Page 24

Deciding to interrupt everyone, Alice barrelled into the living room at terrifying speeds and shouted loud enough for everyone to hear and possibly make some people go deaf, "Chop Chop!

We have things to do! No more sitting around!

It's time to decorate!" Turning around, she disappeared from view.

Having left to set up more stuff for her brother's and best friend's wedding.

The whole group let out a collective groan from their positions before splitting up and leaving to complete their assigned tasks.

Rosalie stayed in place and called out to the youngest vampire. "Bree! I'm going hunting. Care to join me?"

Bree looks to Pearl, who smiled at her and gestured for her to go with Rosalie. "Sure! I'll be right there." Bree responded.

Bree gave Pearl a quick hug and whispered, "Hang out later?"

"Sure" Pearl answers with a smile.

"Okay", letting go of Pearl, Bree leaves the balcony and goes to join Rosalie on her hunt.

Pearl sighed, watching the two leave and wondered whether or not she should return home for a bit. Maybe go on a hunt herself?

"Hey Pearl?" Esme called out softly, for the hybrid, from somewhere in the house.

"Hmm, yeah?" The hybrid replied.

"Would you mind helping me and Carlisle please hun?" Esme asked.

'I wonder what they need help with.' Pearl thought.

"Oh, err, sure. I'm coming." She took one last look out into the forest, before re-entering the house and heading to Esme and Carlisle. The two of them were inside Carlisle's office, which is soundproofed from the inside.

'Huh? Were they inside when they called me? That room is soundproofed, I shouldn't have been able to hear them. Did they call me outside the room and then go inside? What do they need help with in there?' Pearl thought, confused.

Entering the office and closing the door behind her, Pearl asked, "What's up?"

Carlisle and Esme smiled at her before Carlisle started speaking. "We were wondering what your plans are for the future?"

'That was unexpected', surprised by the question, Pearl remained silent, thinking of an answer to respond with.

Seeing her struggle, Carlisle continued, "I only ask because we'd like to know if you'll be sticking around? It has been a very pleasant experience having you here, and we just want to know if we can expect you around more in the future?"

"...umm. I'm not sure." Pearl replied honestly. "I never had any intention of staying this long, but, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy everyone's company." 'Especially Bree's' Pearl added silently.

The couple smiled at the hybrids words.

"We like having you around too, dear." Esme said sweetly.

"You and Bree" Carlisle added, smirking.

Pearl blushed slightly at the mention of Bree and looked away from the two vampires.

'I didn't say that out loud. I definitely didn't. How did they know that?

' How could they have possibly known I was thinking of her?

They aren't the mind readers. And I keep my mind hidden at all times for that exact reason. ' She thought.

"Yeah..." She agreed, a bit embarrassed by her reaction and about being caught thinking of the new born.

The two smiled at her before continuing.

"We already asked Bree a few days ago and she said yes." Carlisle paused before saying, "And we want to ask you as well."

"Ask me what?" Pearls questioned, intrigued.

"You and Bree have become family Pearl." Esme declared.

Carlisle nodded. "And we'd very much like you to join our coven. If that is something your interested in?"

"I... what?" 'Join their coven. Are they serious? I've barely known them 2 weeks. Why on earth would they want me? I'm pretty sure I'm as messed up as they come.'

"We're asking if you'd like to join the Olympic Coven, Pearl." Esme clarified.

"Umm... I mean... are you like... sure? You want me here... permanently?" I asked. 'How on earth am I supposed to respond?! My own family didn't even want me. How could these guys say they do? I mean, we just met 2 weeks ago?!'

"We wouldn't be asking you if we weren't sure Pearl." Carlisle said, sensing my distress, he added. "You do not have to. If you don't want to, then that's okay. If you'd like some time to think about it, then that is perfectly fine too." He reassured me.

'What do I say? They've all been so nice to me. And I don't exactly have any problems with anyone here. But... becoming part of their family? I'm not... I'm not good enough for that. What if one day, they toss me aside, deciding that I'm no longer needed anymore? I can't go through that again.'

About to respond with a no, I paused. 'But wait? They already asked Bree? And she agreed. She joined their coven. Isn't it my duty to stay by her side? So, does that mean I have to join?'

Esme interrupted my thoughts. "How about you take some time to think about it dear? It's a lot to take in."

Not trusting my words, I just nodded my head and left the room.

Walking down the hall, I thought the offer over. 'Join the coven? When I told Bree that I felt like I suddenly belonged somewhere, I never thought, that this could be an option. Do I want this? To stay here permanently... being a part of a family again?'

"Woah. Watch out Pearl." Edward exclaimed in surprise, grabbing my arm and pulling me back.

Stopping in my tracks, I looked around, only to notice that I almost walked right into a table that had piles and piles of wedding decorations stacked on top of it.

If Edward hadn't of stopped me, I would have walked right into it, knocking it all over.

Turning to my right, I came face to face with Edward and Bella, who were both looking at me with concern.

"Sorry." I apologised quietly.

"It's okay." Bella said gently.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked, gazing at me. He let go of my arm and stood beside Bella, watching me carefully. It was pretty obvious that he was trying to read my mind. I had my mind hidden though, so he didn't have any luck, snooping around in my head.

Deciding to reply to Edward, I said, "Yes, I'm good. Just got distracted. Thanks for the save." Shaking my head, I giggled quietly hoping to alleviate their worry. It seemed to work, as a small smile broke out on both of their faces. Edward replied with a "You're welcome."

Changing the subject, I gestured to the pile of decorations on the table and asked, "Is this all for your wedding?"

"Yes. Alice is going overboard again." Bella confirms shyly.

"Your worth it." Edward responds sweetly. Pulling Bella into his side and kissing her head gently, causing Bella to blush a bright red.

'Okay, I admit it. They do look cute together. I was on the fence about this whole vampire x human thing, but, it seems to be working for them.' Smiling at them, I turned to leave, not wanting to be a third wheel. But I was called back.

"I just realised. You never got an official invite." Bella said, smiling wide.

"Oh... I... what?" 'This day is beyond crazy. To many things to think about. To many offers.'

"We want you at our wedding Pearl." Edward stated.

"Erm... I'm not sure." Bella frowned and Edward looked confused.

"It's not that I don't want to be there and celebrate with you!

" I said quickly. "It's just that... there will be a lot of people.

And... err... well, it's a miracle that I've done so well around you, Bella.

I'm not sure... how well I'd do around a bunch of humans all at once.

" I admitted quietly, slightly ashamed at my inability to control myself.

Edward looked at me with understanding and Bella nodded her head at my words, but still looked saddened by my answer.

I sighed. "Look... I've just... never been around a group of humans before, in close proximity since I was turned. I don't want to ruin anything for the two of you."

"You won't. You'll do fine." Bell said quickly, hoping to convince me.

I couldn't help but smile at her vote of confidence for me. But I still shook my head. 'I don't believe that. And, I'd rather not risk it.'

"I'll help out with all the decorations, okay? With the amount here, I'm sure you could use an extra set of hands." I joked, gesturing to the humongous pile on the table and the multiple full boxes that were scattered around the room.

Bella and Edward chuckled, agreeing with me.