Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters…not even Edward!! :(

Thank you so so so so so so so so much for reading and reviewing!!

A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update…I have so much work to do for school and I am totally wrapped up in another story so this one has been neglected. But I promise to write this story more from now on!

A/N 2: Sadly this part is short…again! I just wanted to put something up so you wouldn't think that I had abandoned this story!!

A/N 3: Acacia is pronounced: A-kay-shi-ya (thank you so much Music ADD)

Enjoy!

"I do love you with every fibre of my being" I breathed unable to respond to anything else before I got that much clear. "And despite my intuition I trust you too. I want nothing more than to go home with you all right now" I hesitated for a moment and took a deep breath as if to steady myself. "And I will come home with you if I can be guaranteed one thing. I have no qualms about my own safety because whenever I am with you I am safe. And I know that the others will help me look after your daughter. I just need to know that Acacia is not an issue." I looked up in time to see the three vampires exchange furtive glances. Obviously she was still an issue.

"She's nothing for you to worry about" Edward assured me. Our eyes locked, for a moment. I felt I could see into his soul. I knew that I could trust him.

I picked up a dishcloth and methodically started wiping my hands. I kept my eyes fixed on what I was doing. "I met you guys when I was seventeen. Pretty much straight away I knew that I could trust you and believe everything you told me. Whenever I was in your care I was never badly hurt even though random vampires did want to kill me. For that I owe you eternally. I feel safe with you and I never have to worry about my own wellbeing when I have one of you looking after me. So, if you tell me that I don't have to worry about Acacia I believe you wholeheartedly. And you have proven that you care about Ali enough to keep her safe too.

"I've been gone for three years. Not that long a time…even when you're human but for me it was an eternity. I missed you guys like crazy. All I want to do is go back home with you. And I don't think that much will stop me. That is, if you still want me." I consented.

Alice went into overdrive. She took care of everything for me; packed everything, talked to my landlord and boss, arranged transport to Forks and the other million things I had to do. I was given one thing to do…talk to Edward.

When this order was given Edward looked at me warily as if I would downright refuse. How could I ever do that? How could he think I would do that? I would have to deal with that in due course.

At first I couldn't take my eyes off him. I didn't want to talk. All I wanted to do was gaze at him; rememorize his face, cherish the moments we now had and bemoan the moments that we had lost. This seemed to be enough for him too. In one of his hands he held my two; with the other he pushed the hair from my face. So he wouldn't miss a thing he explained. I wanted so much more than just to look at him, but I managed to restrain myself. I would have to wait until later.

As I watched him I realised with start that he was still looked the exact same as he had three years ago. Granted this had been expected but it was only now when I thought about it that I saw the problem.

"What's up?" he asked in his velvet voice watching me suspiciously.

"You're seventeen and I'm twenty-one" I murmured downcast as reality hit. "It's just so…wrong."

Edward looked at me as if I was talking nonsense but I thought it was a serious problem. "Bella honey, you do realise that I am one hundred and seven. Besides that everyone in Forks thinks that I am twenty one so that's not an issue."

"But you're going to move away…I mean we're going to move away from Forks. You have already been there too long. When you do move you are going to have to be seventeen again…and I'll keep getting older." All the old uncertainties were flooding back. But this time I couldn't just decide that I wanted to be a vampire and wait until my stubbornness won out. This time I had responsibilities…immortality was not an option. Then another problem struck me. One that was slightly more urgent and certainly more terrifying. "The Volturi" I breathed.

I hadn't thought of them in three years, I hadn't had to. But now that I was going back to live with the Cullens the danger seemed real again, as opposed to the surreal life I had been living. Edward's face didn't betray his feeling, but a flicker of recognition flashed across his eyes.

"There is no chance that they will ever hurt you…or Ali. We will look after you as per the previous plan. You will be kept safe" there was a note of over-confidence in his gentle voice that I didn't trust. "You know that right?"

I nodded, pacified for now. Now that we had started talking it seemed that Edward didn't want to stop.

"You're going to have to tell Ali you know?"

"Tell her what? That her mother (the one person who is supposedly meant to keep her safe) is moving her into a house of vampires? Or better yet…the vampire 'royal family' will eventually track down her mother."

"Bella" he sighed "You and Ali are in no danger. Understand?"

"I know" I assured him. "What were you talking about anyway?" I leaned against him placing my head against his icy chest.

He didn't want to move on but he continued regardless. "You have to tell Ali that I am her father" I heard a strain in his voice and he was totally tense but I didn't care. He was willing to go through with that for me…to keep me happy.

I pushed myself up. I gazed into his warm golden eyes before pressing my lips to his. I felt his hands move down my back. I didn't think I just let him lead me…I would go wherever he brought me.

There was a shrill scream from Ali's room. Without consideration I pulled away from Edward (albeit reluctantly) and hurried to see what was a wrong with my daughter.

I entered the room to find Ali with tears rolling down her cheeks and a blotchy face. I could see from just a quick glance that she was overtired and cranky; this usually meant more work for me. Alice was trying to soothe her but I knew that that wasn't going work. She needed to sleep and then she would be fine.

"What's wrong Ali?" I asked impatiently.

"Sh-sh-she was at my things. She's m-moving them." Ali bawled pointing an accusing finger at Alice.

"Oh no" I gasped, feigning shock just to humour her. "That's just awful. Ali I'm tired…I think I need a rest. Want to come with me? We'll have a story" I coaxed. I lifted her into my arms and brought her to my room. As I walked through the living-room I glanced at Edward. He didn't bother hiding his disappointment. I gave him a weak smile before returning my full attention to the demanding toddler in my arms.

Edward had to realise that I was Ali's protector first and foremost. While Ali needed me he would have to take the backseat…regardless of what I actually wanted. He didn't need me; Ali did.

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