PopRock Broken Lover Chapter Twelve: Trust is Earned, a twilight fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any songs used

AN: Italics are thoughts that Edward listens to. And also song lyrics. Sorry for any mistakes, I still don't have a BETA, if you are interested; please let me know in a review. Enjoy the chapter :D.

Chapter Twelve: Trust is Earned

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"Trust is like a vase... once it's broken; though you can fix it the vase will never be the same again."

"To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved."

Unknown

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EPOV (Edward)

So here I am in front of the little bar that Bella likes. Wearing my dark jeans, black shirt and black sneakers. How are clothes going to help me win Bella back? How am I supposed to fight for her if she keeps running when I get close? This is all so frustrating! Why can't Alice see who she ends up with? Does that mean that she hasn't made up her mind yet? Is she really considering Mark? Does she love him more than me? Argh! Why can't this just be simple?!

"Edward! Are you going to come in or just stand out there the whole night? Izzy and the rest should be here any moment." I rolled my eyes at Alice and followed her inside the little bar. It had a nice homely feel to it. There was a good sized dance floor and a little stage with a karaoke machine. Behind the bar was a gentleman that I would guess was in his mid 50's and a younger guy probably mid 20's. "Hi there, how can I help you tonight?" The gentleman asked us as we walked in. 'Wow, they all are very attractive. They must be friends of Izzy's. Maybe the family she lost contact with so long ago. She really deserves to be happy.' "Hello. I'm Edward Cullen and this is my family. We're friends of Izzy's. She's meeting us here in a few minutes." 'Ah I was right. I can't believe Izzy is coming. It's been way too long. "Well it's nice to meet you Edward. There is a table over there, the one next to the corner one." He pointed towards the table. "You can sit there and wait for Izzy." I gave him a polite smile. "Thank you." He smiled back. "Can I get you anything too drink?" I looked towards the rest of my family. "Four glasses of water should do just fine. We don't drink." He really is friends with Izzy. He gave me a big smile and I went to join my family.

"He seems like a very nice man." Alice said as soon as I sat down. "I really think he is. He seems to care about Bella a lot. It's almost like he sees her as a daughter." Alice smiled and I smiled back. "Here are your drinks guys. Just let us know if you want some more. By the way I'm Ron. John is the guy you talked to earlier, he's the owner of the bar." Alice gave him a bright smile. "I'm Alice, this is my boyfriend Jasper, my brother Emmett and my other brother Edward." He shook all our hands not flinching once at our cold skin. "It's really nice to meet all of you. How do you know Izzy and the gang? If you don't mind me asking." Alice smiled a sad smile. "We go way back with Izzy. She and Edward used to date. She's my best friend." Ron scowled. "Wow, so you're the one that broke up with her. Jack told me about her past. I don't know how you could do it man. If I had Izzy, I'd never let her go. Mark is one lucky guy." I nodded my head. "Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking..." I sighed. Ron gave me an understanding smile. "Well I better get going. Izzy will want some dancing music when she comes in." He gave us all another big smile before turning around to go back to the bar.

"Seems like she is very popular here." Jasper said looking at me. I nodded. "Yeah she is. Everyone here loves having her around. I haven't heard one bad thought about her yet." Alice gave me a big smile. "Get ready, they are outside." I turned around in my seat and looked over at the door. I heard two musical squeals of delight and two male laughs as Bella and Susan burst into the building looking very excited. Bella looked beautiful. Her hair was different, it had green in it now and she was wearing a revealing green top with green sneakers. Susan was wearing a similar top and sneakers, only in dark blue. Behind them Mark and Jack entered. Mark had a green shirt that matched Bella's and Jack had one that matched Susan's. I couldn't help but feel jealous that she would wear something so similar to him. John made his way over to Bella with a big smile on his face.

"Izzy!" he exclaimed and they shared an embrace. "Hi there John. How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while. How are your wife and the kids?" She bombarded the poor man with super fast questions, clearly excited to see him. He laughed at her. "Slow down my girl, you're gonna give this old man a big head ache with all those fast questions." They all laughed and it reached her eyes. She looked so beautiful when she laughs. He shook Mark's hand and then Jacks and hugged Susan without flinching. "To answer your questions. I am very well thank you. And the wife and kids are fine too. Paul had a baby girl two weeks ago and Drew and his wife are expecting their second now. Now, more importantly, how are you Izzy? And how are things going with Faceless Angel? I really hope you guys will sing us something again tonight." She gave him a big smile. "I'm doing alright John. Been having a very rough week though. Things with the band are good, we had two shows at school and they went good. I'm sure we will be singing and dancing the whole night long." She said as Susan and the rest made their way over to their table greeting us. I nodded my greeting to all of them.

John handed Bella something and she gave him an even bigger smile. "You know where to put it when you guys leave." He said and she gave him a big hug. "Four glasses of water for you at your normal table?" She nodded at him. "Oh, Izzy, there are four other people here; they said they are friends of yours. They are at the table next to you." She gave him a smile and looked over at our table. "Thank you John, yes, they are my friends. Would you play us some dancing songs later?" He smiled at her and looked over at Ron as he made his way behind the bar. "I'm sure Ron is already selecting the music as we speak." They shared another smile and she made her way over to her table. Sitting next to Mark... She hung a black jacket over her chair.

"Hi guys." She greeted not making eye contact with me. We all said our greetings. "How do you know John?" I asked. I hate not being able to read her mind. She looked at me for the first time. "Oh, well he owns the bar and we come here a lot. We did our very first live show here." Mark laughed. "Well we sang karaoke here." She corrected with a laugh. "And he was the one that told us to start the band. He has a lot of my original songs here on the karaoke machine and always tells me how popular they are. He's like a dad to me. Always looking out for me and the rest of us." I nodded. "What did he hand you earlier?" Alice scowled. "Edward! It's rude to ask things like that." Alice scolded. "I'm sorry." I said as I looked towards Bella. "It's alright, don't worry about it. I'm used to your questions by now." She said with a strange smile. "He gave me the keys to the building to lock up after we leave. He normally closes the door at around ten and leaves by eleven. And we normally don't leave until sunrise." She smiled at a memory and I wished I could see what she saw in her mind.

"And he trusts you to lock up?" I asked as I looked at her. "Of course I do. Trust is earned, not given, young man. Izzy is like a daughter to me. I know she would never do anything to harm me or my business. And when the day comes that I am no longer here, she will own part of the bar as well." John said as he placed four glasses of cold water on their table and then put a hand on her shoulder. She gave him a sad smile. "Don't talk like that John. You know you aren't allowed to leave me here alone." She said softly to her father figure as she bit her bottom lip. He gave her a sad smile back and squeezed her shoulder once. "Hey! What am I? chopped liver?" Mark suddenly said and everyone laughed. John laughed too and made his way back to the rest of his customers. "Thank you, Mark." Bella said as she turned away from looking at John walk away. "It's my pleasure Izzy. I know you hate it when he talks like that." She nodded and pretended to drink some of her water.

"You really like him don't you?" I asked her and she nodded. "I don't have Charlie anymore and John has really been like a father to me." I nodded and turned to look at the man behind the bar. I owe him more than he knows for taking care of Bella. "What do you think Ron will choose as the first song tonight Izzy?" Susan asked and Bella grinned at her. "I don't know but I bet it will be good." Her eyes sparkled as she spoke and I could tell she was looking forward to it. "Knowing Ron, he'll probably play some cheesy group dance song." Mark laughed as Bella slapped his arm. "I like those cheesy group dance songs." She scolded. Everyone talked in the same line for the next half an hour, leaving me to my thoughts.

'Trust is earned, not given' John's words went through my head over and over. How can I earn her trust back? How can I show her that I really do love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her?

"Earth to Edward!" Jasper yelled and I came out of my thoughts and gave him a small smile. "Where did you go? We've been talking to you." I looked around and saw all of them were staring at me. "Sorry. I guess I just got lost in my thoughts. What did you say?" Alice rolled her eyes. "I asked if you like to dance?" Susan asked. I thought about it a moment. "Well, yes I do, but I don't think I dance the same as you." She smiled at me. "Everyone can dance like us Edward. I'm older than you and I can do it." I was shocked. "You are? I assumed you were only about twenty or so?" She laughed a tinkling laugh. "I am over an hundred and fifty. I just don't like bragging about it." She said with a grin. I nodded. "I never would have guessed." She gave me another smile. "I'll take that as a compliment then." I smiled at her to let her know it was one.

"What time is it?" Bella suddenly asked as she looked around the now almost empty bar. Mark grinned. "It's nine. And we all know what that means." He said. Alice looked confused for a moment. "It means Ron is going to start playing music for us." He explained and Alice started bouncing up and down in her seat. To my amazement I saw Bella and Susan doing the same thing. A drum beat started playing and Bella and Susan squealed like two little girls. Mark frowned. "Oh no... He didn't..." Bella laughed and shot up out her chair. "Oh yes he did!" She exclaimed as she and Susan made their way to the dance floor opposite our table. She looked at Mark and pouted. "No..." He whined and she bit her bottom lip. He let out a long sigh. "Izzy..." he whined again. "Please..." She begged and he got up and stood next to her. I saw Jack smile and join them next to Susan. Bella gestured to Ron to join them and he was there as soon as she asked. They all started laughing while doing the dance as the song went on...

"This time we're gonna get funky
Everybody clap your hands
Clap clap clap clap your hands
Clap clap clap clap your hands"

Alice giggled. "She is going to ask us to dance with them. Don't worry. I will think of the moves before we need to do them so you won't get caught off guard." I nodded my thanks to her and just like she said Bella gestured to us to go and join them. Emmett was the first one up and started dancing immediately. I couldn't help but laugh at him.

"Turn it out
To the left
Take it back now y'all
Five hops this time
Right foot lets stomp
Left foot lets stomp
Right foot again
Left foot again
Right foot lets stomp
Left foot lets stomp
FREEEZE"

We were all laughing and dancing and singing with the song. Most of the people that were in the bar joined us by now. Even John was dancing. I don't think I have ever seen Bella this happy before. The song came to an end and everyone slowly made their way back to their seats still laughing.

"That was so much fun!" Alice almost yelled as Bella and the rest sat down too. "Do you always do things like this?" Bella and Mark shared a look and they both shrugged. "Pretty much. Izzy likes doing these types of dances and Ron loves letting her do them. He's got a little crush on her." Her eyes got big and she slapped his arm. "Does not! Stop telling people that!" He laughed at her and we all joined in. "Oh come on Izzy. He always plays your favourite songs. He brings you the coldest water. All the signs are there." She rolled her eyes at him and we all laughed again. "Well maybe he does, but at least I don't encourage it." She accused looking pointedly at Susan. She smiled. "Guilty as charged." We all laughed again and Lady GaGa's Just Dance started playing. "Dance with me?" Bella asked Susan and they both left to the dance floor.

"She really likes dancing huh?" Alice asked and Mark nodded. "Yeah, it helps her cope in a way. She used to be too clumsy, but now she's really good at it. She can just let go and have fun for the night." He looked over his shoulder at Bella. "That's my queue, I better go." He said with a smile and joined Bella on the dance floor. When the song was finished they all came back to the table. We pushed the two tables together to make one big one. Bella pretended to take a big drink from her glass and John brought her another one.

Beep Beep. We all checked our phones and Bella scowled at Mark. "You know you have to put that off when we go dancing." He gave her a big smile. "Well I'm sure you won't mind it this time." She raised an eyebrow at him. "I have a surprise for you." She smiled a questioning smile at him. "Wait right here. I'll be right back with it." She laughed. "It?" he laughed at her and went out the door. "Do you know what his surprise is?" She asked Susan and she just shrugged. "I didn't know he had one. What is that smell?" she asked with a sly smile. Bella got an excited look on her face and started turning in circles looking for the surprise. She turned to look at Susan again and frowned. "I don't see anything. Or smell anything." Susan laughed and suddenly Bella was picked up from behind by a very tall and tanned man. Jacob Black.

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BPOV (Bella/Izzy)

"Jake!" I couldn't believe it. Jake was here. He was my surprise. I just saw him this morning but I already missed him. "Hey Bells." He put me down and I threw myself into his arms. "I missed you!" He laughed at me. "You saw me this morning." I pouted. "I know." He laughed even louder and so did the rest. "Bells?" I looked up at him. "Yeah?" He wrinkled his nose. "I know I ask this a lot. But when last did you shower?! You stink!" I huffed and slapped him hard on the arm. "Ouch!" I scowled. "You deserve more than that." He laughed. "Yeah I do." I smiled up at him now. "What are you doing here little doggie?" This time it was his turn to scowl at me. "I'll let you know, I'm not a little doggie. And Mark invited me. We have some things to talk about." I looked between the two and just shook my head. "What about Nessie?" He smiled and tilted his head towards the bar. "She's getting us some water." I smiled. "You brought her! Oh Jake. I'm so glad." His smile faded when he looked towards the table.

"Are those the other blood suckers? The one's who left you to die?" He nodded towards the table with his head. "Jake!" I scolded. "What? It's the truth!" He yelled back and I frowned. "Those are the Cullens, Edward, Alice, Jasper and Emmett." Mark introduced them one by one. "Emmett? You're the one that stayed right?" Jake asked Emmett. He nodded. "Yeah, I tried." Jake gave him a smile and reached a hand out to him to shake. "Thank you. You really helped us a lot. If it wasn't for you hanging around, I would have lost Bella a lot sooner and..." he shuttered. "You see, I only turned a month or so before it happened. And if Victoria came any sooner. Well I don't know what would have happened to Bells here." He snaked his large arm around my shoulders. "So thank you. Truly." Emmett nodded and Jake smiled. I started wiggling beneath him.

"What's up squirt? Can't take the heat?" He asked and I laughed. "The heat I can take. The stink I cannot! You smell like a wet pooch!" We all laughed and he let me go as Nessie came with two glasses of water. "Everyone. This is my Nessie." Jake introduced her and gave her a little hug. Love radiated from them both. "Hello..." She said shyly and everyone greeted her. "Nessie. It's so good to see you again. Thank you again for letting me steal my big brother here this morning." I said as I hugged her. "Don't worry about it Izzy. I know you would do the same for me if I needed it." I nodded. "I would." We all sat at the table and talked some more. After a few minutes Mark led me to the dance floor and we danced to about five songs when one of my favourites started playing. First Susan and I danced together and made all the guys stare at us, drooling no doubt. Then Mark grabbed me by my arm and spun me against his body as Jack did the same thing to Susan. We slowly moved our body's together, grinding slowly to the music as Mark softly sang with the song and I giggled at him.

"She moves her body like a cyclone
And she makes me want to do it all night long
Going hard when they turn the spotlights on
Because she moves her body like a cyclone
Just like a cyclone

She moves her body like a cyclone
And she makes me want to do it all night long
Going hard when they turn the spotlights on
Because she moves her body like a cyclone
A mighty cyclone"

When the song finished he spun me away from him and I giggled loudly again. He always made me feel drunk and giddy when we danced but this time there was something more to it. Something stronger that I couldn't place. We made our way back to the table and Jake was looking at me all protectively. I couldn't help but laugh. "Jake, it's called dancing. There was nothing more than that going on." Mark started laughing loudly when he realised what Jake was thinking. "Man, you know I wouldn't do that to her in the middle of a dance floor. She deserves a lot better than that!" Nessie laughed too when she caught up to the conversation. "I can't help it. Seeing you dancing like that. Well it's something I would rather not see Bells doing with anyone." I laughed again. "Come on Jake, you know me better than that. And you know Mark better than that too." Jake blushed. "Sorry Bells. I know." Alice looked back and forth between all of us. "You mean you two haven't?" I shook my head and looked towards Mark and smiled. "No..." She shook her head. "Why not? I mean I just assumed that well..." We both laughed at her. "I have more respect than that for her Alice. I would never do that unless she was 100% ready for it. Not until I have all of her heart... trust me though, it's not like I haven't thought about it." He said with a smirk and I hid my face in his shoulder, remembering this afternoon.

Edward let out a soft growl and we all looked towards him. "Sorry... I just, don't want to hear about this." He looked away from us. "Not like you don't deserve to hear much worse." Jake snapped and I hit him on the back of the head to make him quiet down. "No Bells. He needs to know what he did. I can't just stand here and pretend like nothing ever happened. I'm not as good a person as you Bells." I sighed. "I know I hurt her Jacob, but you must know that I was hurting too. I only left to protect her from myself." Jake snorted. "A lot of good that did. Look I would like nothing more than to fight this out with you, but I know that it's upsetting Bells. So let's just stay out of each other's way." Edward nodded and I let out a sigh. I hate that the people I care for are fighting.

"Izzy? Do you think you can sing us something? Before we close now?" John asked softly and I turned around to look at the gentle man. "Of course John. Anything in particular?" He shook his head. "Anything you sing will be perfect my girl." We smiled at each other and Mark led me to the stage to look for a song. "I think I know which one." I said and pointed to the song. "Mark smiled. Your and Susan's song." I nodded. "Yeah, the one I wrote about our pasts." He smiled. "It's a beautiful song, and one of John's favourites." We smiled at each other and he gave me the mic as he went to go and sit down and John introduced me. I started the song on the machine and got ready to sing.

"I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you
Because of you"

Everyone cheered and I could see John had tears in his eyes. I smiled at him and he smiled back. I walked back to my table and was attacked from the side by Susan in a very tight hug. "Oh Izzy, thank you for singing that song!" I smiled and hugged her back. "My pleasure sis." Alice called for my attention and I looked towards her. "What is the song about? I heard you say that it is a combination of your and Susan's past?" I looked at Susan and she nodded. "Susan was turned when she was 17. When she was 15 her father left her and her mother and her mother died a few weeks later of a broken heart. Susan had to take care of her and her mother and her mother was really hard on her. Blaming her for her father leaving and more. And the rest is kinda obvious. Edward left and I stopped trusting people and got scared to let people in because I was scared that they would leave." Mark smiled and squeezed my hand. "Luckily we won't leave." I smiled back at him. "Oh Susan, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that." Alice said as she hugged her. "That's alright Alice, it was a long time ago now."

Softer music started playing as people got ready to leave. "Would you mind dancing with me?" I turned around and saw Edward holding a hand out to me. I gave him a small smile. "I'm not very good at slow dancing." I admitted and he smiled at me. "Trust me; it's all in the leading." I eyed him sceptically but took his hand and let him lead me to the dance floor. "Put your one hand on my shoulder and then I'll hold your other like this. And then we move like this. One, two, three, four, one, two, three, four." He directed me across the dance floor and we danced in perfect harmony. I couldn't help but giggle. "You were right. I guess it is all in the leading." He smiled his crooked grin at me. "See, all you needed to do was trust me, Izzy..." I looked up at him, puzzled. "You called me Izzy?" He nodded his head. "That is what you prefer is it not?" I nodded. "Thank you Edward. For taking another step." We smiled at each other. "Anything for you, Izzy. Anything..." I rested my head against his shoulder and smiled. He smelled like cinnamon and spice and Edward. It smelled almost like home but there was something missing. I just didn't know what.

After our dance he led me back to our table and John came over to say good night and to remind me to lock up when we leave. We all chatted some more for an hour and then I went to go and sit in the middle of the stage. It made me feel at home. A minute later Mark came to sit next to me and Susan and the rest joined us. We were all like one big happy family in that moment. I started laughing out loud. Mark nudged my arm. "What's so funny?" I grinned at him and sang in a sing song voice.

"We are family
I got all my brothers and sisters with me
We are family"

Everyone started laughing too. "We even have a puppy!" Mark laughed and everyone started laughing even louder. I looked at Mark and smiled. "Sing me something. But for fun. No perfection required. Just you and me having fun, like it used to be." He smiled back at me knowing exactly what I was talking about. "Well where will I get my inspiration from?" I gave him a little kick and quoted him. "What am I? Chopped liver?" Susan burst out laughing and I couldn't keep it in any longer either. I laughed out loud and he just shook his head at me like I'm crazy. He bent over and picked up the old guitar in the corner and played a few strings.

"Mmmm... Mmmm..." I pulled a face and he giggled.

"Mmmm... Mmmm..." I did it again and he let out a little laugh.

"I'll be your man
And I'll understand
And I'll do my best
To take good care of you

You'll be my queen
I'll be your king
And I'll be your lover too
Yeah yeah

Yes I will mmmm

Derry down green
Colour of my dream
A dream that's daily coming true.
And ohhh when the day is through
I will come to you and tell you of" He let out a little giggle at the face I was pulling.

"Your many charms

And girl you look at me
With eyes that see
And we'll melt into each other's eyes

Mmmm You'll be my queen
And I'll be your king
And I'll be your lover too"

He dragged the last word out and started laughing at my face as I pulled another funny face at him. "Izzy..." he whined and I just shrugged. "Hey, it was perfect to me. Just like when we met. Remember?" he laughed. "How can I forget? You used to pull funny faces at me every time I started singing anything. I don't know how I manage to keep a straight face when we're on stage." Susan and the rest laughed. "Oh I think we all know." Susan said and I raised an eyebrow at her. "You see, Izzy sometimes gets stage fright and if Mark started laughing at her she would go into a blind panic." Mark laughed and I hid my face in his shoulder. "Is that true..?" I asked in a small voice and he laughed even louder. "I'm sorry Izzy. But yes it is true. You would panic like crazy if I started laughing at you." Jake and the rest laughed while I frowned. "I'm sorry I keep you from having fun." I said sadly while looking at him and biting my bottom lip. He reached his hand out and rubbed my cheek and then rubbed over my lip so I would release it. "What did I say about crying? And you don't keep me from having fun at all. In fact, without you here, I wouldn't be having any fun at all." I smiled at him and let him hug me. "I wasn't crying." I said later with a pout and Jake laughed. "Yes you were Bells. Even I know you bite your lips when you want to cry." I rolled my eyes at him and they all laughed again.

Out the corner of my eye I could see Edward sitting deep in thought. Looking far away as always. "What are you thinking about?" I asked him and he seemed to snap back to reality. "I was just thinking of how much I have missed in the last two years." I gave him a little smile. "You haven't really missed that much." He just nodded and looked away. I let out a frustrated sigh and got up. Mark looked up and asked me a silent question with his eyes. "I'm fine, I just need some air. I'll be back in a few minutes." He moved to get up and I put my hand on his shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise you." He nodded and gave my hand a little kiss before I turned around and walked out the door into the cold fresh night air. I heard him tell someone to let me be alone for now and that I would be right back. I smiled to myself and started singing a song I've been working on.

"God, I feel like hell tonight
Tears of rage I cannot fight
I'd be the last to help you understand
Are you strong enough to be my man?

My man...

Nothing's true and nothing's right
So let me be alone tonight
Cause you can't change the way I am
Are you strong enough to be my man?

Lie to me
I promise I'll believe
Lie to me
But please don't leave, leave, don't leave

I have a face I cannot show
I make the rules up as I go
So try and love me if you can
Are you strong enough to be my man?

My man......

Are you strong enough? (to be my man....)
Are you strong enough? (to be my man....)
Are you strong enough? (my.....man)

When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Would you be man enough to be my man?

Lie to me
I promise, I'll believe
Lie to me
But please don't leave"

"It's beautiful Izzy. Who is it about?" I turned around and saw Mark standing in the doorway. "I'm sorry, I heard you singing and I couldn't help but come outside to hear more." I gave him a smile. "It's a song for my man." I said as I walked towards him. "And who is your man..?" He asked softly, tenderly. I smiled and he stroked my cheek. "The person that is strong enough to fight for me." I replied as I leaned into his electric touch. He leaned down closer to my face and I could feel his sweet breath on my face. "Am I strong enough to fight for you..?" I blinked a few times feeling drunk and dazed again. "I... don't know... I guess that is up to you..." he gave me a brilliant smile. "Oh I think I might be strong enough to fight for you my Izzy..."

He leaned down more and touched his lips to mine. "That is... if you want me to fight for you?" my mind was hazy and I couldn't think straight. The electricity flowed from his lips to mine and back as he spoke and all I could do was nod my head. He didn't hesitate anymore and started moving his lips in a passionate kiss as my lips moved perfectly with his. He snaked his one arm around my waist and pulled me to him as the other started stroking and brushing through my hair. I felt my hands go into his hair and pull him closer to me. "Izzy... say stop..." Mark said as he kissed me more deeply while lifting me up against him again like this afternoon. Did I want him to stop? His fingers traced under my shirt and the skin on skin contact felt like fire. I moaned into his mouth and felt him moan too as he deepened the kiss even more. I parted my lips to give him better access and our tongues met each other half way. Neither trying to be the dominant one but rather dancing in unison. I lifted my dangling legs around his waist and pulled him closer to me. I felt him moan into my mouth again.

"Izzy..." he said against my lips. "Say stop... before I lose all control..." he moved his hands down to my hips again and massaged them roughly, passionately. He pressed my back against the wall and started kissing down my neck and exposed collar bone to my shoulder and back up to my ear. "Izzy..." He half whined, half moaned my name into my ear and I shivered from the feeling. "Izzy... I'm losing control... say stop now..." he moaned into my ear as he moved his hands totally under my shirt. His hands felt like flames against my skin as the current flowed between us. I moaned again from the feeling and tried to think straight. "Stop..." I whispered. "Stop... my sweet Mark. Stop..." I said again a big louder. He pulled his lips from my skin and let out a tiny laugh. "You'll be the death of me one day Izzy..." I giggled as we both continued to breathe hard and look at each other. His eyes were pitch black again even though we hunted only a few hours ago. I reached up and caressed over his eyelids and his checks as he smiled at me. I loosened my legs from around him but he still held me against him in the air. He leaned his head down to mine and rested his forehead against mine. "I love you Izzy... you don't have to say anything right now. You already spoke volumes. Just know that I will fight for you. I'll be your personal soldier and fighting for you will be my only mission in life." My breathing hitched as he spoke. I stroked his cheek and leaned in to give him another kiss. I didn't have to say anything else and neither did he for now. We both knew he would fight. The only thing left to see now would be if he had an opponent.

He dropped my legs to the floor and made sure I was stable before letting go of my waist. "We should go back inside." He leaned down and kissed my forehead as I nodded. I was still speechless. His kisses left me speechless, breathless and dizzy. He took my hand in his and led me back inside the bar that I love and right up to the stage where everyone was still sitting. Jake looked at me and gave me a knowing smile. "Did you get some fresh air Bells?" He asked as he looked between me and Mark. I blinked trying to make sense of what he said. Then I remembered my own words. Edward is air and Mark is laughing gas. Mark numbs and makes happy and Edward makes it like nothing was wrong in the first place. Was that still true? Mark took my breath away today but left me alive and kicking. Edward suffocated me. Could he really still be my air? "Bells? Are you alright?" I blinked again and looked at Jake. He looked worried.

"Yeah, I'm good. Sorry. I guess I just spaced out for a moment." Mark laughed softly and squeezed my hand as he lowered us to sit on the floor by the rest of them. "What did you ask?" Jake laughed now as well and repeated his question. "I asked if you got some fresh air?" I rolled my eyes at him and he laughed at me. "It was refreshing thank you very much." I said matter of factly and he practically rolled on the floor laughing at me. "What time is it?" I asked as I looked out the window again. "Almost time to go home..." Mark said and I could hear the sadness in his voice. He loved this place just as much as I do. "Back to school... how fun..." I said as I leaned against Alice who was sitting next to me. "You know... we don't have to stay at this school if you don't want to. We don't have to go at all." Susan said as she played with her armband. I looked around at everyone. I knew my family wouldn't mind leaving if that is what I wanted. Alice and Edward however looked worried.

"No, I want to stay. I didn't finish school as a human and I want to at least finish it once properly. The weekend just wasn't long enough that's all." She smiled and nodded. "It never is." I turned to look at Emmett who was having a discussion with Jasper. After a few seconds he turned to look at me and I smiled. "Will you and Rose be joining us at school?" He looked deep in thought for a moment before answering. "If that is what she wants, then yes. But we will be moving here none the less. I still feel like if I leave here you will disappear. Like this is some kind of a dream. My family is more whole now than it has been in a very long time and I don't want to lose that. I don't care if you and Eddie get together or not. As long as you are alive and you stay my friend." I looked over at him and felt so grateful towards him. I shot up and gave him a big hug. "Thank you Emmett. Thank you so much..." he laughed as he hugged me back. "Don't tell me I was the first one to tell you that as well?" I nodded my head. "Just you out of your family. Susan and them made it clear that they don't care either way, as long as I stay in their family." Emmett huffed as he looked at his family.

"Seriously? I mean really guys. It's her choice who she wants to be with. If she even wants to be with any of them. And Mark is a really nice guy." Alice looked guilty and so did Jasper. Edward just looked away. "I'm sorry Bells. I'm sorry my family can be such idiots. And they say I'm the dumb one!" Emmett just shook his head. "It's okay Emmy. I always knew you were the smart one." I said with a smile and they all laughed as the tension went out of the room. I went to go and sit next to Mark and rested my head on his shoulder looking at a sleeping Nessie. I closed my eyes. "I wish I could sleep..." he leaned his head onto mine and let a breath out. "I wish so too. If I could I would go back in time and stop Victoria myself. I wish I could have been the one to change you. To have it be your choice, not your punishment..." he softly said back and I bit my bottom lip. We've talked about this a lot. I miss being a human. Being able to do human things, eat, sleep, cry... and I miss my mom and dad who think I'm dead... he put his arm tightly around me and brought me closer to him. "Shhh... I'm sorry Izzy..." I could feel everyone staring at me. Probably wondering what happened. "It's not your fault Mark. You didn't even know me back then." He put his over arm around me as well and held me closer to him. "I wish I did..." Jake laughed and everyone looked at him.

"If you knew her back then, you probably would have wanted to kill her yourself. She did always smell better than every other human around. Or so I hear." He said with a smile. "Yes, you're right. I remember her scent well. She smelled way better than most of the humans in Forks." Alice said with a smile. "And all the hugging never made it any easier on us vampires." She said with a laugh. Mark smiled. "I'm sure I could have handled her." Edward let out a harsh laugh. "I highly doubt that. Being near her was a constant battle. One even I struggled with and almost lost a few times. You would never have been able to handle her." We all looked at him and Mark rolled his eyes. "I have a lot more self control than you seem to think I do. And I can honestly say that I have never tasted human blood." Alice's jaw dropped. "But how did you discover you could live off of animals? Did Susan and Jack find you?" I laughed. "Mark found Susan about ten years ago. And Jack found her about 12 years ago." Alice looked confused between all of them. "How old are you Mark?" I smiled up at him waiting for his story. I loved his story. It was so sad, yet so beautiful.

"I will be 108 this year. And my closest family member died 20 years ago when she was 76. She was a human. My baby sister..." he held me a little closer as he spoke of her. "Did she know what you were?" Alice asked as everyone looked at him with interest. "Yes she did. After all, I raised her." Alice gasped and Jasper spoke up. "What happened?" Mark looked far away as he spoke. "It was 1917 and my father was drafted into the war. Six months later my mother left for the war as well. She was a nurse and she thought that she could be of better use there. She left me and my sister behind. I was 17 then and at the age of 19 I would have been drafted into the war as well. My sister was 5 at the time. We were 12 years apart. She was the late baby of love between my parents and I loved her more than life itself. When I turned 18 the money my mother left for us was getting dangerously low and I decided to get a part time job while my sister was in kinder garden and after she went to bed. I had to work two jobs. One in the mornings and one in the night. I got a letter two weeks later announcing the death of my father. He died on the battle field, serving his country. And a week after that, we received the letter of my mother's death. The camp where she was stationed got attacked. After that it was just me and my clumsy baby sister. She always managed to trip or cut herself doing something stupid." He had a sad smile on his face as he remembered her.

"I was walking home from work one night when I was attacked. All I remember is a blinding pain that burned like fire. And waking up three days later in a forest near my house. I felt a slight burn in my throat as a deer walked by and the next thing I knew I had drained its blood. I was terrified of what I did, what I became. But I had to take care of my sister. I was the only family she had. I left the forest and got home super quick. My sister was sitting on the porch steps and it looked like she had been crying. When I got to her, she threw her tiny little arms around me and I could feel the burn in my throat but it didn't bother me. My love for her stopped me. As she grew up, I had a lot of practise with handling and being around blood. She almost always had a scraped knee no matter how much I tried to protect her. After a while she realised I wasn't aging and got curious. I told her about what happened to me when she was 16 and at first she wanted to be like me. I told her no. That she had to first make sure that it is really what she wanted. Two years later she met a man and got married. She never asked me to change her again. She was happy growing old with her husband and having her kids. I still looked after her and the day she died in the hospital I was there holding her hand. She told me that she is finally going to be with our mom and dad again and that they would be so proud of the way I looked after her. I dry sobbed until the nurse came to fetch her body to get cleaned up."

"I ended up looking after my niece and nephew for a while but they really didn't need me. And neither did their kids. So I was alone. Wandering around, looking for a place where I could belong. It took me ten years to find Susan and Jack but when I did, I felt at home. And then a year ago, this little bundle of fluff ran into me." He said as he ruffled my hair. "And I really was at home." He hugged me close to him and I couldn't help but smile. He can be around people bleeding just like Carlisle can and I knew that he wouldn't have hurt me even if I was human.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know." Edward admitted softly. "I know you didn't. Izzy blocks my mind from you but I have nothing to hide. I am not ashamed of what I am or of who I am. I know I have a soul and so do the rest of us." Edward raised an eyebrow at him. "How can you be so sure?" Mark smiled. "Izzy is too loving and selfless not to have one. Susan is too caring and sisterly not too. Jack is too good a person not too. And of what I hear and what I have seen, your family still have their souls as well. If you have no soul, you cannot learn to love. The love in this room is too big to be ignored. Thus you all have souls." I smiled. "You have the biggest soul of us all." He laughed. "No, my soul is the same size as yours." Edward frowned. "So you truly believe we have a chance for the afterlife?" Mark looked at him and smiled. "When my time comes and I leave this earth. I will be meeting up with my sister. I have no doubt about it in my mind or my heart." Edward grew silent for a long time and so did the rest of us.

"The sun will be coming up soon... we should probably leave... I need to lock up." I said softly and Mark got up while pulling me up with him. "I'll stay and help you clean up." I gave him a small smile. "Thanks. So, who is gonna wake the doggy and his girl friend?" I asked as I looked around. Nessie was sleeping on the couch in the other corner and Jake was curled up in a ball by her feet on a rug. Everyone laughed as they looked over at them. "I will. I need to make time to talk to him later any way." I nodded and started gathering up all the glasses. Edward started doing the same thing. "You don't need to help; it'll only take a few minutes to get this place spotless." He shrugged. "I want to help." I waved good bye to the rest of them as they all left and laughed at the expression on Jakes face when Mark woke him up. "I'm sorry about being such a jerk lately Izzy." Edward softly said behind me and I turned around. "Lately?" I asked. He let out a sigh. "Well the last two years." I gave him a small smile and took a deep breath. "It's okay. Don't worry about it." He stepped in front of me as I tried to leave. "Do you think we can sit together for lunch today? I'd really like to talk to you." I looked around and saw Jake and Mark deep in conversation. I looked back at Edward and he looked so hopeful. I sighed. "I don't know Edward..." he smiled again. "Just say yes, please? I won't force you to talk to me. You can just sit there and draw if you want to. Please..?" I sighed again and nodded my head. He gave me his crooked grin and we finished cleaning in silence before we all went home to our own rooms.

I have a feeling that lunch might be awkward today...

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AN: Wow, super long chapter today. What do you guys think? Tell me what you liked and what you didn't :). What do you think of Mark's history? And what do you think Edward wants to talk to Bella about? Also, what do you think will happen between Mark and Jacob? There is a Mark POV next chapter so you can see it from his perspective and also get into his head a little to understand him better. He's one of my favourite characters now.

Song list for this Chapter: (Yes, I know there are a lot.)

Cha Cha Slide – Casper

Cyclone – Baby Bash

Because of you – Kelly Clarkson

We are family – Christina Anguilera

I'll be your lover too – Robert Pattinson

Strong Enough – Sheryl Crow

Please leave me a review with your thoughts; I would love to hear them.