Lasagna

Demetri hadn't changed. He was the same sarcastic vampire that had once tried to kill her because Ana bested him at a game of soccer.

After briefly talking to Demetri about her new life, he told her the reason he was there.

"Aro didn't really send me to see you," he said. Anastasia frowned at him. They walked between the trees surrounding the Cullen house at an excruciatingly slow pace.

"What mission are you on Demetri?"

"There was suspicious activity down in the town of Portland, Oregon. They sent me. There is no threat, it was merely a dunce spewing false rumors," he explained. Ana nodded, slightly relieved there was nothing threatening her neighboring state. With her luck and the Cullen's, if it was another thought-out attack, they were the closest clan to it and would surely take the biggest hit.

"How are they treating you?" He asked suddenly. Although he would never admit it, Ana knew Demetri did care for her. She fought back a smile before responding honestly.

"They treat me like one of their own."

Demmetri hummed. It hurt slightly to know Anastasia was thriving with the Cullen's, but he knew she belonged with them. Her smile was brighter than he had ever seen.

The two vampires finally bid their farewells. Demetri warned her that one day he would return, next time with orders from Aro. Anastasia took his warning lightly but appreciated his words.

He left in a flash and disappeared between the trees. Ana sighed and sat down at the front stairs of the house.

Did she miss her old friends? She wasn't sure. Could she even call them friends? Perhaps.

Definitely not Jane though.

Anastasia glanced over her shoulder when she felt Jasper's presence. He stared at her with tender eyes.

"Are you alright?" He whispered, leaning down and placing a kiss on her shoulder. Ana sighed before moving her hair, just a little to the left so Jasper had easier access to her neck.

"Yes. It's still a bit strange to be away from Italy," she confessed as her mate took the hint and placed a sloppy kiss on her neck. Jasper nodded understandingly in the crook of her neck and caressed her arm as she spoke.

"We could always visit if you feel homesick," he muttered. Anastasia hummed before leaning more into his body. She shook her head and laid her head on his chest before slightly pushing him away.

"Trust me when I say, it is never a good idea for me to return to Italy. The further away, the better."

Jasper understood. A Cullen being in Italy was already dangerous enough. He sighed before pulling her close again. He kissed her cheek before lifting her up.

"Come on, love. Let's get back inside," he whispered to her. Anastasia nodded and allowed herself to be carried away. They made their way up into their own room quickly and Jasper set her down. Ana rolled out of his hands and sighed.

She peeked up at Jasper as he laid down next to her.

"I love your eyes," she whispered as she clutched his cheeks. Jasper chuckled.

"I know. You tell me at least twice a day," he responded. Anastasia giggled and snuggled closer to him.

"I can't wait until my eyes change," she muttered as she played with his large hands. Jasper's lips curled into a sultry smirk as Anastasia suddenly sucked on his finger.

"Careful, darling, wouldn't wanna start something you can't finish," he slurred. Anastasia felt herself getting riled up and sat up on the bed.

"And who said I wouldn't finish?"

~

Anastasia's cheek smashed up against the palm of her hand as she watched Esme and Rosalie make a human meal for Reneesme. She sniffed and hummed as the delicious scent of lasagna reached her.

Esme quickly pulled out a new bowl when the lady on the small telly recited more of the recipe. The lady had Anastasia's full attention, and so did every move Esme and Rosalie did. Anastasia felt her mouth fill with vemom the more she watched the food be cooked.

"You're drooling," Rosalie stated. Anastasia would've blushed if she could but instead she wiped away the drool from her mouth.

"I apologize. It all just looks so good," the redhead muttered. She whined as another scent entered her nose. It was her mate. She stood up and was about to run to find him but another smell suddenly appeared. Anastasia stopped as the unknown scent filled the house.

"Who's that?" She asked with a strained voice and Esme shot her a look.

"I think that's Charlie coming to visit Reneesme," Esme said, a little alert since Anastasia still wasn't used to being around humans. She could lose control at any minute.

And Bella's father wasn't the best option to kill.

Esme was at her side immediately and wrapped her arms around her tightly in case Ana tried to run.

"Come on!"

The brunette dragged Anastasia away, jumping off the balcony on the second floor without being spotted. As soon as her feet hit the ground, Ana and Esme both sped off into the woods, trying to get away from the unsuspecting human ad quickly as possible.

A good thirty miles into the forest and Anastasia was able to stop. Her throat began to burn desperately but she closed her eyes in an attempt to ignore it.

"How do you feel?" Esme asked softly as she tried to calm her down as best as she knew. Ana frowned.

"Like a failure."

"You were able to turn and run the opposite way without thinking twice about it though. I call it a win," Esme comforted and for a moment she succeeded. Until Ana's insecurities came rushing in.

"I'm a burden," she muttered softly and hid her face in her pale arms. The mother of the clan continued to try to ease the redhead's pain but nothing seemed to work. Esme stopped when she heard a rustle behind her, and she knew exactly who it was. She rose to her feet and smiled at Jasper. She allowed her son to comfort his make in privacy. Esme ran back home, hoping she hadn't burned her lasagna.

"I'm so proud of you, darling," Jasper drawled as he buried his face in Anastasia's red hair. His mate shook her head but Jasper only laughed.

"You may not see it yet, but you're doing absolutely amazing with your control."

Anastasia didn't move. She was deathly still before she suddenly shot up to her feet. She turned to Jasper and latched herself onto his body as close as possible.

"I would've killed him if I had the chance," she whispered, "and it would've felt great."

Jasper understood. He truly did. He remembered those days when he was a struggling newborn. It wasn't even long ago when he struggled against Bella's own scent. He learned to conquer it the more he was around her, and it definitely helped now that she was a vampire like the rest of his family.

But Jasper definitely knew a thing or two about struggling against your own will.

And he was more than determined to help his mate.

~

When Ana and Jasper arrived back to the house, Charlie was gone. Bella shot Anastasia an apologetic smile before carrying Reneesme to the kitchen island.

"I'm sorry about that, Ana. I didn't know he would show up out of the blue," Bella said, a little concerned for the redheaded vampire. Anastasia shook her head.

"It shouldn't be an issue. Your dad is free to visit you and be safe whenever he feels like it. I'm the problem here."

Bella continued to reassure her she wasn't an issue and while the girls argued among themselves, Esme served her granddaughter a plate of the homemade lasagna that was luckily not burned. Reneesme greedily began to eat but the scent of the food caught Anastasia's attention again.

"It smells divine," she mused and again her mouth watered.

Bella raised an eyebrow and frowned.

"I thought vampires hated human food."

Everyone turned to Ana for an explanation. But the redhead didn't have one.

"I thought so too, but I'm being honest when I say it smells great!" She said again, very excited about the food before her.

The Cullen Clan didn't say anything as they watched Ana continue to sniff the food.

And once she tried to eat some of the lasagna, she immediately threw it back up.

Anastasia didn't come out of her room for the remainder of the day.

*unedited*