~AYAME'S POV~

After I got dressed and thanked Mom for breakfast, Edward drove me to school in my truck. I was nervous about what we were about to do, but I knew it was time. I hated lying, but this was making me nervous as heck.

"It'll be okay. I'll be right by your side the entire time." Edward spoke, knocking me out of my thoughts. He held my hand and rubbed his thumb soothingly.

"I know." I replied then let out a breath. "Let's do this."

A second later, the truck was parked. Edward helped me out and then wrapped his arm around my waist. While walking towards the school, I waved at Angela and got her attention. She waves back, but then shyly put her walls back up and lowered her hand. When Edward and I got closer to everyone, they noticed my ring.

"Whoa, where did Ayame get that ring? It's gorgeous!"

"I know that ring, she always wears it on her middle finger."

"Why is she wearing that beautiful ring on her ring finger?! Did Edward propose?!"

"Awe, that's so romantic! They are perfect for one another!"

"They're all staring." I say to Edward.

"I know, babygirl." Edward replied. "Well, not that guy. Oh, wait, he just looked."

"Jealous?" I tease.

"Of course. You are mine after all." He whispers seducing before gripping me tighter. But it only turned me on.

~TIME SKIP~

Edward held up his end of his promise. I was relieved when Angela kindly answered my phone call and agreed to meet up with us at the river. Unfortunately, Isabella eavesdropped on her and demanded to come along.

While we had walked out of the woods, the four of us finally arrived at the meeting place.

"I can't thank you enough, Angela, for agreeing to meet with me." I said.

"No problem, Ayame. You deserve a chance to explain." She replied, her voice slightly nervous.

"We know you have questions, especially after everything. So, you can ask anything. But some topics are a little private, so no offence." Edward said. Angela nodded, but Isabella wasn't exactly hiding her eye roll.

"So, you say you're seventeen. How long have you been like... this?" Angela asks, choosing her words carefully.

"Since 1918. That's when Carlisle found me." Edward answered. As he talked, I walked along the rock formations and tossed small ones into the water to occupy my hands. I wanted to be there for her, but had to keep myself busy.

"Wow. So, you're... a little over a century old?" Angela asks, shocked.

"I underestimated you. Both of you." Edward answered before turning to me.

"Hey. You and my brothers are the ones who didn't listen to me when I said she was smart. I'm really surprised she didn't figure it out first." I commented, then made myself giggle. Edward smiled at my innocence.

"So, Angela, can you guess what pandemic happened in that year?" I ask. She looked down, clearly thinking.

"Don't tell me... Spanish influenza?" She asks. I nodded, making her raise a fist in the air.

"You were dying?" Isabella asks.

"My parents had already died. I was in the hospital. Close to my own death." Edward states. "It's hard to describe. But the word excruciating comes to mind. But what Carlisle did was much harder. Not many of us have the restraint to do that."

"Didn't he just... bite?" Isabella asked. I sighed softly, annoyed at her questions when this meeting was for Angela.

"No. There's more to it than that." I answered hastily, not wanting to waste my time with her. I jumped across a rock and went to sit next to Edward. He wraps his arm around me, protectively.

"Our bite contains venom. And once we taste blood, a sort of... frenzy begins. It's almost impossible to stop." Edward says.

"But Carlisle did?" Angela says/asks. I nod.

"Dad has a gift. His restraint is much stronger than others. So, that's how he can easily work in a hospital without risking exposure. First he saved Edward. Then with my mom, Esme." I answer.

"She was found in a hospital as well. The others soon followed." Edward adds.

"Does someone have to be dying to become like you?" Isabella asks. Placing a hand around Edward's neck from behind, I connected with him.

"I really don't want to tell her. What if she gets any ideas?" I mentally ask, but his eyes told me his answer. She wouldn't stop until she gets answers.

"No. That's just Carlisle." Edward stated, serious. "He'd never do this, to someone who had another choice."

"So, Carlisle is the reason why you hunt animals? Instead of people." Angela asks/says.

"Yes." I answer for him. "Our family call ourselves 'vegetarians', because it's like a human living on tofu. It works, to keep them alive, but the side effect, they're not as strong as those who drinks from human blood."

"Ayame, sadly, isn't on our diet." Edward says.

"How come?" Angela questions.

"We tried to keep her on own diet when she was younger, but as she aged, she just couldn't keep the blood down. That's when Carlisle tried some human blood mixed with animal, only to change her to the human blood completely." Edward says.

"I guess my body couldn't handle the weakness from the animal blood. And since our kind is dependent on blood, it only wants what it needs to survive." I reply. "Human blood."

"Carlisle thankfully found some humans, by accident, and they willingly donate blood for Ayame." Edward says.

"Oh, so even though your body gets the sustenance to keep living, you just can't gain the strength you need?" Angela asks. I nod.

"But there's another reason." Edward spoke, gaining our attention. "I didn't want to be a monster." I hug him, letting him know that I would never see him like that. As he stood, he used his speed to flash to the end of the rocks.

"Show off." I called out with a happy giggle.

"He's your showoff." Angela adds, making me blush.

"It's not that impressive." Edward starts. "You're wrong. I still think it's cool, every time." I interrupt, earning a playful glare. "Anyone in our family can do it." Edward continued.

"Can Ayame as well? What about the mind reading?" Isabella asks.

"Mind reading?!" Angela exclaimed.

"Still a few things I need to tell you." I said, apologetically.

"No. Like I said in the beginning, some things, specifically about Ayame is private. I don't have to tell you anything." Edward pauses to calm down. "But, only I can read minds. It's unique to me. But Alice can see the future."

"Really?!" Angela exclaimed, surprised.

"Yeah." I replied.

"I bet she saw me coming?" Isabella fishes.

"Oh, if only." Angela remarks, furious before sending her a seriously hard glare. Isabella was taken back.

"Alice's visions are subjective. The future can change." Edward adds, ending the subject.

Due to it getting so late, Edward and I take Angela back to her car, leaving Isabella to shout at us for 'abandoning her'. Making it home, I was nervous of telling them all how it went. I was worried about losing everything I had gained here in Forks, because of my mistake.

"Hey, they are not going to be mad. And you need to stop thinking that. You won't lose everything." Edward spoke, easing me. I nod, before he walks me inside.

As suspected, they were all gathered in the living room. Jasper, thankfully, sent me a wave of calmness. I give him a smile before I sit on Edward's lap.

"So? How'd it go?" Dad asks, calmly.

"Angela asked her questions, and we answered them. She was really calm, but also excited. I didn't see any fear in her at all. She wasn't afraid." I answered, feeling a tear roll down my cheek.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Mom asks.

"I was afraid. I thought she would hate me, or be afraid. I didn't know what would of happened if she had exposed us." I whimpered as I sunk into Edward's chest. He rubs my back, trying to calm me down. But all the fears I once had are starting to surface. "How could I become friends with someone when my secret -- my families secret, could be exposed." I ranted. I felt a pair of hands on my legs, rubbing softly. I knew it was Jasper, as he used to do this to me when I was younger.

"I have a thought." I heard Mom say, I slowly lift my head up to look at her. "Why don't you invite Angela over? She can officially meet us, and have a small chat all together, and see how she reacts. And if she can keep our secret, we don't mind her becoming closer with us." My eyes widen from shock, hearing her words.

"Are you sure?" I ask, nervous, trying not to get my hopes up.

"Yeah." Rosie answered, making me even more shocked. "She is your best friend. She is just as important to you as you are to us. You trust Angela. I mean, why else would you have gotten this far with her? If you want to do this, then I am all for it. If you trust her, then so do I."

I got up from Edward's lap, and immediately hugged my big sister. I cried into her shoulder as she rubs my hair. Angela is important to me. She was my first friend I ever made, after all. Well, besides Rose and Lissa.

"We're really doing this?" Jasper asks, snapping me back to reality.

"Yes, Jasper. It's best if we can consult with Angela together, as a family." Dad answered.

"Tomorrow, Edward will take Ayame to talk to Angela. Then they will come over a few hours later. It is the weekend. Then then you bring her here, we just remain calm and talk to her." Mom states.

"And you all will be on your best behavior." Dad adds, before sneakily looking at Emmett, which made me giggle.

"Why'd you look at me?!" Emmett exclaimed.

"Why do you think?" Rosie asks back, teasing. Emmett pouts, which made Rosie laugh before kissing his cheek.

After the little family meeting, Mom cooked some chicken strips for dinner. Once I was done eating, Alice and Rosie discussed an outfit for tomorrow. Bedtime, I told Edward that I was a little nervous and didn't want to leave. So, he was happy to hold me while I slept in our room in the main house. After everything that happened, I slept better with my family nearby.

~TOMORROW~

So, here I was. Waiting outside of Angela's house for her to come out. It was still kind of early, but her parents were already at work. So, we were free to talk.

"Hey, sorry that took so long. I started laundry." Angela said, walking up to us.

"That's alright. We are glad you're doing alright." I replied.

"So, Angela. We were wondering if we could bring you to our house, today. I know it's sudden, but it's better now than later." Edward says, trying not to sound rushed.

"Wow. Sorry, it is a little sudden, but -- I mean, are you sure? You want to bring me to your house? Meet your family? I mean, what if they don't like me?" Angela said/asked, nervous.

"So, you're more worried about my family's approval, not the fact that you will be in a house full of vampires?" I ask, teasing.

"It's not funny. I mean... what if something happens, and we're not allowed to be friend's anymore?" She asked, which surprised me.

"You -- you want to be friends? Even after everything?" I ask.

"Of course. I mean, why wouldn't I?" She answers.

Thankful for her, period, I hugged her.

"So, whenever your free, we can take you in the Volva." Edward said.

"Sounds like a plan. When are you going to come and pick me up, beautiful?" I was stunned as I saw Isabella walking up to us, casual.

"And why would we? You're not welcome. You're not wanted." Edward sneered at her, which made her turn shocked. I quickly moved behind him.

"Now why would you say that? I am your mate after all. I would only be fair for me to meet the family since Angela gets too." She said.

"That's only because you brought me into this as a freaking insurance policy!" Angela snapped.

"Anyway, how are you here? Our father told us you're under house arrest." Edward asked.

"Charlie's been busy trying to find the animal that killed Waylon. So he's been too busy to watch over me. Not that he could. So, how about you come and pick me up with Angela, or I could tell someone else about you?" Isabella asked.

"Fine." Edward said with a sigh.

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it? I'll see you later, beautiful." Isabella winks at me before walking away.

"I am so sorry. I can't believe this is the real her. It's disgusting, rude, and not to mention just plain horrible." Angela says.

"You have no reason to apologize for her behavior." Edward replied.

~TIME SKIP~

In Edward's car, Angela pulled Isabella to sit in the back as we had picked them up. I still couldn't believe it was happening, but there was sadly nothing we could do about it now. As we drove down the dirt road, I admired the beauty of nature as we passed it to get to the main house. Once we arrived, Edward flashed over to open my door. I smiled as Angela got out, she was smiling at us. I think she was loving how adorable we looked. She always did comment that, which made me blush. Hearing a huff, I didn't need to turn my head to know Isabella was annoyed that no one helped her out of the car.

Entering the house, I took off my beanie and placed it on the stand.

"This house... is so, beautiful." Angela stated, in awe.

"Thanks. My mom designed it." I replied.

"The whole place?" Angela asked. I nodded.

"Well, it's absolutely jaw dropping." I let out a giggle as her reply.

"What were you expecting? Coffins, dungeons and moats?" Edward joked. I rolled my eyes as Isabella made herself known.

"Not the moats." She answered, not seeing the joke. "But it's still amazing." Clinging to Edward, I wish the place was a bit bigger so she still wasn't so close to me.

"It's so light and open." Angela says.

"The windows are tinted. It's the one place we never have to hide." Edward replies. Out of nowhere, he shook his head. I gave him a confused look.

"I told them they didn't have to do this." Edward says, before walking me up the stairs.

As we approached the kitchen, a familiar smell filled my nose making me drool.

"Ayame, Angela, we're making some yummy chicken potstickers and dumplings for you." Mom said, walking over to us. Looking around, I saw Rosalie and Emmett making my favorite strawberry fruit salad, while Dad and Mom were working on the potstickers and dumplings.

"That's very sweet of you." Angela replies.

"It's my favorite meal." I said, making Angela smile.

"We hope you're hungry. Ayame's been wanting to share this meal with you since she first met you." Dad replied, walking over to hug Mom.

"I hope you girls are hungry." Mom said, cheerful.

"Starving." I reply first.

"Absolute-"

"We already ate." Angela was rudely interrupted by Isabella.

Hearing the sound of glass breaking, I let out a squeal before jumping into Edward's arms. Holding me bridal style, I took some deep breaths to calm down.

"Perfect." I hear Rosie snap upset. "I'm sorry, Ayame." I lift my head up and saw the fruit salad and broken glass on the floor.

"Awe, that was my favorite salad bowl." I pout before Edward placed me on the empty counter spot. "And now the fruit is wasted."

"It's just -- I know you guys don't eat so--" My jaw dropped as I saw Angela smack her right across the face.

"How dare you speak for Ayame and me when we are quite capable. And for your information, while I was doing chores, I didn't get a chance to eat breakfast or lunch. And I know that this is the time when Ayame eats. I noticed every time she takes a snack at school so I assumed it works for the weekend. Next time, keep your words to yourself. You don't speak for us!" Angela scolded her.

Isabella remained silent, letting Angela turn back to us.

"Forgive me. I refuse to stand back and let someone speak for me, like that. You should have seen me smack Eric when he tried that. He was bruised for a week." Angela states, letting out a nervous laugh.

"Oh, I remember that. He didn't ever speak for you or interrupt you after that day." Emmett replied, Rosie giggled.

"That's very sweet, Angela. I was a little surprised the way you stood up for yourself. Ayame has told us how sweet and kind you are, but you are also very independent." Mom says.

"Ignore Isabella and Rosalie, we all do." Edward replied, to me and Angela.

"Oh, yes. Let's just pretend that she isn't dangerous for all of us." Rosie snipped, clearly upset about all of this. She was even more upset when Edward and I had to call and inform and confirm with Alice about the vision.

"I would never tell anyone. Ayame is like a sister to me. I would never betray her like that." Angela replied, sincere.

"Neither would I." Isabella said, trying to show her love. But when she tried to come closer to me, Rosie walked up and smacked her on her other cheek. The force knocked her back to slam into the wall. She held her cheek, a few tears run down her face.

"We don't care! You are unwanted here! You are the least important person in the room. We trust Angela because Ayame does. You are the one who deserves to die!" Rosie snaps.

I carefully got down and avoided the glass as I hugged Rosie.

"Rosie." Dad tries to calm her, but unfortunately couldn't.

"No, she should know. Since Ayame and Edward had gone public about their relationship. And Ms. 'I can't take a hint' has forced another human into our world." Emmett stated protectively.

I smile as I gaze at the ring Edward got me. While thinking back to this morning, I couldn't help but let out a soft giggle at the girls awing at us while boys couldn't stop staring.

"Emmett's right. The entire family will be implicated if this ends badly. Not to mention how Ayame will be affected in the end." Rosie spoke, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Badly as in -- I'd become the meal." Isabella stammered, nervous.

"We could only hope." Angela smirks, deviously.

"I knew she'd fit in around here." Emmett comments.

"Ayame! I'm back." I let go of Rosie to see Alice and Jasper walk in from the patio. I was about to rush over to hug them, but they beat me to it. I giggle as I hug Jasper, but smile when Alice hugged Angela. She was so nervous, but hugged her anyway. "It's nice to finally have you here, Angela. I'm Alice. Ayame's been dreaming of this day for a long time. I just wish you learned about all of this under better circumstances." You could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"It's nice to finally meet all of you as well, Alice. And you don't have to be sorry. I wish that as well." Angela replied.

"Angela, this is Jasper. I can see that everyone is going to love having you around here. We love having you here." Alice said, easing her nerves. She hands me a small bouquet of purple flowers.

"Their beautiful, Alice. Thank you." I hug her as Mom came over and put them in a small vase.

"This is my mate, Jasper." Alice introduces, before rubbing Jasper's arm.

"It's nice to meet you, Jasper. I've heard great things about you from Ayame." Angela replied.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Angela. I as well, heard wonderful things about you." Hearing how southern my older brother was, caused Angela to blush. Especially about how sweet he spoke about her.

"Forgive Jasper. He's our newest vegetarian. It may be a little difficult for him." Dad spoke.

"No it won't. Ayame's plan is working." Alice replied, surprising him.

"What plan?" Isabella asks/demanded.

"Since Ayame's scent doesn't bother Jasper, with her here he can't really smell Angela. As long as Angela spends more time here, her scent won't bother him." Alice explains, but didn't look away from Angela. Letting her know, she was okay.

"If I bother you, let me know. I don't want to be a burden." Angela replied.

"Of course. Right now, you are perfectly fine." Jasper said.

"I bet you girls are hungry." Mom replied, catching my attention. "Rosalie, can you please clean up the glass?"

Rosie used her speed, knowing I would try to help. I pouted, but she giggled and kissed my forehead. Edward swiftly lifted me up, then placed me at the island bar top. Dad plated some potstickers and dumplings for Angela and me. I happily dug in, and so did Angela. Emmett went to the fridge and came back and set down two glasses, one of orange juice and the other of water.

"This food is fantastic, Ms. Cullen." Angela said.

"Oh, please dear, call me Esme." Mom replied. "And thank you."

"Ayame can never get enough of potstickers." Jasper jokes. Everyone chuckles.

"Once you get enough, I'd like to show you around. You are going to love my room. Especially my closet." I said.

"Can't wait." Angela replied.

Once I got full, I took my drink and Edward's hand as we showed Angela upstairs. She admired and took in all of my parents artifacts. I was always creeped out by the scary masks they hung on the walls, but I knew they liked it. But then, as we got up the stairs, we approached my favorite piece.

"And this is my favorite decor piece out of everything." I stated as I pointed to my family's graduations caps.

"Are those graduation caps?" She asks.

"Yeah. Cool huh?" I ask. "I wish I came up with the idea, but after a few more years, Mom promised that I can design the next one."

"How'd you guys get these? I bet it would be weird to be buying these at a store?" Angela asks.

"We matriculate a lot." Edward explains.

"Oh." Angela realized. "That seems like a rough lifestyle. Repeating high school, over and over."

"Yeah, but the younger we start out, the longer we can stay." Edward replied.

"Time for our room!" I exclaim, clearing the depressing energy and showed Angela mine and Edward's room.

"Wow. This is beautiful." She looked around.

"Is this your closet?" She asked, shocked.

"Yeah. Rosie and Alice love to take me shopping. This is only half of our clothes. Sometimes Edward and I spend the night here with my family." I answered.

"Cool." Angela replied. "Nice music collection. And player."

"Thank you." Edward said. I was smiling at how she was taking it all, but then I turned and saw my music player on the charger.

"It was a gift." I reply as I collapse on the bed.

After showing Angela a bit of my closet, I managed to sneak her down the stairs and out the back door. I walked her down the well-hidden path, to show her my house.

~Third POV~

While Ayame was sneaking Angela to her shared house, Edward begged Alice and Jasper to take Isabella home. They knew that after everything, how hard this was for him and his mate, so they held their ground and forced the unwanted girl into one of their cars and drove her home.

"Alice has been wrong before." Edward heard Carlisle say as he found him and his mate in the hallway.

"Carlisle. This is good for Ayame. We've had to hide her from humans for a long time since, practically every time we moved when she was young. When she needed a friend, Angela came into her heart. As much as we wish her welcome into our world was a much better one, we can't change the fact that she knows now. Let's just take things slow. I see a light that she gives for Ayame. This will be good for her." Esme spoke, wanting this to work.

"You are such a sweetheart. And a kind mother." Carlisle replied, before pecking her lips.

Edward then quietly made it out of the house, and entered his house to watch his mate. Both girls are currently sitting on the couch scrolling through the TV while playing multiplayer games on their phones. He couldn't help but smile at the sight and thought Esme was right. Angela was good for Ayame. She brought a new light for her, and the entire family was afraid to take it away.
But they were also afraid of what danger Isabella Swan will bring their way.

"He seriously wrote this for you?! It's beautiful." Angela asks.

"Yeah. Every time I need to escape, Edward would bring me to his piano and play it for me." Ayame answers. Edward smiled hearing her every word. "Or if one of my attacks gets too bad for him to use his speed with me, he just plays it through my headphones."

"Can we hear it again? It's so beautiful and addicting." Angela asks.

"Totally." Ayame answers as she synced her phone to the living room TV and played the recording of Edward's lullaby.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

~THE NEXT DAY~
~AYAME'S POV~

Waking up in my mates arms, I smile when I remember the good time I had yesterday.

"You're staring." I giggle as Edward opened his eyes and looks at me.

"Admiring. Big difference." I correct him, teasing.

And of course, he leaned up and then connected our lips. Kissing back, I felt myself wake up.

"Did Angela get home okay? I guess I was pretty tired after last night." I ask/say.

"She did. Rosalie and Emmett were very careful and they waited until she went inside her house to come back." He answers.

"Good." I reply.

"What's wrong?" My mate asks.

"I guess -- I'm just, worried that one day she is going to break and everything goes to hell." I answer, without realizing I broke down, sobbing.

Being sat up, I was held against his chest as he rubs my back. Whispering sweet words to me, I let myself cry it all out. Someone I see as my best friend, my first friend, was brought into our world -- more like forced into our world. All because of an annoying little human who can't take a hint.

"How do you feel?" I blink, coming back to reality.

"Hmm?" I ask.

"I was wondering how you felt." Edward says.

"Much better. I guess crying helped, sort of." I reply. "What are we doing today?"

"You don't remember?" I shake my head. "The weather is perfect. Perfect enough for baseball. Before you got so tired, Emmett called and practically begged us for a game day tomorrow."

"Crap! How could I forget that?" I exclaim.

"You were tired. No one blamed you." I hear Edward say as I climbed out of bed and went straight for my bathroom. "We are not heading out till noon-ish. Esme and Carlisle are headed out first to make sure the area is clear."

"Okay. I'm going to take a shower, then get some breakfast." I replied, turning on the water.

"Want some company?" I scoff, surprised.

"Edward. I love you. But that is so not happening until we are married." I tell him sassy. Once I was done, I quickly got changed.

Just grabbing a quick bite from the house, Edward and I got in the truck and drove to the spot. By going through the woods, we got there must faster.

"About time! Our empire is here." Emmett shouted, making me smile.

(Edited and proofread)