A/N: Let me start out by saying: I am so terribly sorry!! You have no idea how bad I feel for taking this long to update. It seems like my writing muse has gone on vacation. But that's really my only excuse. I'M SORRY! :(

Thank you to those of you who reviewed/alerted/favorited. They're weren't many this time, but even just one makes me happy. :)

Now I know I'm late but: R.I.P Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, & Billy Mays. It seriously wasn't a good week for celebs.


Chapter 11- Bliss

It's joy, it's ecstasy, it's truth, it's destiny
To tell you how you make me feel
It's faith, it's honesty, it's life, it's everything
To say "I love you is not enough
To tell you how you make me feel…
It's in your smile, it's in you kiss
It's the reason I exist
There's only one word for this
It's bliss

~Alice Peacock

The hand that I kept on the steering wheel tightened as I tried to keep control of myself and processed the words coming out of the phone.

"E-Edward…are you sure?" I knew he wouldn't lie about catching Victoria's scent, but I was I was in complete denial and I refused to believe that she was somewhere this close to me.

Edward ignored my question, probably assuming I knew he wasn't joking, and immediately tried to calm me down.

"Bella, listen to me: you're going to be fine. None of us will allow her to get to you."

"You're making everything sound so easy," I sighed, "Like it will all be over in the next five minutes."

"Maybe it will be."

"Edward, that's what the government always says right when a war breaks out," I said, my voice getting a little louder. "You were alive during World War One, you should know. It's not like we can come up with some ultimatum to get Victoria to just leave me alone, we killed her mate!"

"I killed her mate."

I scoffed, "Yeah, well, if I hadn't have shown up, the whole James incident never would have happened."

"Bella," he groaned, "stop blaming yourself. Maybe you're right-"

"I know I'm right."

"Let me finish," I rolled my eyes at him even though he couldn't see me. "Maybe you're right about it taking longer than we think. This is something even Alice can't predict. It might take a few days, a week, a month. Who knows? But what I do know is that I will keep you safe and I won't let anything happen to you. Bella, I may not be on your list of favorite people right now, but my love for you will never go away and if something were to happen to you…I- I don't know what I would do."

I couldn't stop the flow of tears that slowly made their way down my cheeks. What was I supposed to say to that? He was trying to prove himself to me, just like he promised. Alice must not have told him about my new found love for him or else he wouldn't be trying so hard to gain my trust back. Or maybe he would. He is Edward Cullen after all.

"Bella? Are you still there?" I wanted to laugh at him for being so absurd in thinking that I had hung up on him, but then I remembered that I was the one who had been a cold-hearted bitch to him the last couple of weeks.

"I'm still here," I choked out, wincing at the weakness of my voice.

"Oh, Bella," Edward said, detecting my mini breakdown. I new it wasn't smart to be this upset and drive at the same time.

"I'm fine," I said, trying to compose myself the best I could, "Edward, I need to go to the grocery store; do you think Jasper or somebody could follow me there?" I didn't like the thought of being followed around like a little kid, but I knew it was probably a good idea with Victoria out there.

"Sure, I'll have one of them meet you there," he hesitated for a short second before speaking again, "Bella, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. No…I don't know," I had to laugh at myself for my pathetic excuse for an answer. "Edward, are you…can you..." ugh! Why couldn't I just get a simple sentence out my mouth without stuttering like an idiot? "Edward, do you…do you think you can stop by my place later? Before Jamie gets home from work?" I lightly bit down on my bottom lip as I awaited his answer.

"Of course, Bella." I couldn't help but smile as he answered but the smile turned into a frown when I realized I was already at the store. I had been driving for thirty minutes? It didn't feel like it.

"I should go. I'm in the parking lot," I told Edward.

"Okay, Love. Jasper should be there waiting for you there," when I turned the car off and looked out the window, there stood Jasper at the store's entrance.

"I see him, he's here."

"I'll see you later then, Bella."

"Bye, Edward," I said, and quickly hung up before I got all emotional again.

I quickly go out of the car and pretty much sprinted the rest of the distance from my car to Jasper.

"Hello, Bella," Jasper greeted me as I walked up to him.

"Hi, Jasper. Thank you for doing this."

"It's no problem, Bella. Anything to keep you safe." He gave me a smile as I walked past him and entered the store.

I walked around the store gathering everything I needed for a simple spaghetti dinner with Jasper trailing closely behind without a word; this is until I got to the alcohol.

"I didn't know you drank, Bella?"

"I don't. Well, not a lot anyway, only when I really need it. And tonight? I need it." He chuckled as I placed the wine bottle into my shopping basket and continued strolling down the aisles. "And besides, Jamie drinks a lot more than I do. While I have comfort food, he has comfort drinks."

I have seen Jamie drunk on more than one occasion and it is quite the sight to see. He usually goes off on some tangent about something that really bothers him in today's society; global warming, the government, that kind of stuff. It's actually quite hilarious.

After paying for the groceries and asking Jasper if he wanted a ride to my place, we were putting the bags in the back seat and driving to my house. There was a comfortable silence and I felt unusually calm. Thank you, Jasper.

The silence was broken when Jasper suddenly asked me if I had ever been drunk. I laughed out loud and slowly nodded my head.

"Once, on my twenty-first birthday. Jamie insisted I get some alcohol in my system to try and get me out of my…funk…for lack of a better word."

"Funk?" He must have felt my hesitance because he quickly started apologizing. "Oh, never mind, I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Jasper. To be completely honest, the alcohol worked. I hardly remember anything from that night. All I know is that I had a raging headache the next morning."

"I'm going to assume that's the reason you don't drink?"

"That's exactly why," I grinned, "The hangovers are not worth it."

"I know you still love him." I let out a sigh and thought that I might as well admit it. No use in denying it anymore.

"I do. Did Alice tell you?"

"She did," he chuckled, "but remember, I'm an empath. When you were leaving our house this morning, I felt so many emotions coming from you. Confusion was the strongest one."

"I am confused."

"Why?"

"He tells me he loves me then he leaves. After he leaves, I'm completely heartbroken. So heartbroken it hurts. Why do I still love him? I should hate him. Either hate him or just be completely over him."

"Soul mates," Jasper answered quietly. "It's unusual for a human and a vampire to interact, let alone be connected in a way that you two are. When a vampire mates, we mate for life, so the separation between you and Edward was painful. If Alice and I were to be separated, we would feel that same pain."

"So no matter how much I thought I hated him the past six years, I couldn't?"

"Nope."

"Of course not," I mumbled. "Jasper, did you ever think about becoming a psychiatrist?" I asked, still trying to wrap my mind around the concept of soul mates.

"I have. But I don't know, being an empath has its perks but it can get extremely irritating," he said with a smile.

"Jasper, can you not tell Edward about this conversation? I- I'd like to talk to him about it myself," I said as I turned into my neighborhood.

"I'm assuming that's why he's standing on you're porch right now?" I looked up and sure enough, there was Edward standing there with his hands in his pockets talking to Emmett.

"That's exactly right," I replied, my voice shaking as I realized how nervous I actually was.

"You'll be fine, Bella. Emmett and I will try not to listen in but we still have to stay close enough."

"Thank you, Jasper," I said, taking on hand off the wheel and giving his light squeeze.

I turned into the driveway and turned off the car. As I was taking the key out of the ignition, Edward was already opening my door to let me out.

Such the gentleman, I thought as I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out of the car. I gave Edward a small smile and started unloading the groceries from the back seat. While Emmett and Jasper veered off in different directions, Edward followed me inside.

We were both silent as he helped put the food away. I didn't buy much, so when the food was put away there was nothing else to delay the talk that I really needed to have with Edward.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Edward asked, leaning up against the counter and crossing his arms across his chest. I tried to ignore the way his muscles moved in his arms and stared down at the sink in front of me.

I inhaled deeply as I thought about starting the dreaded conversation, but a different question crossed my mind.

"Edward? How did you get my number?" I almost laughed when he moved one of his hands to rub the back of his neck in a way that told me he was nervous.

"I…uh…got it from Carlisle." He looked away from me and I knew if he could blush, he would be.

"Of course you did," I mumbled. At the corner of my eye, I saw Edward compose himself and look at me again.

"I am going to assume that that wasn't the question you wanted to ask?"

"You assume correctly," I said, standing up straight and reaching out my hand for Edward to take. He seemed shocked, but quickly took it as I began to walk towards the couch in the living room.

I sat down and curled my legs underneath me. I watched as Edward slowly, and hesitantly, sat down beside me.

"I don't bite, Edward. Relax," I told him, taking hold of his hand again. His hand tightened around mine and a small smile began to form on his face. "Do you miss it?" I asked softly, causing him to look up.

"Miss what?"

"This," I looked down at our intertwined hands, "us."

"More than you'll ever know."

"I know more than you think," I said, so quietly I could barely hear myself. Edward remained silent so I took that as my chance to begin. "Edward…I know you think I totally despise you right now, and honestly, I thought I would too. But…I don't."

"Bella-"

"No, I have to say this." I stayed silent until Edward slowly nodded. "The past six years, I'll admit, I've been a mess and I was angry. But I've recently learned that my anger was actually denial."

"Denial?"

"Edward…I- I can't deny my love for you anymore. I've tried but I just can't."

I lifted my head to look at Edward. He wasn't looking at me, but our still intertwined hands.

"Bella…you don't…you don't have to say you love me. I hurt you and I deserve any bad name or bad feelings you have for me." Edward closed his eyes and, instead of removing his hand from mine, his grip tightened the smallest amount. I rolled my eyes and shifted closer to his side on the couch.

"Edward, I'm not saying I love you because I feel guilty of what I've said to you. If you don't believe me, ask Jasper and Alice. Kudos to both of them for being able to control your thoughts around you." I saw a smile playing at the corner of Edward's lips.

"Is that why I've been listening to Alice explain Descartes' rule of signs and Jasper explain the laws of gravity and motion?"

"Probably," I said with a chuckle. Edward looked at me and I knew he was looking for something that would make him believe I really was saying I loved him to relieve the guilt.

But he would never find it.

He opened his mouth to speak but I quickly cut him off by attacking his lips with mine. We were both still for a second before we both began to move our lips at the same time. His lips were cold against mine and I realized how much I really did miss him.

I tried to focus so I wouldn't get too out of control. I wasn't sure how much Edward could handle. As I was thinking about pulling back, I was suddenly no longer sitting next to Edward, but sitting on his lap. Straddling him. Edward had on hand resting on my hip while the other was tangled in my hair as he pulled me closer.

I quickly pulled away when I realized I needed to breathe. I relaxed and leaned my forehead against Edward's. His eyes were closed and he wasn't breathing. I was afraid I had gone too far and he was going to realize this was all just a mistake.

I started to shift so I could get off of Edward's lap and give him his space but his cold, pale hands gripped my waist and kept me from moving.

"Don't," Edward said. His voice was low and huskier than normal. My brown eyes met his slightly darker ones and it was my turn to stop breathing.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"What? Why are you sorry?" Edward asked, lightening his grip on my waist so I could move off of him.

"I didn't mean to…you know…lose control like that." I could feel my face reddening as I spoke and I looked down at my lap to hide it.

"Bella," Edward laughed, taking my chin to lift my head so I could look at him, "you're just as guilty as I am." His eyes weren't as dark and he was breathing normally again. He moved his hand to cup my cheek. "You really do love me."

All I could do was smile and nod. He took that as a good-enough answer because soon enough his lips were on mine again. The kiss wasn't as forceful or rough, but gentle and soft and enough to satisfy.

"I missed you, Edward," I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him.

"I missed you, too. So much," he replied, hugging me back, tightly around my waist.

I wasn't sure how long we sat there holding each other. I didn't care. I like it right where I was: in the arms of my angel.

Sooner than I would have liked, Edward's hold on me loosened and I sat back so I could look at him. He looked better than the last time I saw him. He no longer had the bruise-like circles under his eyes and his clothes were no longer a wrinkled mess. His hair had remained disheveled on the top of his head, no help from my fingers that had run through it earlier.

"I love, Edward."

"I love you, too, my Bella."

After I made myself a simple lunch, consisting of a ham and cheese sandwich and a coke, Edward and I spend the better part of the afternoon cuddled on the couch. Edward talked about his family, minus him, moving to Ithaca, New York and Alice learning some things about her human life. I couldn't help but express my opinion on Alice's parents sending her to an asylum. It just seemed like all kinds of wrong.

I told Edward my crazy college stories, though there weren't many. I told him the same story I told Jasper about my first time with alcohol. Edward just shook his head and smiled at that story.

Jacob called around four to tell me that they had caught Victoria's scent but they didn't see her. Jasper and Emmett also came in to say the coast was, so far, clear.

Around 4:45, I heard a car pull into the driveway and I quickly got up to glance out the window.

Jamie was home early.

"Oh, God," I muttered, stepping away from the window.

"What's wrong," Edward asked, his smooth, velvety voice laced with concern.

"Jamie is home. You have to go." I tried to push him towards the back door, but he wouldn't budge. "Edward…"

"Hey, you can't hide me forever." He wanted to meet Jamie? I bit down on my bottom lip and groaned as I nodded.

"Alright. Fine. But please don't take anything he says, thinks, or does too seriously, okay?"

As Edward nodded, the front door opened and Jamie stepped through. He stopped when he saw Edward behind me and his eyes shifted from me to him.

"Hey you're-"

"Jamie, meet Edward Cullen. Edward, meet Jamie." I could see the wheels turning in Jamie's mind as he and Edward shook hands. He didn't even seem to notice the temperature of Edward's hand.

"So you're the dumbass that broke my poor Bella's heart," Jamie bluntly said, causing me to slap my hand to my forehead. Edward then surprised me by chuckling.

"Yes, that would be me, and I have been living in regret after making the greatest mistake of my life."

"I approve, Bella. He admits to past mistakes," Jamie said with a smile. "And he's not bad looking," he whispered to me.

"Well damn, Jamie. I was sure you were going to beat him up the second I introduced you. Or shoot him."

"No way, Isabella, I'm a lover, not a fighter." Then as an afterthought he added, "And besides, that's Charlie's job."

"Yeah, okay," I scoffed. "Wasn't it you that threatened that drunken guy that you would 'beat him up so bad the world's best plastic surgeon wouldn't be able to fix him' a few months ago at that bar?"

"He was getting handsy. And that was a few months ago. I've changed," he said with his hands over his heart.

"Uh huh," I said with a roll of my eyes.

"Still a danger magnet," Edward sighed.

"No," I exclaimed, the same time as Jamie muttered "yes".

"Don't think I won't hurt your pretty face if you break my girl's heart again, though," Jamie stated, pointing at Edward, who just nodded.

"Jamie, don't you have something to do?" I asked, glaring at him.

"I do, actually. I'm going out tonight," Jamie grinned.

"Hot date?" I teased.

"Yes, ma'am." His smile widened. "And I only have half an hour to get ready, which is hardly enough time," Jamie said, as he scrambled to his room.

"There you have it, that's Jamie," I said, turning to Edward. "His thoughts weren't too terrible were they?" I asked, my bottom lip finding its way between my teeth again. Edward, surprisingly, laughed.

"Most of them were actually about whether or not I was a model and what I would look like without a shirt on."

"Ugh, sorry." Then another thought hit me. "You know, I wouldn't mind knowing that either." I stepped closer so that our chests were pressed together and I could feel his cold breath on my face.

"Not now, Love," Edward said, barely above a whisper, as he brought his face down to skim my jaw-line with the tip of his nose, causing me to shiver.

I quickly composed myself, however, when I heard the five o'clock news coming from the television. I normally ignore the news unless it has something to do with murder or missing people, and may involve homicide detectives.

"Edward, listen to this."

Three more people have reported missing here in Seattle, adding to the five people who were reported missing earlier this week….

"You don't think-."

"Victoria," Edward quietly said, answering my unfinished question and confirming my unspoken thoughts.

"Do you think they're dead?"

"Possibly." Then he added "but she could be building an army."

"What's worse?"

"An army." His eyes darkened at each question he answered.

"Why?"

"An army of newborns? One's bad enough." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She knows the wolves are here. She must think that with an army of newborns she has a higher chance of winning."

"And does she?" He was silent a moment too long and that made me think I didn't want to know the answer.

"Yes."


A/N: There's a lot more dialogue in this chapter. I'm sorry if a lot of it is a lot of "blah blah blah". I tried. And the makeup/kiss? I have no idea how to write that stuff. I've never done either. :/ Sorry if it's kinda awkward or not long enough. I really did want "The Talk" to be a lot longer, but like I mentioned in the AN above, my writing muse is currently M.I.A.

I'm leaving Sunday morning to go on this Business Week thing that's a few hours away and lasts...well...a business week. :P I can write some of the next chapter tomorrow and Saturday, but that's it. And I won't be back until next Friday night. I hope I don't end up making you guys wait this long again because it sucks, I know. :)

Please review and let me know what you think! :D