I had to tell her. I owed that much to her at the very least.

I sighed openly as I approached the quaint little house by the forest. A house… most vampires we tracked down were transient. But still, it was lucky we knew her address, since Demetri’s talent did nothing because of Bella’s…unnatural and unusual aversion to such powers.

I took one deep, unnecessary breath before knocking on the front door, which her mother promptly opened.

“Good morning, Mrs. Swan,” I smiled, and she instantly gushed over my presence.

Oh, he’s so polite! I do hope Bella will be nice to him today… They’ve been getting along so well… Her thoughts had become flustered by the mere sight of me, and it took her a second before she could invite me in. I waited patiently until she had gotten her thoughts in order, then walked in when asked.

Human propriety would have called for her to ask if I would like anything to eat or drink, but instead she settled for asking me if I wanted to sit down.

I politely declined, saying, “Would be so kind as to call your daughter down from her bedroom though? I’m hoping she will oblige to join me on a walk this fine morning.” I had stepped into the sunlight coming in from the kitchen window during my proposal, and it had the desired effect on Renee.

“Of course I can call her down Edward, but you’ll have to ask her if she’ll come with you yourself.” She then proceeded to say, “Bella!” in the general direction of the stairs.

Bella’s probably happier not going to school today anyways, Renee thought as we waited for Bella, After all, she did say it was boring and trivial… We didn’t wait long for the aforementioned, and a look of momentary shock crossed her face when she entered the kitchen and saw me.

“Good morning Bella,” I acknowledged her with exactly the right amount of civility the situation called for. Then, remembering what her mother had just thought, I added jokingly, “Your mother and I were just discussing the wonders of living with humans. It sounds quite… fascinating.”

We never discussed that! Renee thought in surprise, but she kept quiet, unknowingly helping me with my little joke.