EdwardPOV:

On the way home that day, Jasper drove my car because I was going to end up killing Emmett if he drove. In fact, the ladies even helped me to banish him to Rosalie's car for the ride home. Elizabeth also moved from the BMW to the Volvo for the ride home. She sat in the front seat next to Jasper and her thoughts had been very silent since lunch. We were all fairly silent. When you had eternity in front of you, conversation was far less necessary.

"Elizabeth. Are you avoiding me?" I thought, figuring it would be best to carry out this conversation in our minds.

"Why would I be avoiding you, Edward? Until I'm able to pick on Bella's abilities there is no way I can do that."

"You seem quiet… mentally silent."

'Oh?'

"Any reason for that?" I knew I was pushing it a little with that, especially considering that if it was that boy's thoughts that had done this, it would hurt her to talk about it.

"No. none what so ever. I am completely fine, albeit a bit bored."

I decided to drop it as she began thinking about French folk songs she could translate and offer to her teacher as choral warm-ups. Instead, I pulled Bella close and nuzzled my head into her neck.

"You did good today," I complimented her.

"Thanks. It's a lot to get used to."

"I know, love. How's the burning?" I asked, knowing this was her first time around so much concentrated human scent. We had hunted the night before but the thirst would still burn.

"Not bad at all, actually. I just keep my mind on other things and I usually forget about it."

"Well, I'm still proud of you, Bella. You never cease to amaze me."

"Thanks, Edward," she said, sweetly holding me tighter.

"Off the lust-o-meter…" Jasper thought as he grinned evilly towards Elizabeth who winked back.

"Hey, mind not using your little mental mutations for the rest of the car ride? Thanks," I laughed, kissing Bella on the cheek.

That shut them up for a few minutes but the mental chuckles were a little irksome, so I focused in on my wife. God, that never was going to get old, no matter how many times I said or thought it. She was mine; all mine. For all time.

"I wonder what Reneseme and Jacob did today?" my beautiful wife wondered.

I didn't even realise it but I growled a little under my breath. Jasper burst out laughing and I glared at him in the rear-view mirror.

"I haven't heard anything impure in his thoughts… unless you count hating Rose and I as impure," Elizabeth stated.

"Oh, Edward, you're still worried?" Bella asked.

"Yes. She is our daughter and as much as I know the pup would die for her in a heartbeat, that doesn't mean I'm going to be any less of a protective vampire father," I said somewhat tersely.

Bella kissed my cheek. "I know. I'm concerned, too. Let's not jump the gun."

Jasper laughed and Elizabeth punched him in the shoulder.

"Just a little late to think things are jumping the gun… I mean, imprinting…" he muttered in his defence.

ElizabethPOV:

Edward had taken Jacob out into the woods for a "talk" which I thought was just too hilarious. Unfortunately for them, so did Jasper and Emmett. If I hadn't have physically restrained Emmett he probably would be out in the woods eavesdropping. How he intended to eavesdrop on a thought-reading vampire, I do not know. Instead, they were placing bets on possible outcomes; potential winning bets included the death, dismemberment or harm in general of Jacob. I knew Edward better. He would be in control. He cared about Nessie's happiness and he would never hurt Jacob for that reason. Not to mention Alice couldn't give them tips, she was completely blind where Jacob was concerned and as I picked up her gift, so was I.

So, the boys worked on the garage with Rosalie as their warden while awaiting Edward and Jacob's return. I swapped out my school age ID for my motorcycle licence that said I was eighteen and took the Ducati out on the open road. I pushed the bike's speed limits, which took quite a bit of speed to do. It felt great to just be out there, wind rushing past as all the scents floated past. The engine roared in a pleasant way and it soothed my nerves.

As much as I hated reading thoughts, I hated it worse when Edward tried to get into my head. I had to start spending more time around Bella. Her gift was complex, part of blocked me out, so it was taking a long time to get a feel for it. I'd have to ask her to let her guard down for a few hours to sit with me. Then, Edward would go poking around in my thoughts, forcing me to ignore what was really on my mind. Although I had to admit that it was better for me if I did not think about that guy, Jon Connors, from music class who had so clearly thought of me at lunch. There was no way that he or I would ever have each other. It was easy to clear my head as the mountainside flew past me.

I returned just before nightfall to discover the garage was finally finished. I parked my bike next to Jasper's and noticed Carlisle's car was there. Good. I wanted to talk to him. I walked into the house, expecting to have to call out his name, but Carlisle was seated in the living room.

"Did you have a nice ride, Elizabeth?" he asked.

"Yeah, the mountain air smells amazing this time of year."

"Is there something on your mind? Edward was a little concerned when he found out you'd gone out."

"Nothing is wrong… just in need of a joy ride. I really dislike being driven, you know?"

"Yeah, I heard about Emmett's stunts this morning. Still Edward has no reason to be concerned?"

"None at all. He was concerned at my non-thought."

"Oh, alright then. Still, I sense you wanted to talk to me about something?" he prompted kindly. That man was seriously the best non-father a vampire could ask for.

"Yeah, actually I had a little bit of a favour to ask. Could you get me a volunteering spot at the hospital here? I'm going to need a hobby."

"Sure, not a problem. I'd be more than glad to. When was the last time you worked in a hospital?"

"Oh, when I was living in this really great loft in NYC I was nursing at Belleview from '97 to '01."

"Still desensitized to the blood? Or should I keep you away from the trauma ward to start?"

"I barely notice the scent of blood when I'm not hunting. Not to mention living in NYC, near millions of humans everyday, their scent everywhere… if that couldn't tempt me, let alone bother me, nothing will."

"Excellent. I'll get back to you on that as soon as I get you a spot."

"Thanks, Carlisle," I said, before making my way up to my room on the third floor.

************

Boredom. Complete boredom. It was only a few hours after my conversation with Carlisle and I had nothing to do. Sometimes unlimited time was really a pain. I was hungry; I couldn't go hunting. Everyone else was with their spouses; I would dare interrupt someone when they were with their soul mate. I thought about what I could do to amuse myself rather than wallow in nothingness. Then, it hit me. Edward had that lovely grand piano of his downstairs. I would go play quietly. Maybe I could lose myself in the music for a few hours before morning.