“Ever since I’ve been a vampire and been able to fend for myself,” I started, “You all have been treating me like…….like you’re afraid of me!”

The music from the bedroom came to an abrupt halt. Edward was listening now, I could sense it.

“Bella,-” She struggled for words.

“Everyone has been acting like I’m dangerous and like I am going to snap and murder one of you at any time!” I continued. “I don’t want to be the freak anymore! I don’t want to be intimidating or scary, I just want to be Bella…..” A note of hysteria crept into my voice. True to form, even as a vampire, my emotions were hardwired to my tear ducts. Conveniently, I was unable to cry, but even so- my voice still betrayed the emotion I felt.

Sensing my distress, Esme swept me comfortingly into her arms in a very motherly gesture.

“Shhhhh, Bella.” She soothed. “Calm down.” She rubbed her hand lightly up and down my back to relax me. “We aren’t afraid of you, sweetheart…. We’re just…..grateful.”

“Grateful!?” I stepped away from her as my eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yes, grateful. Do you have any idea how indebted to you I am?”

“For what!?” I felt my jaw drop in astonishment. “For making your family pick up everything and move, for putting you in danger time-after-time, for being the biggest pain in the a-”

“Oh, Bella! Do you really think that anyone holds you responsible for any of that?”

“They should.” I muttered.

“No, Bella. They shouldn’t, and they don’t. Moving is a part of our lives. We can’t stay in any place for too long, it’s a part of what comes with immortality. As for this ‘danger’. We are perfectly capable of taking care of yourselves in most cases. The only instance in which we have been in what we would consider as real danger, you saved us, and you know that. We owe our lives to you for that.”

“But you wouldn’t have needed to be saved if it weren’t for the danger that I clearly put you in.” I countered. “So really, that is no reason to be grateful for me.”

“Do you think that’s the only reason I’m equipped with?” She contradicted.