Chapter 3

Bella

I chewed on my lip as I gave a quick glance to Edward. His face was like stone, hard with a stern expression; his mouth was a tight line.

He was angry; not at me but still, I didn't like to see him so annoyed.

Thanks to Jacob, Edward had spent most of the journey home a still statue, staring at the road and silent as a mouse.

I looked in the rear mirror to see Renesmee sleeping, after today she'd probably be knocked out all night.

"Edward. I'm sorry." I said.

That brought him out of his trance, as his face became confused and he looked at me.

"Bella, it's not you who's annoyed me." He smiled a little but it didn't reach his eyes, though he did take my hand in his and squeeze it tightly.

"I know but Jake..." I whispered, feeling it was my entire fault. I should have put my foot down a long time ago.

"Stop, Bella. I will not let you take any of the blame. I wanted a day to just us three and Jake knew that, I told him when I went to collect Renesmee and he ignored me. I'll sort it with him when we get back. Now, I'm sorry for being so dull. What would you like to talk about to pass the time?" He acted as if the problem was solved and I felt a little better that we had cleared the air and the awkwardness that hardly ever came between me and Edward anymore was gone.

The day had been ruined by Jacob, who after promising to ring Renesmee once ended up ringing her seven times in four hours, and Renesmee spent the time not on the phone asking when she could use the phone again to ring Jacob back. This had upset Edward and made me Mad at Jake. He knew we only had a short time with Renesmee as it was; the speed she grew at could rocket anytime.

I thought hard. Edward and I barely got time alone anymore, so this may be the only time for an important conversation.

"Edward. What are we going to do about Jake?" My voice had a hint of annoyance.

"Well, like I said, I'll sort it with him when we get back. But don't worry Bella, I won't hurt him. You must know that I would never do that to you." Edward smiled properly this time and he squeezed my hand again encouragingly.

"Sometimes I think these days that I might hurt him!" I almost yelled starting to lose control.

Edwards's eyes remained focus on the road and he said nothing. I thought that he would simply carry on driving and ignore my outburst. But instead he very quickly and dangerously pulled onto the side of the street and stopped the car, causing a number of Beeps from angry drivers.

"Edward what are you..."

Edward took his hand from mine and lifted it to his lips to silence my words, "No Bella, hush, because that isn't you talking. You know that you don't mean it about Jacob and I know that he means a lot to you. That's fine Bella. I accepted it long ago and I wouldn't make you choose again." He took my face in his soft gentle hands and he kissed me desperately, like he was trying to show me how much he loved me, instead of just saying it.

"I love you Bella" He said it anyway, and I wondered not for the first time if he really couldn't read my mind.

"Oh Edward." I cried and I burst into a fit of tears.

That had been a shock for me as a new Vampire; I had never asked if Edward could cry...apparently we could. And right now, I just couldn't stop it. I felt so guilty, letting Jacob do this to Edward

"Bella! You're so soft! Why are you crying, I said I wouldn't hurt him and you don't think I meant it?" Edward chuckled as I leaned into him to cry some more.

"I know, I know you wouldn't and that's what upsets me. You're so kind, no matter what he does and that makes me even angrier at him" I sobbed.

"Bella, love, don't think about it that way. Just think of it as me putting up with Jacob for you; like you put up with Emmett's jokes and Alice's dress-ups and Rosalie's bossiness for me! Okay?" he whispered as I laughed at all my Cullen family's behaviour.

"Okay." I looked up and kissed him again once more, and reluctantly let go of him so he could carry on driving us home. I kept hold of his hand tightly all the way and he kept twisting the wedding ring on my finger, round and round, stroking it and smiling as he thought about what it signalled.

That I was his forever... and I knew I would rather be nowhere else.