Shock crossed Jacob's features as he saw a brown-haired woman sitting on the dining table. He glowered at me as if I've accused him for something he didn't do.

I smiled at him sheepishly and cleared my thought, pretending to be at ease. "Mom, this is Jacob Black. Jacob, Renee. Renee, Jacob."

But inside, I'm shaking to the nerve.

"Er . . . Hi, Renee. I'm Jacob Black." He said nervously. I turned around, my back to them. I could feel Jacob's eyes on me like lasers.

I faced them again and I could see Renee holding her hand out for Jacob to shake.

"Mom, you really don't want to do that . . ." Too late. Renee shook Jacob's feverish hand, letting her know of his very hot temperature. She jerked her hand away.

"Gosh. Jacob, are you alright?" she asked with concern.

"Yes. I . . . uhm . . . actually have a fever." He replied.

"Oh. Well, Bella, you shouldn't have called Jacob if he was sick." Renee clicked her tongue at me.

"She didn't know, Renee. It's not her fault." He said calmly. "I got sick just after graduation. Some of my friends were cajoling me with being a graduate and all that . . ."

I was stunned. This is the first time I've seen Jacob attempting to humor himself.

I hid my incoming laughter with a cough. "Muffins anyone?"

I grabbed a plate from the cupboard and placed the cooled muffins neatly on the plate. The muffins I made this time were the commercial-sized ones, not the enormous ones I normally made for Jacob and the boys.

"These are good, Bella." Renee commented, her mouth full of them.

Jacob didn't speak. He was still nervous and uncomfortable with meeting my mother in such a rush. I guess I should have warned him.

"Thanks." I spread some butter on my muffins.

My eyes focused on Jacob. He grabbed a muffin and ate it whole. I stared at him. Feeling my gaze on him, he looked up at me silently.

"Don't freak her out with your appetite." I mumbled lowly, knowing that he could hear me. I looked up and saw that he was nodding.

Renee didn't mention the engagement ring with Jacob yet. She knew pretty well that Jacob is all new to this. She would give him time to loosen up.

Jacob and Renee's meeting was practically one of the worst ideas I've ever created. All afternoon, Jacob was nowhere near the comfortable stage even if Charlie joined in. I imagined Jacob being upset with me later on when we're headed to Alice's party.

The afternoon has been so slow that I barely took note of what time it was already.

"Crap!" I suddenly said, cutting Renee off rudely. "I'm sorry, Mom. It's just that Jacob and I are kind of late for the graduation party of our friend."

Jacob suddenly shot up from his chair and went towards the front door, speechless.

He halted then turned around. "It was nice meeting you, Renee. I'll drop by again soon."

"Nice meeting you too, Jacob!"

I took my black bag from the table and followed Jacob outside the door. I was surprised to see Jacob leaning over a Rabbit.

He leaned over it happily, proud of his own creation. He tapped the roof of the car, then motioned for me to get in.

"Jacob!" I grinned. "It's finished? It's actually finished!"

I can't even believe my eyes. I don't believe what I'm seeing, to be perfectly honest. I know that he's been looking for that . . . for that . . . master cylinder for over a year and a half now, but I didn't believe that he would finish it. But here he is now, hovering over the car with sheer gladness.

"It's the maiden voyage." He proudly said as I got in the car.

"It's wonderful, Jacob. I thought finding a master cylinder would be impossible." I rolled my eyes and squeezed his hand lightly.

"Back by ten!" I heard Charlie say who was standing near the rabbit's front window.

"Got it." I replied and waved my hand as Jacob drove away.

"Bella, don't do that to me ever again." Jacob nervously said, his eyes on the road.

I instantly recalled the horrifying scene at home. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh I think you know exactly what I'm talking about." He laughed like he was crying. I didn't even know that it was possible to do such a thing.

"I'm sorry." I gave up and snuggled into his chest. "I shouldn't have done that, I'm sorry."

"Anyway, it's over now." He kissed my forehead. "Just promise that you'd warn me beforehand. I thought that I would actually have to burst into a wolf in front of the two of them."

"What?" I looked up at him. "I didn't notice that you were shaking."

"I was. If you were paying close attention, I was. I felt like a kid in a dentist's office."

"I'm sorry." I stayed silent for a while, thinking. "I'm sorry. I really am."

"One day, I'm going to do the same thing to you." He laughed. "Of course I would have to think of a way because you've practically met everyone I know."

"Not everyone. I think."

He sighed. "You're right. You haven't met my other monster friends yet." He was fighting a laugh but failed, he suddenly laughed boisterously.

He continued laughing, his hand hard on the steering wheel. I covered his mouth and kept him from laughing. We might steer off the wrong tracks with his gurgling.

"Jacob! Stop laughing. I don't want to die yet." I said jokingly.

He looked at me for a second. When I was sure that he wouldn't laugh anymore, I let go of my hold on his lips.

I looked at him solemnly, analyzing his expression. This time, I was the one who wanted to laugh. Jacob had a hilarious expression on his face, making me laugh.

We arrived at the house a few minutes past six in the evening. There were white, wedding-like lights hanging on each tree surrounding the house. I could see that the party has started, for there were disco lights when I peeked through the window.

"We're late." I said matter-of-factly. Jacob cut off the engine and went out to open my door.

"It's your fault." He was fighting a smile. "If only you didn't ask me to—"

"Alright, I get it! It's my fault. Can't we just forget it and enjoy the party?"

He looked into my eyes and spoke seriously. "Bella, you caused me a week's worth of anxiety and worry, don't you think it's kind of unfair?"

"Unfair on what side of the argument?"

"We're not in an argument," he stared at me. "It's unfair because you were able to meet people on my side easily. When you met Rachel, you took it well—you even enjoyed meeting her."

"It's not exactly my fault that you take urgent meetings wrongly. I thought you'd be used to it by now." I smiled at him. His expression softened.

"I guess you're right but you're still the one to blame."

I let it go because arguing with him wouldn't be anywhere near helpful. We both knew that the fight is over. For now.

Before I was able to knock, the door was opened and there stood Alice. Her outfit wasn't the same one that she wore at the graduation. It was more of a party dress.

"I knew you'd come!" She said, clapping then hopping up and down like a rabbit.

"You'd see me, Alice." I responded. I wound my hand around Jacob's, feeling nervous already.

"I can't. You're with Jacob. And if you're with Jacob or any of the other werewolves, I wouldn't be able to see you."

I nodded, unable to find any words to say to Alice.

When I finally thought of something to say, I spoke. "So, is there anyone inside already?"

"No, not yet. The first ones will come in ten minutes." She said, a smile plastered on her face.

"Bella, Jacob," Esme appeared behind Alice. "Come in, please."

Esme led us to the familiar living room, only it wasn't the living room anymore. It looked more like a club rather than a living room. All of the furniture was rearranged. There was a soda bar on the north wall, bright lights on the ceiling, and food trays beside the soda bar. Somewhere I couldn't see must be the place where the sound systems are. Pop music was being played.

I saw Alice walk to one side of the room and yank at an invisible knob which turned down the volume of the music. She lowered it until it was almost in the background.

Jacob's presence was unnoticeable since the time we stepped into the Cullens' house. I knew that he was still somehow comfortable but his hand in mine didn't say so.

"Jacob?" I squeezed his hand. He shook a little. "Are you okay?"

We sat down on the loveseat near the soda bar. "I'm just a little . . . I'm just adjusting."

"I can tell."

"The scent is burning my nose. I thought I was used to it already." His nose wrinkled. He buried his face in my hair and inhaled a lot of air. "At least you smell like me. I could stick my nose here all day and still feel a little relieved."

"Cut it out." I joked but I guess he didn't find it amusing. He lifted his face and looked at me. I felt myself flush.

He suppressed a sigh. "Really. The scent is too concentrated."

"Sorry. Would you like to step out or just bury your nose in my hair all evening?"

"I'm not kidding, you know."

"Neither am I. So what do you think?"

"Both. I'll bury my nose first then when it gets worse, I'll step out. Would that be alright with you?"

I stared up at him with disbelief. "If that's what makes you feel better, why are you asking my permission?"

"Because you're my fiancée. I have the right to make you feel better."

"I'll feel better if you feel better." I replied. He planted his head lightly on my shoulder and stayed put for what I thought was forever.

We could stay like this forever: hand in hand and head on shoulder. This was more than what I bargained for.

Esme appeared in front of me with a flash of speed. "Bella, we'll be stepping out for a while. Alice, Edward, and Rosalie will be here to stay with you throughout the party. Carlisle, Emmett and I would be assisting Jasper. You know how he is." She smiled lightly.

"Yes, of course I do understand. I'll see you soon, Esme." I waved goodbye. She hugged me lightly, conscious of Jacob's presence.

"Edward wants to talk to you." Esme whispered, barely audible that even Jacob can't hear. I wasn't even sure that's what she said.

I nodded. One second later, I was nodding at the air.

Jacob's slow breathing was a bit intriguing. I wasn't sure if he was heading to sleep or just timing his breaths because of the scent.

I curled my hand in his, holding it tightly but gently. He seemed to be relieved a bit because he exhaled sharply.

"Any luck?" I asked, kissing his burning forehead.

"Still complicated."

"This may be the best time to step out now." I said as I remembered Esme's words in my ear.

"Why?" His head shot up, suddenly alert.

"You're having a hard time right now. Maybe when the house is mixed with human scents, you could come back in." I explained.

He kissed my forehead then stood up. "I guess you're right. I'm going to be by the car."

With that, he left the house. Alice suddenly came into the room, a sad frown on her face.

"Why did he leave?" She asked.

"He didn't leave. He's just outside getting some . . . fresh air." I said, picking out the right words.

Alice sighed. "I thought he was used to vampiric scents but I guess not."

"Just give him a few moments."

She stood there silently. She was as still as a stone but her eyes were hazed. Her hands were clenched into fists at the sides. I knew this look. She was having a vision.

I continued looking at her until her eyes came back to the present. She looked back at me, her expression unreadable.

"Edward is going to talk to you."

"I figured." I shrugged. She sat down beside me. "Esme told me."

"I should probably bring you upstairs to his room. He wouldn't want to talk where Jacob is within earshot."

Alice carried me across the room, then up the stairs. She let go of me when we were standing in front of the familiar cream door that was Edward's room.

Knocking wasn't an option for Alice. The moment my feet touched the ground, the door to Edward's room opened. There he stood, towering over me and Alice. His face was unreadable but his eyes were tight and wary.

Looking at Alice, he nodded then motioned for me to enter the room. Alice pushed me inside his room when she sensed that my feet were out of order.

"I'll be looking out for the guests. I'll talk to Jacob." She said then disappeared.

I could feel Edward disappear behind me as the door closed. A sudden wave of anger shot my body, making my hands ball into fists. I knew in myself that whatever Edward planned to tell me was useless. I thought he knew better.

I prepared myself to face the consequences of this encounter, I could see it all mapped out in my head. Jacob would be furious after this, whatever the outcome will be. I've already given him such a headache for today's events that I'm not willing to let Edward ruin another string.

I pulled on a poker face and faced Edward. He was sitting on the couch, looking away from me. He glanced for a moment in my direction then looked away again.

"Bella, there is a reason why I wanted to talk to you." He started.

A reason? What, redemption? "There's nothing to talk about." I spat.

He faced me again but this time, his eyes were of sadness and despair. "If you could please just give me a moment of your time. It's rather important."

"Everything you say is important. You make it look like our relationship is student-teacher when in reality, it's not supposed to be that—"

"Please," he begged. "Just listen. After this, you will never see me again. I promise."

His words sent an unexpected jolt through my heart. Never seeing him again was already a sort of horror but promising it was far worse.

Edward sensed my silence and began to spoke.

"Bella . . ."

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