11-15

11

"Is this really necessary?"

"It's for your protection. I don't trust those dogs for anything let alone your own safety."

As usual in Forks the weather was cold and dreary, no sunshine to be seen in the sky. Which made it even more eery since we were about to meet the werewolves of La Push. They didn't know about me yet but I knew once they did all hell would break loose.

I felt even more silly because everyone stood in front of me like they were my own personal bodyguard. I was also wearing one of Rose's jackets to try and cover my scent. I highly doubt this will work but they have to try something.

The wolves apparently still didn't trust my family so we were meeting at the line that separated us from them. We were in the woods to help make our meeting more private. Less humans the better.

"How much longer until they arrive? I want this to be over now."

"Rose.." I didn't get to finish my sentence because rustling in the bushes brought us to attention that we were no longer alone.

That's when three men emerged from the trees. Sam, Jared, and Paul. All three of them were shirtless and only had cutoff shorts on. Which meant that their abs were on full display, and man were the ripped.

It was easy to tell who was who. Sam stood in the middle and was taller than the other two. His whole form screamed power and authority. He looked to be on edge as if this whole situation bothered him. The shortest was Jared, he had a calm look situated on his face but his eyes looked guarded. You could easily tell who Paul was, his face held anger and frustration. The famous La Push hot head.

I had to stop myself from laughing because the looks on everyones faces told me who much they stunk. Emmett being Emmett couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Great, wet dog smell just what I asked for."

"Watch it leech, you don't smell like flowers and sunshine either." Now I understand why not to piss off Paul.

"Paul, calm down." Sam looked at him briefly before looking back at us. Carlisle took a step forward which made the three of them growl. He didn't say anything about it but made sure not to move any further.

"Hello, I am Carlisle and this is my family. I understand that you wanted to speak with us."

Sam took a step forward also which made my family look uneasy and Rosalie was already on edge. "I'm Sam, the alpha of this pack. I know that you made a treaty with the ancestors of this tribe and want to make sure you stand by that."

"Of course. We still hunt animals and do not harm anyone." The three of them looked at us and I instantly knew they were counting how many of us there were. When the treaty was first made, it was only Carlisle, Esme, Edward, and Rosalie. The Cullen's had grown since the last time and no doubt that they took notice to it.

"You've grown since the last time you were here. There were four before, now there are eight of you. I expect that each of them know about the guidelines."

"Of course they do. We will not harm anybody and will keep on our side of the land." Sam seemed to take in this information and nodded.

"Then I believe this meeting is over."

Carlisle nodded and offered a little smile. "Very well." The three of them looked at everyone of us before turning around and starting to walk away. I was beyond relieved that everything was still ok, that I let out a breath that I had been holding in. That went better than expected.

However, one of them froze as if he heard my breath. Crap, I forgot about their werewolf super hearing.

"Wait." Jared turned around and looked at each of us more closely which made Sam and Paul turn around too. Since the dogs started to leave, my family started to leave also. Which meant that I was no longer behind any of them, I was on full display for the wolves to figure out I was in fact human. As if sensing my thoughts, Jared immediately zeroed in on me and realized instantly that I was a human. Guess I spoke too soon.

"You have a human!" My eyes widened and Rose and Edward instantly got in front of my trying to block me from their view.

Everyone except for Carlisle and Esme were growling. "Would you care to explain to us why you have a human with you?"

Sam looked to be in the most control but I knew he could burst into a wolf at any moment.

I shoved myself between Rosalie and Edward so the three of them could get a good look at me.

"I have a name you know."

"Sophie." Carlisle gave me a look that said to be quiet. He turned back to them and started to explain our situation. "We found Sophie in a car wreck when she was six years old. Both of her parents died, she had no one else to take care of her so we adopted her."

"A family of vampires adopted a human girl. I think this alone breaks the treaty. She's basically a walking buffet table to them!" I can clearly see why Paul is such a hot head. He was starting to shake more uncontrollably and I knew he could shift at any moment.

"Will everyone just shut up and calm down for one second!" Everything seemed to still at that moment and everyone turned to me since I was the one who yelled at them. "I am not a human buffet to anyone dog!" Ok, maybe that was a little harsh. Everyone except Paul looked amused.

"Yes, I am a human girl who happens to be seventeen years old. I've been with the Cullen's for eleven years and I have been loved throughout this whole time. Not once has anyone of them tried to hurt me. They are my family and they would never hurt me. If you can't see that then your blind."

Everything was silent after that for a little while. Sam just kept looking at me to study my face I guess. After a while, he finally nodded seeing that I was telling the truth.

"I can tell that she means a lot to you, so we will not harm any of you. However, the treaty abides to her too. She will not become a vampire and if she is bitten by anyone of you then the treaty is broken."

Carlisle nodded and smiled in understanding. "Thank you." All three of them looked at me a little longer before turning around and heading back into the forest. The looks that they have given me sent goose bumps up my arms. They all looked like they wanted to protect me from the Cullen's but they looked insulted that I stood by my family.

"Everything is ok Sophie." Carlisle came up to me wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him back and felt comfort from his action.

I nodded my head. "Thank you." He smiled down at me as I looked up at him.

"Come on. Let's go home." I didn't argue with him, I just nodded my head and followed them back to our house.

How can anyone eat that? It's smells and looks disgusting." I couldn't contain the laughter that escaped my mouth.

"Emmett, I can't very well eat what you eat. Well, how you eat it at least."

It's been an interesting week after everything that's been going on. Edward has been ignoring Bella but he would always stare at her from a distance. I even told him he needed to tone down his starring obsession because it was going over towards stalker alert. I would also catch Bella starring at Edward too. Honestly, the amount that these two just stare at each other is starting to creep me out.

Not only has Edward been acting creepy, he was being a jerk too. Bella had dropped her keys on the ground the other day and of course Edward was there to pick them up for her. But he had to ruin the moment by telling her they shouldn't be friends and for her to stay away from him. Like that was going to help, they were bio partners after all. Not to mention her curiosity always got the better of her.

It's been a week since we last saw the wolves and I was glad that we didn't hear or see anything from them. I knew though that they would be taking a closer look at us because of me.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm worth all of this drama. I put us in danger of not only the Volturi but with the wolves as well. If I didn't become a vampire, the Volturi would kill us. And if I did become a vampire, the wolves would kill us. So whatever the outcome is, we all will end up dead either way.

I sensed my nerves changing from nervous and self-doubt into calm. I looked up at Jasper and I knew he could sense what I was thinking. I couldn't handle his knowing stare so I got up from the table and walked over to the salad bar.

I was starting to put lettuce and tomatoes in my bowl when I was interrupted from my thoughts.

"Um..Hi. Sophie right?" Startled I looked up to see none other than Bella Swan standing in front of me.

"Oh. Hi. Yes, that's me." I looked down and noticed that she was putting vegetables in her bowl also. I didn't know what to say to Bella. There were tons of what I wanted to say but nothing was coming to mind.

"Your brother is starting to give me whip lash."

"Oh really?" Bella Swan was actually having a conversation with me. This was new.

"Yea. I hope I'm not over stepping anything but I can't help but to notice you and your family."

One of my eyebrows rose at that. "Everyone at this school notices us. We try to keep to ourselves."

"Yes, which makes me wonder why Edward saved me from that van." My heart started to pick up a little. Oh crap. She's even more clever than I gave her credit for.

"You'll have to ask him that because I can't answer that for you."

"Why does it seem that only you eat when the rest of your family doesn't." Crap. Crap. Crap.

"Um..."

"Sophie. Rosalie wants to ask you a question. Why don't you head back to our table." In this moment I could kiss Edward for saving me. I nodded and whispered a thank you which only he could hear.

I made it to our table and noticed Rosalie was glaring daggers at Bella as usual. Her eyes softened when they landed on me.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. She's more clever than I originally thought she was."

"I can't believe she would stoop so low to corner you in order to get answers."

"Rose, I'm fine."

"I still don't like it."

I just sighed and started to eat my salad. Once she was like this way, there was no calming her down.

I looked up to see Edward walking back over to us. He looked troubled and I knew what was about to happen.

"You ok? Why the long face?"

"I'm fine. I'm just concerned."

"About?" He looks me in the eyes and sighs again.

"Bella invited me to go down to the La Push beaches this weekend." Well, guess Bella's going to figure out my families secret pretty soon.

xxxx

Edward has been agitated the last couple of days. Bella went to La Push over the weekend, and we couldn't go over there.

Today was Monday and we weren't at school today. The sun was out and since my family were vampires they couldn't go out into the sun unless they decided to expose themselves.

Whenever the sun was out I would stay home with my family. I didn't want to be the only one at school and Rosalie would be constantly worried about me.

"What's on your mind?" I looked up to see Edward looking at me.

"Nothing really. It's kind of nice not having to go to school." Edward smiled before walking over to me.

"You know I don't need to be a mind reader to tell when your lying. What's really going on?" Crap. He knew me too well.

"You've been agitated lately because you have been worrying about Bella. I'm concerned because I don't want you to do something reckless and stupid that could hurt you."

Edward released an unnessasry breath before smiling. "I'm fine really. Just this whole wanting to be around Bella has me on edge."

"I can tell that you like her. Even if the family doesn't approve, you need to be happy. I have seen how you push her away in order to protect her from you but it's been making you miserable."

"You don't need to worry about that. It's hard to be around her yes, but I can't seem to stay away from her."

Have you ever had those days where you just wish nothing bad would happen? Yea, I'm wishing for one right now but it seems like that's not going to happen anytime soon.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Rose's yelling only seems to be getting worse and its starting to give me a headache.

"Rose.." I try to reason with her but she doesn't want to hear any of it.

"Don't tell me to calm down Sophie! This conversation is way past calming down." I wasn't expecting her to snap at me like that. Yes I get she mad but she really needs to take a chill pill.

"Hey this is my fault not hers. Don't take it out on her!"

This is part of the book where Edward has saved Bella from those jerks in the alley. Edward came storming into the house and told Carlisle everything that had happened. Including how she found out he can read people's minds. Apart from hers and mine of course. Of course that was when Rosalie lost it.

"Bella is one step closer to finding out what we are! Are you insane!" Edward looked livid with Rose's nagging.

"If she finds out about us then we will deal with it. But I am sick and tired of you telling me how this is a bad idea. I know this is a bad idea but I can't seem to stay away from her!"

"Yea he already watches her in her sleep." That part I mumbled but with everyone having super hearing they heard it too. Emmett and Jasper were the only two that found it amusing. The rest just looked aggravated.

"Not right now Soph." Carlisle always being the voice of reason. He turned and looked at my brother. "I hope you know what your doing Edward."

"No I don't Carlisle, But I can't stay away from her." Edward immediately snapped his head over to Alice who has been standing near the corner of the room the entire time. "No! That's not going to happen!" Ok, now I'm confused.

"Alice, what did you see?" Alice sighed and looked over at Edward.

"Things change, but I've seen it a couple of times." Edward looked shocked and terrified.

"What have you seen a couple of times Alice?" Carlisle's soft tone always did seem to work whenever he needed an answer.

"I've seen Bella as one of us. As a vampire." You could practically hear a pin drop in the room. It got quiet immediately and the tension in the air only seemed to have gotten thicker.

I knew that Bella would become a vampire because of the books and movies. Yet I just couldn't tell them all of this yet. I didn't know how they would react when I told them that this was all fiction from my world.

"Well isn't this just perfect. Why don't we just tell her ourselves then? Lets just make it a lot easier for all of us." Rose's turn of voice terrified me. She sounded so calm and serene that I knew she was about to blow up.

Edward just sighed as a response. "Rose, I'm not going to tell her unless she figures it out. And I most certainly know that I would never change her into what we are." Yea unless she becomes pregnant with your child and she needs to be turned in order to survive after giving birth to your child.

Rosalie still looked mad and once she was, there was no stopping her. "Honestly, I don't care what happens now. Why not show her what we are. She is a danger to all of us and you have brought this upon all of us! This is entirely your fault! All I know is that humans that know we exist are a danger to us all! They shouldn't know that we exist unless they want to be dead!"

Huh. It was like a sucker punch to the gut. They are a danger to us all. She's right, I am a danger to all of them. I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped from my mouth. It only took a moment for Rosalie to register what she had said.

"I'm human." It came out as a whisper but I knew that they all heard me. Every head was turned in my direction. Rosalie looked like a deer in headlights. Without my consent, tears started to stream down my face. I didn't cry often, so this was foreign to me.

"Sophie. I didn't mean it like that." She sounded so small and tiny now.

An emotionless laugh escaped me. "Yes you did. All humans are a danger to us. I am a danger to us. The Volturi and the werewolves are after us because of me." The tone and volume in my voice kept getting higher and louder. I was so angry and hurt that I didn't stop myself from my own hysterics. I just let out what I have been feeling for the longest time.

"Why did you adopt me anyway! It would have been a lot easier on all of you if you had just left me in that car to DIE!"

Every one of them didn't know what to say. I had let out all my emotions and everything that I've kept bottled up. They knew how hurt I was and didn't know what to say. I just looked at them and turned around. Marching my way up the stairs and slamming my bedroom door behind me.

I flopped onto my bed and cried to myself. Why did this have to happen to me? Why would I be brought to this world only to feel hurt and pain. I ignored all the yelling coming from downstairs and drifted off to sleep.

woke up the next morning to the clouds and rain. Well, guess the angels are giving me weather based on my mood. I turned to my alarm clock to see that it was 10:30.

Crap! It was way past the time that school had started. This was unlike my family to just let me sleep in so I assume they are giving me a day off. Last night was awful.

Memories from last night flashed into my head. Just thinking about last night threatened the tears to start again. I knew Rosalie didn't mean to hurt me, but I always felt helpless. I mean they have super human powers for crying out loud.

My stomach then decided to interrupt my misery by growling. Time to get up I guess.

I get up and walk out of my room towards the kitchen to get some food. I'm still down in the dumps that I don't realize that I'm not alone.

"Well what do you know. Sleeping Beauty has finally graced us with her presence."

Wait, I know that voice. With my eyes widened, my head flies straight to the two people standing down the steps below me. Two people that I haven't seen in years.

"Aunt Charlotte!" I immediately raced down the stairs and launched myself into her arms. Her tinkling laugh instantly reaches my ears. When I was a child, I used to call her tinker bell because of her laugh.

"Yea good to see you too by the way." I laugh while looking at Peter. I engulfed him into a hug once I was done with Charlotte.

"Oh you have grown up so much since we've last seen you." I smile into Peter's arms. I was always close to them. Both of them were honestly as protective as Rosalie was. Charlotte even threw a fit when I fell over a tree root when I was 10.

"What are you two doing here? I haven't seen you guys in what 4 years?" They both smiled at me and it hit me why they were here.

"Alice called." I took a step back and just let out a long breath.

"Well, yes but we were planning on seeing you already. We were actually coming in a couple of weeks but Alice called so we changed it to today."

"So the reason why I'm not at school..."

Charlotte smiled at me. "They wanted you to have some rest. Jasper and Alice also wanted us to be here and talk to you. They thought it would be best to give us some time alone with you."

I nodded. That made a lot of sense. "What all did they tell you?" I turned around and walked into the kitchen. Grabbing a bowl and box of cereal while I was there.

"Everything unfortunately." Grumbled Charlotte. Stopping from opening the box I looked up to see a scowl on Charlotte's face. That's when Peter chuckled.

"Charlotte over here wanted to kill Rosalie for what she said to you." I smiled sadly at that. Charlotte always was over protective. Sometimes more than Rosalie ever was. "You know she didn't mean it."

I let out a breath and ran a hand through my hair. "I know, but I feel partly responsible for the situation that we are all in." After pouring the cereal and milk into my bowl, I walk and sit at the table. Peter takes the seat next to me while Charlotte stands behind me.

"What situation are you talking about? The Edward and his creepy human obsession situation?" I couldn't help but to laugh at that.

"It is a creepy obsession but no." I then proceeded to tell them all about the werewolves and my fear of the Volturi coming after us. "So we all get killed no matter what we decide."

"I always diskliked those red cloaks. Think they are all high and mighty powerful beings." A faint smile reached my face at everything Peter was saying.

"They do know how to scare you." I responded.

"Yea, that's why they think they are in charge. Be glad you haven't met the Romanians."

"Are they that bad?"

"Not really. Their anger and want of revenge is what makes them frightening."

Charlotte came over and knelt by my side. Honey, you have nothing to fear. Yes, your predicament isn't the best but we will just deal with it when the time comes. Let's not dwell on it now, enjoy your life at the moment." She tucks some hair behind my ear when I start to smile.

"We?" Her tinkling laugh greeted my word.

"Yes we. We are family after all."

The rest of the day consisted of Peter and Charlotte telling me of their adventures over the past four years. I have never laughed this hard after hearing all about Peter's antics.

"Honestly woman, you make that sound like it's a crime."

"Well I'm certainly positive that it is a crime to hijack a car and run it into a field full of cows."

"Well that's something that I've always wanted to see." My head lifts up as Jasper enters through the door. Schools over I guess.

"Hey, I wasn't caught." My smile and laughter died a little once Rosalie walked through the door. She wore a face of guilt and I knew how sorry she was. I really didn't want to tak to her at the moment but I knew that it needed to happen.

"Can we talk?"

Sighing I nodded my head and followed her outside to the porch.

"Sophie, you don't know how sorry I feel about last night. I shouldn't have said what I did."

"It's fine Rose. You were right, we are a danger."

"No, I wasn't right. I was angry about Bella that I didn't think that I was hurting you as well. We love you, your as much part of this family as we are. You don't know how much joy you've given us over these years. You honestly make me feel human."

"Is that why you adopted me? So that you could feel more human?"

"No, that's not why. When I found you in that car, I immediately felt this connection to you. A motherly bond I guess you can say. I am never going to be able to have children of my own, but when I found you...I felt at peace. It broke my heart seeing you in that hospital and I almost died when you went to that foster house. I knew right then that we needed you because you are a joy to all of us. You have filled a void that's been in all of our unbeating hearts. We all love you Sophie, never forget that."

I bet I was a sight for sore eyes. Because of the tears that were streaming down my face. "You mean it?"

"Of course I do. I love you." I engulfed Rosalie into a hug and just sobbed. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy. I never felt this much love before and I didn't want to leave it any time soon. Which made me want to forget about what would happen if that angel lady took me back to my real world.

151Chapter 15

It was finally the weekend and I couldn't be happier. Charlotte and Peter left the other day to go back to Texas. I still think they should go somewhere else. They promised to call and visit again soon. Edward made sure to stay close to Bella while they were here. Honestly he needs to have more faith in them. Yes they drink from humans, but they know how to behave.

All was forgiven with Rosalie and she's been hovering over me more than usual. I guess she still hasn't forgiven herself just yet.

Bella knows about the family secret and is on her way now to meet all of us. Which has made Rosalie's mood turn sour.

"I don't know why he has to bring her here. We are much happier without her." Yep, the Rose we all know and love is back.

"Rose it's going to be ok." She just grumbles as a response. I look over to Esme and Carlisle who are cooking lunch for Bella and I. "Are you sure there isn't anything I can do to help?" Esme looked up at me with a smile.

"Yes I'm sure. You just sit and relax." I just sit in my chair and try to tune out Rosalie's grumbling. Honestly, I love her to death but she's starting to get on my nerves.

I'm soon taken out of my thoughts when I hear Rosalie say "Here comes the human." I look up to see Bella walk in with Edward.

Esme instantly smiles and makes her way over to Bella. "Bella, we're making Italiano for you." I just smile at the situation and am happy to finally officially meet Bella.

"Bella, this is Esme. My mother for all intents and purposes." Esme continues to smile while Emmett takes that moment to wave his knife as a hello.

I turn my head to look at him. "Really? Couldn't that be anymore dangerous." Emmett just smiles in response.

Carlisle makes his way over to Bella as well. "You've given us an excuse to cook in the kitchen for more than one person." I smile and look at Bella.

I hop off the chair that I'm sitting on and head over to Bella. "Bella, it's so good to finally meet you. Well, officially anyway." I embrace her in a hug and she seems a little taken aback by it. "I'm Sophie, but you probably already knew that. Honestly, I'm glad your here. It's refreshing to not be the only human in a house full of vampires." She smiles shyly at me.

"Um. Thank you. It's nice to meet you." She then turns to Esme. "And thank you for cooking the food too."

Esme starts to smile more. "I hope your hungry."

"Yea, Absolutely." Edward of course has to ruin a perfect and happy moment.

"She already ate." I knew this was when Rosalie had her little episode and I was proven right when I heard her breaking the bowl full of salad that she was holding.

"Perfect." I turned to her with a sigh.

"I was going to eat that you know."

Bella takes that moment to try and calm the situation. "It's just. I know you guys don't eat, well besides Sophie."

Esme smiles kindly at her. "That's very considerate of you."

"Just ignore Rosalie, I do." Yea, because Edward can't stand her most of the time.

"Yea, let's just keep pretending that this isn't dangerous for all of us."

"I would never tell anybody anything."

I give Rose an exasperated look before looking at Bella reassuringly. "She knows that."

"Well the problem is..." I whirl my head around to Emmett and give him my best glare to shut him up.

"Emmett." He instantly stops talking. Though Rose decides to continue.

"No. She should know." I look at Bella and sigh. Rosalie starts to take a couple of steps towards Bella when Emmett stops her. "The family will be implicated badly if this turns out bad."

"Badly. Like I would become the meal." I started to chuckle at that. Even Rosalie cracked a smile.

"Bella." I look up to see Alice practically dancing into the room. Jasper is not too far behind her. "I'm Alice." She quickly hugs Bella and pulls back quickly. "Oh, you do smell good." I crack a smile while Edward looks confused.

"Alice what are you.." He starts but Alice soon interupts him.

"It's ok. Bella and I are going to become great friends." A moment of silence starts to form so I decide to intervene.

"Bella this is Jasper." She looks at him and gives him a small smile. Jasper looks to be having trouble so Carlisle is quick to jump in.

"You'll have to excuse Jasper. He's the newest person to our diet."

Jasper cracks a smile and tries to start a conversation, even though it's somewhat strained. "It's a pleasure to meet you." I smile at Jasper reassuringly while Alice comments on how he's not going to hurt her.

"Come on, I'll show you the rest of the house." Edward starts to drag Bella away when Alice chimes in.

"I'll see you later."

"Ok." Bella's facial expressions causes me to chuckle. Once they are gone I turn to the rest of my family.

"I think that went fairly well. Oh, and Rose I expect you to make me a salad once you are done cleaning this up." Without saying anything else, I turn around and head in the direction of my bedroom.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everyone! Ok everyone. Sorry for the wait. Now that I'm on my winter break, I will hopefully update sooner. I'm also going to try and edit the content I have so far soon. College has been kicking butt and I'm graduating next fall which has been causing me to be smothered in paperwork. I honestly can't wait to graduate. Until next time! I don't own Twilight, I only own Sophie.