Chapter 12

My posture went rigid, my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. The only sound in the room was probably the beating of my heart. I had stopped breathing and I just completely tensed up.

Adoption, he says. He- they want to adopt me.

I couldn't form any thoughts; my mind went totally blank. Who would want to adopt me? No one. I don't deserve anyone at all. I haven't done anything to deserve such a wonderful offer. Yet, here I am, a beautiful family offering to adopt. I've never imagined anything like this before, ever. I thought that my life wasn't going to get that much better. This is just… I don't know. Overwhelming, unbelievable, shocking.

I ducked my head and covered my eyes with my left hand. My right was still resting atop the table. It was formed in a fist. I sucked in a deep breath and cleared my throat. "Why?" I asked without making eye contact. I didn't even lift my head to look at any of them.

"Bella? Hey." Edward's beautiful voice sounded. A cold hand grasped mine and the owner's thumb was rubbing across the top of my warm hand. My eyes looked at the hand and then up the arm to see Edward. He was gazing directly at me, his face serious and his eyes sincere.

"We know what happened, Bella. You told us. We want to help you out. You didn't deserve what that mons- that guy did to you." His eyes were almost pleading. I reluctantly broke eye contact and looked at everyone else. All of them were so nice and considerate. All of them were awaiting my answer. Do I deserve this? Can I accept this?

I took another look at everyone's expression. No glares, just hoping and kind faces with some hint of a smile. Rosalie looked almost indifferent, though. Well, I prefer that than those dagger-like eyes.

I took in a deep breath as I lowered my head once I came to a decision. I looked directly and Edward's anxious, gorgeous face and nodded my head….Yes. "Yes", I voiced softly, but enough volume for all to here. Edward broke out into a glorious smile as everyone else let out their held-in breath.

Oh my…I said yes. They are going to adopt me! Holy…! Just WOW! I let out a small smile and let out a breath myself. "May I be excused?", I asked softly.

"Yes, of course, Bella", Carlisle permitted with a gentle smile. I scooted out of my chair and trotted upstairs to the guest room. After climbing up the flight of stairs, I closed the door behind me once entering the room and sat against the bed facing the window that displayed the outside. It was twilight. Perfect timing. It's my absolute favorite part of the day. Even though it shows the end of a day, it's just indescribably beautiful.

I need to think. My life has now completely changed its course. I never planned this or even considered this sort of thing. I played what just occurred over and over again in my head. It had been so unexpected. I kept thinking and I heard some mumbles from downstairs. I bet their regretting their decision, but I should just bask in this moment right now. Forget the future for now. Eventually, I heard chairs shifting; they're done talking, I guess.

I thought of a day with the Cullens. All their kind faces and Rosalie's indifferent expression. I'd be able to see Edward every day! Wow, I hadn't noticed. It would so extremely wonderful. I'd have the brothers and sisters I never had. I suddenly felt overwhelmed, and it was so intense, I began to cry. But, for once, it wasn't because I was sad or scared. For once, it was because I was happy.

-------EPOV-------

"Carlisle, are you sure about this?" Rosalie questioned, anxious. She was very much opposed to this, but she gave in. However, it was only to partially make up for her bad attitude toward Bella. Finally, she feels guilty. Though, I would've preferred that her rudeness hadn't been shown at all from the beginning.

"Yes, I am Rosalie." Carlisle spoke, but Rosalie still felt unsure.

"We could have just given her money or something. We didn't have to adopt her." Rosalie said.

"Where would she have gone, Rose?" I countered.

"A motel or something." Rosalie wasn't wavering. She definitely still didn't like Bella. I'm not going to let Rosalie hurt Bella. It was unjust.

"She's be better here than in a motel, Rosalie. " Alice joined. She had taken a liking to Bella. She was one more shopping buddy.

"Yeah, come on Rose. Lighten up! We're getting another little sister." Emmett said while stroking the kitten. When are those two not together when in the house? Rosalie just glared at us, knowing that she was losing the fight. She stood up and exited the room with Emmett at her heels. Everyone soon stood and left, pondering on what had just occurred.

I was the last to stand and leave. I sprinted upstairs to my room and shut the door. I sat against my bed to gaze outside, the last traces of sunlight disappear behind the horizon and the white stars and the moon took their place. Beautiful, but not as much as the goddess down on the second floor.

The soon-to-be Cullen. I can't believe it. Bella is going to become part of our family. I'm going to be able to look at her every single day. But she's human. And we're vampires. What are we going to do about that? After tonight, she's going to find out some time, somehow what monstrous creatures we are.

She'll be scared out of her wits. I can imagine her fearful expression as she sprints clumsily away from us, screaming in terror. I flinched at the horrible scenario that will most likely occur. I mean, that's how any human would react after a discovery like that.

No, don't thing about that. It's way too depressing. I should be happy and privileged. Living with her, I never would've imagined. I took a deep breath and massaged my face. I'm happy, but the horrible image of her screaming away from us kept crawling into my mind. I thought of listening to my iPod so I stood up to find. As I walked toward the stereo to take it out the dock, I heard a sniffle and some muffled sobs from Bella's room.

I crept down the flight of stairs to the second floor. I stepped toward her closed door and shyly knocked. "Hey, Bella? Are you all right?" I heard her clear her throat repeatedly.

"Um, yeah," she croaked. Her voice was thick with tears.

"May I enter, Bella?"

"S-sure."

I twisted the knob and opened the door. Bella was sitting against her bed, just like I had been just a couple of moments ago. I shut the door and walked toward her. I sat next to her and studied her face. Her eyes were puffy and there were tear streaks on her cheeks. She regrets her decision. Of course! She hadn't given it much thought downstairs and after much thought, she thinks it was wrong.

"Bella, do you regret it, your choice?" I already know the answer, but I need her to say it.

Her eyebrows furrowed, confused. "N-no."

What? "No? Then why were you crying?" Now, I'm confused.

"Oh. I was just, you know, overwhelmed. I wasn't sad, Edward. I'm fine."

Overwhelmed. Not regretful. "Really? Are you sure your fine?" She nodded her head, yawning at the end of it. Her eyes half closed and she rubbed her eyes. "You should go to sleep, Bella. It's been a long day."

"No, I'm ok." She said as another yawn escaped her mouth. I stared at her, unconvinced. "I'm not tired, Edward." Well, she's stubborn. I took a deep sigh.

"Bella, go to sleep." I enforced, but she just shook her head. Bella rested her head against the bed and continued gazing out the window. We stayed in a comfortable silence. Bella's head slowly fell to rest on my shoulder, but she was partially awake. Her eyes were closing and opening slightly.

"Shhhh. Go to sleep, Bella." And at that, Bella finally closed her eyes, slipping into unconsciousness. Finally. She's as stubborn as a mule. I stroked her silk hair and caressed her cheek. She's so beautiful. I picked her up and set her down on her bed. I detached her fingers from my shirt. She made quick to grab a fistful once I picked her up. I did one last caress and turned to leave.

"Edward." I whipped around, surprised that I had woken her up. But as I looked at her, her eyes were closed. I let out a tiny small and exited the room.

I KNOWWWWW! It's been FOREVER! I'm soooo sorry. I'm such an ass, but I had writers block along with school. I haven't had a break yet, guys. The first break I'll get is Thanksgiving week, sorry. It'll be a while from now.

So yeah, this chapter was pretty difficult to write. Probably the toughest up till now. I couldn't do it well, but this is it, I guess. And I know it's a short chapter, but I just wanted to post something. But I put some effort in this! Believe me! I don't think writing this story is going to get any easier from her on in so I'll be taking a while to write the following chapters. I'll try not to take a whole month, like I did this one! If I do, then sorry times a million.

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