Bella was confused as Edward led her toward the Cullen's house, a sleeping Reneesme in her arms. He'd gotten three phone calls over the past four days, from a friend, and that's all she knew. "Edward." She said, her voice low as they entered the house, her ears catching the sound of a car turning onto the drive. "I'll explain in a second." He sighed, dropping her hand. Everyone in the living room turned to face him, confused. Alice stood up, her face pained. The headache was back. "A friend of mine is coming to stay awhile; she needs our help." He explained, meeting the eyes of everyone in the room. Bella felt a pang of jealousy run through her, a female friend she hadn't known about? She shrugged it off, shaking the thought from her mind. She knew Edward loved her more than anything, except their daughter Reneesme. Esme walked out of the kitchen, flattening a wrinkle from her dress, a smile playing across her lips. "How long will she be staying?" She asked in her soft voice, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. "I'm not sure yet, neither is Beth. Until her she's fallen off the radar, I suppose. I will let her explain her troubles to you, it is not my place." Edward told everyone, his eyes lingering on Esme before glancing back as the door opened, Carlisle rushing in. He looked around at his entire family, suddenly growing nervous. "What is it?" He asked, staring at Edward the longest, his question answered without words. The front door opened slowly, a set of heels clicking quietly in the lush carpet. Her scent filled the room quickly, before she'd even emerged from the foyer. It was sweet, mouth-watering, forbidden. Carlisle recognized it in an instant, and suddenly, everything became surreal. Everyone faced the foyer now, waiting. She appeared finally, moving like a seductress with skin as pale as theirs, her beauty shimmering as theirs did, but there was a heartbeat beneath her skin, and fresh blood flowing through her veins. They stared in awe for just a moment, taking in her beauty, glancing down at the floor length, yellow satin gown that clung to her generous curves, her scent nearly as intoxicating as a bottle of liquor to a human. She stared back, but her eyes were trained on one, as his were on her. She was dizzy before she'd even walked in, his scent was everywhere here. It made her head spin. Her heart accelerated, but she caught herself before it could get any worse than it already had to appear. "I'm so sorry to just intrude like this." She finally said, a slight smile tugging on her lips as she ripped her eyes away from Carlisle, glancing around the room. Her eyes ran over Bella and Edward first, smiling as her eyes landed on Reneesme, not feeling the slightest hint of envy. In fact, she was happy for them, for what she couldn't have. Her eyes wandered again, over Emmett and Rosalie, sitting together on the couch, staring at her almost hungrily, but so controlled. Then there was Alice, and Jasper, who stared at her curiously. Alice smiled at her tightly, not the slightest bit happy at the fuzz that Beth admitted. She gazed at Esme the longest, taking in her sweet face, and her housewife clothes. She was jealous for a split second, jealous of what Esme had, of what should have been hers, but she pushed it back, and smiled wider. Finally, her eyes landed on him again, on Carlisle. She took in the beauty of the face she'd never forgotten, taking in what she'd missed so much, what she'd longed for since he'd left. There was a shift of weight from the living room, and it broke her concentration. She sighed, the smile still on her lips as she glanced back at Edward, "Should I introduce myself, or have you already done me the honor?" She asked, raising her hand to her blonde hair, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. "This is Beth King. Beth, this is my wife Bella, our daughter Reneesme, my sisters Rose and Alice, and my brothers Emmett and Jasper. This is my father, Carlisle, and Esme." He smiled, careful not to say the word wife. How sweet he is. She smiled warmly, her nervousness melting away. "I'm so thankful that you are allowing me to stay for as long as needed, it means more than my words can express." Beth said softly. So like Esme, yet so much more. "I'll show you to your room, and I'm sure Emmett and Jasper wouldn't mind getting your bags." Edward said, glancing at his brothers, giving them a look. They nodded, breezing out of the living room. "Oh, it's locked. Here are the keys." Beth sighed, unclenching her fist. "I'll take them." Alice volunteered, walking over and taking the keys from the palm of her hand gently, disappearing. "You're family is very kind, thank you." Beth smiled, looking over at Edward as they climbed the stairs to his old room. "You're welcome." Edward said, glancing at her. He opened the door for her, ushering her in. "It isn't much, and I hope it will be enough for you, for however long you chose to stay here." He said, quietly as she glanced around, running her fingers over the comforter on the bed he hadn't had moved. "More than enough, I cannot thank you enough for this, Edward. You have no idea how much it means to me, to be safe for once." She almost whispered, glancing down at her hands. Edward almost reached out to her, but didn't. He didn't know her well enough to try and provide comfort. "Anything you need, Beth, just ask." He smiled, and she nodded, looking up at him. "So, you're a father, and a husband? That's something I didn't take you for, how old is your daughter?" She asked, making polite conversation. "Only a few months, but she's already three, with a mind wiser beyond her years. She's a hybrid, like you, but not exactly. She exhibits vampire tendencies more than human, and I can see her mind whereas I cannot see into yours." He laughed lightly, and she smiled, listening as Emmett and Jasper walked back into the house. "Thank you, for not mentioning me before tonight." She whispered to him, no one hearing her. She reached her hand out to him, and he took it, savoring her heat for a moment.
2AM