Gifted

Chapter 10: Beginnings

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Please read and review. Please? With a cherry on top?

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"They're one minute away!" Alice practically shrieked.

Rosalie glared at her sister and rolled her eyes. Esme finished up the details in the kitchen. If anyone looked inside they'd see the typical remnants of a family's breakfast: dirty dishes, half-eaten food, utensils strewn about. Esme was pretty proud of her handiwork. She was a teeny bit worried about the food though-she'd never cooked for anyone before. She didn't think she could accidentally poison Bella with her pancakes...could she?

Jasper stood by the window observing his family members. Alice was so excited...he had to smile despite his trepidation. Even if he wasn't an empath he'd be able to feel the anticipation in the room. They were about to welcome the first human into their home. Even Carlisle was a little excited.

"30 seconds!" Alice squealed.

Jasper just shook his head. He had to admit, he was very curious about Bella. Edward's reactions were worse than any he'd ever seen in his long life. Edward was a 100 years old, yet any mention of Bella or worse, a whiff of her scent and he acted like a newborn.

The family had a long discussion the night before. Edward tried to make the case for leaving, but he was stunned-and truth be told, Jasper was as well-when that notion was met by an almost violent denial from Esme. Jasper wished he could read minds too, because nothing explained how a few minutes with the girl brought out the emotions that were reeling from both Esme and Rosalie. Their emotions were still unstable...bonds, as he knew better than anyone, took time to build...but their attachment to Bella was painfully clear. Also clear was their protectiveness of the girl. It was especially jarring to feel these emotions from Rosalie, who had sat unmoving and silent through the entire meeting.

Not knowing how long Bella would be in the neighborhood, Edward decided to go to Denali. Jasper and Emmett had escorted him until they were far enough away from Bella's scent that Edward could continue on his own. Both he and Emmett hunted then, before Emmett went to find his wife.

He didn't know what the two of them discussed, though of course it wasn't difficult to guess at the topic. This morning when they heard Bella stir, Emmett ran in her direction before anyone could stop him. They stood frozen as they listened to their exchange. When Esme heard that Bella was alone and would be so for days, she shouted at Emmett to invite her for breakfast.

"Darling, are you cert-," Carlisle had started, but Esme was already preparing in the kitchen.

"It's not a bad idea," Alice said. "She's going to be in school with us. We'll all need to get used to her scent. And we're going to have to protect her from Edward."

"Or we could just move and be done with it," Rosalie grumbled through gritted teeth.

Jasper shook his head. Rosalie was, to put it mildly, driving him crazy. He had never experienced so many strong conflicting emotions all at once from one person.

"They're here!" Alice leaped down the stairs and skipped to the door.

Jasper smiled again at his wife. Then he looked at Carlisle. "Stay by my side?" He asked his adopted father.

Carlisle nodded.

Here we go, he thought.

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Bella failed miserably at keeping her excitement down when she saw the house. It was gorgeous. Huge and obviously made of money, it was still tasteful and understated...a strange contrast to the outrageous cars she spotted in the open garage.