#he said oh you thought the catholic trauma vampire show was bad

[shortkingvi]

we seal mike flanagan away for a year and then every october he re-emerges like a progressively more insane little show business gremlin to put a curse on my bloodline

[madelinecoffee]

On Her Own Ch. 5

Summary: 10 years into being a vampire on her own Bella meets Esme at the bookstore where she works, and Esme brings her home hoping Bella will choose to join their family. A/N: Here you go another chapter! If you read it at all please tell me what you think. I don’t do tagging because it spikes my anxiety, but I do tag this on her own * if you want to track it  Words: 1766 Previous Chapters: Ch. 1 Ch. 2 Ch. 3 Ch. 4

Bella couldn’t remember the last time she had stayed up all night; it was probably back when she was trying to figure out her next plan right after she was changed. But that had been nothing like last night. She had so much fun doing embroidery with Esme and laughing with the rest of the family, maybe she thought they could be her family too. She let herself feel a little hope that she could have a real home again, but before she let herself she realized it was time she had to get ready for work. She took her embroidery to her room and put it on the table by her bed and turned to look at her closet immediately feeling overwhelmed. But before the feeling could take hold Alice was knocking at her door.

“Hey, Jasper told me you were feeling overwhelmed?” Alice spoke gently

Bella shook her head, “I was trying to pick an outfit, I work today and everything feels different. Last time I didn’t have a mate or-“ She broke off shaking her head

Edward appeared in the door too smiling gently at her.

Alice spoke, “Do you want me to pick something out?” Bella bit her lip and nodded turning towards Edward so he could hug her. She wasn’t sure if this was what all mates were like, but whenever he was in her proximity she wanted contact with him. Bella smiled as she felt him kiss her head.

She looked up at him, “What will guys do all day?”

Edward shrugged, “We only moved in two weeks ago and we’re not trying to be high-school students this time. We might take some classes, there’s a woman’s shelter Esme wants to start volunteering at and Carlisle wants to start at the hospital soon.”

Bella hummed, “What’s your guys story when you go to high school?” Alice was still going through Bella’s wardrobe in the background but it appeared she found an outfit as she came toward them.

Alice smiled, “We usually say that Carlisle and Esme are our foster parents, as we’re all mates and together and that’s hard to hide.”

Edward nodded, “Yeah the incest rumors were hard but we figured out a better story that makes people less suspicious. Basically Rosalie and Jasper are ‘the twins’, Emmett and I are brothers and then Alice is actually Carlisle and Esme’s adopted daughter.”

Alice spoke, “We might have to change it though if you join the family. Maybe Edward and I are siblings, and you and Emmett are siblings. You too look alike.”

Edward rolled his eyes, “Anyway the story goes that we all grew up together, best friends and all like kindergarten-married. Our parents were best friends of course, so when they died in a car wreck before we all went to high school of course Esme and Carlisle took us in.”

“Wow that’s quiet a story” Bella smiled softly

Alice nodded, “Yeah people think its sweet though and mostly just leave us be, sighting our trauma for some of our quiet behavior. And we do all have our trauma. Edward’s is mostly catholic guilt though” Alice giggled and dogged Edwards hand.

Edward sighed, “You better get changed so you can go to work.” Bella nodded and zoomed in and out of the bathroom.

“I should get going” Bella spoke quietly and a little sadly

Edward walked her down the stairs asking if she was going to come back here after work.

Bella nodded, “I would like to, though if I move in I’d need to get some things.”

Esme gave her a hug and tucked her hair behind her ear, “We’ll help you move your stuff whenever you’re ready.” Bella smiled gratefully and said goodbye to the rest of the family.

--

Esme smiled as her children started discussing Bella once they were sure they were sure she was out of earshot.

“Alice do you think she’ll stay?” Emmett asked early, “She’s like everyone’s baby sitter”

Jasper nodded, “She really is like a newborn, her emotions are so intense.”

Alice hummed, “She hasn’t decided for sure yet if she’s going to stay. It keeps going back and forth. But I think she will, more so I hope she will.”

Rosalie spoke, “I hope she does, she shouldn’t have to be out there on her own.”

Edward nodded, “I think she’ll stay. But then again, even if she doesn’t I’d go with her. Is this what you all feel like all the time? She just left and I already miss her.”

Emmett chucked and slugged his arm, “Welcome to the club, sometimes its hard. But we know they always come back”

Esme spoke, “We just have to make sure she knows she has a place here. That we won’t leave her like the rest of her family I still can’t get over her mother.” Rosalie growled low in her throat, “Bella is still legally alive! No one knows she died. And her mom just hasn’t contacted her?”

Carlisle kissed her head, “Her mother has always been flighty it seems, never consistent. But by having Bella as part of our family, we have to be prepared if she does come back into Bella’s life.”

Edward frowned and Jasper spoke up, “You think her mother would?”

Carlisle shrugged, “I can’t say for sure but the pattern suggests it might occur, and we have to be ready. We’ve all seen that Bella is really fragile.”

Jasper spoke, “And her emotions are very intense, she’s like a newborn.”

Rosalie spoke, “So what can we do for her?”

Esme smiled at Rose’s worried tone and grabbed her hand, “We just have to be there for her. Like we’ve all been for each other when we’ve had bad days or rough times. And when she gets upset we have to show her we still love her.”

Jasper hummed his assurance, “She’s really afraid of being left behind again, she’s worried we’re going to stop liking her or get tired of her and just leave.”

Edward snarled, “I won’t leave her”

Jasper sighed, “I know you love her, I’m just telling you what she’s feeling.”

Emmett spoke, “We should do something to show her we care! She likes books lets build her some shelves for her room!”

Alice clapped her hands, “Oh that’s a great idea! It’ll be perfect!”

Rosalie piped up, “I can get the trees and Emmett and Jasper can carve them.”

Esme nodded, “We’ll all work together to get them done for her.”

--

Bella felt excited after work, usually she felt dread at the end of the day. Usually she was going back to her home where she would read for a bit and then sleep through the night (hopefully). It was lonely, but now she headed back to the Cullen’s where her mate was, and maybe her family. She knew she would have to go back to her place eventually to get her possessions but she didn’t want to go back to her sad little home when she could be with the Cullen in their home.  It was where she knew Edward would hold her, and Esme would hug her along with the others. She smiled as she raced into the house greeted by Edward.

He kissed her head and face, “Hi love I missed you today”

Bella sighed; “I missed you too” She leaned up to kiss him before the rest of the family greeted her.

Alice seemed to be buzzing with energy, “Bella we have a surprise for you! Come on it’s in your room!”

“Alice doesn’t pull her, let her go up on her own.” Esme scolded gently and Jasper smiled at all the excitement that surrounded him from his family, and the curiosity and confused smile Bella had.

The family led her up the stairs but before she could walk into her room Edward covered her eyes so it was a surprise and put her hand on Emmett’s shoulder as he led her in.

Rosalie and Alice were presenting two bookshelves as Edward uncovered her eyes; “We built you some bookshelves love, so you can house all of your books. We know you have a lot.” Edward spoke

Everyone was smiling at Bella before she promptly burst into tears Esme and Carlisle went over and took her in their arms trying to soothe the young vampire and Jasper worked to soothe her.

She took a breath as the older vampires stroked her back; “No one’s ever gotten anything for me before, let alone built me something!”

Esme too her into her arms rocking her softly, “Shh Bella, it’s okay we did because we love you.”

Bella nodded she overwhelmed, “I love them, they’re perfect. I’ll have them forever.”

Emmett took her closer, “And see we all engraved out initials so you don’t forget about us.”

Bella sniffled; “I won’t forget you regardless” She told them as she stroked the wood.

Esme took her hand, “Why don’t we go for a walk Bella? Alice and Rose can come to.”

Bella nodded and gripped Esme’s hand a little tighter.

--

Emmett looked like a sad puppy as he turned to his brothers and father; “She said no one’s ever gotten anything for her before.”

Carlisle nodded, “Well her human years weren’t the happiest, and she was alone for most of her vampire years.”

Emmett shook his head, “Well now she’s got us. We can be her family.”

Jasper spoke, “We just have to be patient with her, like how you’ve all been with me. I know she doesn’t get blood thirsty like I do but she has her own emotional struggles.”

Edward nodded, “We just have to be there and let her know she’s not alone.”

--

Bella smiled at her bookshelves stroking them, she wished she could fill them with her books but they were still at her old home. She could probably get her mate’s family to help her move if she asked, she dreaded going there alone now. The walk with the girls had been nice; Esme held her hand and no one chided her for wanting comfort. Instead the girls told her about their past times, how Alice loved to shop and design and how Rose did too though she was also interested in mechanics. Conversation was easy and she had a good time, a much better time than she remembered from her time with her mother during her human years. Bella shook her head; she wouldn’t let herself go there. This could be a true new beginning away from her mother and the past.