Twilight
Chapter three, family arguments

Persephone and Edward Cullen had missed a whole week of school. So when they showed up on Monday, they had a lot of work to catch up on. The whole school had noticed their absence and gossip spreads fast in a small town.

Bella Swan had kept an eye on the Cullen's table and it bothered Rosalie the most. She hated when humans were nosy and constantly looking at them. Rose was thinking of ways to convince Steph to use her gift on Bella but knew Carlisle would be against it. Steph only uses her gift when necessary. Nosy humans that were clueless don't fit the criteria.

The Cullens had both noticed and felt the human's constant stares looking for Edward. But they all ignored it, only Alice smiled at the girl.

Jessica Stanley had even made up a rumor that Steph and Edward didn't show up to school because they were finally becoming an official item. Bella didn't want to admit it but she hoped that wasn't true. Although she wouldn't blame Edward, Steph was unreal. She is the definition of a perfect runway model.

Despite wanting to fit in, the Cullens all loved fast cars. Edward had his Volvo, Carlisle his black Mercedes, Emmett his Jeep, and Rosalie her red BMW. The others also had cars but didn't drive them as much.

The oldest blonde made sure to wear some of her newest clothes because a part of her secretly loved the attention. Persephone had eyes on her the moment she stepped out of Edward's Volvo. She immediately grabbed Edward's arm which caused some to gasp. That gesture was only adding to the rumor.

Edward opens the umbrella as they start to walk inside the building. He was reading many thoughts and he wanted to laugh at some.

A warm body bumps into her from behind making her drop her phone, Edward being a bit distracted by everyone's thoughts wasn't able to pull her away on time.

He winced feeling bad, as Mike started to apologize, "Sorry." He whispers making Steph shake her head, It's fine, Edward. 

"I-I'm so sorry. I uh didn't see you there," Mike began to stutter when he saw who he bumped into. Mike Newton's had a crush on Steph since her first day although these were his first words to her. That crush had annoyed her brothers very much because it was so obvious and Edward didn't like that because he's intentions weren't pure.

"Mike! Come on!" Jessica yelled glaring at the blonde in jealousy. She hated that the boy she liked was making heart eyes at another girl. Especially one she couldn't compare to.

"It's quite all right." Her elegant angelic voice made Mike just stare at her, not saying anything. Like an idiot. Edward rolled his eyes at the human boy's thoughts. The boy was hoping to ask her out but couldn't find the words to say.

Edward didn't want to embarrass him and put Steph in a tough position so he just grabbed her hand and walked away from the boy who was just staring with wide eyes.

That was awkward, Steph thinks laughing at Edward's sour look. "Tell me about it, stay away from him. He may have a crush on you, but you're not the only girl."

"Figures, guessing he's still figuring out the situation with Jessica and has a thing for Bella?" Persephone asks making Edward nod.

"The boys just like his great great grandfather." Persephone laughed thinking back on her earlier years in Forks decades ago. Edward groaned Austin Newton was also a pain in the ass that would constantly ask Steph out, not taking no for an answer but Austin was way sweeter. 

Since the Cullen came back every couple of decades, they never took yearbook pictures or are included in the yearbook. But Esme had them take a family picture instead for her family scrapbook.

Both vampires had attended their classes normally like they hadn't just missed a whole week. When lunch came around, Persephone made a note to herself to keep a close eye on Edward. In case he wanted to leave and felt uneasy. Edward had made sure to hunt yesterday so he's eyes were gold and he wasn't hungry. 

Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, and Jasper have been made aware of the situation so they knew to also keep an eye on him. Edward hated that and suddenly felt annoyed by it. Jasper noticed that and smirked, annoying, isn't it?

Edward ignored that thought and looked at Persephone who was eating the pasta Esme had made for her.

"Anything new?" Jasper asked opening a water bottle for Persephone and placing it near her food.

"Nothing. She...must not have said anything." Edward says not catching any particular thoughts. All of them raised eyebrows at this news.

"Maybe you're not as scary as you think you are," Emmett said, chuckling. "I bet I could have frightened her better than that."

"Of course, you would've Em." Persephone mumbles sarcastically making Emmett poke her side and steal her chips.

"I can be scary, you've just never seen it before," Emmett says looking at the girl with an unamused look.

Persephone rolled her eyes taking back ger chips and smirked meeting his eyes, "I'll believe it when I see it then."

Rose rolled her eyes at her mate and sister, elbowing Emmett in the stomach and kicking Persephone's leg.

"Hey!" Both yelled offended at the gesture.

"Wonder why...?" Emmett mumbled puzzled again over how Edward couldn't read the human girl.

"We've been over that. I don't know." Emmett knew that but he just wanted to tease Edward because for once the mindreader didn't know everything. 

"She's coming in," Alice murmured then. Edward's body froze and looked at Steph who also froze. "Try to look human."

"Human, you say?" Emmett asked smirking.

He held up his right fist, twisting his fingers to reveal the snowball he'd saved in his palm. Since his skin was cold, it hadn't melted there. He had his eyes on Jasper, but Edward saw the direction of his thoughts. So did Alice, of course.

When he abruptly hurled the ice chunk at her, she flicked it away with a casual flutter of her fingers. The snowball shattered against the wall, leaving a sharp crack against the brick wall.

"Very human, Emmett," Rosalie said once again rolling her eyes. "Why don't you punch through the wall while you're at it?"

"It would look more impressive if you did it, gorgeous." Emmett flirted with his wife.

"I can't believe you almost ruined my new outfit," Steph says as she sits next to Alice.

"Oh don't be dramatic baby sis," Emmett says smirking at her, causing suspicion to rise.

Alice elbowed Edward. She's going to look soon. Act human.

"Ease up, Edward," Emmett said shrugging his shoulders. "Honestly. So you kill one human. That's hardly the end of the world."

"You would know," Edward murmured, immediately leading close to Steph.

Emmett laughed not noticing Alice, "You've got to learn to get over things. Like I do. Eternity is a long time to wallow in guilt."

Just then, Alice and Persephone both tossed a smaller handful of ice that they'd been hiding into Emmett's unsuspecting face.

Steph and Alice both laughed, "Bet you weren't expecting that."

He blinked, surprised, and then grinned when an idea popped into his head.

"You asked for it," he said as he leaned across the table and shook his ice-encrusted hair in their direction. The snow, melting in the warm room, flew out from his hair in a thick shower of half liquid, half ice.

"Ew!" Rose and Persephone complained as all three girls turned their faces.

Persephone laughed, and they all joined in. Alice truly created a perfect human moment.

Alice kept laughing and held her tray up as a shield, Jasper smirked when Alice held her hand up underneath the table.

He handed her a snowball he'd been keeping safe for her. Without even thinking about it, Alice crushed it against Persephone's hair lightly.

Steph let out an exaggerator gasp, "Alice!" They all laughed but she just glared at Edward.

"Edward! You didn't save me?" She pouted and Edward shook his head in innocence. "Alice didn't think about it, you know I would have saved you if I'd known"

"I'm so getting you back for this Alice!" Persephone yells trying to get the snow out of her hair but she can also feel it ruining her hair.

Edward sighed, he was so caught up in Bella. He didn't notice Alice was hiding something. He calmly helped her, trying to fix her hair a bit.

I'm so telling Mom and Dad about this. The blonde thought to herself making Edward smile. Esme was probably going to scowl Alice for her behavior against her baby. Carlisle would probably do the same. Everyone in the family knew Persephone was a snitch and the baby in the family despite Emmett being the youngest. The golden child, literally. The siblings did love to tease her about it.

One of the reasons Esme and Carlisle were more protective of Persephone was because she was half-human. She wasn't as physically strong as her siblings.

The bell rang meaning it was time for them to attend class and Edward to attend biology alone.

We can skip class if you want, Persephone tells Edward, giving him a chance to leave. But Edward shakes his head, "I have to face her, and I'm not hungry like last time."

Persephone nods and drops him off at his classroom, normally it's the other way around but Edward wanted to be there before Bella.

The blonde walked to class alone, looking down. Steph wasn't worried about Edward slipping up, it was more about him getting close to her emotionally. She could already tell, that this Bella girl interested him especially because he'd never met anyone he couldn't figure out before.

Edward is used to reading people, knowing everything about them. But Bella was different so Steph knew he wanted to talk to her. Figure her out. Know her secrets and weaknesses. 

——

School ended with Emmett, Persephone, and Edward walking out of Spanish and heading towards the parking lot.

Steph held Emmett's arm as they walked, already forgetting their earlier incident. This was a normal thing for the Cullen siblings. One minute they'll be upset with each other and the next they'll act like it never happened. 

Emmett, Alice, and Persephone had a more playful and positive way of being unlike Rosalie and Jasper who tend to be more serious.

"You want to play uno later?" Emmett asks as he holds the door open for his sister.

"Sure, but don't go crying to mom when you lose." Steph teased as Emmett rolled his eyes playfully.

"I don't lose if you don't cheat." He says back causing Persephone to stop walking and cross her arms. Both boys stop and turn to look at her.

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing, I never cheat. Tell him, Edward." Both turn to look at Edward waiting for an answer.

"She never cheats Emmett."

"Yeah, yeah. Like you're a trustworthy source, you back her up on everything." Literally everything, she could vote to kill the whole town and you would back her up, Emmett thought making Edward silently agree and shrug not seeing anything wrong with what his brother said.

They start walking again to see Alice, Jasper, and Rose leaning against the cars holding umbrellas. Persephone was about to say something when they all heard tires screeching against the platform. They all turn to see a car heading straight toward Bella Swan.

Oh shit. Persephone thinks as she watches Edward speed to save her. Shit shit shit. Edward!

Jasper and Rosalie had a surprised and angry look on their face.

"What the hell is Edward thinking?" Rose says as they all stare at the group of people circling Bella's car.

"Unbelievable, he's insane! What if someone saw him?" Jasper mumbles angrily as they close the umbrellas and rush into the cars.

"Let's go to the hospital." Persephone whispers not knowing what else to say, still shocked at what just happened.

——

Carlisle Cullen was currently in the hospital speaking with his three children when Bella rounded the corner. 

Rosalie had her arms crossed and was glaring at her brother. Edward looked annoyed and defeated hearing her cruel negative thoughts.

Persephone had her head against her father's shoulder, Carlisle rubbing circles against her arm trying to get her to relax. 

"Fifteen kids saw what happened." Rosalie snapped.

"What was I supposed to do then? Let her die?" Edward whispers back.

"This isn't just about you. It's about all of us." Rosalie whispers back trying to get Edward to see the bigger picture.

 Carlisle looked forward to seeing Bella hiding behind the wall.

"I think we should take this to my office." He tells his children causing them to all look towards Bella at the same time.

Bella steps forward, "Edward, can we talk about a minute?"

Rosalie looks at Edward in annoyance, and Persephone goes to reach for Edward's hand. Carlisle shakes his head at both his daughters. He wrapped one arm around Persephone and the other around Rosalie. Leading them towards his office.

Both girls have different opinions about the whole situation, Persephone is anxious and Rosalie is angry. But they had one thing in common, they were both worried and confused.

"This has never happened before," Steph whispers when Carlisle closes the door of his office waiting for Edward. After repeating high school over and over again, they have never gotten close emotionally to a human before or worse exposed themselves to one. 

"I know, but don't worry. Everything will be okay, we'll talk about it at home." Carlisle reassures her seeing how stressed she is. Persephone nodded but knew what both Jasper and Rosalie wanted to do. They wanted to permanently remove the issue seeing as it's already caused too many problems. And Persephone had no idea how to feel about that. 

——

That night the Cullen family gathered around the living room to talk about the day's incident. Everyone sat just looking at each other and not knowing what to say.

Edward spoke first, as he was the one who caused the issue for this family meeting. "I'm sorry," he says, looking first at Rose, then Jasper, then Emmett, and lastly at Persephone.

"I didn't mean to put any of you at risk. It was thoughtless, and I take full responsibility for my hasty action."

Rosalie glared, "What do you mean, 'take full responsibility'? Are you going to fix it?"

Everyone in that room knew what she meant by fixing it. Jasper had even volunteered to be the one to do it.

"Not the way you mean," he said, looking at Persephone hopefully she'll back him up on this.

"I was already planning to leave before this happened. I'll go now...The situation will resolve itself."

"No," Esme murmured not wanting her son to leave. "No, Edward."

At that moment, Persephone made up her mind. She would either leave with Edward or stay at his side from now on. But she was not going to let Edward leave without her. 

Edward looks at both Esme and Steph softly saying, "It's just a few years." 

You're not going anywhere with me, Persephone thought stubbornly, Besides, it's not like anything is keeping us from leaving somewhere else. Expect the family. 

"Esme's right, though," Emmett said. "You can't go anywhere. That would be the opposite of helpful. We have to know what people are thinking, now more than ever."

"Alice will catch anything major," Edward says looking at Alice and then turning to Persephone, "And Steph can erase any suspicious memories."

Persephone looked at him with wide eyes, no way Edward. if you leave, I'm not staying here.

Carlisle shook his head. "I think Emmett is right, Edward. The girl will be more likely to talk if you disappear. It's all of us leave, or none of us."

"She won't say anything," Edward insisted quickly. But that just made Rose want to explode on him.

"You don't know her mind," Carlisle reminded him.

"I know this much. Steph, back me up."

"I-I can try and see if I can erase the memory," Steph says with an unsure voice. 

Alice stared up at both of them, "I can't see what will happen if we just ignore this." She glanced at Persephone, "and I'm not sure if your compulsion will work on her, I mean Edward can't read her mind."

Persephone looked down sadly when Carlisle nodded. "Alice is right, Steph." Carlisle gave her a comforting look, not wanting her to worry.

Rosalie's had enough of Edward avoiding the situation so she palm smacked down on the table with a loud bang. "We can't allow the human a chance to say anything. Carlisle, you must see that. Even if we decided to all disappear, it's not safe to leave stories behind us. We live so differently from the rest of our kind! You know some would love an excuse to point fingers. We have to be more careful than anyone else!"

"We've left rumors behind us before," Persephone reminds Rose helping Edward out but she regrets her words when Rose's glare was suddenly on her.

"Just rumors and suspicions. Not eyewitnesses and evidence! We have to take care of it."

"Rose, the Swan girl is entirely innocent."

"It's not personal, Carlisle," Rosalie said through her teeth. "It's to protect us all."

Everyone stayed quiet, Persephone bit her lip, and tears began to well up in her eyes. Esme grabbed her daughter's hands in comfort.

"Jasper," Edward says causing Jasper to meet his gaze "She won't pay for my mistake. I won't allow that."

"Jazz," Alice said. "I was going to ask you for a favor."

Edward looks in her head and gasps when she realizes what she's been hiding.

"Don't hurt Bella swan. she's my friend. At least, she's going to be. I'm going to love her someday, Jazz. I'll be very put out with you if you don't let her be."

Persephone looked at Edward in confusion as his face was frozen in shock.

"Alice," Edward choked. "What...does this...?"

"I told you there was a change coming, Edward." Alice had been keeping a huge secret from anyone.

"What, Alice? What are you hiding?" Emmett growled hating that he wasn't included in the conversation.

"NO!" Edward yelled making everyone jump up at the action. Persephone rushed to his side, "Edward? What's wrong?"

"It's happening," Alice whispered. "Every minute you're more decided. There are only two ways left for her. It's one or the other, Edward."

"That is so annoying," Emmett complained throwing his arms up.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Edward groaned. His head leaning against Persephone.

I love her, too. Or I will. It's not the same, but I want her around for that. Alice thought before looking at Steph, Persephone will also love her, and they'll be close. I know Steph is a big part of your life and they'll be like sisters in the future.

"Love her, too?" Edward whispered, making Persephone's head snap in Alice's direction realizing what was happening.

"Love? No, no." Persephone whispers now seeing why her brother was so attached to his girl. Edward wrapped his arm around Persephone in comfort.

You're so blind, Edward. Can't you see where you're headed? Can't you see where you already are? Are you going to deny me and Steph a sister?

"I don't have to follow that course. I'll leave. I will change the future." He refused.

"Oh, come on!" Emmett yelled getting tired of not understanding.

"Pay attention," Rose hissed at him. "Alice sees him falling for a human! How classically Edward!"

"What?" Emmett said, shocked. Then his booming laugh echoed through the room. "Is that what's been going on?" He laughed again. "Tough break, Edward."

Then he turned to Persephone, "Steph, you're the only single one now."

Everyone in the family glared at him knowing it was a sensitive subject. Persephone looked down and realized Emmett's words were true. Emmett winced not at the glares but at Steph's sad look.

"Fall for a human?" Esme repeated in a stunned voice. "For the girl he saved today? Fall in love with her?"

"What do you see, Alice? Exactly," Jasper demanded.

"It all depends on whether he is strong enough. Either he'll kill her himself or she'll be one of us someday."

Everyone gasped not expecting this.

"That's not going to happen!" Edward yelled, "Either one!"

After a long moment, Carlisle sighed. "Well, this... complicates things."

"I'll say," Emmett agreed. His voice was still close to laughter.

"I suppose the plans remain the same, though," Carlisle said thoughtfully. "We'll stay, and watch. No one will... hurt the girl."

The whole family was silent and Persephone felt a wave of sadness before she turned and ran straight to her room slamming the door hard. They all winced except Edward who still felt numb.

"I'll go-" Carlisle began but the mind reader shook his head, "No Carlisle. I need to be the one to talk to her."

Edward walked up the stairs and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. When Steph didn't answer, he just wanted in to see her crying softly.

Tears fell from her beautiful blue eyes, "I want to be selfish Edward. I want to tell you to ignore her because I don't want to be alone-"

Edward cuts her off, hearing her words and thoughts, "Steph I will never forget you."

"That's not it Edward. I mean yes, I don't want to be alone and I may be alone forever. But you shouldn't be. This is your chance, for love. Her being human does complicate things but you deserve to be happy."

"I am happy." He interrupts sitting down next to his sister.

Steph shook her head and gave him a pointed look, "you know what I mean. Happy with your mate, like mom and dad. Rose and Emmett. and Alice and Jazz."

"Sunshine, you know Emmett didn't mean-"

The blonde interrupted him, "I know he didn't, I'm not upset. I mean he is right. They were all so lucky, they found their person early on. But we've been alone for decades now like we're missing something. You found your something, Edward. Don't just throw it away. Give her a chance. Give yourself a chance to love."

Edward lays on the bed and Steph copies his action, "I don't want this life for her." They both look up at the chandelier.

"I know. I wouldn't either." She whispers agreeing with his words.

I'm not doing any of this for her, Edward. I'm doing it for you because I know you've been alone and want love.

Her words were true for both of them. Edward and Persephone have spent years feeling alone, wanting to experience the love they see around them. Wanting to have someone by their side like their siblings. 

"I hate that it's me. It should be you," Edward whispers honestly. Every word he said was true, Persephone has been waiting for her mate for over 80 years now. Despite never saying it out loud and loving every moment she spends with her family. Steph wanted to find love and she deserved it. 

"It will be, in the future. For now, do it for both of us. I'll be cheering you on and supporting you even if you decide to completely ignore her." Her words would have made Edward cry if he was human. Persephone Cullen deserved the world and he appreciated her so much. No matter what, Steph was his number one girl.

"I love you sunshine," Edward whispers wrapping his arm around her as they both lay down on her bed.

"I love you too. Always and forever remember."

Edward nods, kisses her forehead, and watches as she lets her body fall asleep.

——

Author notes: This chapter was inspired by the movie, and obviously, by Midnight Sun, written by Stephanie Meyer. So all credit goes to her.

I hope you all liked this chapter even though it was a bit long. I'm not sure about you guys but I really loved Midnight Sun because we get to see more Cullen family moments. I wish I could include Persephone in the whole book but that's not possible because there would be a lot of unnecessary parts. So this won't continue for the whole book and I will focus a little more on the movies starting next chapter. But I just loved this moment from the books so I had to add Persephone in.

So far, Sam Uley, Paul Lahote, and Embry Call are on the top of the list as the love interest. I want to keep hearing your opinions and thoughts on the book so the choice will be up to you until New Moon comes around or who knows maybe Steph will go to the beach with Bella and meet someone special?

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me to stay updated on when a new chapter will come!

Word count: 4186