Chapter Eight

Edward's POV

"Hoping we didn't overstock too much on the food we got for Bella." Carlisle murmured, setting the last grocery bag in the trunk of the Volvo. He then closed the lid and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I think we may have gotten too little, but that's just my opinion."

"Edward she's a ten year old child, not a monster of a behemoth like Emmett."

"Yes, that's true. But, she's been away for seven years Carlisle. Who knows when she was able to eat last, after the past conditions she was under." he grimaced upon my remark, sighing when he heard a snarl slip through my lips.

"Point taken. If we are under-stocked on the food we've picked out, there's nothing stopping us from coming back to get more." he concluded and walked around to the passenger side of my car. I heaved myself up from the car, making note that Esme was quietly talking to our beautiful angel in the back seat.

We had just finished our shopping for food after we had gotten Bella back from the fat bastard who stole away seven years of our lives. Seven, agonizing, long years without her. It was pure torture. But today was a day of celebration, to enjoy our reunion with our beautiful girl. We took to a towne center here in Denali. Jasper and Ali separated from us when we went to the grocery store, saying they wanted to go find at least some furniture items for her. We weren't going to put money into building a new bedroom for her in the Denali home. I gladly offered up my secluded room - the one bit of safety I had away from the two sisters of doom - for her. So she'd be getting a massive bed all to herself. And considering I never needed sleep, I'd be able to watch over her all night to my dead heart's content.

So while they went off to get more items for Bella, we went inside the grocery store. Bella was between Esme and I, each of us holding onto her hands as tightly as we could without crushing her delicate human bones. Carlisle went off to get a cart, before soon we went exploring through the store. The locals there were surprised to see such supermodel beings in their little store in their secluded center. They were even more surprised to see Bella's appearance.

Since we only had gotten her back today, she was still small and frail. And on top of it, the area around her blind eyes were still swollen and heavily bruised.

We frankly were worried about bringing her out while she still was suffering from her injuries, but I knew we couldn't let her go long without food. I was fretting over her once more, scared that while she was being tortured in her nightmarish hell, that disgusting creature of a human being starved her to near death while he kept her there. On top of it, we knew if we brought her out like this, people would begin to assume that we were the ones abusing her and torturing her.

Thankfully though, none of the other humans in this town came up and bothered us about her appearance. We were able to shop in peace, leading our little human beauty down the aisles. Esme was nervous with her realization that we wouldn't be able to let Bella pick out her food based off the fact she would have no way of seeing what was here on the shelves. I cradled the little one in my arms for most of the trip, not caring about the fact that with her being ten, she wouldn't need to be swaddled and carried around like she was 3 again. I took to the excuse that with the fact she was blind, she was in an unfamiliar environment and I didn't want to let her bump into anything, further hurting herself.

In the end, we went towards the route of picking out foods we thought were normal and a must for every human to eat: fruits, veggies, pastas, breads, cereals, juices, milks, yogurts, etc. etc.

Carlisle went off by himself at one point to the medical section they offered here, saying he wanted to get some anti-bacterial items, as well as other medicinal items. He was going to be using them to help with treatments for Bella's infected eye areas, and to take care of her cuts and bruises. Esme followed her husband willingly, while she told me I should let Bella enjoy her sense of smell and take her to the bakery on the other side of the store.

I happily took her there of course, smiling down at her while she was introduced to the sweet smells of the breads and cakes. She looked so cute with her little head whipping back and forth blindly, wanting to figure out where the smells were coming from. Being the sucker that I was, I took her over to the sweets and picked out many treats for her. I would bring them up to her button nose, letting her get a very close smell of the foods to see if she think she would want them. By the time we regrouped with Carlisle and Esme, I had a hefty bag of treats for our little girl; the mere response I had gotten back from them were smiles and laughs.

"Ed?" I blinked and looked through the rear view mirror of my car, noting how Bella's icy blue blind eyes were staring forward in my general direction.

"Hm? What is it princess?"

"You've been quiet this whole time, are you okay big brother?" she asked sweetly and I chuckled.

"I'm more than okay sweetheart. I'm just lost in my thoughts again."

Carlisle glanced at me, an eyebrow raised. "Just remembering our trip we went on." I told him in hushed vampire speeds and he smiled.

"Alice and Jasper are still behind us?" Esme asked from the backseat, for the sake of Bella.

"Indeed dear. One can hope she didn't go too overboard with her purchases."

"It's all for Bella though, dad. No need to worry about it too much."

"Wait, Pixie bought things for me?" I glanced once more back at her from the mirror, noting how her tiny cheeks were gaining a slight rosy hue to them.

"Oh dear, yes all for you. We want to spoil you again now that we have you back with us. She wanted to get you some things for our living arrangements." Esme reminded her, patting her dainty hand.

"Oh I hope she didn't spend so much either. I don't want you guys to go through so much trouble for me."

"Little lady, it's no trouble at all. You are our angel and we want to give you the best. We won't give you any less than that." I chided her sweetly, with Carlisle and Esme making noises of agreement to my statement.

"Okay..." came her shy, quiet reply, where we let the subject drop.

It didn't take us long to return back to the Denali home. Upon pulling up in the driveway, their scents assaulted my nose, and I heard them flitting about in the home.

"It appears they've returned from their hunting trip." I heard Jasper's voice from inside their car behind us.

"Alice, how are we going to handle telling them about Bella?"

"Unsure Carlisle. As much as I am also worried about their reaction to a human child being with us, we will have to try our best in explaining the entirety of the story to them."

"Oh I hope they take this bit of news well."

"If they so much as even begin to create issues with her being here-"

"Edward, we won't let that happen."

Our mildly concerned argument, in rushed voices, ended at that when we pulled our cars to a stop in the driveway. Alice and Jasper first got out, beginning to unload their items they had bought for Bella. Carlisle and Esme got out next, glancing at me.

"Oh did we make it back home already?" my sweet angel cooed from the back upon hearing her two parents exiting the car.

"We did sweetie. We're going to work on unloading your food here. I think your brother Ed will work on getting you out of the car soon too alright?"

"Okay mom!"

With a beam I could see in the mirror, their doors closed behind them. I sat in my seat for a bit, listening to her tiny heart flutter about.

"Aren't we going to go in there soon Ed?"

"Hm? Oh sorry again angel. Yes we will." I chuckled again, unbuckling myself before leaving the car. I went to the back and opened her door, reaching over and unbuckling her from the seatbelt.

"Oh I could've gotten that myself silly."

"Nope, with me here, you may have to put up with me babying you."

"But I'm ten years old!"

"Indeed. But it's been far too long since I've had my little sister beside me. And I want to spoil you, so you may be carried around a lot by me."

Granted, this was just me being the selfish prick that I am.

It's been far too long since I had Bella in my arms. From that fateful night when I found her in that forest, alone, I've been so protective of her small frame. She was a mere little mortal, tiny compared to the average human I'm used to seeing whilst we live among them. When I had found her and brought her to join our family at only a mere 3 and 1/2 years old, she was precious to me. I wanted nothing more than to keep her safe in my arms. She felt the most comfortable there, holding onto me with small baby arms.

Despite her having gone through the horrible event of that vampire killing her parents in cold blood, she was smiling at me the whole time. She knew she came face to face with something terrifying and stronger than her, something that could easily kill her in the blink of an eye. And at that age, she wouldn't have realized what had happened.

Yet, she was smiling and happy. Bouncing, bubbly even, when I found her. Eager to show me her home, show off her room as if I were another house guest.

I was once again snapped out of my thoughts when I felt a tiny finger with the lightest of a feather touch, graze the back of my hand. I looked down to find Bella blindly looking around.

"Are you alive there Ed? I've been sitting here for forever and you haven't even gotten me out of the car!" I laughed at her exasperated cry, knowing I was losing myself to my thoughts too much today.

"Sorry little lady. I got sidetracked once more."

I had her in my arms in the next minute, sighing in relief at feeling her. I breathed in her floral scent through her hair without her noticing, and smiled.

"It's so cold out here!" she whined in my arms while I closed the door to my car, beginning my trek up the driveway to the Denali home.

"Oh I'm sorry sweetheart. I should tell Alice to get you some winter clothes." I apologized to her immediately, shifting her as best I could to shield her from the icy breeze that was the Alaskan wind. I cursed myself internally for not thinking logically of even getting Alice to dress her warmer for this weather. It was bad enough she was only wearing a mere dress that offered no means of reliable heat for her tiny ten year old body.

"What is with all of the human food Carlisle?"

"It's for our family member Eleazar."

"Family member? You mean the one that you all have said that's been missing for the longest time?"

"We thought it was one of your others. I see Jasper and Alice are back with us. Emmett and Rosalie are the others yes?"

"Indeed Carmen, they will be rejoining us in a couple days time thankfully after today."

"Where's Edward? I didn't see him come in."

"He should be in soon with our returning family member."

"Wait, I hear a... a heartbeat?"

"I smell blood... it smells so sweet and floral."

Just as I opened the door, overhearing the hushed conversation inside, it stopped after I entered the foyer to their home. I shut the door behind me, sighing to myself as Bella lifted her head.

"Are we inside?"

"We are sweetie. I should get you familiarized with the house so you don't bump into something and hurt yourself."

"I'd be fine though." I laughed off her pout, rubbing her back in reassurance.

Soon, the others joined me. Alice and Esme flitted to my side immediately whilst the Denali clan took in the human girl in my arms. Their eyes widened in shock, and their thoughts were racing, ranging from surprise and awe, to fear, to wondering who this human girl was.

"Carmen, Eleazar, Tanya, Irina, Kate - I'd like you to meet our missing member of the family. Isabella." Carlisle's introduction echoed about the quiet foyer. Bella looked up blindly, looking around once more.

"I can't see them daddy. I don't know what they look like."

Carlisle beamed at the title, and I patted her back.

"The child is blind?" Eleazar murmured to Carlisle in rushed vampire speeds, where he nodded back in response. Oh the poor thing. Carmen's tender thoughts had me nodding to her in acknowledgement.

"You'll get to know the Denali family in time dear." I whispered to her, encouragement peaking through to let her know that she had nothing to be afraid of. She was hiding in my neck, scared to be around people she wasn't used to. Beyond us and the vile man, Bella hasn't had much exposure to others for the past few years.

She glanced up in my general direction, those icy irises expressing fear of the unknown. I kissed her cheek lightly, causing her to giggle girlishly. Minutely, I heard two thoughts of mild jealously grace Tanya's and Irina's minds, but I paid no mind to it. I was too focused on my sweet angel in my arms to care about their pettiness.

"How about I show you the piano again Bella? Does that sound like fun?" I asked her and she smiled brilliantly up at me.

"Yes please!"

With her squeal as confirmation, I eased my way past the Denalis who no doubt wanted a more thorough explanation of who this young girl was.

"Carlisle, we need to know the whole story of who this girl is."

"I promise, once she is in bed tonight, we can have an open discussion about her. For now, I'd like to have our time with her. We only rescued her today after being separated from her for seven years. Edward especially took it the hardest and I am not about to deny him his time with her."

There was a moment of silence; no doubt they wanted to argue and bring the discussion to the table now. However -

"Of course. Seeing how attached Edward is to the little one, I have no doubts she means something to your coven. Please, take the time you need with her. Our questions can hold off till she is asleep." Carmen thankfully understood and spoke for the group.

For the rest of the day, I sat at the piano, playing tunes once more for my sweet angel. She listened happily to them, her little feet swinging back and forth when she would kicked them merrily. She enjoyed listening to the melodies that played. I wanted nothing more than to teach her how to play, but knew it would prove difficult for her with the fact she couldn't see the notes and wouldn't be able to see the music sheets. I would have to look around and see if there was a way to teach her how to play the piano whilst she lacked sight.

Already on it, brother. I smiled upon hearing her voice in my head, and nodded in her direction in thanks. She chuckled from her spot on the couch beside her husband who looked at her in question. But with a pat on the arm to let him know it was nothing, he shrugged his shoulders and went back to mindlessly watching the news on the TV.

Dinner time was approaching. The sun was beginning to set, and I could hear Bella's stomach begin to rumble in hunger.

"Sounds like someone is hungry." I remarked to the child in my lap, whose face was beginning to redden in embarrassment when I made it known I heard her rumbling belly.

"Shall I work on cooking something for Bella?" Esme's caring voice piped up from the couch, where I heard her slowly standing to her feet.

"I can wait until you guys eat."

We balked shortly from her reply.

This was a major issue for us. Having been separated from her for so long, it never came to our minds that we should tell Bella of our true nature. Never once did we even think about it when she had first been added to the family. She was a mere toddler back then who wouldn't have been able to understand or comprehend what a vampire is. But now that she is older, she's bound to be more observant of those around her and her environment. She will have to be now that she has to rely on other senses to get around.

Personally I never wanted her to ever find out what we are in the beginning. The mere fact that her parents, the only family she ever had before coming into our lives, were ripped away from her violently and cruelly by one of our own kind, is in of itself horrendous. She is bound to ask what happened to her real parents in the future, and when it is put together that a vampire killed her only blood, whilst the very family that took her in is the same creature who killed her parents - the results are bound to not bode well for us.

I fear the worst.

I fear that once she hears the truth, she will turn on us and hate us for forever. Be disgusted that it was our species who killed her parents, taking away any semblance of a normal life at such a young age. I fear that she will cower from us and never want anything to do with us again.

Or worse.

I fear Alice's vision will come true.

Said pixie made the smallest of noises for me to hear, and I glanced at her. She was tapping her temple, smirking.

The vision remains to this day Edward. Despite the fact she has been returned to us today, the vision has made its reappearance. She thought, and replayed the vision once more for me. I grunted discretely in her direction, acknowledging with annoyance that I already knew what it was about. The others looked between the two of us in confusion, wondering what we were quietly discussing.

She's a permanent fixture in this family. And there's nothing that will change that.

I was fearful that my sweet angel, pure as she can be, would be eternally damned to this godforsaken life hood. No doubt, it wasn't the fact that she would be able to spend an eternity with us.

But, I wanted her to have some sort of normalcy. She deserved to be human, deserved to undergo everything that comes with being human, with a beating heartbeat and blood pumping through those veins.

I'll do anything to give that to her.

I nervously looked over at my family. Alice was pursing her lips in worry, with Jasper grimacing beside her. Esme looked worriedly over to Carlisle. He held an expression filled with concern, unsure of how we should approach this. The Denali clan held expressions that ranged between worry and hesitancy. They looked at us as well as if asking whether we'd even tell this human our secret.

"Well sweetheart, we may be eating later. Us adults aren't usually hungry so early." Carlisle quickly responded to Bella's choice. She pouted, unsure if she enjoyed that answer.

"I'm not about to let you go starving either, silly." I inputted, tickling her side. The pout disappeared and her sweet, bell giggles echoed about the air. It visibly brightened my family's faces. It's been so long since we heard the chime of her laughter with us.

"I think Alice and I should set up Bella's sleeping arrangements whilst she eats her dinner." Jasper added out loud amongst the shifting. I stood from the piano with Bella in my arms once more. Carmen and Esme were heading in the direction of the kitchen, readying themselves to beginning preparing a meal for her. Carlisle stood as well, heading towards the stairs.

"Sounds like a splendid idea you two." he remarked to them, smiling before disappearing. Alice patted my shoulder when she and Jasper passed by us on our way to the kitchen.

"So, what shall we make for the little angel?" I set Bella down on the edge of the island's counter top, where she blindly looked around the kitchen, trying to pinpoint Carmen.

I smoothed down her hair to calm her, looking up to see Esme and Carmen zipping around the kitchen, looking through the food we had bought earlier.

"Could I have something cheesy... please?" I looked down upon hearing the squeak, noting how she twiddled her thumbs. She settled for looking in the general direction that was the fridge. Esme snapped her fingers, looking through one of the cupboards before pulling out a box of whole wheat pasta mac and cheese.

"How does mac and cheese sound for you then, sweetheart?" Esme asked her sweetly, coming over and giving her the box. Bella looked up again in the general direction of her pseudo mother; Esme made it obvious in her footsteps, rather than walking over quietly in the normalcy of being a vampire. Bella took the box in her small hands, feeling it around and adjusting herself to the feel of the cardboard. She then began shaking it, listening to the noise of the pasta. I smiled up at Esme, who returned the favor.

"Yes please!" she exclaimed after another few seconds of shaking, smiling blindly to us. I chuckled and Esme bent down, kissing her forehead. Taking the box, she read of the directions while walking over to the stove.

It didn't take long for Bella's dinner to be made. She was soon sitting at the Denali table with the bowl in front of her, the orange-yellow cheese staring up at her. I sat next to her, thanking Esme. Bella squeaked out a thank you as well to her mom, who beamed at the title she has missed.

"How am I gonna eat this?" she muttered to herself, her tiny hand grasping around on the dining room table in hopes of finding her spoon.

As much as she is blind Ed and I know you want to help her, it's better for us to let her try and figure things out for herself first. I can tell that in the coming years, Bella is going to be stubborn about being independent for herself while she adjusts to this new disability of hers. I hummed quietly to myself, once again letting Alice know I heard her suggestion.

"Well, it's going to be a little difficult at first sweetheart. But, I think I'd like to see you try and figure some things out yourself first. I may want to swaddle and baby you after you've just came back, but I can tell you want to be a big girl," I paused, noting how she nodded her head to that statement. "I am your big brother and I'm going to do my best to help you out when you want it. Alright?"

"Okay Ed." she agreed to the plan, before her fingers finally laced around the metal utensil.

"Yes I found it!" I chuckled at her cry of victory, and watched her carefully tap around, trying to find the bowl. I know she was worried about tipping over the bowl, fearing she would make a big mess as she worked on this new exploration mindset she had to adjust to.

"Oh is this it?" she asked cautiously, tapping the edge of the bowl she finally found, with the lightest of touches.

"Indeed it is." I informed her with mirth, happy that she was quickly picking up on finding things for herself.

I hastily picked up a napkin and set it in her lap, now preparing to watch her tackle the next task: trying to pick up some food and actually eat it.

"Just for precautions sweetie." I told her offhandedly when I knew she noticed I put a napkin in her lap. She blew a quick raspberry at me and I snickered.

She sank her spoon into the bowl, feeling around in the food. She listened to the odd squishy noises it made, her nose scrunching.

"Weird noise?" I remarked to her and she nodded her head once more.

Finally, she felt that it was time. Slowly, with gained weight on the spoon, she worked up the courage to lift the spoon from the bowl, many noodles gathered for her to eat.

"Should..." she trailed off on her thoughts, pursing her adorable pouty lips.

"I have a suggestion if you would like to hear it."

"What is it?"

"Instead of using touch by placing the spoon on your face - thus causing a mess -, you could perhaps work on using your sense of smell to guide the spoon where you want it to go." I murmured to her, licking my lips, waiting for her to gauge the offer I brought to her.

This is ridiculous.

I growled at that errant thought I overheard from Tanya.

"Tanya, be careful of what you say around us about Bella. She is ours to care for, therefore we decide on how to raise her." Jasper's quick response to my sudden anger, knowing it had to be in results to whatever she may have thought, was heard from upstairs. She left out a mild huff from the couch.

"Um... okay. I can try that." Bella's slow reply brought my focus back to her thankfully.

I watched her, as she slowly and carefully focused on the scent of the cheese, and even using the steam that came from the freshly hot and ready noodles, she guided the spoon perfectly into her mouth.

"Success." I said with affirmation, and she squealed around her food, muffled victory.

"I did it!" she cried after she swallowed, and I chuckled, reaching across to pat her tiny arm.

I knew she could do it.

"All done!" Alice's voice happily rang from upstairs. After Bella had carefully and slowly finished her food, I took her to the couch to watch some TV. I made sure the volume was high enough for her to listen to the children's show's dialogue, knowing that she wouldn't be able to watch the colorful character perform their antics across the screen.

I looked up in time to see Alice and Jasper appear at the top of the stairs, looking proud.

"Your room is all prepped for slumber, little sister." Jasper proudly stated to Bella, who looked up blindly at his voice.

"Really?"

"Yes it is! And I must say, it is perfect just for you. I am a true master at decorating."

"Can I go se - I mean..." her sad trail off left me frowning. I knew it was a general habit and well, common thing to say "see" something. I could tell from the visible facial changes on their faces, my family shared the same feelings.

Instead, I rubbed her tiny back and she looked up at me.

"Let's go check it out, princess."

The smile returned.

Oh, and there's a little surprise for her on the bed. I nodded towards Alice after I began leading Bella carefully up the stairs. I let her use her hands to glide along the smooth walls, knowing she needed to get an idea of the house and what was inside. Perhaps tomorrow, I'll just let her wander around the home, feeling the furniture for herself.

In a few minutes time with her careful waddles, we made it to my old room, the light on.

Inside the room, Alice and Jasper outdid themselves to try and make her room a perfect little girls' environment. The carpet remained the same color as before, same with the walls. But, hanging around were fairy lights in varying colored bulbs. They dangled delicately over the head of my old bed. There were toys lying in one of the corner. They somehow installed a bay window seating area for her where the large window overlooked the back part of the house. More toys, as well as furry light pink and light blue pillows, sat there for her. My guitar - something I hadn't touched in a long, long time - sat in one of the corners, behind a comfortable looking armchair. No doubt Alice included that for me so I could come in here and watch over her. On the bed, the sheets and quilts were switched out for light pink sheets, filled with swirly designs and varying patterns of flowers. There was a mountain of fluffy pillows resting at the headboard of the bed.

And resting along them, was that beloved, ratty old Bun-Bun of hers. I choked quietly when I saw that. I had no idea that Alice found it.

Bella was sure to be pleased to have that finally back in her arms.

"What does it look like?" Bella's sweet voice cut in while I took in the room.

"It's... definitely girly to say the least." I admitted to her and she smiled.

"How girly?" she pressed, bouncing on her small feet.

"Well, there's lots of pinks and bright colors in here for sure. I can tell you'll love this room little lady."

She squealed to herself and I let go of her hand, letting her begin to roam around the room carefully. I stood in the doorway, leaning on the beam with a smile gracing my face, watching the tiny ball of energy before me, explore her room. She moved around the room, first waddling to the corner with the toys. She bumped a toy with her foot, wincing quietly from the short pain it brought.

"Are you alright over there?"

"I'm okay, I'm okay. Darn toy." I laughed at her reply, loving how adorably frustrated she sound at the fact she bumped into a toy. She felt them with her hands, a small smile gracing her beautiful face upon feeling it.

She moved over to the window, feeling the padded cushions and the fluffy pillows. Moving along, she felt the armchair, nodding her head. Finally she found the bed, feeling the quilts and pillows.

"This bed is huuuuge!" I once again chuckled at her cute, child response to the feel of the large bed.

"This used to be my room - "

"Oh where will you sleep Ed?" she panicked, cutting me off when I began my statement. I tusked her, a chuckle slipping through once more. Her pout graced her face once more and I came over to her, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Well if I hadn't been cut off, I would tell you silly girl. I was going to say, this used to be my room - but for now while we stay here it's yours. I already moved my stuff to one of their other spare rooms so don't worry Bella."

"I feel bad though. I took your room from you." She whined, kicking her foot into the carpet. I ruffled her hair, snickering when she laughed once more and dodged under my hand.

"Don't worry about it. I'm alright princess."

I reached behind me, grabbing her favorite stuffed toy.

"I think there's one more thing you should familiarize yourself in this room." I advised to her, slowly bringing the toy close to her. She reached out in front of her when she could sense something was in front of her face. As soon as her hands came into contact with the stuffed toy, she snatched it from my hands, turning it around this way and that.

"Is this-!"

"It is."

"Bun-Bun!" she cried happily, and smashed the toy to her chest tightly, crushing it in a tight, unyielding hug. She kissed it over and over, and I then noticed small tears leaking from those icy blue eyes.

"Hey hey... why the tears?" Worry was beginning to settle in upon seeing the sight.

She sniffled and looked up in the direction of where my voice came from. A tiny, shaky smile graced her face, the tears continuing to fall.

"I missed Bun-Bun so much Edward. I wanted to hold it when I was locked away, during those scary nights... the toy reminded me of my mom and dad... and of you."

I choked on a tearless sob, and in the next second my sweet angel was in my arms, cradled to my chest. I let her cry into my shirt, letting it out finally while I did my best to soothe her.

Those seven years were far too long for her.

Once she had calmed down, I could sense Carlisle and Esme behind me; before they made their presence known, Bella rubbed gently at her eyes to rid herself of the tears. A tiny yawn escaped past those little pink lips of hers.

"Sounds like someone needs some sleep." Finally making themselves known, the two gracefully came into the room over to where we sat.

"Awwww!" Bella's whine of protest had us laughing.

"Now now, miss. It's been a horribly long day for you. And you need rest to let those eyes, and your wounds heal." Carlisle interjected.

"Am... I ever going to see again?" Bella's sleepy mumble had Esme grasp at her dead heart.

Carlisle smoothed her hair, a frown visible on his face.

"I'm sorry dear. For now, I have no way of being able to return your sight to you. You are much too fragile and small to even be considered for reparative surgery - and even then, once you are big enough, the surgery itself is highly risky. I will look into it if I can so the option remains open for you when the time is right. But for now, we will do our best to help you adapt to this loss." he told her truthfully, and she pouted.

"Trust me, love. I'll be here to help you out however I can." I swore to her, hating how I knew she was broken internally about losing her sight. She then gave into the answer, nodding her sweet head.

"Come on, let's get you ready for bed Bella dear." Esme offered, changing the subject. I let her take her hand, where I exited the room with Carlisle, letting her change Bella into some pajamas.

After Carlisle swabbed some of the medicinal items he had bought earlier, around her eyes, the two left me to tuck her into bed.

She hunkered down under the warm sheets, Bun-Bun tucked into her arm. I made sure she was tucked in comfortably, and kissed her forehead.

"Edward?" I stopped in the middle of the doorway, looking back to her. She was looking at me, lips pursed.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"I love you, big brother."

My heart, if it were beating still, jumped at those words.

I beamed at her, and replied, "I love you too, sweetie."

I turned down the lights and making sure her nightlight was on, I closed the door almost all the way. I remained in the hallway to listen to her calming, deep breaths and her heartbeat slowing down. It didn't take her long to fall asleep peacefully in the bed.

I'm happy for you Brother.

The vision is clear as day, Edward.

I smiled at Jasper's and Alice's thoughts, but then listened intently what was going on downstairs.

"He's heavily attached to the child." Eleazar stated, knowing whole-heartedly I could hear him.

"I believe it's time we explain who she is to you all." Upon hearing Carlisle's ringing statement, I hurried downstairs to see them gathering in the living room.

I took a seat next to Alice, Jasper on the other side. I looked up at Carlisle who stood in the middle of our gathering, the Denali clan on the opposite side of us.

"Edward, if you would like to explain how you came across Isabella?" Carlisle asked me, looking over at me. I nodded to him, sighing.

"Well, I was out hunting one night, when I came across... such a strong scent. Never have I felt so drawn to a smell before. It was heavily floral and sweet. A wondrous scent, but it drove me so mad that I wanted to have it. It drove me to find a river, and there swaddled in a blanket, I found the poor human. She was small - a tiny baby she was when I first found her. She understood words at least when I tried talking to her, trying to get a grasp as to how she was alone by the river at such a late hour of the night. Surprisingly, she warmed up to me - normally you know how humans tend to shy away from us. She never once jumped from me, cried and tottered off in fear. She welcomed me warmly.

"I followed a trail of her scent that led away from the river, to a secluded cabin in the middle of the forest. That's when... I found them," I paused to catch myself; memories of that night flooded back to my brain once again. The sight of Renee's tattered and bloody corpse outside from the deck, and Charlie's lifeless form in disarray in their ran-sacked bedroom. The strong smell of the blood spattered across the walls and the floor...

Alice put a hand on my shoulder to bring me out of my thoughts, and I nodded to her in thanks.

"Her parents were all that she had. No other living relatives to speak. We later found out that it was the work of a nomad - a tracker at that - who wanted to bring back a gift to his mate. That gift being Isabella. We protected her from him, having already grown attached to the small infant. We still are unsure of where this tracker may be, but we plan on avoiding him - and keeping Bella away from - till actions must be taken should the need arise."

"We should've taken care of him when it was all of us there." Jasper muttered, remembering how with our seven to one odds, it was easy to see that James wouldn't have been able to take us all on.

Carlisle glanced at him, and Jasper sighed. "I know I know. End things peacefully and keeps things civil, sir."

"Precisely."

"But what about that seven year gap - where was she then?" Kate asked next, raising an eyebrow. I held my head in my hands, still trying to come to terms on how she was taken away. My family shifted into their own position of sorrow at the memory but Carlisle eventually continued.

"It happened by pure accident. Emmett was left in charge one day to watch over our newest member to the family. He took her to the park, and was distracted by something - allowing enough time for a human to kidnap her right from under his watch. We had no means of being able to catch his scent amongst the other humans. We were lost... Alice couldn't get a reading on any visions regarding her. And Edward struggled to retrace her scent that he is so drawn to. It... It was a long, hard seven years to deal without her." he said to the group, shaking his head remorsefully.

I glanced at Alice sadly, remembering how our family split in result to the loss of our human. She smiled at me sadly, and squeezed Jasper's leg, knowing it was amplified for him having to suffer through the pounding guilt.

"Emmett was horribly grief stricken for his mistake. Never would I believe that Edward would eventually forgive him." Esme mused sadly, rubbing my shoulder.

"He's my brother. As much as I disapprove of how irrational and impulsive that buffoon is... He cares. And I know he would never have let her out of his sight intentionally." I remarked, shaking my head.

"How were you able to find her then?" Carmen asked, knowing there was more to our story.

"Alice finally came through." Jasper stated with pride, beaming at his wife.

"Well, it was more so I had a vision of her kidnapper, but just knew... just knew it was about Bella." Alice added in her modified side of the story, chuckling.

"We were in Washington in no time, and found her locked away in that prison that kept her from us. She was frightened - terrified to the bone. He abused her enough to the point where she's lost her sight... along with physically and sexually assaulting her. I wanted nothing more than to make sure he suffered my wrath for what he did to her," Jasper reached around to clasp me on the shoulder when he felt my rage spiking up once more the memories of the vile man who tortured my Bella.

"He was eventually taken care of by Emmet and Rosalie. We soon returned back her, and began getting her things, such as new clothes and food, to hopefully get her right back on track to being a healthy child once again." Carlisle finished for me, nodding to the clan to signal he was finished with the brief retelling of our angel.

They took it in, nodding their heads.

"How long are planning on keeping her?"

I growled slightly at the fact that Irina's question came across as implications that Bella was nothing more than a pet for us.

"Edward she didn't mean-"

"It's implied, I can hear her thoughts after all." I muttered bitterly, snapping a glare towards Irina who shrunk back under my gaze, slightly ashamed.

"But, the question still stands." Eleazar began, bringing our attention to him.

"She is human, with blood and a pumping heart. She is surrounded by a world with creatures that were prematurely designed to kill her species. And we can do it easier before they even realize what is happening to them. It's harsh, and despicable to even think about harming a creature that is a human. But... the risk remains. What happens if the scent becomes too strong for Edward to remain under control? Or for Jasper, who I know has struggled in the past in maintaining himself around the humans? Any of you could snap around her. There's bound to be mistakes that will put greater grief on your shoulders."

"Or worse... the Volturi will catch wind that you are harboring a human." I was a snarling mess by this point, my anger rising with each word he uttered. As if I would let any of that happen.

"You disagree with me Edward, I know. But, you yourself must've contemplated this at some point." Eleazar pointed out, knowing that there was no way I could deny the truth.

"There is only one thing that we keep as hope, that possibly, there is a means of keeping Bella with us."

"It comes at the risk of turning her into one of us." Tanya concluded, raising an eyebrow dubiously. Carlisle pursed his lips but nodded his head, sighing.

"I'll be dam -"

"Oh hush Edward, you've seen the vision millions of times by this point. No matter the outcome of whatever you may want to try, it remains strong." Alice chastised me before I could comment on how I would try my hardest in preventing it from happening. She then gave a brief synopsis of her recurring vision that she stands by.

"Oh how endearing." Carmen gushed, smiling at me. She was a kind vampire, knowing that I've been alone for a long time. She only wanted me to find happiness.

"It's not set in stone." I argued weakly.

"I say it is, since it continues to rear its head whenever you and Bella are together."

I sighed, deciding to drop the argument.

"The risk still lies in the wake before your wishes of her joining our kind, could ever come true." Eleazar brought our attention back to him.

"We understand that, and it's why we're trying our best to take every precaution there is to keep Bella intact from any of our natural urges and instincts."

"What about when she starts to realize none of you are aging with her? As much as Isabella is blind, she is more aware than you may realize. That much I can already get from her." Kate noted out loud, and I frowned. She was right.

"At some point, when we feel that the time is right or that she is mature enough, I've contemplated on having us share our secrets to her."

"That's ludicrous." Eleazer hissed, scowling.

"I don't plan on leaving her in the dark, or consistently lie to her face. If we plan on having her remain with us in this family for a long period of time, she will definitely notice that we aren't aging with her. Or any other small details that exposes our true nature to her. It's risky, it's dangerous indeed. But, I can't lie to her face. She is bound to find out herself if we don't beat her to the punch."

"Then when?" Kate pressed, and Carlisle ran a hand through his hair.

"The earliest I would say we would tell her is when she is 12."

I huffed, that is such a young age.

"Edward..."

"You know that's still much too young to tell her something as heavy as our secret."

"Yes. But, so far I can tell as much as she is still a child in both actions and mindset, she's more developed mentally at 10. It's better to let her adjust to being back around us first after the separation. She needs to rebuild her bonds with us, and have faith in us that we won't ever plan on hurting her once she learns who we are."

I pursed my lips at his offer, but nodded anyways. There was still time to recover, build and think it over.

After a moment of silence Carmen snapped her fingers.

"Do you plan on having her still be around humans? Like send her to school and give her at least some semblance of normalcy of a human life?"

"Oh what will we do about her education?" Esme gasped out loud, worried now that Isabella is much too far behind in that area.

"I think it'd be better to homeschool her, catch her up in her studies before we think about sending her out to a school. Around the time she is 12, I do actually plan on holding up to our original scheduled destination to live."

"Where would that be?" Tanya pouted, and I grimaced internally.

"We originally planned on England. At the time, the weather would work in our favor to minimize exposure. At some point, we will have to regroup and finalize our plans then but for now, England is still the set destination."

"I can look into any academies that tend to her needs." I piped in, thinking there had to be some academies dedicated to children with disabilities, be it blindness or otherwise.

The Denali's nodded their heads to this plan.

"Carlisle, just... please understand the risk you are taking in keeping Bella within your coven. I beg that you continue to take each precaution there is, and heed my warnings. You've gone through enough grief from having lost her once - I'm sure it would further destroy you all if something were to happen to her once again." Carlisle nodded heavily to Eleazar, thanking him for the reminder.

And on that final note, our meeting was quietly adjourned. I took upon myself now, deciding I've been away from Bella much too long. It'd be better for me to see to her, to see if she's able to sleep peacefully.

"Edward..." Jasper called when I began heading towards the stairs. I glance back at him and he had his arms crossed.

"You need to hunt."

"Nonsense I'm fine."

"Don't try arguing with me about this, brother. I know you. You were obviously wallowing in misery before we retrieved her today. Please for the sake of your sanity, and for her safety, take the night to hunt."

I grunted angrily at him. I didn't want to lose another minute without being by Bella's side. I only got her back today - call me selfish but I wanted more time with her.

Alice stopped my musings to give me a knowing look, agreeing silently with Jasper. The others gave me similar gazes, some laced with more concern. I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to win this fight and waved a hand to Jasper, conceiting to the request.

"I'll watch over her. I'll make sure she remains safe." Esme promised; I knew she had missed her just as much as we all equally did. And I couldn't deny her time with Bella.

With that, Jasper and I turned to the back of the house, exiting the Denali home and into the night for our hunt.

A/N: Well. It sure has been... a mighty long time since I've touched this.

Now. I had previously said on my profile that I would be leaving the stories untouched based upon the fact I had grown out of touch with the main focus that is based around these stories. It is true, I am no longer passionate about the series and its characters.

I however, am not no longer passionate about writing.

Inspiration to continue writing for these has returned to me. Who knows how long though. But, while I have it, I'll be trying to write.

Mainly, I've decided to continue my best at writing these stories for my own gain. I enjoyed them, and enjoyed re-reading them (to an extent). I understand that the novels are outdated and has lost the hype for the most part in most recent years.

I don't expect a mass of responses for feedback as I can recall activity is slow and sluggish with my writings.

Ramblings aside, I will also address this:

I abhor how I have written what up to date, for those who read it.

I personally blame it on the fact at the time I was writing all of these stories, my style was under-developed and all sorts of incorrect - from grammar to logic, spellings and what have you. It was a mess to say this least and I will acknowledge that.

For some based off reviews, I enjoyed that overall people still loved what I was putting out. I am taking the constructive critiques into mind and can say in the past few years, I have learned (and still learning) how writing should be written.

There will be mistakes still here and there. It's not perfect, but it's improved.

I don't plan on going back and rewriting every single bit that is there amongst every single story.

The style will be different for however long I plan on trying my best at continuing this. And as previously stated, I'm mainly doing this again for myself since I've missed writing.

For any details that seem far-fetched, remember: merely fiction. Truths may be stretched here or there. Not my intentions to do so if it involves something highly realistic. I welcome corrections that I'm not skilled or trained in. Simple as that.

Therefore, I'll end it here.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated, but won't be begged for.

~LadyLily~