Twilight
chapter seven, mixed emotions

Persephone Cullen was walking around in her room organizing her clothes and moving things around. She was trying to actively distract herself from the events that happened yesterday. Especially since Edward was in the house. and she did not want Edward to know.

As much as she loved Edward, sometimes he was a bit nosy and overprotective. He would probably go over to Mrs. Lee and defend the hell out of his sister. He's done it before. That or he'd ruin her business. Both were awful ideas in the blonde's option.

After she came home yesterday Jasper immediately felt a wave of embarrassment coming from her. He was curious and appalled since he'd never felt that from her. Jasper had immediately alerted Edward the second the mindreader came home after being over at Bella's house.

So Edward was on Steph's case about it, but the blonde refused to talk about it. Edward had dropped it, just for the moment. Knowing his sister would slip up soon. Reading minds was beneficial at times. Edward also figured it must be something big if she hid it from him. Steph has never kept a secret from the mindreader so this was odd. For both siblings.

Once Edward had left to pick up Bella, that's when Steph laid back on her bed and started to think of Sam. She wasn't sure why this human was still on her mind. Over the decades, Steph has met many handsome men but not once had they made her feel warm and bubbly.

The way Sam looked at her made her feel beautiful and wanted, in a way. It was intense. But not in a bad way. Quite the opposite. I wonder if he felt it. no, he couldn't have! Maybe it's all just in my head.

Mrs. Lee had made her feel like the bad guy, maybe she was right. Steph shouldn't be flirting with an engaged guy but did the older lady have to be so mean about it? It had ruined her day so much, that she forgot all about Billy's odd looks.

Rosalie knocks on the door and opens it after not hearing any movement from inside. Rose walked in to see her little sister lying on the bed so deep in her thoughts.

The younger blonde, laid down next to her which made Steph finally notice. "What's wrong?" Rose asked as they both looked up at the wall.

"Why do you assume something's wrong?" Persephone replied back with a question trying to avoid the issue. Not wanting to talk about it and realize she was in the wrong.

Rose chuckles at Steph's childish behavior, "Come on Steph. You know you can tell me anything." The blonde pleated trying to convince her sister.

Steph sighed, despite being embarrassed by the whole situation. She did want to ask for someone else opinion. Get an outsider's point of view, that weren't her brothers. But the blonde didn't want the whole house to hear.

The older blonde stood up and opened her window, "Come."

Rose smiled glad Steph was opening up to her, they both jumped off the balcony ran for a bit, and stopped in the middle of the woods. Steph laid her back against a tree, trying to find the right words to say, "Yesterday, I went to buy flowers from Mrs. Lee's flower shop..."

Steph stopped and rolled her eyes, "Everything was fine until some guy walked in. He caught me from falling and I don't know. I guess we had a moment." She lifted her hands to make air quotes, not telling Rosalie that she kind of liked him until he said he was engaged. "And once he left, Mrs. Lee made a huge deal about it. Saying that his fiance was a nice girl and that no one should get in the way of their relationship. She was implying that I shouldn't be a home wrecker. I guess it kind of offended me. It's stupid, I know."

Rosalie understood the blonde so she walked over to her and took her hand. "It's not stupid Steph. You're allowed to feel whatever you want and I would be upset too. Being called a home wrecker doesn't feel nice."

"I know but I guess what really hurt was the way she said it. As if, I were the other woman. I can't believe she would think that! Especially since she's known me since we first moved here."

Rosalie looked at Steph and could tell that wasn't the only reason why, it seemed like there was a huge part missing.

"Steph, Normally this wouldn't affect you so much. What are you not telling me?" Rose asked softly, hoping her sister would talk to her and trust her.

Steph smiled sadly looking down at her painted nails, "I can't hide something from you, can't I?"

Rose smiled and squeezed her hand, "Nope,"

"The guy was sweet," Steph said and Rosalie immediately realized where this was going. "I was about to start flirting with him but he was engaged. And I don't know, I felt bad about that. But, I felt a connection between us."

Steph was frustrated with her own feelings, "I've never felt that way before you know but he was taken so I backed off."

Rose thinks for a moment before replying, "Steph, maybe you felt that way because Edward is dating Bella and you want someone too?"

Steph thought for a second and struggled, "Maybe." She hadn't thought about it that way, maybe Rose had a point. "I guess I wanted to find someone too."

"And you will Steph. I promise, some things just take time." Rose pulled in her sister for a hug. Steph hugged her back and felt a tear fall from her blue eyes. She understood Rose's words and believed them.

"Thanks, Rose but let's forget this okay? I don't want Edward doing anything too extreme." Steph kind of jokes, making Rosalie laugh. "He would ruin her business."

Both girls stare at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing knowing Rose's words are true. Edward wouldn't like anyone calling his sister a home wrecker or treating her badly.

——

Both blonde girls went back to the Cullen house and started to help Esme, Carlisle, and Emmett cook some food for both Steph and their houseguest Bella Swan.

Esme was the most excited because she hadn't met or seen Bella before like the rest. Rosalie was angry but agreed to help because Emmett was helping. Rosalie's only soft spot was her mate. They were perfect for each other and balanced each other out. Emmett was sunshine and Rose was grumpy.

"Pass me the carrots, honey," Esme tells her first daughter and smiles when she complies.

They all tense up when they hear the door open from downstairs, knowing it was Edward and Bella. They hear their footsteps come closer and Bella's words.

"It's so light and open you know," Bella says making everyone in the kitchen smile at her words. Esme and Steph worked very hard on designing and organizing the house many years ago.

"What did you expect, coffins, dungeons, and moats?" Edward says taking her jacket and setting it aside.

"No, not the moats," Edward repeated words laughing to himself since he expected that.

"Is she even Italian?" Rosalie complains feeling annoyed that she had to be there when she really didn't want to.

"Her name is Bella," Emmett replies cutting something with a knife. Rose rolls her eyes and Persephone laughs.

"Emmett, her name has nothing to do with what she likes." Emmett smiles as he sees his sister laugh, knowing his joke worked. His goal was always to make his siblings laugh.

"I'm sure she'll love it, no matter what." Their father figure reassures Rosalie but that doesn't satisfy her. The blonde looks at Persephone who shrugs.

"I love Italian." Rosalie gives her a small smile but it quickly leaves her face when she sees Bella and Edward stand in the doorway. "Get a whiff of that. Here comes the human." She mocks.

Persephone sighs at Rose's words and just smiles at Bella. Carlisle and Esme share a look and both smile excitedly, especially the mother figure.

"Bella, we're making Italiano for you," Esme says with a warm smile. Everyone wanted Esme to take the lead since it was her first time meeting Edward's human.

Edward smiles at his mother figure thoughts, "Bella, this is Esme. My mother for all intents and purposes."

From behind Esme, Emmett waves his knife at the human with a smirk on his face.

"You've given us an excuse to use the kicked for someone that isn't Persephone." Carlisle jokes looking at Steph who pouts.

"I thought you loved cooking for me." She says making Carlisle chuckle, "I'm kidding, Steph."

"I hope you're hungry. Steph is already eating the food." Esme says excitedly until the next words come out of Edward's mouth.

"Yeah absolutely." Bella replies but Edward cuts her off, "She already ate."

Rosalie's eyes widen and out of anger, crushes the glass bowl she was holding. Now there was glass and salad mixed up on the floor.

"Rose! That bowl was expensive, gosh this is why we can't have nice things." Persephone yells as Emmett chuckles at her reaction.

Rose ignores her, "Perfect." She says glaring at Bella and Edward, fuming in anger.

Emmett sighs and walks over to her, trying to get his mate to calm down.

Bella nervously says not knowing they bought a lot of food, "Yeah, it's just because I know you guys don't eat other than you Steph, and I didn't want to eat your food,"

Esme nods and gives Rose a look, "of course. That's very considerate of you."

Persephone rolls her eyes at Edward's next words, "Just ignore Rosalie. I do."

Really Edward? You say that right in front of her when she's already angry at you. Persephone thinks making Edward give her a look. Knowing those words were wrong to stay in front of her but the mindreader was trying to show Rose, he didn't care about her thoughts or options.

"Yeah, let's just keep pretending like this isn't dangerous for all of us." Emmett puts his hand against Rosalie's shoulder trying to calm her. But Rose just glares at Edward, especially for Persephone. If they find out about her because of this human. I'll kill you.

Edward gulped and felt guilty for a second. Carlisle had spent many years keeping Persephone hidden from any person who could pose a threat. Edward wouldn't forgive himself either if he was the reason Persephone got exposed or hurt.

"I would never tell anybody anything," Bella reassures the family looking at Steph who gave her a small smile.

Carlisle looks at Rose, rubbing Esme's shoulder and comfort, "She knows that."

Emmett stands up for his mate, "Yeah, well, the problem is you to have gone public now. So.."

"Emmett," Esme warns and Emmett gives her a shrug.

"No, she should know." Rosalie snaps making Steph sigh and stands next to Rose trying to calm her as well. "The entire family will be implicated if this ends badly." This mainly affects Persephone, do you even care about her? This could get her killed or taken away if they find out.

Edward looks down reading Rosalie's mind, knowing it was true. If the Volturi found out about Persephone, they could kill her. And that would destroy the family and might as well kill them too since they would never allow the Volturi to hurt her. They agreed a long time ago, without Steph knowing obviously, that they would fight for her if ever needed.

Bella awkwardly says, "Badly as in...I would become the meal."

The moment those words came out of her mouth everyone including Rosalie started to chuckle. Persephone laughed and shook her head, even nudging Rose.

Alice and Jasper chose that moment to finally make an appearance. They jump out of the tree branch onto the balcony.

"Hi, Bella." Alice mummers with a smile, Jasper standing away from the human. Since he was the newest to this lifestyle and the hardest to stay in control. "I'm Alice."

The bubbly brunette walks over to Bella pulling her into a hug, holding a plant in her hand.

"Oh hi." Bella awkwardly says, hugging her back.

"Oh,' you do smell good," Alice says complimenting the human but that made Bella feel more awkward.

Edward looks confused at her words and the timing, "Alice, what are you..."

Alice continues to smile, shaking her head "It's okay. Bella and I are gonna be great friends."

Everyone looks at Alice and Bella, making it awkward and silent for a moment.

"Sorry, Jasper's our newest vegetarian. It's a little difficult for him." Carlisle informs Bella, making him give the human a small smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Jasper says, not moving or breathing. Steph smiled trying to get him to calm down. The blonde male gives her a grateful smile.

"It's okay, Jasper. You won't hurt her." Alice reassures her mate.

"Alright, uh, I'm gonna take you on a tour of the rest of the house," Edward says to his human girlfriend desperately wanting to get away from his family. Mainly away from Rosalie's thoughts.

"Okay. Well, I'll see you soon." Alice says kindly, excited to see Bella and Edward together.

They walk away from the group, Emmett is still trying to calm Rose down, and Jasper still holding his breath but Esme and Carlisle are both so happy.

Esme looks at Alice smiling brightly, "Cute!"

Alice laughs, "I know."

Carlisle looks at his family, "I think that went well"

"I thought it was awkward," Persephone says and started to laugh when Emmett laughed. Everyone but Carlisle and Esme chuckled.

"Clean this up. Now." Esme tells Rose pointing to the glass and salad on the floor. Rose rolled her eyes but nodded.

Everyone went back to their own rooms, leaving Emmett and Rosalie in the kitchen to clean her mess.

Persephone walked up the stairs and went to her room. She laid on her bed and started to feel tired.

The blonde laid there for a while, her eyes closed and hugging her Teddy bear. But jumped up startled when Emmett came barging into her room very loudly.

"Baseball! You in?" He yells clapping his hands which makes the blonde groan laying back on the bed.

"I'm out, I just want to sleep," Steph says hugging her pillow but Emmett takes away her blanket.

"No way! You can sleep later, come on! It's blondes versus brunettes. We need you, or else the teams will be uneven." Emmett begged, just wanting to play with his whole family.

"Fine! But don't come crying to me when you lose." Persephone tons playfully making Emmett laugh, sarcastically. "Ha! You wish!"

——

On the other side of town, Sam Uley knocked on the door of the Clearwater's. Since he was joining them for a family dinner. Although his thoughts were a bit occupied by the blue-eyed girl from the flower shop.

He felt something, he shouldn't have. Why would he feel a connection with someone if Leah was the one? Even before meeting Persephone, Sam was beginning to have doubts. However, he couldn't bear to break off the engagement.

Sue and Harry were like his second parents since his were so shitty. And he liked spending time with Seth. They were like his family.

Leah opened the door with a huge smile on her face and squealed when she saw her favorite flowers. "I'm so glad you came!" The beautiful girl says wrapping her fiancé into a hug.

Sam hugs her back, trying to ignore this odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. And ignore the beautiful blue eyes that couldn't leave his mind.

"Hi, Leah," Sam says kissing her forehead softly, feeling guilty about his earlier thoughts. Leah was great and perfect for him. He wasn't about to ruin his long-term relationship for someone he would probably never see again.

Lucky for the half-human and soon-to-be wolf, their paths were meant to cross once again very soon.

——

Author notes: SORRY THIS WEEK WAS SLOW! I had two group projects due, a 4-page report, and a lot of little assignments. But I started this last week and wanted to post it!

ALSO! I posted a new Edward Cullen book and she's Rosalie's great-great niece! Go check it out, it's called Moonlight and it's on my page! I posted the beautiful chapter header for the story as you can tell.

I hope you liked this chapter, I have a very important question and I need your help! Should Steph leave with the Cullen's in New Moon OR should she stay with Bella? Vote and give your thoughts, please.

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me to stay updated.

word count: 2836