Disclaimer: I do not own any part of this story. It all belongs to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer. Thank you for inspiring me! The dialogues from the graduation onwards are from Chapter 16 of Eclipse

Author's Note: Sorry this took a while folks! I just want to say my updates may be a weeny bit slow these days. I have the written paper of my Teacher's Diploma exam for Speech and Drama coming up on the 16th, so I have to study as well. But I'll keep updating don't worry. Writing these is how I de-stress myself =)

Oh and by the way I finally updated my profile with some info about myself (in case any of you wanted to know more about me) I uploaded a profile pic too! Yay! It's actually this pretty cool fan made New Moon poster I found on the web. You should check it out.

Anyway hope you enjoy this one! As always please, please review. Thanks to all who reviewed the previous chapter and please continue to do so…


"This is by far the worst graduation robe I have seen in my life. Ever!" Alice complained, trying it on.

I grinned. Trust my sister to worry about how we were going to look, when we had far more pressing issues to think about.

"Tell me about it. You're all going to look like eggs," Emmett said, taking his eyes off the TV to grin mischievously. He took another look at Alice wearing the yellow robe and added, "Rotten eggs." Jasper whacked him on the head, from his place on the sofa.

Alice stuck her tongue out at him and swept the robe off her shoulders with a shudder. I distinctly heard her sickeningly mutter, "Polyester!" before she resumed her work. She was immersed in the final arrangements for the party to be held at our house this evening.

There were only a few more hours left before we had to be at the high school for the ceremony. Graduation had turned into an event we all simply regarded as part of our human façade. After one graduates both from high school and college several times over, it becomes no different from any other day.

Except this year.

This particular graduation was more symbolic than any other. At least, for me. In more ways than one, I sometimes wished it would never come to pass. No matter how much Bella insisted that being one of us was all she desired, my conscience still whispered it was selfish. Try as I might, I couldn't completely drown that voice.

"Oh," Alice said, pausing in the act of unwrapping several boxes of coloured lights.

My eyes flew to her in alarm. What had she seen?

Contrary to the images I was half expecting of the Volturi, or some form of mayhem in Seattle I saw an image of Bella, staring at her open closet, looking dejected. The look on her face was so adorable it made me smile.

"Looks like Bella's having a last minute fashion crisis," she murmured. You should've let me take her shopping for a graduation dress, Edward.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I'm sure she would've been dying to go," I said, dryly.

"Well she is in desperate need of a new wardrobe after whoever it was helped themselves to hers," Alice said.

I scowled. I didn't need reminding of Bella's unknown visitor.

"I need to go," Alice said, getting to her feet.

"Already?" Jsaper asked her.

"Well, I need to go buy a dress for Bella or she'll wind up with nothing but her sweatpants to wear to graduation," she said in mock horror.

I raised my eyebrows at her. Bella could come in her sweatpants for all it mattered to me. She would still look beautiful. I saw Alice mentally imagining different styles of dresses…

Edward, don't peek! she said, grinning at me. "You'll enjoy the effects in a while."

Grabbing her wallet she danced to the door. Before she left, she pointedly looked at Emmett and Jasper and said, "I suppose one of you might be nice enough to drape those lights on the trees for me."

"Losing our touch at the immaculate planning, little sister?" Emmett asked.

"No," she said, "Merely wondering if my assumption at your inability to be useful was wrong."

"We'll do it, Alice don't worry," Jasper said.

Alice smiled triumphantly and blew him a kiss before speeding off.

"Speak for yourself," Emmett muttered.

Smiling at the playful banter, I rose and went up to my room. Listening to my siblings' teasing each other, anyone would think we had no worries at all, I thought sitting on my bed. Which was far from the truth. Between someone creating newborns in Seattle, Bella's mysterious visitor and a possible visit from the Volturi, we all had been very preoccupied of late. Jasper had had no luck in trying to contact with Peter and Charlotte and Carlisle was sill trying to locate some of his old friends.

I was still irked at the Denali clan's flat refusal to help us. I understood Irina's side, though out of all people why she had to favour Laurent was beyond me. However for them to refuse outright when they knew what was at stake….

Every instance I thought of the mortal danger Bella was in, my insides curled. Jasper's story and the realization at what was most probably after us had shocked her and that night she had dissolved into tears…


"Shh, love, it's all right," I said softly, gently rocking her back and forth.

She continued to cry, huddled against my chest. I tucked her head under my chin and pressed her even closer to me. I wish I knew how to stop her tears. I hated having her so scared.

Slowly her sobs subsided as she continued to lie in my arms. I slowly drew back and raised her chin up with my finger. "You know I would never let anything or anyone harm you." I told her.

"It's not me I'm afraid for…" she whispered, her eyes full of sadness. "If anything happens to any of you…"

I smiled at her. How typical of Bella to be afraid for the people who were in the least danger.

"Sweetheart, we have been looking after ourselves for a while," I gently reminded her. "We can handle this, even without help."

"I know that," she said, "But Jasper said it would be at a price…"

It was true. The scale wasn't even. Our special skills wouldn't be much use if we were heavily outnumbered. But I couldn't afford to show my true concern to Bella. My only priority was to keep her safe.

"Yes, but that was a worst case-scenario," I told her, brushing her hair out of her face.

"And what if the worst happens, Edward?" she demanded. "What if we lose? What if the price is one of you? I couldn't stand that," she nearly wailed, the tears beginning to leak out of her chocolate brown eyes again.

I gently wiped them away and said, "We have to hope it all works out for the best, love,"

"Your family means so much to me, Edward," she said. "I love them like my own. The thought of anything happening to any of you…" she shuddered, not finishing her sentence. Her eyes locked on mine and I saw the anguish burn in them. She raised her small hand to my face and held my cheek, "If anything happens to you…"

The grief in her voice, twisted my dead heart and I closed the minute space between us and kissed her, hoping my lips would convey what my words couldn't seem to.

Breaking away when she finally had to breathe, I held her face in my hands and looked into her eyes. "I made you a promise that I would never leave your side again. And I intend to keep it," I said, fervently.

She wound her arms around my neck and placed soft kisses all over my face. Even in the midst of the somber mood, the sparks blazed at the feel of her warm lips on my cold skin.

"I'm just so scared for you," she said, against my mouth. "I can't lose you…"

"And you won't," I promised, stroking her cheek. "The lease on my life is in the hands of a very protective, brown eyed girl," I said, attempting to lighten the mood a little. "I feel very safe."

She gave me a sad smile.

I glanced at the clock and said, "You should sleep."

She tightened her arms around me. Not letting go I lifted her in one arm and drew her covers back with the other. Gently placing her on the bed I tucked her in and lay down next to her.

"Try not to think about this unless we really have to all right?" I said, running my fingers through her hair. "We still don't know for sure what will happen."

She sighed. "I'll try," she said in a small voice.

"That's my girl," I said, kissing her on the forehead. "Now get some sleep."


I had held her all night. Her dreams were clearly not peaceful. When I tried to move my arm so she wouldn't be in the awkward position she had rolled onto in her sleep, she whimpered as soon as my body lost contact with hers.

I rose. It was time to get dressed for the graduation myself. While I got ready, I hoped that we could come up with a decisive plan soon. The sooner we were rid of this danger the better for all our peace of mind. And Bella would be safe.


I was riding to the school with Bella and Charlie in the police car. I knew my presence was irritating Charlie but I wasn't prepared to let Bella out of my sight.

The sight of me sitting behind the fiberglass divider was thoroughly amusing to Charlie.

Almost as if he got caught for something! Hah! Pity Dr. Cullen keeps them all in line.

Bella caught my eye through the rearview mirror and imperceptibly raised an eyebrow. I was sure she had caught onto Charlie's more than hopeful expression as well as my amused one. I thought she looked slightly distracted, however.

"Are you all right?" I asked her, helping her out of the car when we reached the high school.

"Nervous," she said.

I wanted to ask her about what specifically, but my mouth had a mind of its own. "You look beautiful," I said, longing to kiss her. A blush began to rise on her cheeks. I never wanted to look away.

Charlie walked in between us and very obviously put his arm around Bella and steered her away. I followed in good grace. This was an emotional moment for him, after all.

I watched Bella walk into the school, slightly leaning against her father, while he tried to convince her she needed to look more cheerful. I couldn't help but admire her graceful body sway under the sweater and skirt she wore. It hugged her in all the right places. I made a mental note to thank Alice for her choice of dress. She knew I loved Bella in blue.

Speaking of Alice, I hadn't seen her. I couldn't see her and neither could I hear her thoughts anywhere. Where was she?

I continued to look for her as Bella and I walked into the gymnasium.

"Up front, Mr. Cullen," Mr. Varner snapped at me.

"Hey Bella," I heard Jessica Stanley call to Bella.

I was reluctant to leave her side for this brief period as well. I gave her a quick kiss and walked towards the front half of the line.

I watched Bella being enthusiastically greeted by Jessica. My eyes narrowed. Why was she being so friendly? She had never had warm feelings Bella and whatever semblance of friendship she felt had evaporated beginning of this year.

I can't even believe we're graduating! Oh my God! The time went so fast. And Bella's moving all the way to Alaska… That's like such a weird place to go. I can't believe she invited me to the party today. At the Cullens' too! It had to be her suggestion, I don't think they like me too much. I sorta feel bad I was a bit of a bitch to her. But she was acting so weird beginning of this year….Anyway….

Hmm… Graduation nostalgia. I was faintly impressed she had it in her.

The rest of the ceremony passed quickly. I finally heard Alice whirl in seconds before her name was called. Why was she going over the Battle Hymn of the Republic? In Arabic, no less? What was she trying to hide from me?

She switched to Korean sign language and whirled out as soon as she had her diploma in hand. I gave up trying to guess what it is she was concealing. I would find out sooner or later. I concentrated on watching Bella receive her diploma. Her brown hair lay in soft waves over her shoulders and she looked the vision of loveliness despite the garish cloak and the brace on her arm. She turned and gave a self conscious wave as the principal handed her, her diploma.

The dog was here as well. I watched in stony silence as he pulled Charlie to his feet and gave Bella a loud cheer. She gave them something resembling a smile when she heard.

She looked for me as she came and stood in the assembled line of graduates and I smiled at her warmly.

Within minutes the ceremony was over and students were throwing their graduation caps in the air in jubilation. I removed both the cap and cloak and made my way to Bella. Jessica hugged her and ran off as I approached her.

"Congratulations," I whispered in her ear, winding my arms around her waist. I couldn't quite manage to inject the necessary enthusiasm into my voice, though I was proud of her.

"Um, thanks," she said.

I looked at her. "You don't look like you're over the nerves yet."

"Not quite yet," she said.

"What's left to worry about? The party? It won't be that horrible." Maybe I would be able to manage one dance with Bella.

"You're probably right," she said, distractedly. Her eyes were darting all over.

"Who are you looking for?" I wondered if she was searching for the mongrel.

"Alice," she said, instead. "Where is she?"

"She ran out as soon as she had her diploma." I said. I couldn't help wonder what she was trying so hard to keep from me. I knew my family needed their privacy but there was never a good reason why they would purposely keep me out of their thoughts. Had she seen something?

"Worrying about Alice? Bella's voice broke into my thoughts.

"Er…" I didn't want to worry her.

"What was she thinking about anyway? To keep you out, I mean."

My eyes flashed to her face. Bella looked as if she knew more than she was letting on. "She was translating the Battle Hymn of the Republic into Arabic, actually. When she finished that, she moved onto Korean sign language."

Bella gave a nervous laugh. "I suppose that would keep her head busy enough."

She knew. "You know what she's hiding from me." I accused. If Alice had seen something why did she have to tell Bella?

"Sure," she said, smiling weakly. "I'm the one who came up with it."

Bella? Came up with what? I waited for her to explain herself.

She looked around, presumably for Charlie and whispered in a rush, "Knowing Alice, she'll probably try to keep this from you until after the party. But since I'm all for the party to be canceled – well, don't go berserk, regardless, okay? It's always better to know as much as possible. It has to help somehow."

I was still puzzled. "What are you talking about?" I demanded.

"Just stay calm, okay?"

I nodded, though I didn't quite mean it. This did not sound good.

"I think you're wrong about the things coming at us from all sides," she began in hurried whispers. "I think it's mostly coming from one side… and I think it's coming at me really,"

I froze. What?

Bella went on. "It's all connected, it has to be. It's just one person who's messing with Alice's visions. The stranger in my room was a test, to see if someone could get around her. It's got to be the same one who keeps changing his mind, and the newborns, and stealing my clothes – all of it goes together. My scent is for them."

My God! She was right. I didn't trust myself to speak.

"But no one's coming for you don't you see? This is good – Esme and Alice and Carlisle, no one wants to hurt them!"

Good? How could she give this situation a more inappropriate name? This was far, far worse. I could see my panic-stricken eyes reflected in hers.

She placed her hand on my cheek and begged, "Calm."

Charlie came over then and swept Bella in a congratulatory hug. My arms ached when I couldn't feel her anymore. The dread that had started to rise in my chest increased by the second. The voices and thoughts around us buzzed in my ears like mindless drone. All I wanted to do was take her in my arms and run as far away as possible. My mind was racing a million miles an hour. Why hadn't we seen this? It was deliberate. A set up to get to Bella. I could feel my horror give way to a murderous anger. They were after Bella…. They were after Bella… My Bella.

The possessive fury swooped down on me with no warning. I flexed my fingers and struggled to stay in control. The least I could do was not break anything. Trying to maintain my composure was next to impossible. Like nightmarish déjà vu, I remembered the last time I had felt this way was when James had attacked Bella. All I wanted to do then was rip him into shreds. Unfortunately, at this moment I had no one I could take my anger out on.

I had to get away. Immediately.

As if from far away, I heard Charlie ask "You coming, too, Edward?"

I looked at Bella. Her eyes were pleading. But I knew, without a doubt, I would do something without thinking, if I had to pretend that everything was fine for any longer.

"No, thank you," I said, my voice coming out harsher than necessary.

I saw Charlie's face turn confused at my tone. "Do you have plans with your parents?"

"Yes. If you'll excuse me…" I turned and walked through the crowd of people. I could tell I was walking a little too fast but that I was walking at anything near human velocity was itself a miracle.

I stormed out of the school and ran into the nearby forest. I wasn't going to take my eyes off Bella for a second.

My fingers balled into tight fists as I stood concealed within the green. Had I been human I would have broken my own hand with the effort I was using to try and not do something drastic. I could feel the control slipping away from me. I wanted to uproot the thickest trees, slam into the biggest boulders, release the fury that was sweeping over me wave after wave after wave.

They wanted to harm Bella did they? Let them come, I thought grimly. Let them try to harm one hair on her beautiful head. I would love nothing better than to illustrate what a delusional thought that was. I would rip them apart, with no qualm. Anyone who even imagined any harm to her did not deserve to live.

I could feel the snarls building in my throat as the furious thoughts ran through my head. I barely felt my phone vibrating in my pocket.

"What?" I growled, struggling not to crush the tiny instrument under my trembling fingers.

"Calm down Edward," Alice's voice came over the phone. "If you're not careful you're going to do something we will all regret."

Calm down? She wanted me to calm down?

A snarl escaped my mouth.

"Yes, I know you're on the verge of losing it right now. Trust me, I saw," she said. "But she's in no immediate danger. You know none of us would let anything happen to her."

I did. But…

I heard her sigh. "I'm sending Jasper over there. Just please don't do anything stupid and bring her here ok? We'll figure out what to do then."

I managed to grunt in response and shoved the phone back in my pocket.

Almost immediately I felt a soothing wave of calm.

I turned around to see Jasper watching me.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding for a while.

"Thank you," I said to him.

Don't mention it he thought walking towards me. Better?

I nodded. I was anxious still, yes but I was fairly sure I wouldn't be destroying anything.

"Did Alice tell you everything?" I asked him.

He nodded brusquely. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked me straight in the eye. "It doesn't look promising," he said somberly.

My eyes narrowed. No, it didn't. But it didn't mean that all of us wouldn't try as hard as we could to come out of it in one piece.

The scent of freesias was suddenly in the air. Bella emerged from the school doors with Charlie and walked towards the cruiser.

I'll meet you at home I heard Jasper think You will be all right?

"Yes, I think so," I said. He grasped my shoulder before taking off while I followed the cruiser, unseen, to The Lodge, where Charlie was taking her for dinner.

I stood in the shadows as close to the restaurant as I could get. Blocking out all the frivolous sounds of people talking, I concentrated as hard as I could on any scent or sound of danger. My eyes moved from sweeping the surroundings to Bella. Every so often I would run around the restaurant making sure she was safe from every side.

Part of me knew I was overreacting. There was nothing to suggest anything would happen now. But what if? All the impossibilities were starting to become terrifyingly possible and I did not want to take a second's chance. Becoming paranoid was a lot more appealing than losing Bella. My insides ached at the very thought.

I could see from where I stood that she wanted to leave as much as I wanted her to. She wasn't eating, hiding the pieces from her hamburger in her napkin. I made a note to make her eat something when we went to my house. She needed her strength.

My arms ached to hold her. I never wanted to let her go. For the umpteenth time I vowed to myself that I wouldn't let anything get within a hundred feet of her. I would tear every person who tried to harm her into pieces myself.

After what seemed like forever, Charlie finally rose. Bella came out and leaned against the car while he stopped to say goodnight to everyone.

I couldn't help myself. I had to have her in my arms, for a few seconds at least. It felt like I needed to feel her to reassure myself.

I stepped out of the shadows and wordlessly went up to her, pulling her to my chest as tight as I could. I pulled her chin up to mine and kissed her with a sort of manic despair. I inhaled her sweet scent and felt the ache climb into my chest at the thought of losing her.

Reminding myself she had to breathe, I reluctantly let her go.

"How are you?" she asked me.

"Not so great," I admitted. I was still reeling from the thought of someone hurting her. "But I've got a handle on myself. I'm sorry that I lost it back there," I apologized. I knew I must have worried her.

"My fault. I should have waited to tell you."

"No," I firmly disagreed. "This is something I needed to know. I can't believe I didn't see it!" I said, astounded at how blind we all had been.

"You've got a lot on you mind," she soothed, when rightly I should be the one doing the soothing. How was she taking this so calmly?

"And you don't?" I could feel the panic rising in my voice again. Without waiting for her to answer I pressed my lips to hers again.

I know she doesn't like parties, but I hope she has a good time…

I heard Charlie approach and pulled away. "Charlie's on his way," I said.

"I'll have him drop me at your house."

"I'll follow you there," I said and disappeared before she could say anything.

I ran behind the car, keeping out of sight. It was all I could do to stop myself from stopping Charlie and just taking Bella and running home. I only vaguely noticed the lights that Alice had had draped on the trees at intervals all the way down our road.

I watched from a distance as Charlie parked in front of my house. Bella stepped out laughing at something Charlie had said. For a moment I lost myself in her beautiful smile. Knowing the imminent danger that was so close, it made the dull ache that had been in me give a vicious throb at the thought that someone wanted to take that smile away from the world.

Bella watched her father drive back and made her way up the porch steps. I emerged from where I was concealed and followed her.

"Bella?" I whispered.

As she turned I pulled her against me again. I hated feeling as if our days were numbered but the dread would not subside. I knew I was frightening her with the hopelessness that she could surely feel in the desperate way I crushed her lips to mine once more. But I needed to feel her, tangible under my oversensitive skin. I wanted to mould her body against mine and be that way forever. The sparks blazed higher as I tried to tell her how much I loved her in that one kiss. Like it would be the last we would share…

I forced the morbid thought out of my mind. Gently pulling away from her, I cradled her face in my hands and promised her again, "I won't let anything happen to you."

She brought her fingertip to my lips. They burned under her soft, warm touch as she said, "I'm not worried about myself so much."

"Why am I not surprised by that?" I muttered. Trust her to place any thoughts of her own safety last. "Ready to celebrate?" I asked her, determined to act normal for her sake as much as anyone else's.

I smiled slightly at her groan and we entered the house, my arm holding her to me as close as possible.


A/N:

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