Jacob set me on the ground, my heart flying, his beating at a slow rhythmic pace.

"Bye, I'll see you tomorrow. First thing – I promise." He whispered in my ear. My whole face crumpled. I could feel it.

"Be careful, I don't want you to..."

"Bells," He cut me off, laughing softly. "As if anyone – or anything – could hurt me. And I've got my phone so if you really need me, I'll be here. Chill, ok?" He said sternly, but I could sense a hint of sarcasm in there.

Jake and his brothers were patrolling the area like any other night to watch out for vampires. I always insisted he slept, and when we went to his place I told him to have a nap. But he always seemed to find an excuse to stay up with me – his latest was that I was more important than sleep.

"I guess – but be careful kay?" I said urgently, and he chuckled again.

He bent to kiss me like he did every night. But tonight there was something about that kiss – urgent, pressing, like we only had so much time left...

"Go, Bells, or old Charlie will get suspicious." He said, taking my shoulders and spinning them round so I was facing the old white door to my house.

"Fine," I said stubbornly "But I'll be calling you if you don't call me at midnight. That's when you go off patrol and into sleep mode – you never sleep anymore." He pushed me closer to the door, kissed me briskly on the neck and then I couldn't feel his hands on my shoulders anymore – I knew he had gone.

I walked inside and saw Charlie watching basketball on TV as usual, but he was sitting in the lazy-boy eating French-fries.

"Hey Bella," He greeted me warmly. I scowled playfully.

Charlie couldn't have been happier when Edward left, but then his happiness expanded when I started seeing Jacob. I guess – now that Jake was my life – Charlie was really the happiest man alive.

It had almost been two years since Edward left, and Jacob had picked up the Bella Pieces, put them back together and helped me get over my depressed state. He had helped a lot, and now we were inseparable. Well, except when it was imperative.

"Have fun with Jake?" He asked through a mouthful of fries.

"Yeah, we went for a walk." I replied carelessly, picking my way over books and dishes to my room.

"You need to clean up in here." I told him as I reached the stairs.

"Yeah, I will. Night Bells." He called, eyes glued to the TV.

"Night dad, clean up." I called back, knowing he wouldn't and I'd have to tomorrow.

Well, at least Jake could help me. Hey, it might be fun.

I went to my room and checked the emails – a new one from Renee.

Hey babe,

How are you, how's Jacob?

So hot here – reached 37 C today!

How's Charlie? Hope he's not always watching the TV and is getting some exercise.

Typical email from Renee. But it was the next part that gave me a bit of a shock.

Bella, you and Jacob have been together for a long time now.

Remember – Jacob is a boy. All teenagers have hormones.

What was my mother implying here?

I know you are the responsible one here, but I'm just reminding you to be safe.

Wow....Renee never said anything like that to me. I wrote back a quick reply, still a bit dazed.

Hey mum,

Lucky you've got good weather. Hope Phil is going good for baseball.

Jake and I are being SAFE – it's not like I'm getting married right now.

'Miss Swann, I've got the rings...'

I'm kidding, mum. Seriously.

Anyways, Jake isn't that kind of person. He'd be the mothering figure in the scenario going 'oh Bella Bella, remember your HORMONES!'

I'm shattered so going to bed now.

Love you, Bella.

I shut down the wheezy old computer and went to brush my teeth and put on my pyjamas. Tonight these consisted of my sweats and a black singlet – oooh, how lovely.

I climbed into bed and tuned off the bedside lamp yawning.

I was being pulled under, my mind drifting into thoughts of Jacob swinging from vines like Tarzan – it's a new fantasy of mine – I heard shuffling outside the window.

Jake?

I climbed out of bed sleepily and stumbled to the window. I pushed it open I peered into the darkness. "Hello?" I hissed softly, and then there was a movement to my left, followed my something brushing my arm – an unnatural breeze.

In under a second I knew who was standing next to me. I could feel his presence.

It was Edward.

Edward Cullen.