A/N: I've decided to go ahead and write a sequel to "A New Development". You must read that story, otherwise you will be hopelessly lost throughout at least the beginning of this story. As of now, I don't have a complete summary after outlining 23 chapters. The Cullens do not play a very significant role, though this story would not make any sense without them. There are a couple of new characters, Lucinda and Christopher, who play a far more important role than you would expect. Lucinda is not who you will expect either. Her name is far more descriptive of her character than her actions are when you first meet her. After an outline of 23 chapters, the plot is starting to develop, but I've hit a dead end. I figured I would write out what I have outlined and see where that takes me. The characters are going to write this story more than I am. Just be forewarned, this is looking to be much darker than "A New Development".

Disclaimer: I am not, and never have been Stephenie Meyer. As much I as may wish I was occasionally.

Chapter 1

GPOV

I was reading when Scott woke up next to me.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said.

"Are you talking about me or the morning," I asked.

"You, of course."

I smiled and looked out the window. "Damn it. I was hoping it would be cloudy today. Can you believe it's been sunny and in the 80s for almost a week?"

"Nope. Wasn't Seattle supposed to rain all the time?"

"Yes, but unfortunately it doesn't."

"Getty," he began. "I'm taking the day off work. Let's go to Alki. I love that area and we've never been when it's nice out. Please come with me."

"I can't. I've got a lot to do here today," I said. I didn't really but vampires… we can't go out in the sun. And he still doesn't know. I mean, I know it's a bad idea to keep things from the people you love, but he doesn't even know that vampires exist, and I hate that he can't come hunting with me anymore. Unfortunately, Scott, like he always does, called me on my crap.

"What do you have to do today, Get? You cleaned and did laundry yesterday. You baked about 1000 cakes and pies…"

"I did not," I began.

"So maybe I'm exaggerating. You still baked and cooked all day, in addition to all the other chores."

"Ally and Jacob are getting married," I said. "She asked me to take care of the menu, and I don't want anyone to starve."

"As if anyone could starve on your cooking…"

"Scott, let me finish. That was just desserts. I still need to work on the main menu, including appetizers and everything. I have a lot to do. I can't go with you today."

"Getty, they aren't getting married for six months. You don't have to finalize the menu for quite a while. Please come with me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"How many times do I have to tell you…?"

"Seriously," he said, frustration obvious in his tone. "It's like, ever since you took me to meet Edward, you've been so secretive. One of the reasons I fell in love with you was that you were so open and willing to share. I don't know why you've changed, but you have, and I don't like it. I miss who you were before all of this happened. Please, just tell me why you can't go with me. And be honest." Throughout his plea, Scott's tone changed from angry to tired to almost resigned.

"Alright, I'll be honest with you. I can't go out in the sun anymore. That's why I've staying inside so much this past week," I said.

"Why can't you go out in the sun? What if you wear sunscreen?"

"That wouldn't make a difference. My skin doesn't absorb it. How else would I burn so severely so often?"

"I've never seen you with a sunburn before. As a matter of fact, your skin has always been this pale. Sunscreen works for you just fine."

"Not anymore. When you were in Canada, I got sick and the medicine I have to take counteracts something in the sunscreen."

"You're lying through your teeth, and you know it. Please Getty, just tell me why you can't go out in the sun. Please? You know I hardly ever ask for anything, but I'm asking you to tell me this, so please?"

I had to fall in love with him because of his curiosity, right? And, God, I hate it when he pouts. "I'll show you," I said. "Eventually."

He growled, but said nothing more on the subject. This was shaping up to be a great day.

We didn't speak at all for the rest of the day. He went to work, I made menu preparations, we ignored each other when he came home, I didn't greet him at the door like I usually did, and things had been like this between us far too often recently. I missed how easy being with him used to be, how we never fought, how we could sit in silence like this without it being tense. Fortunately, the weather was forecast to been rainy for the rest of the week and sunny on the weekend. I figured now was as good a time as any to call Alice.