Hi everyone. Again, thanks for reading and of course, reviewing! This chapter is just a short little chapter (in comparison with the last one) so that the story can progress. Remember to keep sending your reviews, suggestions, comments, etc. They're always welcome!

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Previously…

"This feels like home, Bella."

"It does. Edward, I know I'll have to go back soon; I just can't go back right now. Not after what I heard."

"It's been taken care of, Bella, in the most tactful way possible. The people that said those horrible things about you won't be there, I promise you. Besides, you can stay here as long as you like. I'm not about to rush you into anything."

She smiled slightly against me.

"Thank you, Edward. Can I ask you something else?"

I nodded my head and she continued.

"Well, I know that we don't sleep, but I'd like to ask if we can lay here like this tonight. I'm only asking just because it's something that I know I'll need."

"Absolutely, Bella. That's a request I'm only too happy to grant."

We lay there for about an hour, our thoughts being in so many places at once. We both knew that we would need to head back to the main house, but we were only going to go when Bella was ready. Until she was ready, I was not going to move from where I was. She was happy, here, with me, and that's what I needed the most – for my Bella, my love to be happy.

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We went back to the main house about an hour later and stayed for a few hours. Bella made the rounds of the room, and shook hands with a number of people that of course, had her best interests at heart. I made sure that I was by her side the entire time, just in case someone was thinking something that they shouldn't, so I could steer her in another direction. Jasper didn't have to calm anyone down once we came back to the house, which was a relief I'm sure for him, as well as it was for me. I love my brother, but it must have been taxing on him to feel all the emotion in that house today. He came in to see us a couple of times, just to make sure that Bella was ok, but other than that he kept to himself upstairs with Alice checking on him once every 30 minutes.

The last human guest had left the house about an hour ago; Nessie was asleep on Jacob's lap which today I didn't really mind while me and the rest of the family were sitting in the Living room. Bella had her legs across my lap as was our usual seating arrangement, and we were taking a break from the stress of the day. I ran my fingers through Bella's hair and she closed her eyes, a small smile running across her face.

"How are you feeling, love?"

"Much better now, thank you."

I smiled. I knew that I was inadvertently dazzling her, and I didn't mind at all. If she needed to be dazzled right now, I was more than willing to oblige.

"I think that today went well."

I looked across the room at Esme.

"I think so too. Well, with the exception of the one incident, that is."

I felt Bella get tense under my touch, but as soon as she did she calmed right down. I looked at Jasper and smiled. He nodded his head in response to my non-verbal thank you.

"We should go home, Edward. I'm sure that Nessie would be much more comfortable in her own bed."

"She's more than welcome to stay here tonight if you'd like, Bella. We love having her spend the night, you know that."

Bella smiled at him.

"Thanks, Carlisle. I think that might be nice. It would give me a little time alone with Edward, too."

I smiled at her as she looked at me.

"Well, it's settled then. Jacob, you're welcome to stay as well if you'd like to."

He looked up at Carlisle with a small smile on his face

"Thanks for the offer, Carlisle, but I really should head back to the Res. I'll be happy to head up and tuck her in though, since she's kinda sleeping on my lap."

Bella stood up and we walked upstairs, Jacob holding Nessie in his arms. He laid her in the bed in my room as Bella covered her up with the blankets. Jacob leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"Sleep well, Nessie. I'll see you soon."

She turned and smiled in her sleep. Bella kissed her on the forehead as well.

"Sweet dreams my precious girl. I love you."

It was my turn to tuck in my little miracle. I gave her a kiss on the forehead also, and made sure she was tucked in snugly.

"Good night, sweetheart. We'll see you in the morning."

We turned and walked downstairs, where the rest of the family was waiting for us. They each gave us a hug, as we walked down the front steps of the house, Jacob following behind us. Bella turned to Jacob when we had reached his truck.

"Jacob, you have no idea what it means to me that you were here today. Thank you."

She wrapped her arms around him in as strong of a hug as she could without breaking him in half, and he returned it, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"It was no trouble at all, Bella. Anytime you need me, you just give me a call and I'll be right there. It's what best friends do."

They pulled away from their hug and I walked up to him, my cold hand extended.

"Thank you, Jacob. Your friendship means the world to Bella, and therefore means the world to me, too."

He smiled at me.

"Thanks for that, Edward. Well, I should get going. If you need me, Bella…"

She smiled as he opened his door.

"I know your number, Jacob. Thanks. Drive safely."

"Will do, Bella. Good night."

He put the key in the ignition, put the truck into drive and drove off through the forest until we could not see the tail lights of his truck anymore. Bella and I stood there for a moment as I was just following her lead. I didn't want to rush her at all and I was more than comfortable letting her take control of what we were going to do. After a few moments, she sighed.

"What are you thinking about, Bella?"

"I'm thinking about a lot of things, Edward. Mostly, I just want to go home and be with you. Can't we just go home?"

I smiled at her and took her hand in mine.

"Alright, sweetheart. Let's go home."

Hand in hand we walked home at human pace, just enjoying the stillness of the forest around us, listening to the incredible sounds that nature made at night. We were about half way home when she stopped.

"Do you hear that, Edward?"

I stopped moving and listened carefully.

"Yes, I do, Bella. It sounds like a waterfall almost in its intensity."

She nodded her head.

"I've never heard the river sound like that, Edward."

"Do you want to go down?"

She looked at me with the same expression that Nessie got when she got excited. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, and a smile appeared on her face.

"Really? I'd love to. Just to sit there and listen to the forest and the river would be amazing."

I smiled at the temporary return of her enthusiasm, and it thrilled me to no end that a little of the Bella I knew and loved was back, even if it was only for the moment.

"Let's do it then. Come on."

We walked a little faster than human speed to get to the clearing by the river. When we got there, I sat down on the ground and motioned for Bella to sit beside me. This was the perfect spot for us to come, and I can't believe that since her change we hadn't come here. This was definitely going to be our new place to be together and be still, completely quiet and at peace. There were trees overhead and had leafy green branches that hung down like a canopy; a perfect covering for us should it start to rain. Tonight we were lucky, because we could see the brilliant stars shining in the sky, and it exhilarated her to no end to watch them shine. She had never really had a chance to look at the stars in her human life, and with our heightened vision, their brilliance amazed her even more. I made a mental note to bring her down here as many times as she would allow me to. She sat down beside me and I lay back on the ground, my arm extended.

"Come lay down, Bella."

She lay beside me, her head resting on my chest.

"Close your eyes, Bella. Just listen to how beautiful this is."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to help her body to relax. I closed my eyes and let the peace and serenity of this moment wash over both of us. We were there for around an hour and neither of us had moved. I opened my eyes and looked at Bella. She looked so peaceful lying beside me, her eyes closed. If I hadn't been the one that changed her, I would have sworn she was asleep. She seemed to sense that I was thinking about her and she began to stir. I ran my fingers through her beautifully soft hair, and without thinking I began humming her lullaby. I could feel her smile as she curled up beside me, our legs ending up being entwined with each others'. I held her in my arms, pressing my lips to the top of her head. She stirred and looked up at me.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Edward. This is perfect."

"You're welcome, Bella."