AND THE WINNER OF THE LONGEST INTRO BEFORE A STORY GOES TO . . .EDWARDSOUL . . "Thank you! I want to tell the other nominees . . . blah blah blah."

WOW - I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE REPSONSES TO MY QUESTION!! IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A SPARE 5 MINUTES, GO ON THE REVIEWS PAGE AND READ ALL THE REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER 11. TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN: YOU WILL BE HIGHLY ENTERTAINED, AND YOU WILL LEARN EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ExB HAVING S-E-X!! I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR HELPING ME. MAN, SOME OF YOU RESEARCHED IT AND WROTE LITTLE REPORTS!! THERE ARE FOUR THAT I JUST HAVE TO THANK: OCHER ME, DELIRIOUSLY WITHDRAWN, JUST A DREAMER 1980, AND LOVIN TOPAZ EYES 91. YOU GUYS WERE EXTRA AWESOME! THIS IS THE CONCLUSION: YES! THEY CAN HAVE SEX! BUT, ALL BODILY FLUID IN EDWARD HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH VENOM (YES, ALL FLUID) THEREFORE, THE VENOM WOULD REACH HER UTERUS, THEN HER BLOODSTREAM, THEN SHE WOULD BECOME A VAMPIRE. ALSO, JUST LIKE I THOUGHT, EDWARD COULD LOSE SELF-CONTROL AND HURT HER BADLY, AND/OR BITE HER. MOST OF YOU THOUGHT THAT TOO. THANK YOU!! VERY MUCH!!

caps lock was bugging me. I have something else to say. For anyone who is afraid to finish this story because they think that this is going to become all about ExB having sex, please don't think that. I am staying true to Stephenie's characters, and I know she is a Mormon, and I just don't think she plans on them ever having sex, at least until they are married. She said herself, "ExB are innocent and sex would change them in the wrong ways." This is probably a spoiler, for my story - sorry. It is important to my story because they are extremely hot for each other, and issues will arise, But I have standards too, and I won't change them even when writing a story. I know in half the stories on here Bella's pregnant or has a child by Edward. But, there will be plenty of heat, and romance - trust me.

One more thing - did any of you do anything special for June 2nd? (If you don't know why June 2nd is important, then you are not a true Twilight fan!) Anyway, I went to bed on June 1st thinking of Edward (as usual) and at 2:00 a.m. I awoke totally out of the blue. I wasn't even tired, so I got a blanket and wrapped up in it and read "Confessions" I kept thinking how 4 years ago that night Stephenie had that miraculous dream and now here I was exactly four years later reading it. I wish that I could have that dream, I just want to see Edward so badly . . . . Did any of you do anything special?

Okay, I am wasting your time . . This is from Bella's POV - Recap: Bella sneaked to to the funeral and Edward was furious!

When we got on the highway, Charlie let me know that we were going to stop and pick up Jake and Billy.

"Great," I managed to get out. I thought maybe I really would be sick.

The closer we got to LaPush, the more I doubted my decision. The last time I saw Jake, he was beyond upset with me, and he was trying to kill Edward. What could I possibly say that would make this go away?

We pulled up and Charlie said, "Do you mind sitting in the back seat with Jake? It's easier for Billy to get in the front." My mouth wouldn't work, so I just smiled and nodded.

All too soon, I saw the three come out of the house. Jake had his Levi's on, but he was also wearing a dress shirt and tie. He looked very handsome. Jake got in the car and sat stone faced, his eyes glued to the front windshield. I saw his nose wrinkle. I then remembered that Edward's scent was all over me. Brilliant. That is really going to help things, I thought.

The chapel parking lot was already filling, even though we were about 45 minutes early. When I got out, Charlie came around and helped Billy shift his feet out of the car door. That's when Billy turned to look at me. His dark eyes held me in an intense stare that told me I was no longer welcome here. He was holding me in his gaze until Charlie came from the trunk with his wheelchair, then he turned away. I gasped for air. I didn't realize that I had been holding my breath.

Charlie began to push Billy, and I did my best to keep Jake back so I could talk to him.

When we were about 10 paces back, I said, "Jake, I am so sorry about Emily."

Jake looked at me out of the corner of his eye and made a sound to show how disgusted he was. He began to walk faster and I grabbed his arm. He pulled away from me and started walking in the direction away from the church. I followed him.

"What the hell, Bella! I can't believe you actually came here. Just get in the damn chapel. I'm sure Sam will be very happy to see you," he said sarcastically.

"Jake, I came out here to honor Emily, I loved her very much. But, I also came here to talk to you."

Jake whirled around and glared at me. "You coming here doesn't change anything. I can't believe that bloodsucker Cullen let you come here."

"Well, he is actually pretty angry about it," I said nervously.

"Finally something he and I can agree on!" He yelled. "You made your choice, so just go back to your leech boyfriend and enjoy your life as one of the walking damned!"

"Why do I have to make a choice, Jake?" I asked in a hurtful tone.

"Are you seriously asking me that question?" He looked at me with a twisted face.

"Jake, you were my best friend, you mean so much to me, I just can't believe that things are as impossible as you make them seem."

"Perhaps you weren't paying attention a few nights ago when your bloodsucker and I were trying to kill each other!"

"Sam was holding me there against my will!" I shouted. "You had to know Edward would come after me. Edward thought I was in danger, but. . . " I continued in a softer voice. "But, was I in danger Jake? Would you have hurt me? You basically left me there to take care of myself with Sam. He is much more dangerous than I ever thought he could be. How could you leave me there? Would you have let Sam take me away?" I stared at him expectantly.

He was staring out with his arms folded. He looked so powerful standing there. "I'm sorry. I never thought I'd act that way toward you. When you said you were with Edward I. . . "

Jake's shoulders slumped and he turned his head and stared at me. "I fought Sam all the way on his plan, but it is very difficult to go against him." His face went hard as he pointed at me and said, "I defended you. I told them you would never become a vampire." He blew out air and turned his head away from my gaze then he whispered, "I . . I had my own plan if Sam sent you away. . . I would find you and be with you. He looked back at me and brushed a stray hair off my face and swallowed hard. "I would take care of you."

He closed his eyes as if to break the spell. He moved away from me and said, "He never did tell me where he planned to send you, but I suspected it was his uncle's house in New Mexico. There is a reservation there with others that are . . . like us."

"Jake, I . . ." I was so choked up by what he said that I found it hard to speak. I cleared my throat and began again. "Jake, I am not planning on any big changes in my life anytime soon, if you know what I mean. Never, if Edward gets his way." Edward and I still hadn't really discussed the timetable for my changing, but, I thought it best to be purposely vague right now. "I am going to school in the Fall, and I have big plans for my life."

Jake just stared at me suspiciously, but he finally managed to nod his head and say, "That's good to hear."

I had a question that I very much needed to ask him, probably the most important question I could ask, but I couldn't make myself do it yet, even though it was Jake, I was afraid of the answer. I stared at him wondering if he really was the Jake I knew; if I was right to put my faith in him. Was he the same boy that had laughed with me and helped me and taken care of me, or were the other darker, more ominous forces changing him?

I chickened out. Maybe I would ask the question later. I didn't know how long I had with Jake, I had to find out what trouble there was for Edward concerning Sam.

"Jake, Carlisle tried to meet with your dad and Harry, and they refused. They said that they had to talk to Sam first. Is he planning another way to get at me? Am I still in danger?"

Jake shook his head and blew out air. "Bella, Sam is in a bad place right now. Normally, I would be forbidden from talking to you, but right now he is so out of it, he isn't paying any attention to me." He looked frustrated as he said, "I wish I knew what was going through his head, but he hasn't talked to any of the pack. I am positive he wants vengeance for Emily's death, that's all he said over and over the night she died. My guess is that, yes, he will try something at some point."

"None of this would have happened if Sam hadn't held me there. He is the one responsible for all this! I yelled breathlessly.

Jake's face was hard. "He doesn't see it that way."

I looked panicked. "Will he try to get back at me, or Edward?"

Jake winced when I said Edward's name. He stared down at me and said, "Honestly, I don't know. But, if I had to guess, I would say your boyfriend is who he'll go after first."

"Jake, you have to stop him! You have to warn me when you find out his plans! Please!" I was holding his arm again.

He didn't try to break free, but he looked at me with a bleak stare as he shook his head. "I can't betray them, and besides, there is no way he'll allow me to do it." He swallowed hard again. "I am pretty sure that this is the last time I'll ever be able to talk to you."

I was crying now. "Jake no!" I had my hands on his chest now. "Fight him Jake! Get away from him, from all of this!"

He just shook his head slowly, "You of all people should know that you can't run away from what you are. There is no place I can go that Sam won't find me. They are my family."

I covered my face with my hands and began to sob. "Jake," I choked out, "I don't want to lose you."

"Bells," he said sadly, "It's better this way. If you are with Edward, things can never be the way they were between us, you know that. And anyway, If you can't ever love me, I couldn't keep seeing you like this. It makes it so much harder for me when I think about you too much. A clean break is the only way I can do this." A clean break, man how I hated those words.

I took a deep breath. I had to face the cold hard truth. Even though I planned on coming out here to try to keep a tie to Jake somehow, deep down I did know that I was coming out here to tell Jake good-bye. I couldn't tear Edward apart anymore with my affection for Jake, and it was ridiculous to think that I could be with Edward and stay close to Jake. Deep down, I also knew Jake deserved better than this. I just didn't want to let him go.

"Jake, I guess what you're saying is probably true." The tears were just streaming down my face. "Just let me say this, and then we can go inside. I promise I won't bother you anymore." I took a deep breath and wiped my face. "The other night when you told me how you really felt, I know I hurt you with what I said. Even though you are younger than me, in so many ways you were the mature one. You are beautiful Jake. You must have half the girls out here secretly in love with you." He rolled his eyes when I said that. "Jake, I was selfish. I was trying to keep you for myself while all along I was broken and my heart was still with Edward."

I took a step toward him and said, "You took care of me and you were right, you made me laugh when no one else could. You saved me in all the ways that a person can be saved and you'll never really understand how much you mean to me."

I closed the distance between us then and wrapped my arms around him and held on as tightly as I could. The tears came again. Jake's arms were floating up in the air like he didn't know what to do with them, then he wrapped them tight around me and put his lips into my hair.

"This hurts like hell," I sobbed. I buried my face in his warm chest and attempted to remember everything about him.

I felt him lay his cheek on my head and whisper, "Bella." Then he pulled me away from him and said, "Let's go."

As we started to walk, he began to reach for my hand and then pulled back. "Sorry, old habits die hard," he said.

We got in the church. My tear-stained face fit in with everyone else in the room. The service was beautiful. I learned things about Emily that I didn't know, and heard many people tell of her kindness. She had become like a big sister to me. I was going to miss her so much.

Sam was, as Jake said, in a bad place. He never spoke to anyone. He didn't even seem to notice that I was there. But, I still did my best to avoid him. He sat there staring out into nothing for much of the service, and occasionally I saw him bow his head and weep. Jake was sitting on the other side of Billy. I looked over once, and saw him staring at me. I gave him a sad smile and turned away. I still hadn't asked him the question.

At the cemetery, Sam kissed Emily's coffin and laid his face against it. He stayed there for a long time. Just like when I would see Emily and him together when she was alive, I felt like I was intruding on something intense and private and I had to turn away.

How would I be if this were Edward's funeral? The thought made me cringe to think I could endure such pain. I wanted Edward forever; anything less would be unthinkable. What if Sam took all his grief out on Edward? Even though I pitied Sam in his grief, I also knew that I was just a few feet away from my mortal enemy. Given the chance, Sam would take everything away from me.

Everyone gathered at the home of Emily's parents. There was a lot of food and small talk, mostly about Emily and how to help Sam. It was beginning to get dark. All day long, I had the image of Edward beating that steering wheel in the back of my head. I was getting very anxious to leave, but I knew that Charlie was probably going to be one of the last to go. Edward was going to be so angry. The reality of just how angry was starting to sink in.

I had moved away from the group. I had my arms wrapped around me against the evening breeze. This was the last time I would ever be out here. I had grown to love this place. I heard footsteps behind me and looked back to see Jake walking toward me. My heart leaped to see him coming over to me. He had a sheepish look on his face as he said, "You won't believe this, but your dad asked me to come over here and offer you a ride home. He is going to be out here for a while still. I thought it would look suspicious if I refused."

I looked at him wistfully and asked. "What do you think Sam would do?" He shook his head, "Sam is still not paying attention to me, the rest of the guys would be pretty freaked though."

I nodded my head and said, "Can you just stand here by me, just one more time?"

He looked at me and in a husky voice said, "Sure."

We watched the pelicans heading out to the ocean. The salty ocean breeze blew through my hair. We watched the sun setting over the far horizon. I couldn't stop staring at him. Finally, I said, "Jake, I'm going to miss you so much. For my whole life I'll miss you." Jake looked down and didn't say anything for a moment, then he looked up at me and took a big breath.

"Come on," he said, "I'm going to take you home."

"What about . . .?"

"To hell with them," he grinned.

"I was hoping to see that one more time before I left," I said.

"What?" he questioned.

"Your beautiful smile," I said.

He looked down embarrassed, and grinned again.

Billy and Jake's house was only about a half mile from where we were, so we walked. It was a great walk. It was a lot like nothing had ever changed. He asked me about what schools I was planning on and I questioned him on what his plans were when he graduated. Although he had dreams of leaving the reservation and finding his own way, he knew he had to stay close for Billy, and Sam probably wouldn't want him wandering far.

"Jake, the Cullens won't be here forever, they will be leaving soon. Would Sam still have such a strong hold on you? Would you have your freedom then?" I asked hopefully.

Jake shook his head, "I'll guess we'll just have to wait and see," he answered.

We got into his car. So many memories here too. Before he started the engine, he looked over at me and said, "Bells, pretty soon we will be close enough that your bloodsuc . . .Cullen will be able to hear everything I think and say. I just want to tell you that I'll always love you, and if you ever need anything. . . I mean ever . . .please find me, okay?"

The tears started again. "Same here, Jake." I choked out.

"I have something to say too," I said. "Jake, you have to promise me that you and Edward will never fight again."

He shot me a look of complete surprise. "I can't promise that," he sneered.

"Yes Jake, you can!" I pleaded. "I will get Edward to promise the same thing. I can't take the thought of the two of you fighting again. The next time, the outcome will be much more deadly."

He looked out the windshield and sighed hard. "I will do my best, is that good enough?"

I was satisfied.

He started the car and I knew this was my last chance to ask my question.

I cleared my throat which had suddenly gone dry, and said, "Jake, if at some point I do decide to become . . . if I decide to change, will you come after Edward?"

He stared straight ahead and his knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. I saw sweat beginning on his forehead. He suddenly looked much older than sixteen. He emphasized each word. "Bella, what kind of question is that? What part of mortal enemies is too complicated for you?"

"Jake, if I decide to do this, it will be my choice, not one forced upon me. I will be an adult making a decision about my own life. I repeat my question, will you take revenge on Edward if I do this?"

He swallowed hard. His eyes became dark and threatening. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. I remembered the time we were in his car and he almost phased. I instinctively backed up against the door.

In a rough voice he said, "Bella, if you decide to do this, I. . ." he laughed darkly and said, "Heaven help me when it comes to you Bella." I know that I should say that I won't stand in your way if that is what you really want, but I know that if Cullen changed you . . . ." his jaw tightened and he shuddered, "Do you really want me to come out and say what I'd do?" He looked at me then, and I recognized the look in his eye. It was the same one Edward gave me when he explained why I could never be near him when he was hunting. It was the look of ancient sadness and a certain helplessness that even though he could try very hard to keep part of who he was, in the end, the inner demon would always win.

"Please," I whispered desperately.

He just turned to look back at the road.

"Jake," I choked out.

He stared back at me again.

"Will you please do what you can to let Edward and I leave at the end of the summer in peace."

He turned to look at me and answered quietly, "I'll do what I can."

"Thank you." I whispered.

The rest of the drive home was silent. I kept thinking of how many times he had driven me home at night. I remember the hollow ache, the hole ripping in me every time I thought of Edward. Now, my angel was back. I had everything I wanted and dreamed about, but I lost Jake. My Jake.

We were just out of Forks now. I glanced at Jake and he was deep in thought. His jaw was clenched. I felt such a deep yearning to see Edward. Since he came back, we had spent almost every moment together. Today, I had done what I needed to do, and now I could calm down and get about the business of planning my life with my miracle. My heart was beating faster as we pulled into my driveway.

I looked over at Jake and sighed. "Good luck in everything you do, Jake."

"You too Bells," he said softly.

I grabbed his hand and squeezed hard then I took a big breath and said, "Good-bye."

He swallowed hard and whispered, "See ya."

I let go of his hand and got out of the car quickly and without turning back, I walked to the door.

I waited until I couldn't hear his car anymore before I went in the house. When I got in, I said, "Edward?" I didn't have to say it twice, he would know I was here without me having to say it the first time, but I called him again. "Edward, are you here?"

Silence.

I ran up to my room and turned on the light. Nothing.

I was trying to talk myself out of being anxious. Trying to slow my heartbeat down as I dialed the Cullen's house.

Alice answered. "Alice, it's Bella." As if she wouldn't know. "Do you know where Edward is?"

There was a long pause and then she said, "He's pretty mad."

I started talking quickly, "Alice, I did what I had to do, and I took care of everything. I need to talk to Edward, please tell me where he is."

I heard a troubled sigh, "I don't know exactly, he told me to call only if you were in danger. He didn't say when he would be back."

Now seemed like a good time to panic.

"Alice! What do you mean you don't know? I need to talk to him!" I screeched.

"He is not in any place that is recognizable. He is purposely choosing places that make it very difficult to pinpoint his location. It is just forest everywhere around him. . . . . . don't worry, he'll come back." Alice said reassuringly.

"Thanks," I said, "Please call me if you . . . "

"I will," she said. "Glad you're back safe."

I waited for him all night . . . . .but he never came.

What do you Think???!!!! See you with the next chapter on Thursday.