasn't a fashion guru or anything but I knew what I liked and what made me look good. You know all those things that come with age. I had only started to teach Garrett to drive recently and for someone who had never been around cars, he picked it up really quickly.

We didn't need a car or truck to start with and then he was happy for me to drive when we got one. But he didn't drive like a maniac, no he liked to roll down the windows and chill. Driving at a pace where we could see everything at our leisure. He was so unlike the Cullen males and females except for Carlisle, he liked to enjoy the journey too. Garrett even deferred to me about what kind of transport to get. We settle on a truck, four-wheel drive, a good sat-nav and radio. It didn't need to be the most expensive or latest model either. He was happy with whatever I picked. I felt like his partner, his equal and that was a new feeling for me in the beginning. He explained he wanted to share his life with me, not be my controller or father. Yes, we have arguments, yes we disagree now and then, but we also have great make-up sex and talked it out eventually.

Garrett doesn't want or need to hide things from me, he needs me as much as I need him and that's one of the reasons I love him. He's not afraid to let me see his vulnerable side.

"So, why exactly are we being summoned? It's just Caius Volturi you said, so why does he want every vampire in America there? Besides the fact it's Christmas," I asked totally confused,

"He wants every male vampire, it's his mate Athenodora that wants the females there," Garrett said nonchalantly,

"What? Why?" I demanded now, I was more confused and I hated feeling out of the loop,

"Caius does this every twenty years or so, he pretends it's a chore placed on him by Aro, coming to visit the covens in North America. But in reality, it's 'The Tournament'! He gathers all the males and we fight, we fight until there is only one left standing. So far it's always him, but this time the Major will be there and this I want to see. Hell, everyone wants to see that match" Garrett says with a little excitement in his tone,

"And the women? I hope she doesn't expect me to fight?" I bluster, I know I can but I don't want to.

"No baby, she is starved of female company and uses the time to build bonds and get all the news and gossip as it were. I think Tanya said last time she topped up on her wardrobe too!" Garrett explains to me and I think, damn not another one!

"So how come Jasper wasn't there before? Were the Cullens not involved?" I enquire slightly perplexed,

"Hell no! Carlisle would have blabbed to his good friend Aro. Emmett would have loved it though" he said nodding to himself,

"But they are going this time why?" I ask, now totally mystified,

"You! They were a very naughty coven and Carlisle wouldn't want Aro to know. Somehow Caius found out and he has demanded Carlisle attend and all his coven too. Jasper will come with the other Whitlocks" Garrett says as he pulls off the slip road.

It was going to be a long journey from Ohio to Denali, Alaska, about four thousand miles, give or take a couple of hundred. But nothing really to vampires who can drive all day and night. It will only be stopping for gas and once for food and the dreaded Christmas shopping. I needed to get something for the Denali's and of course Athenodora too. Every year I got something for Carlisle and Esme anyway. Thank goodness for tinted windows, we wouldn't be seen sparkling like disco balls by the humans. I was unsure of why we had given ourselves so much time. That was until Garrett reminded me of his promise to make love to me in every state in America one day. Well, I'm not going to argue with that, now, am I?

Well, we're here and by here I mean Denali Alaska. It's beautiful; no it's stunningly beautiful in a peaceful otherworldly way. This should be classed as one of those 'Seven Wonders of the World', not a manmade edifice in sight but nature at her best, her purest. I'm truly blown away by it, the sheer majestic panorama before me, it epitomises Christmas without there being one lit-up tree or decorations in sight. Nothing could spoil this for me, well nothing but that! That being the whining noise known as Alice Cullen, followed closely by the acidic barbs of Rosalie Hale. Looks like they learned nothing in the last four years colour me surprised, not! I deployed my shield around Garrett and myself as we stood gazing towards the snow-wrapped mountains.

Their caps glinting in the dying sunlight, which was turning everything to molten gold. In the last four years, I had not only found out I was a shield but could manipulate it to be a solid barricade or a soundproof barrier. It could also be turned reflective and make us virtually invisible, taking on the appearance of the world around us. Only someone looking for it could distinguish it from the real view before them.

"Where are they? Their truck is here, so where are they? Doesn't she know it's rude to keep us waiting?" Alice whinged from behind me,

I couldn't help it; I just reacted and wrapped a tiny shield around her vocal cords, silencing her right away. There were several sighs of relief from inside the house, or should that be a cabin. It was the grandest one I've ever seen, but it blended in with the scenery and felt right. I dropped my main shield as we turned around and saw her eyes widen comically,

"If you want to keep your voice for the next century, Alice, I suggest you shut that gaping hole in your face while near me! Because the only person around here who's being rude as usual is you" I said in barely a whisper, no need to shout everyone could hear me clearly,

Rose opened her mouth to say something and I raised an eyebrow and she shut it again with a snap. Not quite as dumb that one, but she'll blot her copybook eventually. She won't be able to stop herself, because Rose is just as arrogant as Alice. A beautiful Latin American vampire rushed out and introduced herself to me, already knowing Garrett.

"Merry Christmas and welcome to Denali, I'm Carmen. Please come in, both of you, we have a room ready for you" she said in a friendly, gentle voice,

As I passed Alice I released her and I hoped, but wouldn't be holding my breath, that she would learn.

"Yes, I organised this whole Event and chose your room for you," Alice said with a smug voice and of course, it set me off,

"Why? Isn't this the Denali's home? Why would you be involved in something that has nothing to do with you? Oh, I forgot Alice, you're a control freak, you're a manipulative nosey bitch. Is it wired for sound and cameras too? Is that how you used to keep tabs on them all before when they weren't aware! Like you did to me" I said smiling at her as she stood shocked that I knew her secret,

"What?" Carmen roared and I saw the three sisters run for their rooms,

"Get out of our home; you are not welcome here ever again!" the strawberry blonde said almost spitting venom in Alice's face when she returned,

One by one everyone who had a room returned with a bug or camera and held it up before crushing them and Esme and Carlisle looked beyond horrified.

"Emmett search our home too and bring back anything you find," he said sadly,

Alice turned to flee and ran straight into Rose who lifted her by her throat and shook her like a doll.

"How did only you know Bella?" Esme asked me, sadly shaking her head,

I explained how I knew she was using more than visions when she interfered in the mundane, the non-decision-based things. How I would go to pick out underwear while in the dorms and she would text me saying not the black wear the white or blue. I knew I made no decisions so I searched for surveillance equipment. I never said anything because I never dreamed she'd do it to them as well, plus I thought if I the human had worked it out they would have too long ago. That it was obvious the visions she had always favoured her and I guessed they were not real visions at all. Seems I was the only one.

"You watched our intimate and alone times? You sick piece of trash!" Rose yelled and threw her into the lake fifty feet away,

"Never a dull moment around you Bella, I see. Merry Christmas to you both, I'm Tanya, welcome to our home and rest assured you will not be expected to take your relaxation in that pink monstrosity Alice prepared for you" the strawberry blonde said hugging me then Garrett, before ushering us inside.

"What's going on? Why is Emmett tearing our home apart? I couldn't get a coherent thought from him; it was as if he was refusing to think about anything at all. Especially since he was destroying everything Alice owned!" Edward said as he sauntered nonchalantly into the house as if he owned it,

You could hear Alice screaming from the lake where I was keeping her floating in a half-filled with water, bubble. The consensus was that Caius and his mate would decide Alice's fate, Carlisle was devastated that he allowed someone like that to have an important role in the family. Garrett and I ascended the stairs then and he said over his shoulder,

"Carlisle, if I were you I'd be checking the money by now. Time to pull your head out of your ass old man and find out what the bitch was really up to!"

I refused to turn around I didn't need to see Edward's face, to witness his censure. I could feel him probing my shield to access Garrett's thoughts. Hell in for a penny and all that! I cloaked every mind in the cabin by wrapping part of my shield around Edward's mind and kept on following Tanya.

"Why can't I hear anyone's thoughts?" he practically whined,

I bet everyone else hated the Cullens had been invited to the Christmas tournament. Between them, Alice and Edward had probably turned it into a three-ringed circus. Maybe Carlisle and Esme would finally see what I saw all those years ago. Nobody liked them, they were nosey, rude and bullies, especially when their parents weren't there. Everything had to be their way or no way at all and I'm sorry but the world, human or vampire doesn't revolve around the Cullen children and it never will!