My birthday hadn't quite turned out the way I had hoped. I hadn't wanted to draw any attention to the fact that I was a year older and now a year older than Edward; although not technically, but seeing as though he was frozen in time his physical appearance would never deceive him.

Mine on the other hand would, while I stayed mortal anyway and seeing as though Edward had an aversion to me becoming like him things were not looking good.

We sat in the car and the silence was deafening, Edwards face was like stone and he kept his eyes on road, staring with enormous intensity. I could think of a million and one things I would like to say but somehow the words wouldn't come, I almost wished he could read my mind instead; it would be so much easier.

I felt bad, bad for Jasper, for Edward and myself. I hated being the stupid weak human, how could I ever compare? While blood pumped through my veins I would always be a liability. I know Edward believed he was placing me in danger by being with me but wasn't it me that was testing their way of life and me attracting trouble for the family?

After all if I hadn't been on the baseball field that fateful day when Laurent, James and Victoria showed up then the Cullens would not have put themselves in danger to protect me and they would not have had to kill one of their kind.

It was me that had got the stupid paper cut and provoked Jasper; poor Jasper I felt so guilty, he must be so upset with himself.

It took no time at all before my truck stopped outside Charlie's house. Neither of us moved, I opened my mouth to speak but the words were trapped in my throat. I coughed to clear the nonexistent blockage.

"Edward I'm sorry about what happened back there" I paused waiting to see if he would respond but he didn't move, his eyes still fixed directly ahead.

"I'm always going to cause these problems Edward... while I'm human anyway..." My voice trailed off as I whispered the last part.

"Bella, don't do this again" His voice was cold as he spoke. He turned his head to look at me and stared deep into my eyes and gently placed his cool fingers on my cheek.

"I don't even want to think what might have happened to you tonight. My job is to protect you and look you still get hurt!"

"Edward, you can't protect me all the time!" I raised my voice as I felt anger swell inside me "what happens when I get old, eh? When I'm real old and frail?...I will die anyway! So what is the point?" I was trembling as I spat the words out.

Edward looked at me his features sullen as I saw him replaying my words over in his mind.

"What's the point? The point is Bella that I love you more than you will ever know and I just want to spend a long happy life together while you can still enjoy the human pleasures. I love you enough to not turn you into a monster"

"A long life? But you don't love me enough to want to spend eternity with me?" I said the words before I even had a chance to think about it. Edward did not alter his expression and I realised what this meant.

I reached for the handle to open the door on the truck and before I could blink Edward was stood holding the door open for me. I didn't even want to look at him. Did I dare believe that he didn't love me enough to spend forever together? Or was I simply being selfish to ask such a favour?

As I attempted to walk away and up to the house to icy hands held me in place. I could smell his scent and I started to feel lightheaded and dizzy. I looked up into his beautiful hazel eyes and I could almost forget how hurt I was feeling.

"Bella, I want to spend the rest of your life together. I will protect you and make sure you never come to any harm; it is my mission and reason for existing. "

Something inside of my head clicked just then, I didn't like the realisation and I was glad that Edward couldn't see inside my mind. I carried on staring at him, hoping my face did not give away my racing thoughts inside. I didn't even know if I would be strong enough to carry out this spilt decision I had just made. He released his grip on my shoulders and kissed me gently with his marble lips, I sighed as he pulled away and continued my journey to the front door of the house.