A/N: 2,000 HITS! Thanks to everyone who reviewed; I love you so much!

This is a whopper of a chapter, simply because there was so much to go over. I thank everyone who stuck with me all this time and who makes it through this gargantuan chapter.

Thanks to popular demand, there will be an epilogue. Look for it sometime tomorrow. And now, I present to you the second to last chapter of The Car. Let's see what Edward has to say, shall we?

Forks, Washington-Still January 15, 2008 (the day before Edward comes home…)

"Is this going to become, like, your signature move or something? Because I think we, as your revivers, deserve to know." For good measure, Alice poked me in the stomach.

"Ouch!" But she had spoken to me! It had been sarcastic and slightly callous, true, but I didn't care.

"Man, Bella, when you pass out, you don't do it half-way," Emmett said grinning.

It all came flooding back to me then, exactly what had happened in Port Angeles. The brief emotional high I'd been running on was squashed ruthlessly by anxiety. Looking around frantically, I asked, "Where I am? Where's the Volvo? What day is it? Is Edward here?"

"Let's see," Jasper said counting on his fingers. "Our house; in the driveway; um, Wednesday, I think; and no. In that order."

I hadn't woken up until we got home? I saw the Cullen siblings gathered around me (as I was laying on Edward's couch), all except for Rosalie.

Emmett scooped me up off the couch and placed me back on it, this time sitting upright. "Let me just ask: of all the colors you could have chosen, why blue?"

"I didn't choose it," I moaned, seizing one of Esme's throw pillows and pressing it to my face. "You were Rufus with the knives and it backfired…" I could hardly tell what I was saying, but their superbeing hearing allowed them to hear every word, mumbled as it was.

Jasper looked quizzically at me, the same look on his face as the day before. I was being studied…again.

"What?" I snapped.

"Did you know…there are times I just can't…read your emotions? Like at all. You just go all blank." Jasper frowned and asked, "Is this what Edward feels like every day?"

I felt insulted. It was like he was telling me I wasn't feeling anything. Oh, I was feeling plenty. In fact, I was pretty sure I could win a world record with the number of emotions spinning through me right now. Anger, frustration, guilt, sadness, desperation, misery, despair, a small inkling of hope, nostalgia.

And that was just off the top of my head.

"It happens more and more often, lately. I've been calling it the 'Isabella' emotion, since it fits. I mean, nothing like this has ever happened to someone else I've encountered," Jasper continued. "Like right now!"

I was just so tired of everything. That mechanic was going on my hit-list, that was for sure. Next being my car, anything blue, the snow tires (though, in all actuality, it wasn't their fault they hadn't been installed), and anyone else who tried to talk to me for the next millennia.

Rosalie was jogging down the stairs when I looked up. She had changed into a pair of grease-splattered overalls and was binding her hair in a loose ponytail. "Why are you dressed like that?" I asked, not really caring.

Rosalie sniffed. "Why is it that in a crisis, no one ever comes to me?"

We all stared at her in shock. "Huh?"

"I mean, no one even bothered to ask." Her voice jumped an octave higher. "'Rose, would you mind repainting the Volvo? I mean, it would be ever so wonderful if you could—'"

All I'd had to do was ask? I would have never in a million years asked Rosalie for something two days ago. Yes, open war hadn't been declared or anything, but I thought she'd made it pretty clear that she was only tolerating me as long as Edward still wanted me around. I had been so sure that after all this, when that stipulation was obviously about to change, she would go back to hating me; simple as that.

"Y-You would do that for me?" I stuttered in awe.

"Since it appears to be that important to you…" She sighed dramatically. "I'll go see if I can clean up Louis's mess."

I wasn't able to think clearly. Which is why, instead of just letting her go do a good deed, I blurted, "But you hate me!"

Jasper and Emmett groaned audibly.

Rosalie, however, only sat beside me. "On principle, yes," she agreed.

Aha! You see? I knew it was too easy! "Because I'm human," I said. Probably forever. If Edward didn't love me anymore, there would be no reason to become a vampire. Why on earth would I want to endure an eternity of heartache?

"No," Rosalie said slowly. "Because sometimes, I feel intimidated by you."

Nothing in the universe could have surprised me more than that statement. I was half expecting a Ashton and a camera crew to burst through the door of Edward's room, yelling, "Punk'd!" at the top of their lungs. Rosalie—gorgeous, model-like Rosalie—had just admitted to being intimidated by me? Miss I-Could-Trip-Over-Air, me?

"I don't discuss my years as a human much," she went on. "I'm a little ashamed of them. I was like a scared little kid most of my life. I was afraid of everything." Rosalie paused to laugh a little. "I really didn't have many friends because I never wanted to do anything adventurous. I think one day I promised myself to never to anything more dangerous than hopscotch in dirt road in front of my house."

Emmett was looking at Rosalie with wide eyes. In his eyes was the question, 'Really? How come you didn't tell me?'. I was wondering the same thing.

In all honestly, I couldn't recall any of the Cullens talking about their human lives except when I had asked Carlisle about his. Edward had said that human memories are the first to go (which at the moment had frightened me because it meant the possibility of me forgetting him). But how could Rosalie remember so much?

"But you, Bella." Rosalie sighed. "You dated Edward even when you knew he was a…monster. The very kind of monster I had been terrified of when I was growing up. You're braver than I could ever be."

I shook my head vehemently. "You're plenty brave!" I argued. "You never back down from anything!"

"I'm virtually indestructible, Bella," Rosalie reminded me. "It's very easy to be brave when you know you can't die." She had to collect herself for a moment before she questioned quietly, "Doesn't it ever bother you that the man you love could crush your skull with his pinky in less than half a second?"

"No." I didn't even have to think. I wasn't afraid of Edward. I was concerned for him, sure, and annoyed sometimes by his temper. But, as Edward would say, I was no closer to the running and screaming than I was the day he revealed himself to me.

"I didn't want to like you," Rosalie said. "It irritated me to no end that I did. Who doesn't like you, Bella?"

"I can think of a few people," I muttered darkly, thinking of Victoria.

Rosalie chuckled. "I wanted so badly to be your friend, but every second, I felt like I had to be better at you at something, just to feel good about myself."

"You…you do like me then?"

"Have you been in a coma for the past three minutes?" Alice demanded. "Or do humans lose their hearing earlier than I thought?"

A tear escaped. "I always wanted you to like me, Rose. Maybe I over-did it a little, trying to be smart or extra-courageous if I couldn't be beautiful."

Jasper scoffed. "Looked in a mirror lately, Bella? You are beautiful."

"It doesn't matter," I said, swiping at my cheeks. "Let's start over." I held out my hand to Rosalie. "Hello. Bella Swan, abysmal klutz."

Rosalie's eyes were shining. "Rosalie Hale, 'fraidy-cat."

Emmett snorted crossing his arms as Rosalie and I embraced. "Are we through with the 'Full House' moment, already?" When Alice smacked his arm, the highest place on him she could reach, he said, "What? We have a car to paint, you know!"

"Yeah," Jasper added. "I mean, not that this touchy-feely stuff isn't great and all, but if you women get any mushier, I'll be forced to leave the room."

We all accompanied Rosalie to the Cullens' garage. I'd never actually been inside it before. It was enormous, probably to accommodate all of the cars they owned, but it was nothing like Charlie's garage. This was painfully organized as remarkable clean for a place that stored cars.

Rosalie opened a cupboard and pulled out a sinister-looking contraption. She wasn't alarmed by its appearance, however, as she pulled out a metallic spray can and inserted it in the holster.

"This way takes a little more time," she explained, "but there's less room for error."

Alice passed me a mask. I felt a little silly wearing it when the rest of them didn't have to, but because it was Alice who had given it to me, I put it on gratefully. "Thank you, Alice."

As if seeing me for the first time, she blinked quickly. Then her eyes, so hard and unfeeling for the last couple of days, softened. "You're welcome," she murmured.

"You guys can go," Rosalie said snapping on her goggles.

To this, Alice scoffed, "As if." I knew exactly how she felt. After all we had been through, there was no way in hell we were going to miss out on seeing it through.

Rosalie hadn't lied. It was tedious work. Emmett had pestered Jasper long enough, so they were tossing an empty spray can between them. It bulleted back and forth so quickly, I kept waiting for it to catch fire. Alice hummed prettily, filling the garage with song. I twiddled my thumbs, looking silly in that mask and feeling useless.

"Need help, Rose?" I offered, but Rosalie was in her own world. She was frowning, squatted at eye level with the bluish-gray hood. The paint spewed from the end of the nozzle in a thick stream. I had a feeling that anyone without Rosalie's expertise would have globbed the paint job already.

Twice she had to pause and retrieve a new canister. Then, as the latest one clicked, she shook it vigorously. When she depressed its nozzle, in only hissed feebly and clicked again.

Rosalie muttered an expletive that sent my face flaming.

"You've got to be kidding me," Alice moaned tousling her hair.

"Just get another can," Jasper put in helpfully.

"If there was another one," Rosalie bit out through clenched teeth, "I would."

I must be some kind of bad luck magnet. I mean, this was ridiculous. Tore off my mask and went over to Rosalie's side of the Volvo. Her head was buried in a cabinet, echoing vicious oaths from inside. The entire left side of Edward's car was a gleaming, wet silver. Absolutely perfect. As for the other side…

"Maybe he won't notice." Ten incredulous eyes—eight topaz, two brown—met Emmett's. "Well, I mean, if you park it a certain way…"

"Ugh, Bella, I don't suppose I could persuade you to be happy, Bella?" Jasper asked sounding pained.

"Happy?!" How could he possibly want me to—

"Any emotion," Jasper amended, clutching his head and interrupting my mental rant, "just pick one. You're doing it again."

As much as I had come to adore Jasper for his wit and sense of humor, I wanted very badly to clobber him over the head with Rosalie's spray gun.

"Well, what else do you suggest?" Emmett was shouting at Alice. "You've done just about everything else, haven't you?"

"Emmett, it's over, okay? We tried." Alice rubbed her forehead tiredly. "Can we just drive the car off a cliff or something and tell Edward it got stolen?"

Jasper looked sharply at her. "You mean…you're just giving up?"

Rosalie flung her goggles on the floor. "We did everything, Jasper! Don't act like we just tried and failed once!"

As if prompted by some outside force, the Cullens flew into a fury, each screaming at someone else, words that were too fast for me to catch. It sounded like someone had disturbed a beehive, because all I could here was buzzing.

Alice's remained adamant on her plan, and Emmett was very resolute on his as well. Jasper was having a shouting match with his sister, both apparently trying to see who could get the loudest.

Rosalie was right: we had done everything possible for that stupid car. But it was all my fault, wasn't it. I was tearing my surrogate family apart for something that should have been my problem to begin with.

Then, startling all of us, a deeper voice asked: "Why don't you just buy a new Volvo?"

Carlisle was still in his stark white hospital coat, a dot of brightness in the dark garage.

It hadn't occurred to me that Carlisle even knew what we were doing. I hadn't exactly wanted to get him and Esme involved, considering that I felt like I'd wrecked their son's car and was trying to cover it up. How could he stand there, so totally calm, like I hadn't forced his kids to help me?

"If it you think it matters so much to Edward, Bella," he continued, "go out and but a new one. He'll never know the difference."

Was he…helping me?

"But…I couldn't afford that car in a million years!"

Carlisle shrugged. "That's what friends are for."

Friends? The other Cullens looked as confused as I was. Carlisle heaved a great sigh. "You all aren't going to college again, are you?" They shook their heads mutely. "Then that college fund is just sitting there, waiting to be spent, isn't it?" He turned his back on us and, whistling merrily, left the garage.

It was hard to say who was more stunned. Alice's mouth was actually ajar, though Emmett's eyes were so wide, it must be hurting him to keep them open.

"Well." Jasper was the first to recover, "you heard the man."

"You're not serious," Rosalie asked. "How many Volvo dealers can you find in Forks?"

Emmett glanced at Jasper's watch. "It's not even one o'clock, now. We have at least…eleven hours until dear Edward returns. Why not take a trip to Seattle?"

"You're right," Rosalie said, smiling slightly. "But it is a four-hour drive…"

Alice suddenly grinned. "If you want to drive like a human."

"Am I the only sane one here?" I burst out. "You can't just drive to Seattle, buy a new car, and come back!"

"How come?" Emmett questioned.

"Because it must cost…" I waved my hands wildly through the air, both trying to name a suitable figure and fighting now to pass out at the thought. "…too much. That's what it costs! Way, way too much!"

"Ignore her?" Alice proposed, as the others bobbed their heads in affirmation. "Now, if we leave now, we should be able to make it there by around four and be back by seven, maybe…"

No. Way. That was it? They were just going to ignore my input completely? I wasn't going to let them pay a fortune for a new car! It was my responsibility! Why wouldn't they just butt out? They'd done all they could, now it was my turn!

"Bella…" Jasper growled. "Stop it."

I was just too upset to deal with Jasper's comfort right now.

"You coming, Bella?" Alice asked, halfway out the door to the garage. "I mean, you can stay here and hang out with Jasper and Emmett."

They were actually going! No matter what I said, they'd go!

"Can't we just discuss this? I'll shoulder the blame, I promise!" I begged.

Emmett scoffed. "Is that what this is about? You think we're scared of Edward? Puh-lease. I could take him any day." That wasn't the point! They shouldn't have to worry about my mistakes!

"Or maybe you think he'll be upset with us? We're siblings, Bella," Rosalie said firmly. "But we're not doing this for him."

"It's for you," Jasper said, picking up where his sister left off.

"Because," Alice concluded, "you seem to have some warped sense that Edward will be angry with you. If it makes you happy, we'll do it."

Was there anything I could say after that? Nope, absolutely nothing. I didn't even bother to try. "Okay," I spoke quietly, "let's go."

"Awesome!" Emmett said grinning widely. "Road trip!"

"Jasper?" Alice asked.

"I'll stay here and hold down the fort. There may be too many humans up there…" He trailed off and looked at me. Despite the fact that I'd forgiven him, I knew Jasper was still blaming himself for almost attacking me.

"Jasper," I growled, imitating him (badly), "stop it." With more grace than I thought I possessed I reached up to peck him on the cheek. "I'll bring you back a keychain. Perhaps one of a head of lettuce?"

At this, he smiled. "Fine, fine. Just go."

"Should we play a game?" Emmett asked rubbing his hands together. "License plates?"

We were in Emmett's Jeep this time (since Rosalie "had yet to repair the potential havoc Alice had wreaked" on the M3). Rosalie had insisted on driving, and though he agreed, Emmett pouted for the first ten miles.

"Pass," Alice and Rosalie said together.

"Or…how about truth or…truth?" Rosalie suggested. "To take Bella's mind off of my speeding."

Was it that obvious? I had tried not to comment (they were, in truth, buying me a car), but perhaps my green complexion spoke for itself.

"Okay, Bella, you're first," Alice said. I could only hope that when I opened my mouth, it would be words and not something…less savory that came out. "How many times would you say you've kissed a guy? Other than Edward, I mean."

"Do relatives count?" I asked, feeling less woozy. Alice shook her head. "None, then. How about you? Have you ever kissed a guy other than Jasper?"

"As far as I know, no." Alice turned eyes away, but I could see her sadness at not remembering anything about her human life. She'd assured me once that she'd been in an insane asylum and it had probably traumatized her into repressing the memories.

Then again, there was a wagon-load of traumatic stuff in my life. James, Victoria, the fact that my best friend explodes into a wolf if he's provoked. It could definitely do some damage on my psyche. Just…would it be bad enough to make me forget altogether? I hoped not.

"Rose?" Emmett asked, though I had a feeling he didn't want to know.

"I kissed Edward once," Rosalie replied flippantly.

"What?!" Emmett and I screeched together. I leaned forward to get a good look at her.

Rosalie laughed. "You should see the looks on your faces!" Composing herself, she elaborated, "It was a test of sorts. Carlisle thought we were compatible, and we wanted to know for sure. So I kissed him." She made a face. "All the kids at school think we're weird for dating our 'siblings', but I've never felt more like I was kissing my brother than when I kissed Edward."

"Done any other recreational smooching, Rose?" Alice asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Relax, Al. Jasper's yours. And Emmett's mine." The couple in question smiled at one another in the front seats.

"Erm, have you, Emmett?"

"I can't think of any," he said, still gazing at his wife. "Rosalie is the first person I saw when I woke up."

It was almost tangible, the love they had for one another.

"Alright, let's keep it PG in here, please," Alice said eying them in disgust. "Jeez, someone wallop me over the head the day Jasper and I are like that."

Rosalie made a noise of disbelief. "When are you not?!"

Alice glared out the window and muttered, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"1972," Rosalie challenged. "When the boys had been gone on that really long hunting trip. It was before cell phones and we could call them. Me and Esme thought we were going to have to sedate you, you were so worried. Then, when they came home, you practically tacked poor Jasper."

"I seem to recall him enjoying it," Alice sniffed indignantly. "And like you didn't…um, welcome Emmett home as well."

Rosalie had the grace to turn away as Emmett guffawed loudly. "I remember thinking I should go away more often," he said with an enormous grin.

I laughed, delighted at finally not being the one under the microscope. They had so many good times of when they were together, it suddenly didn't matter about my human life (well, not as much) because Edward would make sure we were together forever.

That is, if he still wanted me if this worked out.

"Hey, Bella? Have you ever broken a law?" Emmett asked, continuing our game.

I thought for a moment. Charlie, being a cop, had managed to instill an unshakable respect for the law in me, but recent situations I had found myself in had made it impossible not to break a few laws.

I decided on an incident in Phoenix, one that had happened before I ever moved to Forks. "Um, well, I witnessed a Curbstomp once," I confessed.

"No way!" Alice gasped. "You?"

"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!" I explained. "I walked out on the street and there was this huge crowd around some two people and when I ran up to see…the guy got…stomped."

"Was he okay?" Rosalie wanted to know.

"I think he only broke a couple of teeth." I blushed. "I'm ashamed to say that I took pictures. But the police confiscated my camera, I swear!"

Emmett's laughter made the car shake. "I can just see you there Bella, snapping pictures while some guy's face is getting to know the concrete."

"I'm not proud of it!" I snapped. "I was only, like, thirteen, and I'd only ever seen stuff like that happen on Cops."

Emmett couldn't stop chuckling for a good minute. Every so often, though, even as we resumed our game, he'd mutter, "curbstomp" and start up again.

The lady adjusted the lapels of her mauve suit pompously. "We're closed," she sneered.

We must have looked a mess: Rosalie still clad in her oversized overalls (only covered by a jacket), me in just a coat and jeans, Alice's red coat wrinkled from the drive, and Emmett, who could intimidate a professional wrestler.

"Excuse me, but the door says your house are until six," Alice pointed out.

"Yes, well, we wouldn't have anything you children could afford," the woman persisted.

I just barely kept from laughing aloud. The Cullens could buy every car on the lot and still not use up even a fraction of their funds. Although the idea would later make me feel light-headed, I could see the humor in it at the moment.

"Well, you heard her. Let's go, guys." Emmett sighed. "Maybe the Lamborghini place'll take cash."

It was a wonderful thing to watch the woman's eyes bug out of her head. "Cash?"

"Yup." Emmett shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels. "But, we understand if you can't handle that much money at once. We'll just—"

"Don't be silly!" The woman opened the door to the Volvo dealer very quickly. "We'd love to show you some of our newest models."

All the cars were so sleek and beautiful. I instantly got lost in a rainbow of colors. There was just so much…money in this room alone! And we hadn't even seen the ones in the lot yet!

"We're looking for a silver Volvo S60 R," Rosalie asserted.

The woman led us into a back room. "This is where all the good cars are kept," she whispered conspiringly.

And there it was. Edward's car. I didn't even realize my feet were moving until I was already right beside it, smoothing my hands on the glossy finish. "And it's not blue!" I clamored.

Alice giggled. "You three stay here; I'll go handle the paperwork." But my eyes had wandered to the white information sheet the inside window.

Holy God. Was it even possible for that many zeros to follow that two?

"Breathe, Bella." Rosalie shook me a little. "It's no big deal."

"No big deal?" I shrieked. "It's only worth the entire city of Forks, Rose!"

Alice sighed. "Well, I'm going to go pay. I'll be right back." Both Emmett and Rosalie had to support me as my knees gave out again.

Alice, of course, had to take advantage of us being in Seattle. "Shopping!" she squealed. Emmet and I groaned in unison.

We got Jasper's lettuce keychain and several (hundred) clothes for Alice and Rosalie. Emmett found several video games he'd been "dying to get", so he spent almost an hour in that store. Thankfully, they didn't buy me anything.

We were just enjoying each other's company and the fact that our luck had finally turned around, when there was a loud scurrying of the shoppers. They were all flocking to the exits. I thought some store had caught fire, but I couldn't see any smoke.

"Give me a break!" Rosalie moaned.

"What? Are we being attacked?" I asked, panicked.

"No, just the snowstorm of the century," Alice complained. "Hurry up and finish your smoothie. We'll have to find a hotel for the night."

For the night? "But-but Edward—"

"I'm not risking your safety again, Bella. Let's go."

Rosalie and Emmett drove the Volvo, while Alice and I took the M3. "I'll be careful, Bella," Rosalie said, reading the look in my eyes. "Don't worry."

Even worse, the hotel we were staying in just had to be the finest one in Seattle, didn't it? It was a humongous suite (SUITE!) complete with kitchen and everything. The Cullens were each doing their own thing, leaving the bed for me.

Why me? Why them? The weather, for once, had been almost…pleasant. It was wet and drippy, yes, but it didn't prevent me from doing anything I would have normally done. And now, just when our plans had finally worked out for the better, we were stranded miles away from home until God only knew when.

"Did you see anything?" I heard Rosalie whisper when they thought I was asleep.

"The snow isn't going to let up until morning. And we may not even get through the roads then."

I moaned into my pillow and fell into a fitful sleep.

Forks, Washington-January 16, 2008 (D-Day)

When I awoke, the sun was streaming through the window. How ironic. Alice handed me a mug of hot chocolate, which I accepted graciously. "Thanks. What time is it?"

"Around eight." I blew my chocolate all over the sheets. "Sorry, the police only just opened the roads. I thought it would be unfair to wake you so early for nothing."

It would be a three-hour drive back home and Edward was probably already there, worrying about me. Feeling lightheaded and queasy, I slumped back onto the bed.

"He called late last night. I told him you were asleep, which for once, wasn't a lie." Alice stood up. "I don't think he's on his way yet, so hurry up if you plan on beating him home."

I wouldn't have ever believed the Cullens could drive slowly. Alice drove slower than I'd ever seen her do on the way home. There was no buffer for my boredom this time, though, since Emmett and Rose were in the Volvo. They were a bit behind us, as Rosalie was doing her damnedest to keep the car in one piece on the icy roads.

Four tense hours later, we pulled into the Cullens' house.

"Where have you guys been?" Jasper questioned, running up to hug Alice. "Esme was about to send out the S.W.A.T. team."

"Snowstorm up in Seattle," Alice mumbled. "But we got the car. Em and Rose should be here any second."

I hoped.

I almost cried with relief when that silver car pulled into the driveway. "Thank God!" I exclaimed.

"It smells," Jasper pointed out as Rosalie and Emmett brushed snow off the sides.

"It's a brand new car!" I said. "What do you mean, 'it smells'."

Jasper sighed. "That's what I mean, Bella. It smells just like a new car. Edward'll notice the second he comes home."

He was right! Edward's car smelled exactly like him (which was part of the reason I didn't complain whenever he insisted we take it). How in the world could I miss that?

"We have to get something that smells like him, then!" I gasped frantically.

Emmett snorted. "Because we just have bottles of 'Eau de Eddie' lying around."

Alice sent him a look. "Let's just grab some of his clothes, okay?" I made to move into the house, but Alice said, "Stay here with Rosalie. The car usually smells like you, too."

Which is how, roughly half a minute later, I found the Cullens rubbing Edward's car with socks, shirts, trousers and a towel Esme hadn't yet washed. Instantly, Edward's heavenly scent was in the air and Jasper had to shake me out of my stupor.

"Get over here, Bella, and help us."

"No!" Alice said. "Let her do that side." Jasper gave her a funny look, but she merely went back to the task of smearing her brother's scent all over the car.

Then Alice's eyes glazed over. She froze for less than fifteen seconds before she said, "Faster!"

It was another ten minutes of frenzied rubbing before Emmett said we could stop. "It smells okay, now, I don't think he'll be able to tell."

Rosalie rushed into the garage and came sprinting back with a tool kit under her arm. "There are some adjustments I had made to the old Volvo. He'll notice the second he starts it up."

"No time!" Alice shouted. "He's coming!" She snagged my hand and dragged me into the house. I've never had a speed makeover, but Alice shoved me into a clean pair of clothes (I don't even want to know why she had new sets of expensive clothes for me waiting at her house) and hurriedly did my makeup.

"Now," she said, dabbing eye shadow on my lid, "if he asks about your bandage, say something about…I don't know, falling down or something. Do not in any way mention the car accident."

I could only nod as she pulled me down the stairs.

"Edward," I gasped at the sight of him. He looked even better than I remembered. When he held open his arms, I willingly launched myself into them.

"Bella, honey, what happened to your head?"

I didn't miss the look Alice gave me. "You know me, I'm so clumsy, Edward. It's no one's fault but mine."

Esme smiled at me gently. "Poor dear fell right before she got sick. Isn't that right, Bella?" I turned astonished eyes to look at her. Esme only winked and said, "Chicken noodle soup, Bella? I hear it's good for when you're recovering from a cold."

Everyone, every last one of the Cullens had helped me in some way. I would have hugged each one of them right then if I hadn't thought Edward would find it suspicious.

"Hey, Bella," Emmett said, laughing, "Should we tell Edward about what you thought me and—"

"No we shouldn't!" I interrupted. I'd been humiliated enough about that stupid staring contest. I saw Edward mouth, 'Later' to his brother.

"You haven't yet kissed me," I said, leaning back to look into his face. If everyone else could put up a good front, I wouldn't let them down by screwing it all up. "Or are you afraid I'm contagious?"

"Not at all." He pressed his lips to mine. Sighing, he pulled away. "It's probably a bad time to ask, but I'm dying to know. Have you made your decision?"

I took a deep breath as all eyes were suddenly on me. "It's not a decision I made lightly, I promise. I have to give up some stuff, Edward, but I want to be changed. Now, more than ever."

Alice beamed at me. But Edward only stood and held out a hand.

"Let's go for a drive." You could have heard a pin drop in the silence that followed. "Is something wrong, Bella? You look a little green."

"Why do you want to drive now? Shouldn't we be celebrating?" I asked, trying to keep my cool. I could do this, I chanted internally. I could do this.

"I have some things I have to talk to you about, though," Edward said, taking my hand. "I want some time alone with you," he whispered for my ears only. "And since the meadow is out of the question because you won't want to run—"

"I love running!" I interrupted. "Let's go right now!"

Emmett slapped his forehead, muttering something like, "She's done it now."

Edward looked at me strangely. "A drive would be better, Bella."

I fidgeted the whole way to the Volvo. Alice had mouthed 'good luck' when Edward couldn't see. I was trembling when we reached the car. But to my surprise, Edward made no move to get in.

"Bella," he said gently, "I know this isn't my Volvo."

My mouth quite literally dropped open. When I spoke, my voice sounded like I'd inhaled helium. "You…what would make you say that, Edward?" I cleared my throat, willing myself to be calm. "I mean, you've been gone for several days, but if you don't recognize your own car…"

"I knew it before I even ran fully up the driveway." Oh, my God. I should have known he'd somehow know it wasn't his. How could I have been so stupid? "I'm sure there's a reason, of course, why there's a look-alike Volvo here. It's a spectacularly good look-alike, but a fake nonetheless."

"No!" I shrieked in despair. "We did everything right!"

Edward only looked concerned rather than disturbed by my outburst. "Bella, are you feeling well? You need to lie down." Pressing a palm to my bandage covered forehead, he said, "I don' think you're quite over your cold yet."

Can you blame me for wanting to tear my own hair out? I felt sick, yes, but for reasons poor clueless Edward couldn't understand. "I'm not sick! I never was, Edward!"

He scowled. Now this was the type of reaction I was expecting, the type I had prepared for. "You lied to me?"

"You're worried about that?"

"Bella, I'll ask you again." Edward grabbed my upper arms, shaking me a little. It wasn't very likely to clear my head. "Did you lie to me?"

I spun out of his grasp, holding my head. I was so dizzy talking circles around him. Why was he focusing on that point? His real car was gone; he knew that. And yet here he was worrying about the tiniest things!

"Bella, would you like to tell me what really happened to your forehead?" Edward asked quietly. There was no force in his voice, but it was clear that that was a rhetorical question. I had no choice but to answer.

"Alice was there the morning you left. I had cereal…" It was funny how I could remember every single detail of the last five days. Unfortunately, only the most insignificant ones were the ones bubbling out of my mouth. "Jasper was the lettuce and I was the rabbit…then I played Emmett's videogame…"

The look on Edward's face was so adorably confused. I simply had to kiss him, you understand. Edward only let me for about two seconds before he broke the kiss and held me close. "We have to take you to Carlisle, Bella; you're delirious. And your heart is pounding like a drum. Let's go."

I resisted violently as her made to lift me into his arms. Edward almost dropped me completely, his shock was so great. "Carlisle!" he called both panic and urgency in his tone.

"No!" He wanted to know, he'd know if I had to scream it at the top of my lungs. "I crashed into the Volvo!"

"You did what?!"

He turned away from me as if to look for it, but I pulled him back forcefully. "You won't leave me again, Edward. Not until I explain." His eyes were as wide as dinner plates. "I hurt my head when my car backed into yours…a lot." I was seriously considering going pyro on that truck, really. "It's just so huge and I lost control and hit my head." I glanced in at the house, watching four white faces disappear from the window. Stupid nosy vampires. "And I had to get stitches."

"Bella—"

"Shut up!" I snapped, "And listen. I ran away from Alice. That's why when you kept calling, I wouldn't pick up." I dragged a hand through my hair, pausing for a gulp of air.

"Alice said—"

"You think I don't know what Alice said?!" I screamed. I knew all too well of everything Alice had done for me and I didn't need him bring it up. I frowned and said, "Where was I? Oh, yes: Mike."

"Mike—"

"God dammit, Edward, would you just listen?!" The rest of the Cullens were now out in the fornt yard, dragged out of the house by the shouting. Rosalie was pursing her lips in amusement while Emmett wasn't even bothering to hold back his grin. Esme looked worried. She murmured something to Carlisle who shook his head. Alice was holding Jasper's hand as she smiled a little in encouragement.

"I bought tarp," I said, turning back to Edward. "Why, I don't even know. And I stayed in a motel. Very disgusting, believe me. Then Angela and I went to Port Angeles."

"You went when I told—"

"So help me God, Edward, if I have to duct tape your mouth, I will," I warned gravely. Edward looked livid. I didn't care. If I died trying, I was going to finish this. "I had 5,000 dollars. I thought it would be enough for the repairs." Remembering how I had fainted, I sort of laughed. "Boy, was I wrong. Then I got sick next to the Angela's car."

"Are you alri—?"

"Knock it off!" Alice yelled for my benefit. Edward made a rude gesture with his hand that had Esme yelling at him too.

"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU!" I screeched as Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett joined the fray. They stopped to stare at me as a single tear escaped. "I'm going home," I said tiredly.

"Finish it, Bella. He needs to know." Carlisle smiled a little. "I wouldn't mind hearing the whole story, either." Carlisle was the only person to admit this, though I knew the other six stayed for the same reason.

"Alice and Rosalie weren't happy." There was a snort of assent, but otherwise the Cullens (thankfully, Edward included) stayed silent. "Alice didn't talk to me for a while, but she let us go back to the mechanic. Louis had it repaired by the next day, seeing as they paid him about a zillion dollars to do so. But he'd run out of silver paint and technically, we hadn't asked him to repaint it. He thought he was doing us a favor by painting it. Blue."

"The newest Volvo color," Edward muttered. At my glare, which I'm sure could have bored a hole through granite, he closed his mouth.

"Then Rose tried to repaint it, but she only had enough to cover half of it. We were going to find more paint to cover it, but it would have come today and that was cutting it too close. You don't understand how badly I didn't want to involve you all," I said to the other six beauties. "I always make trouble for you." Another bitter tear slid down my cheek. "And never once have you said, 'Forget it, Bella. You're not worth it.' But I keep waiting for you to. I guess that's why I ran away and why I almost didn't let Alice buy the new Volvo."

Edward touched my shoulder. "Oh, Bella, we'd never—"

"I know." I felt ashamed of doubting them. This family was my rock. Even if Edward hated me and we broke up, they'd be there for me. Somehow it wasn't the same though. "You're all so wonderful. I love you." I turned back to Edward. "I love you, too. More than anything. That's why I won't blame you if you choose to leave." When he opened his mouth, I knew it was to say goodbye. I held up a hand. "I'm almost done.

"We bought the new Volvo. I'll pay you back; I promise. Give me about an eternity though." I smiled weakly. "It smelled, though. The way a new car usually does. Not the way your car did. Like you, I mean." This part was embarrassing. "So we…um, rubbed it with some of your clothes. I…I think I can get all the creases out, but if you want, you can add them to my tab.

"And," I said taking a deep breath, "here we are."

Everyone (myself included) waited with baited breath for Edward's reaction. He was still staring down at me, his eyes smoldering. With a resigned sigh, he said, "Well, I guess you know what I have to do, then."

I couldn't look at him, so breathtakingly gorgeous, as he prepared to tell me how sorry he was that he'd ever met me.

What Edward said next made my heart splutter to a stop: "Marry you."

My eyes snapped open. I couldn't even squeak.

"See?" Edward was grinning, jubilant. "I told you you wouldn't be able to say no." His arms came around me as he pecked my astonished mouth. "Now you can make good on your promise to pay me back."

My vision went red. He…he had only…My heart broke in two as I shouted (just in case the other Cullens couldn't hear), "You want me to marry you so you can make sure I pay you? Forget it! You'll get your first payment in the mail." I tried to twist out of his arms, feeling so hurt it was unspeakable.

Edward's grin, if possible, got even larger. "Oh, Bella." He shook his head. "I have more money than I could use in two eternities. I never said I want money."

I blinked at him. "Well, what do you want, then?"

His arms tightened around me. "You, Isabella Swan, are going to pay back your debt for all eternity, as you promised. In your beautiful smiles, your brilliance, your kisses and your love."

"Me?" I squeaked. "After I plowed through your car and tried to trick you?"

"You," Edward responded. "My car-crashing, lovely-smelling, clever, gorgeous little klutz."

I had to ask it. It was so surreal, like a dream, but I had to know: "Why?"

"Bella, don't you know?" Edward groaned. "You could burn down the house and all of my possessions inside it and it wouldn't matter. All of those things can be replaced. You can't be." He smiled ruefully. "I don't think the world could handle another Bella. I only need you, Bella. Even if the whole universe crumbles beneath us.

"I want to spend forever playing your lullaby and lying awake with you at night. I want to visit our meadow and bask in the glows of twilight." He dragged me still closer and pressed his lips to mine.

"Marry me, Bella," Edward said against my mouth. "Say yes."

All the thoughts of Edward and I doing just about everything together swirled through my head. My past didn't matter so long as he was there to guide me through the future, our future. My decision was clear as my eyes blurred with tears.

"Yes," I whispered against his lips.

"Yes?" He spun me around in three quick circles, but my head was spinning for another reason entirely. Amidst the raucous cheering of his—no, our—family, Edward looked into my eyes, searching for any shred of indecision. "Are you sure?"

"The only bad thing about you, Edward Cullen, is that you think too much." My hand cupped the back of his neck and pulled his face down to mine for a blistering kiss.

For once, his instincts and bloodlust didn't get in our way.

A/N: Aww! How sweet! The cubstomp thing actually happened to a friend of mine (no, not actually being stomped, but having her camera confiscated for taking pics). I just adored this chapter entirely, but review and let me know what your fave part was. One more guys! See you then!

The excited Ellie