Chapter 16:

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I was so stunned that I couldn't think straight nor speak when I walked into my house. The scene was replaying over and over again in my head. The smoothness, the softness of Tanya's lips on mine was still there. The pleasurable energy still burnt through me.

I blinked, numbly walking up the stairs to my room where I shut the door behind me. I took in deep breaths as I stared down at the floor. The image just kept appearing in front of my mind like a broken record.

I leaned against the wooden door and I ran my hand through my hair. Tanya had kissed me. The blonde Denali vampire had actually kissed me goodnight. I could still feel her hand on my cheek caressing it as her lips caressed mine.

I took in a deep breath. Oh god, did that really just happen? Am I seriously getting involved with another vampire after the Cullens? Why am I suddenly questioning this? Wasn't I fine with it earlier? I did say I wanted Tanya…except now I'm not sure. Oh god, what is happening to me?

I knotted my hands in my hair, hoping the pain would distract me from the thoughts buzzing around in my mind, but it did nothing. The pestering thoughts were still there, the softness, the cold, the caress…it was all there.

I growled in frustration and stuffed my hand into my bag and pulled out my phone. I slid the phone open and dialed the one number that I always knew would help me focus. I held the phone to my ear, listening to it ring and ring as my anxiety grew.

Then, "Bella?"

I sighed in relief and smiled at his familiar voice. I could feel the sanity start to seep into me. "Jake," I said.

"Hey, Bella, is everything alright? You don't usually call this late unless you can't sleep," he said, and I could feel his scowl through the phone. In the background I could hear the other members laughing and talking. He must have been at Emily's.

I took in a shaky breath. "I-I don't know what I'm doing, Jake," I said. I set my head back against the door. "I feel like I'm going to go insane if I can't get this out."

"Get what out?" he asked. "Bella, what's going on? Do you need us to come up there?"

I wasn't able to reply when there was a scuffle. I could hear a few growls and then another familiar voice came through the phone, "Bella, you're on speaker. If you're in trouble tell us know and we'll be there in less than four hours to kick the ass of whoever it is."

I smiled at little at Sam's voice. I shook my head. "No, it's not something like that, Sam," I assured. I took in a deep breath. "It's just…there is a coven up here-vegetarian like the Cullens."

"Vampires?" Paul growled through the phone.

I nodded. "Yes," I confirmed. "They are the Cullens' cousins-the Denalis. I met them about a week after my second chemo here. It was actually just one at the time, but after I met her I met the rest of her family."

"Are they a threat?" Embry asked from the background.

I shook my head. "No, they aren't." I swallowed. "I-I just…One of them, the first one I met, is Tanya. She…she's started to pursue a relationship with me. I didn't think anything of her advances at first since we didn't know each other well, but after I started to meet her family and get dragged onto shopping trips…God, I'm an idiot."

"Bella," Emily's gentle voice said through the phone. She was much easier to relate too than the boys at times like this. "Can you please slow down and explain some?"

I nodded and took in another deep breath. "I met Tanya in a bookstore up here. She doesn't know who Charlie and I are. I haven't told her or her family my last name or where we are from. After we first met, I thought it would be like a relationship the Cullens had with any human; almost non-existent.

"However, she introduced me to her sisters and the rest of her family. They began to take me in the like the Cullens did, but it was different. It was like…like they were trying to carefully embrace me in the family.

"Tanya began to pursue a relationship with me. I didn't really notice it at first, and I didn't want to believe it until others started to point it out. I-I just…I just didn't want to believe it, but…she and I grew closer. We went out tonight and…and…" I trailed off, my breathing picked up when I thought of the kiss.

"And what, Bella?" Leah asked from the background. "Did something about the date go wrong?"

I shook my head. "No, it was…it was perfect. That's the problem. It was amazing and…and she kissed me goodnight before I left her car. It wasn't on the cheek or the corner of my mouth. It was a literal kiss, and…and I just…" I growled into the phone. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel like I just can't get away from her. It's like something sucked me in, but I can't get out and I don't want to."

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. "I think I'm going crazy. I just don't know what to do."

The line was silent for a moment as none of the wolves spoke. They didn't even talk in the background until Sam finally asked, "To be clear, they are not a threat?"

"Sam!" Emily shouted. I could hear her steal the phone from him and then asked, "Does she make you happy?"

I nodded, not even having to think about it. "More than I would like to admit," I muttered. "I feel like I have no control of it around her."

There was muttering in the background as the wolves talked amongst themselves. Then, Jacob spoke into the phone again, "This Tanya, she's a vampire, correct?"

"Yes."

"She is the Cullens' cousin?"

"Yes."

"She's into you?"

"Yes."

"She's made the perfect date and kissed you?"

"…yes."

"Does she make you happy?"

"Yes."

"Go for it."

"What?" I asked, my brows shooting up. Had I heard him right? Was Jacob, my best friend who was a shifter who hated vampires, telling me to go for a relationship with one?

"Go for it," he repeated. "From what it sounds like, this is more than what you had with Fuckward. This Tanya chick, she's actually going to make you happy, and we want you to be happy."

"But-"

"No, buts," Seth cut in. "You're a sister to us, Bella. We want you to be happy with your life-even if it involves vampires. If Tanya cares about you, and makes you happy, go for it. We're happy if you're happy."

I blinked, silent for a moment. I could feel the weight of everything, the panic, immediately vanish from Seth's words. "Really?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Of course, B," Leah said. "We may not like leeches, but this Tanya, if she really does mean well, then she'll be the best thing that ever happened to you. We don't want to keep you from that."

I smiled, relaxing against the door. "So…What should I do?" I asked.

"Talk to her," Jared said. "If you two are not sure about it, then sort it out. Maybe even come clean about who you are. It could help build up what you guys want."

I nodded. "Okay…I'll talk to her."

"Good. And be calm," Emily said. "This woman means a lot to you, Bella. And I don't want you fainting because you forgot to breathe in her presence."

I smiled. "Thanks, Emily."

"Of course. Now, get to planning and go to bed. You need your rest," she ordered. Just like that, the line was closed and I pulled my phone away from my ear.

I looked down at the call screen of the phone. I took in a few breaths, calming myself down as I closed my phone. I was going to sleep on what the Pack said, then I would come up with a plan.

I splashed water on my face the next morning, making sure I was wide awake. I had been thinking things over for a while, deciding how I would go about the thing with Tanya. I had planned out several strategies, several plans, but in the end I decided I would be patient and calm. I would go where the conversation did and didn't demand anything too harsh.

I walked out of the bathroom to downstairs where Charlie was drinking a coffee at the bar. He was reading the newspaper, taking his eyes off of it to look up at me, "Morning, Bells."

I smiled and kissed his cheek before I moved towards the cabinets where my drink was stored. "Morning, Dad," I replied.

"Did you sleep well?"

I nodded giving a small shrug as I came to the cabinet pulling it open. "I guess so. I wasn't bothered by any dreams or anything, so I guess that's a good sign," I said.

"Mm-hmm," he hummed, flipping the page. "How was the date?"

I paused for a moment and smiled a little. I could feel the slight blush rising on my cheeks and he hummed. A small smile pulled on the corner of his lips. "That good?"

I nodded grabbing a V8. "It was…perfect," I breathed. "She didn't pressure me into anything, and she was protective of me when a few guys wouldn't stop asking for our numbers. It was…great."

He nodded, studying me. "And did…anything happen on this date?"

I knew that Charlie wouldn't really like the idea of Tanya and me, but I also knew he wouldn't keep me away from what kept me happy. I rubbed the back of my neck with a small nod. "Yeah, uh, she…" I bit my lip. "She kissed me."

His brow rose. "Kissed you?"

I nodded, blushing a little more. "It was a goodnight kiss."

He hummed, frowning. "Was she respectful about it or was she the only one acting?" he asked.

I pursed my lips, opening the bottle at the sudden need to occupy myself with something. "I was surprised by it," I admitted, "but she didn't take advantage of me. It was just a small peck." I took a drink of the bottle in my hands.

He nodded, studying me with his dark eyes quizzically. "And you enjoyed yourself?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Will something come out of this?"

I slowly nodded, unsure how he would react. "I think so, yes." I turned to look at him in the eye. "I'm going to talk to her about it, make sure we are both on the same page, and if we are…I'll let it unfold."

Charlie was silent for a moment, taking a drink of his coffee as I drank from my V8. We sat in neither comfortable nor awkward silence while he thought and slowly drank the liquid from the cup. His expression was considerate, concentrating with several thoughts going through his mind at once as he processed the new information, seeing where he stood. Then, he set it down and nodded. "I'm happy if you are."

I smiled.

I bounced on the balls of my feet as I waited outside of Stella's Café. I thought it would be a good place for Tanya and me to meet in town. It wasn't too far from my house to walk and we could easily speak to each other, and then do whatever the heck else we needed to.

I had called Tanya this morning after talking to Charlie while I got ready for the day and asked her to meet me at Stella's at noon. She had agreed immediately and wouldn't let me off the phone until we exchanged about five goodbyes in all.

I stretched my arms over my head, looking at the time on the clock that hung above the register through the window. It was just a minute before twelve. I knew vampires were pretty punctual, so I wouldn't be surprised if-

A familiar Porsche suddenly appeared down the road and slowed from the rapid speed. I could barely see Tanya through the windshield as she slid in on the curb, pulling the car to a stop in front of me. She put it in park and turned it off before she opened the driver's door and climbed out. The bright smile that immediately adorned her face had one pull at the corners of my own mouth in return with a flutter in my stomach.

Tanya closed her car door and strode around her car, smiling happily. "Bella," she greeted in her usual smooth voice. I swore the smile was never going to falter as it seemed to turn into a grin when she stood in front of me.

"Tanya," I replied with a smile in return.

The blonde vampire reached her arms out and wrapped me into a tight embrace. I returned it this time, not afraid to let my emotions get the best of me. Now, when I wasn't in denial, I was ready to hold Tanya and frankly I wanted to hold her for longer. The sensation of her body against mine was pleasurable and memorable.

She, however, pulled away to let her lips press into my cheek. "What was it that you wanted to talk about?" she asked.

I pulled my head away from hers and removed myself from her arms, but took her hand in mine and twined our fingers together. I jerked my chin towards the café. "Let's talk about it inside," I suggested. "I've been dying to have some coffee."

Tanya chuckled with a nod and let me lead us inside of the café. "Well, we wouldn't want you to suffer your craving any longer now, would we?" she teased, giving my shoulder a small nudge.

I shrugged as her free hand grabbed the door handle, pulling it open to hold it for me. I gave her a small smile of thanks. "You can't blame me," I defended. "Their coffee is like a gift from the Lord himself with how delicious it tastes."

Tanya released the door when I walked through and quickly leaned forward to place a kiss on the corner of my mouth, making me stiffen. Her lips brushed the shell of my ear lightly as she leaned away to whisper huskily into my ear, "I think you're a gift from God himself, my Bella."

A blush painted my cheeks and my heart fluttered a little. Gods, I moaned in my head. Why are vampires so good with words? It's unfair, really. Why can't there be a socially awkward one that gets tongue tied? Is that too much to ask?

Tanya smirked at my reaction and pulled us the rest of the way to the register. Max had his head down, currently doing something on his phone that appeared to be a game. He was oblivious to our presence as his tongue stuck out of the corner of his mouth, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tapped the screen.

Tanya and I glanced at each other, sharing a look of amusement. We smirked, and turned back to the oblivious young man. I stepped up to the register for my body to be leaning against the edge, still unnoticed by him. I leaned forward, peering over to "look" at the screen as Tanya held my hand still, chuckling behind me.

Max nodded. "Yes, yes…" he breathed, most likely nearing a high score he had been trying to beat for a long time.

"What're you doing there?"

I wasn't even able to finish my sentence before he jumped with a small scream, making those present immediately look in our direction when his phone became airborne. He quickly juggled the device, a look of panic and fear in his eyes as I began to laugh my ass off with Tanya.

I clutched onto my side as the boy growled, glaring at me. "Dammit, Bella!" he cursed. He held up his hand, holding his thumb and forefinger barely a centimeter apart. "I was this close to beating my high score!"

I grinned through my laughs, wiping tears from my eyes as Tanya started to calm down. "Pay attention more, Max," I said. I tried to sound like I was scolding him, but my laughter made it impossible.

"Then perhaps next time you won't scream like a girl," Tanya backed up, giving him a smug grin as his eyes moved to glare at the blonde vampire with a snort.

He stuffed his phone into his pocket and everyone in the café began to go back to their business slowly, a few still listening or examining the scene when they noticed me with Tanya. It wasn't really that surprising, since I had gotten stares in high school; it was only natural to presume the same would happen here with how similar Denali was to Forks in that way.

Max looked at us. "What do you guys want?" he asked.

I smiled at him. "My usual latte, please," I said. "Without your spit or hair in it please."

He snorted. "We'll see," he grumbled. He typed in the order, but I could see the faintest hint of a smile on his lips as he looked up at Tanya. "And you?"

She shook her head. "Nothing for me, Max, thanks."

He nodded and cashed the order. "Your total is five dollars and ninety cents," he said as he read off the screen.

I nodded, about to reach into my pocket to pull out a ten when Tanya beat me to it, thrusting ten bucks out towards him. "Keep the change, Max," she said, ignoring the glare I was clearly sending towards her head.

Max smiled, giving me a small glance that he smirked at before he nodded. "Sure thing," he said, taking the money. "I'll bring your coffee to you when it's ready."

"Thanks, Max," Tanya said and then shuffled us off towards the table we had first sat at together in the café.

I sank into the booth, soon followed by Tanya. She held my hand on top of the table, our fingers still laced together as I threw her a glare. "You didn't have to pay for me, you know," I said.

She nodded with a small smirk. "Of course I know," she said. She kissed the corner of my mouth. "But I wanted to."

I sighed, ignoring the stares that were being cast our way from the affectionate gesture. "Rich people," I grumbled with a shake of my head.

Tanya raised her brow. "Excuse me?"

"Rich people, you have to pay for everything." I gave her a small nudge. "It's a little annoying, you know."

Tanya smiled cheekily and chuckled. She bumped her shoulder into mine affectionately. "Well, it is my job to annoy you and pamper you to the best of my abilities, Bella," she clarified. "Otherwise I would be doing a terrible job at my occupation."

I hummed, not really answering as Max walked over, my coffee in his hand. He smiled at us as he leaned forward, setting it on the table. "Your vanilla latte, Bella, completely spit and hair free," he said, giving a small impish grin at the end.

I gave him a small salute. "I thank you, sir."

He bowed. "You're welcome, ma'am," he said, straightening. The door opened as another customer walked in. He looked over at the older man and then back to us. "I must return to my duties. Have a pleasant day, ma'am and madam."

"You as well, sir," Tanya replied with a small dip of her head. Max gave another bow, turned and walked back to the register to take the customer's order.

I brought the cup to my lips, sipping the warm liquid to let it flow down my throat and warm my body. It was a strange contrast to feel; having Tanya pressed so close to me to have her cold skin radiate onto my own while I drank the warm liquid. It was a sensation that I hadn't felt before, and I kind of liked it.

Tanya turned her attention to me as I drank from the coffee. "So," she said, "what was it you wanted to talk about?"

I swallowed and set the cup down on the table. "I just want to talk about last night is all," I replied easily.

The blonde stiffened slightly next to me, but did her best to keep her cool as she nodded. "Alright," she spoke neutrally, "like what?"

I cocked my head. "The kiss would be a good place to start," I said, "and the park would be a good one too since you looked ready to murder the boys who interrupted us."

Tanya scowled. "Can you blame me?" she huffed. "I had wanted to do that for such a long time, and when we were barely an inch away they had to ruin a perfect moment." She grumbled something under her breath that I didn't quite catch.

I chuckled, squeezing her hand. "I guess I can't, no, though you could give me some warning next time. That way I don't have to practically drive the poor souls away."

She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Fine," she agreed, "but don't think you can't give me warning so I can keep you from tearing someone's head off next time." She gave me a small shove.

I raised my free hand in mock surrender. "Alright, alright."

Tanya smiled and I took another drink of the coffee. She cocked her head, her smile disappearing to a fragile one as she scooted closer. "You were alright with that, weren't you?" she asked, her voice timid. "With the kiss?"

I paused in my drinking for a moment before I swallowed and set the cup down. I took her hands in mine, both of them. "It took me by surprise," I admitted, "but I won't deny that I wanted it."

A smile pulled on her lips as she leaned forward, pecking my lips. "I'm glad you wanted it as much as I did," she purred. "I can assure you I wanted it probably far longer than you, though."

I bit my lip when she pulled away, giving a small nod as I felt the stares of the room bore into us. From the corner of my eye, I could see a few young boys gawking at us, probably shocked that I had been the one Tanya picked when they had fantasized about her for so long.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "What are we?" I asked, looking up at her. "Are we friends or…more than that?"

Tanya blinked away a small flicker in her eye. I knew that look. It the look of an instinct rising that they had to fight down. I had seen it around the Cullens and my blood many times. She cleared her throat, tightening her hold on my hands. "We can be whatever you want to be," she said smoothly.

"And what is it you want?" I asked.

She looked at our hands linked together, than back at me. She leaned forward, kissing the corner of my mouth. "You know what I want," she breathed in my ear.

I closed my eyes and shuddered.

Tanya pulled away from me, smirking a little at my reaction to her. She ran the pad of her thumb over the back of my hand. "Is that what you want, Bella?" she asked, her voice was laced with hope, but somehow still fragile and ready for rejection.

I took in a deep breath and nodded, turning my eyes to meet hers. Tanya was beaming when I looked at her. "Yes," I admitted. "I-I do want that."

Her eyes lit up, her hand squeezing mine. "Really?"

I nodded again, smiling. "Yes," I said.

Tanya grinned and moved to have an arm wrapped around my waist. She leaned forward, resting our foreheads together. I closed my eyes as she let out a small sigh of relief. "I thought you would reject me," she breathed.

I scowled and shook my head. "Why would I?"

She leaned back slightly, releasing my hand to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear with a shrug. "Perhaps you wouldn't feel the same, or I had moved too fast for your comfort."

I shook my head. "No," I said. "I think you did the right thing last night. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the courage to do this." It was cheesy, but I didn't care when I leant forward and placed my lips on hers once more. The touch was an instant pleasure, soft and loving as Tanya held me close with her arm.

My free hand grabbed her neck to pull her closer to deepen the kiss. I enjoyed kissing Tanya more than I did Edward. Tanya actually held me-kissed me. Edward just held me like I was glass or a porcelain doll he was going to break.

I held fast onto her neck, enjoying the gentle but full kiss Tanya was giving me. It would have lasted longer if my lungs hadn't started to scream for air. I pulled back, gasping for breath and Tanya stared at me; looking awestruck with her golden eyes.

She stroked my cheekbone affectionately. "Does this mean Charlie won't shoot me when he finds out?" she teased.

I nodded, chuckling. "He won't," I assured.

"Good." She leaned forward and pressed another kiss to my lips. This one was short, but it still held just as much passion as the others. She drew her nose along my jaw, taking in a deep breath of my scent that reminded me so much of Edward. "God, I've wanted you for so long…"

I closed my eyes, trying to keep my cool from all the flabbergasted stares as she pressed a small kiss to my neck. "Tanya?"

"Hmm?" she hummed, leaning away from my jaw and neck.

I bit my lip, looking down. I had planned on telling Tanya everything. I wanted to tell both her and her family. They all had a right to know exactly what my life was. "There is…more I need to tell you."

She raised her brow. "What do you mean?" she asked. She then narrowed her eyes. "Is something wrong? You haven't gotten sicker, have you?"

I shook my head. "No, it's not that," I said. I took in a deep breath. "There is just one more thing I need to tell you and your family. If it's alright, I'd like to tell you all at once."

Tanya scowled slightly, but nodded. "Alright," she agreed. She pulled back to take my hand and lace our fingers together. "We can go now if you'd like?"

I nodded, smiling a little at her to help with the concerned look she was throwing at me. I squeezed her hand. "Please."