"I know and I'm sorry. I'll be good. I promise. I suppose me need to hurry. I think Alice was going to put you some clothes out. And I believe Esme and Carlisle were making you breakfast. So, if we don't hurry then you'll have to go to school with none. And we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day," I said.

"And why would you eat any time you want? That means you skip breakfast," she joked.

"We eat when were hungry. We eat for necessity."

"Don't we all?"

"I mean it is necessary for us to eat to make sure that everyone is safe. Do you understand?"

"Yes. I understand. Come on slow poke," Bella said as she turned off the shower and stepped out.

I watched her walk away and then I joined her. Then I got dressed. Once she was ready we both went down to the kitchen to where Alice, Jasper, Carlisle and Esme waited for us. Bella sat down and ate her breakfast and then the four of us headed for school. We shared a lot of small talk in the car. The thing about Jasper and Alice is that they never asked about anything embarrassing. They only wanted to talk about lighter things like what we planned to do this week, what we wanted to do after high school, and of course Alice had to make some kind of wedding plans which I was surprised that Bella went along with happily. I think she was as ready for this as I was.

When we pulled in front of the school, every eye was on Bella and me as we walked in. They had all been looking at us anyway but it was even more intense today. It probably has something to do with the fact that her engagement ring was sparkling under the fluorescent light. I could hear all of them, guys and girls, whispering about us. And not all of the comments were flattering. Some of them were out and out mean. But females have been known to be catty but some of the males were as bad as some of the women. But I ignored them. I ignored them all day. I had to; they bombarded me all through school. They were twice as bad during lunch. All those jealous people in one place. I put my hands over my ears half of the lunch hour. Bella looked at me for an answer and I shook my head at her. She understood that I would tell her later. No need to upset her at the moment. As with all school days, this one came and went. When the day was over, the three of us dropped Bella off at her house. After a few moments of kissing and several 'I love you' we pulled away. Bella and I planned for me to come back over later that evening, after dinner. I would wait for now. I was blissfully daydreaming when I became aware of Alice calling out to me.

"Edward? Edward, are you going to answer me," Alice said.

"What? I'm sorry. Were you talking to me," I asked.

"I told you he didn't hear you," Jasper added.

"What did you say," I asked again.

"I said there is something murky in the future again."

"Like what? Is it good or bad?"

"I don't know. If it was crystal clear then I could see exactly what it was. But something is clouding up my vision."

"A wolf. I bet it is a wolf," Jasper added.

"He is right. They do tend to hamper your visions. I bet it is about them coming to discuss their decision."

"No. I think it is something more personal involving Bella," Alice said.

"You can see that," Jasper questioned.

"I can see that she is heavily involved in what looks like a lone wolf."

"It's Jacob Black. He wants Bella. He thinks she is his chosen mate. Of course I gave him plenty of reason to think this way considering how I left her for so long. He was Bella's only friend. Everyone else thought she was crazy. I should have never left her."

"And you will get no argument from me but right now we need to decide what to do," Alice said.

"Nothing. You keep watching and if anything becomes more concrete then we can go from there," I answered.

"But," but Jasper placed a hand on Alice to make her stop. A wave of calm washed over the car and I knew for now this was the end of the conversation.

Once we arrived home, Alice and Jasper went inside. I let them know that I planned to go hunting. They nodded and walked into the house. I headed for the woods. It was funny. Where I used to be able to go for over a week without eating, now I had to have something if not daily then at the very least every other day. I was using more energy with my nightly activities with Bella. Who knew I could use so much just by having sex? They always said sex makes you want to eat. Lucky for me I found three deer and I enjoyed them immensely. Yes, they did have a sort of gamey taste. A carnivore is much more flavorful but the deer would do in a pinch. I then strolled back to the house where I had a shower and changed clothes. I put on a pair of jeans and my grey T shirt that Bella liked so much. She said it brought out my eyes and was very soft. Whatever she liked, I would gladly do.

When I walked back downstairs, the 4 members of my family that were present were waiting for me.

"Alice told us about her murky vision," Carlisle said.

"Yes," I replied.

"We think you should not take it so lightly. I am unsure exactly what these wolves have in mind. They may be planning some attack, although we have never had a problem with them in the past before."

"I am taking her vision under advisement. But I will not it let rule me. I know she is watching so I will not be too worried about it. Can we let this go for now?"

"As you wish, Edward. Just be careful," Carlisle said.

I turned and walked for the garage. I got in my car and drove to Bella's. I knew I needed to be paying more attention to what Alice had seen, or partly seen. But I was so focused on one thing and one thing only: Bella. She was my world and I was not capable of thinking anything else at the moment. This was unlike me since I was used to being able to do so many things at once. I had never been this way. But I had never been in love before and this was all new to me. It was something that I thoroughly enjoyed.

As soon as I arrived I knew there was something not right. I could smell Bella but there was another unpleasant odor that filled my nostrils. And I knew who it belonged to. Jacob Black was somewhere near the house. I got out of my car and knocked on the front door. Charlie came and let me in.

"Hello, Charlie," I said.

"Hi, Edward. Come on in," Charlie said.

I followed and shut the door. "Is Bella in? I came to help her fill out more college applications."

"Well, to be honest, Jacob came over and wanted to talk with her. They went out in the back yard. Look, I thought it might be healthy for you to have a little competition."

It would not be competition as far as Jacob and I was concerned. He was my advisory, a mortal enemy of my kind. I did not fight him because Bella did not want me to. I would bide my time for now. If the opportunity presented itself, I would defend Bella against him.

"I suppose. But I want you to know that I promise that I will love and take care of your daughter for the rest of my life. That is my promise to you," I said.

"Somehow, Edward, I know that you are telling the truth and for what it s worth, I'm sorry for letting him come here. He called and asked was Bella coming home. I told him he could come and wait. He bought pizza. Would you like some?"

"No thank you, Charlie. I have already eaten."

"Would you like to wait? I am sure they won't be gone long. The Mariners are about to start if you are interested."

This was an honor to be asked to stay with Charlie and take part in something he loved. "I would love to. Thank you, sir."

"Well, come in a take a seat. Do you follow the game?"

"Yes, actually. I am from Chicago and the Cubs have always been my team. But being as I have been in Seattle for a while, I have developed a love for the Mariner's."

"Well, I would not have thought you a baseball fan. At least I didn't until the day you came over and said that Bella was going to play with you. You got my daughter to play baseball. That is something I could never do. Thank you."

"No, thank you, for allowing me to be a part of your daughter's life. You know, I am glad Ken Griffey Jr. came back to the Mariner's where he started 20 years ago."

"Wow, I guess you really do pay attention."

The game started and I was able to watch the game and listen to the conversation outside as well. I could hear what was going on from Jacob's side of the story. I would allow this to go on, for now.

"Jacob, I don't want to be alone out here. I am an engaged woman," Bella said.

"He tricked you into all of it. Taking him back, accepting his proposal, and the sex, all part of his grand plan," Jacob said. 'I know you want me, Bella. So why don't you save us both the trouble and just admit it?'

"Edward did not trick me into anything. I chose him, I chose all of this. What I did not choose was you. Go home, Jacob."

"No. Not until you listen to reason. What do you think is going to happen once he changes you? Do you think that suddenly things will be perfect and he will accept you with open arms?"

'I know that is exactly what he will do. But how can I let her go? I know she belongs to me, she just doesn't see that yet. I want her in my life. I know he has had her, in every sense of the word, but I can get over the smell that he has left on her. Bella should be mine.'

I could feel my blood boiling. I hated that I had to listen to this nonsense. Every so often I would comment on the game so Charlie would know I was still listening. But I was more in tuned with what was going on outside.

"That is exactly what will happen. Jacob, I am sorry that you thought there was more to us than what there is. I never once let you think that I was ever going to stop loving Edward," Bella yelled.

"And you are a liar," Jacob retorted.

Wrong thing to say to Bella or anyone else for that matter.

"What did you say?!"

"I called you a liar. You started liking me more than a friend and you know it! If that bloodsucker hadn't tried to kill himself, you and I would already be together and you know it! You're just too afraid to admit it!"

"Jacob, I might have BUT I was and am still very much in love with Edward. I am going to marry Edward and there is nothing you can do about it."

Bella, why did you have to go and say something like that? I knew exactly what he was going to say before he even thought it.

"So, you don't think I can do anything about it? Well, I can see to it that the pack doesn't let him change you. Then what would you do? He'd still be a vampire, you'd still be human and you would grow old and die and he'd keep right on living on. What would you do then? What is it worth to you to have me talk with the pack about this?"

'Is it worth to you say maybe to dump Edward and be mine? I don't think she has a clue how much I want her. If she'd sleep with a vampire, would she sleep with me?' Jacob thought.

I almost broke the couch arm off. I didn't care if this was Bella's friend or not, I was about to remove his head completely from his wretched body. It would not hurt since it did not seem he would talk to the pack anyway. I scooted closer on the edge of my seat so that I could be out the door in a second if Jacob decided to become more physical.

"Are you trying to get me to do what, Jacob? What do you think this is going to get you? If you decided not to talk to the pack, then yes, I would still marry Edward. There is nothing saying that I have to stay here in Forks. We will just leave the area, the country if I need to. But I will forever be with Edward. So I guess there is nothing you can do about it."

I knew it made him angry but I never planned for him to grab her the way he did. That was when even Charlie heard the commotion.

"Jacob, you are hurting me! Let me go," Bella screamed.

"No! You are not marrying that bloodsucker! You aren't going to be one of them! I won't let you," Jacob growled back.

"Did you hear that," Charlie asked getting out of his seat.

"Yes, I did. I think we should check it out," I said.

"So do I."

I followed Charlie out the door when I really wanted to rush to them and stop the dog from hurting her. But I knew when Bella turned and I heard the crack from the front yard that Jacob had broken her arm. Bella was already sobbing before we got to them.

"Jacob! Let go of my daughter," Charlie yelled.

Jacob did as he was told and I was at Bella's side immediately. I could tell that she understood how incredibly furious I was. I wanted him dead for hurting my Bella. Bella put her good arm around me and held me to her as she cried.

"Edward, you need to take Bella to the hospital. I am sure her arm is broken. I'll take care of Jacob," Charlie said as he scowled at the dog.

"No, take me to Carlisle. He can fix me. I don't want to go to the hospital again. Please don't make me go, Edward. Please. Let Charlie handle Jacob. Just take me to Carlisle," Bella pleaded.

I looked at Charlie who nodded in agreement. Jacob looked as though he wanted to say something but thought better of it. I knew what he wanted to say to me, that he was the one Bella secretly desired and she would be his. I had no time to argue with this buffoon. Bella's arm needed to be set before it had to be rebroken. I carried her to my car and carefully placed her in the front seat and I helped her with the seatbelt. It was hard to maneuver with the injured right arm being that she is right handed. I ran to the opposite side of the car, turned the engine over and zoomed away. Bella looked over at me with pain in her eyes.

"Are you okay," Bella asked.

I laughed. "You are the one lying there with a broken arm and you ask me if I am okay? You are very funny, Bella."

"You know what I mean. Are you emotionally okay?"

"No. I am not. I want to do him bodily harm for hurting you. You do want me to be honest, right?"

"Yes, always. And I don't blame you. I'd like to punch him myself. I suppose you heard all of that?"

"Unfortunately along with what he was thinking. Bella, I think you have no clue what he really wants from you."

"He wants what I have given to you. He wants me, in every sense of the word."

"Exactly. That was what he was thinking before we left. He does not think I deserve you. I will admit I have thought that several times myself. Love, I need to call Carlisle and prepare him."

"Okay. I am going to close my eyes and try to manage the pain."

I picked up my phone and dialed the number. He already knew something had happened to Bella from Alice. I suppose my sister had been right in her vision that something was going to happen and it heavily involved Bella. I never dreamed she would be hurt. I estimated our arrival in about 5 minutes. I pushed my car as hard as I could to get her to Carlisle so he could stop the pain.

When we arrived at the house, Bella was still crying and I gently picked her up and whisk her to Carlisle's office on the third floor. Alice was in the room assisting.

"Place Bella on the table. Alice, can you hand me the lead vest," Carlisle said to Alice.

"Here you go. I told you, Edward," Alice said to me.

"I know. Can you ream me later?" I asked.

"Bella, are you in a lot of pain? I can give you something for it," Carlisle said.

"Not right now. I'd rather be alert," Bella answered.

"Okay. Some of the things I do may actually hurt quite a bit. How about you tell us what happened," Carlisle said as he placed her arm under the X-ray machine.

"Jacob grabbed me by the arm because I had made him mad. I twisted to get away from him and that was when I heard my arm snap."

Carlisle pulled the film from the machine and walked over to the other machine to develop it. I looked at Bella as I held her good hand. I felt guilty for letting this happen to her.

"I should have been there sooner. I heard the two of you when I first got to your house," I said.

"What were you doing in there anyway? Was Charlie being nice or not," Bella asked.

"He was very nice. He told me at first he thought I would not mind a little healthy competition."

At that Alice and Carlisle snickered.

"But we both know there is nothing healthy about any sort of competition between Jacob and me. Then he asked if I wanted to watch the Mariner's game with him and I told him yes. I thought it was a huge step for him to take, inviting me to do something that he thoroughly enjoys."

"It is a huge step, Edward," Alice said.

Carlisle walked back after looking at the X-ray once it came through. "Bella, it is broken in two places. They are hairline fractures so placing you in a cast will be all you need to repair the bones. What color would you like," Carlisle asked with a smile.

"Anything but pink," Bella replied.

"Blue. I think you should have blue. You look wonderful in anything blue," I said.

"Blue it is then," Carlisle said to Alice.

Alice came back with the material for the cast. I helped him by positioning Bella just right. There had to have been something about the angle because Bella started immediately having excruciating pain. So bad that she was unable to sit still and we had to have her calm to set the bone properly.

"Love, you have to remain calm," I said as I placed a cool cloth on her head that Alice had handed me.

"It hurts, it hurts so much. Even more than having my leg broken," Bella cried.

"Bella, I am going to need to sedate you. Is that okay," Carlisle asked.

"Whatever just make it stop," she screamed.

Carlisle looked at Alice who brought over the syringe and handed it to him. He placed the needle in her left arm and let the medicine enter Bella's blood stream. I am not sure what he had given her but in less than a minute she was asleep.

"That was fast acting. How long will it last?" I asked.

"Around 4 or 5 hours, definantly enough time to set the bone and for the cast to set, but I don't want you jiggling her around until sometime tomorrow. Do you understand what I am saying, Edward," Carlisle asked as he began to wrap her arm.

If I could have blushed I would because Alice had since started laughing and walked out of the room. "Yes, sir, I do," I said as I handed him the next piece.

"What do you think this will mean as far as him talking to the pack?"

"I do not know. Jacob clearly wants Bella for himself but she told him that whether I was to change her or not she still wanted to marry me. Bella also told him that we could always leave Forks."

"I knew from the first moment I saw Bella that she was the one for you. You are destined to be with Bella. It was not a chance meeting that day in school or the day you saved her from the van. It has all been part of a divine plan."

"I completely agree. She is my heart and I would die without her."

"I could not be happier. All my children have found their special someone."

Carlisle continued to wrap her arm as I assisted. Bella slept soundly. For once she was not talking in her sleep. Once he was done, Carlisle got up and washed his hands. He turned to give me some instructions.

"Now Edward, carry her carefully to your room. Bella needs to be very still, no jostling, no uh funny business. At least for the next several hours. And if I were you, I would probably call Charlie and let him know that his daughter is here, safe and unconscious."

"Thank you, Carlisle. I appreciate all you have done for Bella. It means a lot to me."

"She is part of our family now and we take care of our family."

I picked Bella up and walked to my room. Alice had already turned down our bed and I ever so carefully placed her between the fresh sheets. My loving little sister had even changed my linens all for my love. Bella never even whimpered as I lay her softly into her warm bed. I walked to the couch so I could call Charlie without disturbing her.

"Hello," Charlie answered.

"Good evening, Charlie," I said.

"Edward, how is Bella doing?"

"Carlisle was able to set the bone but during the process, the pain became too intense so he had to sedate her. She is unconscious at the moment."

"So, I guess talking to her is out."

"It would seem that way."

"Just so you know, the Mariner's won. Griffey hit a 3 run homer."

"Wonderful news, Charlie."

I heard Bella mumbling from the bed. I walked to her. She opened her eyes.

"Hang on a moment please. Bella, your father is on the phone. He would like to speak with you," I whispered.

She took the phone with her left hand. Bella was mumbling of course. "Hey, Dadf. Listen, I gots a secreth for youjed."

Now this I had to hear. What could she possibly tell him? If she tells him that we are being intimate, I think I will die all over again, or at least I will want to.

"Yeah, I don't liketh the Marinerirs. I loves the Wed Soxs. Papbelbon dances in his underthewear. He hasth a nices hiney," Bella giggled as she passed out again.

Before I even picked the phone up I could hear Charlie roaring with laughter. I chuckled along with him.

"Well, when Bella said she had a secret for me, I wasn't expecting that. What did Carlisle give her," Charlie joked.

"I am not sure but I will see to it she doesn't get it again." I added.

"Edward, I never said thank you for the way you handled yourself this afternoon. I know that you had to be fighting mad but you put my daughter's safety and health above all things and well, that makes you a good husband in my book."

"Thank you, sir."

"Also, I took Jacob back over to Billy's and I told him what Jacob had done. I also told Jacob that he needed to give up on the idea of him and Bella. I said that she had chosen you and they would both have to accept that. I don't think he wanted to but I told him to leave her alone."

"I hope it did not ruin your friendship with Billy."

"No. He understood once I told him what had happened. He said his son was being too aggressive in his chase for Bella."

"That would be a slight understatement."

"Well, I suppose Bella should stay with you again so that her cast sets."

"It would probably be wise. Don't worry. I'll have her to school on time."

"You know, I kind of liked watching the baseball game with you. Maybe we could do it again sometime."

"I would like that very much. My brothers and Carlisle like baseball as well. Maybe you could come over here and watch with us too."

"That sounds like a plan. Give Bella my love if she wakes up again. And thank Carlisle for me."

"Of course, Charlie."

"Good night, Edward."

"Good night, Charlie."

I crawled in bed beside of Bella, careful not to jostle or wake her. She was oblivious to me. Whatever Carlisle gave her was working well. She slept as peaceful as an angel. My lamb lying carefree beside of the lion. I stroked her hair away from her face and gently placed kiss after kiss on her forehead. Bella sighed contently. For the moment I was at peace.

After a few hours my head started conjuring up the image of that mutt hurting her. What gave Jacob Black the right to paw my fiancé? I know he was young and could not control his raging hormones, but he also is a young werewolf who is learning to control his abilities. I thought about how he could have changed and then could have really hurt her. My family could leave again once we decided to change Bella and take her someplace else to do so. The pack never even had to know nor did they have to be involved at all. But that would mean that we could not come anywhere near the Forks area again which would mean Bella could not see Charlie again, although that might already be an impossibility as she would be a newborn. Part of me wondered about if we should tell Charlie about what would happen to Bella. Would he even believe us or would he take me for a fool? Then would he be the protective father and forbid Bella from being involved with someone so dangerous? I supposed my only course of action was to simply wait and see what would happen. That went for Charlie and Jacob.

Around 3 AM Bella began to mumble in her sleep. I leaned in very close to see what she was saying.

"Edward, Edward? I can't see you," she mumbled.

"I am here, love," I whispered.

"Clark, I want you. Clark, where are you? I need you," Bella whimpered.

Clark?! Who was Clark? It was in my moment of fury that I heard Alice laughing behind my closed door. What did she find so funny?

"Come in, Alice," I whispered.

Alice walked in the room and closed the door behind her, still snickering. She sat at the foot of the bed and looked at me. I was angry. It was bad enough I had the mutt vying for Bella's hand, but now this Clark fellow? Where had she met someone by that name? I knew of no one at school called that. Alice continued to laugh.

"Well," I finally huffed after she refused to say anything, verbally or mentally.

"Edward, get your panties out of a wad. Bella is talking about Clark Kent," Alice explained.

"You mean Superman?"

"Yes."

"You don't want Lois. Go find Lana and fix her. Get rid of the Kryptonite poisoning," Bella kept repeating.

"No, seriously?"

"Seriously. She watches a TV show called Smallville which is the story of Clark Kent before he was Superman. Have you heard of it?"

"I have seen it a few times. I had no idea she watches it."

"Yeah, we have a few times when she was here and you were hunting. The guy that plays Clark is heavenly, for a human that is. His wife is extremely lucky."

"These drugs are really making her vocal now. Oh, thanks for laughing about the jostling earlier."

"I could not help it. It was not something I expected for Carlisle to say. But when he did, I could only imagine. It is like now every time you get her alone; it is the first thing on your mind."

"Alice, you are exaggerating. That is not the first thing on my mind and you know it. Above all things I want her to be happy."

"Well, I enjoy teasing you. What I like the most is how happy she makes you. I can see it every time she is around you. Even when you speak to her on the phone I can hear it in your voice."