Okie-dokie. I want y'all to know I'm not mad at you at all. But you really do need to read the previous update. It's an A/N and I know those are boring, but it's crucial. So just to show you I'm not mad at all, I'm updating again. Yes, yes, I know. You love me. XD

Disclaimer: Me - Can I please own Twilight? (A very loud no.) *Sulks and starts to write fanfiction again.* I own nothing.


Edward POV

She'd been hurt. Bella was hurt. One more thing I got wrong. She was injured. I knew Bella could attract anything potentially dangerous, but how did I save her from herself? But if I'd been here, I would've caught her.

"Jasper," I called softly. I'd have to talk to him about his summary of our relationship. He'd enlightened Bella in many ways, but had also given her leverage against me. Knowing that she knew the emotions I carried regularly was discomforting. It wasn't that I didn't want Bella to know every single piece of information about me. It was that because of what I felt she was so upset that she'd cried for about ten minutes.

"Yes, Edward?" Jasper was a little wary; he didn't know what this was going to be about. "Can I apologize in advance for her falling off the bed? I didn't mean to startle her."

"You still could have caught her," I said curtly.

"I didn't think about that," he admitted. "But wouldn't it have done more damage than good? I'm not sure how to make her comfortable like you do."

"That's true, too." He did have a point. That part of this conversation would be dropped. I led him out of my room. If this got heated, I didn't want to wake Bella. "Would you mind telling me why you decided it would be a good thing to tell Bella what I'm constantly feeling?" My voice wasn't harsh at all. Just curious. But he could feel the annoyance simmering in me.

She wanted to get to know each other. That was the only thing I could think to talk about. She wasn't frightened until the very end. She looked entranced, really. I think she wanted to know those things, Edward. If that makes you upset, then I apologize, but that's what I could feel from her.

I sighed. She was always surprising me. "Your observations of our relationship were amazing, Jasper. I'm not sure Alice saw that much." He flashed me a quick smile.

Don't tell Alice that. She'll be so upset. I don't know if Bella told you, but I did save her from another shopping trip.

"Thank you," I sighed. If Bella had secretly been subjected to her personal version of torture, I don't know how I would respond.

"You're welcome, Edward." Are we done? he asked silently. I nodded.

Edward, dear, would you please come here? Esme called.

I nodded once more to Jasper before making my way to Esme. She was in the kitchen, just standing motionless.

"Don't forget you need to take Bella home soon. Charlie will be worried," she murmured.

"I haven't forgotten. Was there something you needed?"

"It's about Bella, really."

I fidgeted uncomfortably. Why was everyone suddenly in the mood to talk about Bella? I tried my best to sound calm. "All right."

"The change. Are you going to change Bella?"

I sighed deeply. "I'm still not sure, Esme. I want to, but are my needs worth taking her soul for eternity? I can't risk something that important because of my own desires."

"Yes, you can," she said softly. "Edward, you know I love Bella, but I want you to be happy, as well. You deserve what you want. All these years you've been alone. I can't watch you return to that quiet, formal person. You need someone with you. Bella is that someone."

I shook my head softly. "Esme, it's her soul. That's more important than my own selfish desires."

"I understand that, Edward, but think." Esme's voice was getting louder, fiercer. "What happens when she dies?"

The words hit me like flames. That was a good question. What would happen when Bella died? The answer was immediate. I would follow. I didn't know if I'd find her in whatever afterlife there was, but it was better than existing for eternity.

"You can't kill yourself, Edward," Esme whispered, shaking her head sadly. "Think of what it would do to Alice, Emmett... me. That's not an option."

"It is the only option!" I hissed.

"No, it isn't! Change her, son. For once, have what you want. You've suffered long enough. Change her, and be happy like the rest of us."

"I'll consider it," I said stiffly. That wasn't a lie. I would think about it. But there wasn't even the slightest possibility of taking Bella's soul, her life, unless she was broken beyond repair.

Esme's face became calm, peaceful again. "Thank you, Edward. That was all I wanted to speak to you about."

I forced a smile and nodded. I flew back to my room, shutting the door softly. I walked over to where Bella was asleep on my bed, her mahogany hair spread out across the pillow. I traced her jaw line a few times, once more allowing myself to think about changing Bella into a vampire.

She would be more beautiful than she already was, if that was even possible. She would be less breakable. She would be with me for eternity, as well. But her soul would be gone. If by some cruel act of fate, she was torn apart and burned, she would be one of the damned. There was no guaranteed afterlife for my kind. True, there was no guarantee for humans, either, but we were the devil's children. Made only to walk the earth for many lifetimes, repeating our existences again and again. Created only to feed off humans, though my family had found a loophole.

Could I really do that to my precious Bella? Watch as she pounced at a mountain lion, knowing she'd be able to kill it without a second thought? Would I be at peace?

I answered myself. No, I couldn't. I'd be compelled to watch her every move to make sure she wasn't ripped from my side, even by something as weak as a mountain lion.

I had to take Bella home.

Very lightly, I traced the length of her arm. "Bella, love. You have to wake up now," I murmured. "You have to go back to Charlie."

"Mmm, Charlie," she repeated. I chuckled silently.

"Yes, love." I pressed my lips against her forehead. "Time to wake up. I have to take you back to your father."

She yawned and opened her eyes slowly. "Do I have to?" she mumbled, snuggling further under the covers. She was so adorable when she did that.

"I'm afraid so, love."

Bella sighed and sat up. "Fine. Let's go."

I extended a hand to her. She took it, standing up. Our fingers interlocked automatically. We walked to the garage in silence, and I helped Bella into her seat.

I got into the driver's seat. "How was your nap?" I asked politely.

Bella scowled, then her face broke into a glorious smile. "It was very nice, actually. So what happened to Jasper?"

"Nothing." I backed out of the driveway as I spoke.

She glared at me, showing that adorable tiger-kitten anger. No matter how angry she tried to be, it would always be adorable to me. "Edward, I know you're upset at him for me falling off the bed."

I smiled a little. "We spoke, and after he explained the situation, I came to the conclusion that, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but you falling off the bed was the best thing that could have happened."

Bella unexpectedly burst into laughter. "You finally admitted it!"

"Admitted what?" I asked, shocked.

"That me being clumsy was actually good for once." I smiled with her. She was always surprising me. I was hoping that never changed.

The rest of the drive was spent in comfortable silence. I pulled up to Bella's house. Charlie's cruiser was in the driveway. I helped Bella out of her seat and walked her to the front door.

"I'll see you tonight, Bella," I whispered, pressing my lips against her forehead.

She looked sad but nodded. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, too, Bella."

I know I heard a car door. If she's not here in ten seconds, I'm coming to drag her, Charlie thought suspiciously.

I chuckled. "Bella, love, you should go inside. Charlie is about to come out to take you by force."

Her eyes widened. "I'll see you tonight," she whispered quickly.

I nodded and watched as my love disappeared into her house.


I'm only gonna say it once since I pleaded last chapter. Please review. You have no idea how happy they make me.

XO,

Jessica