AN: I know, I know, it has been forever. I'm really sorry! Luckily I have summer holidays right now so updates should come more frequently.

Chapter 11

I had re-entered my perfect bubble.

I watched the world and it couldn't touch me.

Edward hadn't come back, he hadn't called, he hadn't texted, and he hadn't written a letter. Admittedly only three days had passed. Three day weren't supposed to be this long. It was just three days. Not even a week.

I had been drifting about the house again. Reading, helping out with things. I realized how hard it was to build up a routine without school or work. And I missed him. It seemed like I missed him every single second of every day.

Another drawback of this new mind. I could miss him while simultaneously engaging in other activities. Everybody else knew what was going on, what had happened. They were being supportive, I guess. I just didn't really want their sympathy.

Then that morning something new happened. Alice had walked right up to me, a determined look on her face.

"That is enough," she declared.

"Enough of what?" I asked her in confusion.

"Enough moping around the house because my brother is being a jerk."

"I'm not moping."

She raised an eyebrow at that.

"So you're telling me that you're happy right now," she questioned me.

"I'm fine Alice," I mumbled. I was embarrassed. It was strange to suddenly be living with people I didn't really know. For them to suddenly be my only, well not human contact but definitely the only people I could interact with. I missed my own family and the people at school that I could've been friends with too.

"Sure you are. Do you want me to take you to Alaska," she asked.

"What? Take me to Alaska? You mean to Edward?" Part of me was immediately filled with joy at this idea but another part of me was anxious too. What if he didn't want to see me? What if he was avoiding me on purpose? What if…

Alice interrupted my thoughts, "Yes or no Bella."

"I don't know," I responded before the perfect excuse hit me.

"I can't go. I would be exposed to humans."

"That's not an issue," Alice told me. "It's why I would be taking you. We would be running through unpopulated areas and I would be making sure that no human crossed our path."

Crap there went my excuse. And I did really want to see him again. Badly.

Alice could clearly see the indecision on my face but her next words were, "We're going and I have already packed for you."

"But Alice," I started hesitantly.

She rolled her eyes at that. "What Bella?"

"What if he doesn't want to see me?" I asked her.

She laughed at that which didn't really make me feel better. "Of course he wants to see you Bella! He'd be a fool not to."

"But…"

"No more objections Bella. I've run this plan by everyone else and they are fine with it. Plus with my special gifts," she tapped her head at this point, "I can see that Edward will be delighted to see you."

"Are you sure?" Because honestly I couldn't be less sure of this endeavour if I tried.

"Yes," she replied immediately.

Okay Bella, I told myself. Time to be brave.

"Okay," I said although it sounded everything but brave. I sounded meek and slightly pathetic.

"Great!" Alice clapped her hands with joy and then flew up the stairs presumably to grab the luggage.

Seven hours later we were deep into another evergreen forest and halfway to the Denali's. So far most of our journey had been through the woods although we did have to cross the highway once. There hadn't been a car visible for miles. No danger there. Alice had entertained me with stories of Emmett's various pranks and mishaps that I couldn't help but laugh at. I was feeling giddy; I was about to see him. But one thing still bothered me.

"Alice how long will it take until I can be near humans again?" I asked. I was afraid of the answer I might get but I had to ask.

"I'm sorry Bella, I can't answer that. It is different for everyone although at least a year is usually to be expected."

"A year." I stated it dully. A year. I guess it could have been a lot worse. It could've been ten years or a decade.

"But don't worry. You are very much in control of yourself for a new born. My visions are unclear of an exact point in time but I don't think that you will have to wait a year until…"

"Until humans are safe around me," I finished for her.

"Exactly. But you have to understand that things won't be the same anymore. I know you miss being able to talk to other people, that you miss new faces. You will never be able to be completely open with humans. We only have one rule in our world: that we keep our existence a secret from humans."

"Yes, I know I won't be able to reveal the secret to anyone. Although they probably wouldn't believe me anyway and have me locked up."

Alice smiled at that. "I think they might believe you when you break out through the walls."

"I guess." With that we descended back into silence and continued our journey. It was a strange way to travel, running with suitcases in our hands. I bet we would look ridiculous if somebody caught us on film and then put it on slow motion so they could actually see us.

We arrived a few hours later. The home of the Denali's looked very similar to the Cullen home. I guessed that Esme had possible helped decorate here. As we approached the house the door opened and a stunning strawberry blonde stepped out of the house.

A squealed "Tanya" came from Alice before the two of them were hugging each other. Then, to my surprise, Tanya hugged me too.

"Welcome to the family," she said smiling brightly.

"Um thanks," I responded feeling somewhat out of place.

She gave me a knowing look. "Edward is in that direction in the forest," she said pointing.

I took off running as fast as I could following his sweet and delicious scent. I screeched to a halt when I finally saw him. He turned having heard my approach but neither of us said anything yet.

My eyes drank in the site of him, his perfect chiselled features, his perpetually messy bronze hair and his gleaming eyes with ever changing flecks of gold.

"Bella," he finally breathed after what seemed like an eternity. In seconds his arms were wrapped around me, and my face pressed tightly to his chest.

"Have you decided?" I asked my voice muffled.

He pulled back to look at me. "I don't know, I…"

So deciding I had to use all my weapons I asked the one question that Alice had guaranteed me would make Edward stay with me. And that was truly all I wanted, for him to stay with me. I had never thought I'd want anyone or anything as much as I wanted Edward but it had somehow happened.

"Edward you said you'd answer all my questions so tell me this: what are mates?"

AN: Don't you just need to try out the new format thing for reviews? You know you want to! Please review!

For those of you that read Wife Swap it will be updated tomorrow.