Disclaimer: The Twilight Saga and its characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. The rest is my own.

For Lady Coco Marmalade.

I don't think I need to tell you why.

I hope you like waffles.

London, 2009

Yet again, Edward's timing proved itself uncanny.

"Your ears must be burning, Mr. Cullen. We were just talking-"

He interrupted my banter. "You're okay?"

"I'm perfect." I barely had time to answer before he started with more questions.

"Ask Jake if everything's fine."

"I would know if I weren't okay, Edward."

"Humor me, please."

Without putting my hand over the mouthpiece, I stage-whispered to my new study-buddy. "Jake, are we fine? Edward wants me to ask you. In addition to lacking your Spidey-senses, it appears I also lack the ability to notice when I am in distress."

Jake rolled his eyes at my theatrics before he vouched for me. "Everything's on the up-and-up here, Edward."

"So, you mind telling me what this is all about? Anonymous tip called into headquarters?"

"No…it's derivative of something I planned on talking to you about this evening. I'm sorry to ambush you in the middle of your day. What were you doing when I interrupted?"

"Jake and I are talking about his newfound interest in seventeenth-century poets. He is so interested, in fact, that he'd like to be part of our field trip to the house in Kent this weekend. He wanted to ask you if that would be okay."

"That does explain the 'anonymous tip called into headquarters,' then." Alice chirped away in the background and I couldn't tell if his next words were for me or to fend off her verbal onslaught. "I need to…yes, Alice. No. I said 'no' and I meant it. I'm sorry, Bella. She wants to talk to you before I do and I am having none of it. Just tell Jake it doesn't sound like a problem but I need to iron out some details with Jasper first. Can you wait to give him a solid answer until after we spend some time together this evening?"

"That sounds fine, I guess. I'll see you in a few hours and we can make better plans then."

"Looking forward to it, love."

I turned to Jake as I put my phone away. "So…you're in, it sounds like. But he wants to chat with me before I give you a firm 'yes.'"

Jake look as surprised as I was. "Excellent. So, where were we?"

"I was getting ready to grill you about your sudden interest in poetry and history and vampire weekends."

That earned me a smirk and a nod. "Yeah, I'm scaring myself, if it makes you feel any better. I can't pull myself away from this. And I am surprised that seeing you with Cullen doesn't piss me off more - because it damned well should make me irate. But my anger melted away this morning over breakfast, probably after hearing him with you outside, being so nice even when it was just the two of you, not even acting jealous. When you came in, you looked like you'd just exited Cloud Nine.

"All I can see, now that he's not herding you into a cemetery for what looked like some kind of ceremony, is that he cares for you as much as you do for him. And, don't be mad or take this the wrong way, but I feel sorry for you because you are about to have to make some tough decisions. Believe me, I know."

Does he really think Edward cares for me as much as I do for him? Now doesn't seem the time or place…which reminds me of something. "Can I just ask now? You've brought the subject up, sort of, and I don't want to wait - what happened? With us, I mean."

I knew this conversation would be uncomfortable. Talking about it when the subject came up of its own accord rather than forcing it later might make it less awkward. He'd spent years successfully avoiding this conversation, years industriously dodging it because, as I now realized, there were things he couldn't discuss with me. However, nothing stays cooped up that long without the telling being pretty painful. I winced at the thought.

He nodded slowly. Even so, he didn't say anything.

After an awkward pause I spoke again. "I was pretty pissed with Edward when I got here. I haven't had the chance to tell you this story and I think you would enjoy it, as much as you like hearing me tell off vampires."

"Sounds interesting. Do tell."

"I know you remember the story about him saving me from the runaway van in the Forks High parking lot - Charlie told everyone. Anyway, after that, he ignored me. Like, totally pretended I didn't exist unless it was to keep me from falling or tripping or otherwise injuring myself."

"I hate to interrupt so early on, but if he were there for all your klutziness, he was definitely not ignoring you. I mean, you two would've spent a lot of time together - you know what I mean?"

I nodded, rolling my eyes at the inevitable "clumsy Bella" joke. "Yeah, I know. Just go with me. He was giving me the silent treatment, I promise. And then he shipped off to school in Switzerland."

"He ne-"

"Wait, I'm not finished. When he arrived here, I assumed it would be more of the same, especially since he had to catch me after a run-in with a doorjamb his first morning on campus and promptly smarted off. So I let him have it, on more than one occasion, and told him to leave me alone if he was just going to ignore me later. I told him it hurt my feelings too much for him to be all hot and cold.

"And then he apologized for it." Jake was beginning to wonder where I was headed; I knew I needed to get to the point soon.

"One night, I got turned around leaving a pub and I ran into the Cullens: Alice with Jasper; Emmett with Rose; Edward all by himself."

Finally, understanding dawned for Jake as I continued a heavily-edited version of the evening's events. "I told Edward that his situation reminded me of you with your friends on the reservation. All those disgustingly perfect couples and then you, singular. He just looked so lonely compared to them and I felt that way about you sometimes."

Jake smiled sadly. "That is why I love you so much, Bells. You don't see what people want you to see; you see what's actually there. I don't like sugar-coating things and I never have to with you."

"So, what's with you monsters and your soul-mates? Something is definitely going on there."

"I couldn't tell you before, I wasn't able because it is a rule of being a wolf - you can't tell anyone, not even your family or closest friends, and there's just one exception."

"And I wasn't it." I didn't actually have to ask so the words came out as a statement.

"I kept hoping…but no. Some of us who turn into wolves - I thought it was just a few, kind of a freak accident - imprint on the person we should spend the rest of our lives with. It's not awkward, there's no wondering. It's just like the way you know how to breathe or swallow. It's vital but no one ever has to teach you how or tell you why it's important. You just know. It simply happens because it has to.

"The catch was, everyone imprinted. Within a few months, every single one of the pack had imprinted but me and Leah."

I laughed at the too-simple solution for the enigma that was Leah Clearwater. "I wondered why she put up with you guys and never seemed interested in hanging out with the wives and girlfriends. Usually, significant others are snarky about hot tomboys who are 'just one of the guys.' None of them ever seemed that way about her.

"If I didn't know that story about Sam breaking her heart to be with Emily, I'd have thought she just wasn't into guys."

He laughed but he wasn't amused. "I feel sorry for all the testosterone she has to wade through daily. That and other…stuff."

Talk about a boys' club…Leah was definitely in one. "Yeah, I'd bet."

"So, we didn't imprint. The stories all said that imprinting happens almost immediately after meeting the person you will imprint on. I'd known you before I starting phasing - that's what we call it when we change - so I thought maybe I needed to be around you after. And then I thought maybe something else needed to happen…I kept putting off the truth.

"And the truth was, if I imprinted, it wouldn't be on you."

He locked eyes with me. I didn't see what was so significant about that. "So?"

"If I imprinted on someone else, I would break your heart."

"You could never do that to me."

"It's not a choice…I…." The words weren't coming easily for him. After taking a breath he started again. "Sam did it to Leah. That's why he broke her heart. There was no fight, no reason, just, 'Hey, random destiny change, it looks like. The Magic Eight Ball says I'm gonna spend eternity with Emily instead of you.' Can you imagine how bad that would suck? I couldn't risk doing that to you so I left before we got too involved."

He bowed his head and cradled it in his hands. When he spoke his voice cracked. "And I'm sorry. I loved you and I left anyway and I'm sorry."

My eyes stung and I felt hot tears gathering. All this time he sat on that because he had to. Leaning forward, I brushed my hand through the hair at his temple. "Jake, I'm sorry. But I'm glad you were strong enough to make the choice I couldn't."

Finally, he lifted his head to look at me. "What do you mean? You'd never be in the same position. Imprinting doesn't leave you a choice, you can't decide to do it or not do it. If that were the case, you and I would've run off into the sunset long ago, Bells, and you'd never be in so much danger. I wanted it so badly."

I ignored the comment about me being in danger. I hashed that out with Edward frequently enough. "Why do you imprint?"

"We're told that it's to help us. The pack are protectors of the tribe, we come and go at weird times and get crazy injuries. Even though we heal fast and don't need as much sleep as you, explaining all that goes on to someone who isn't allowed to know the secret would probably be impossible. If you imprint, the gag order is lifted because anyone bound so tightly would never leave or do anything to harm you. We can tell them everything.

"My dad and I have this theory that more of this pack imprint than other ones because they will need the support. We've already seen more vampires in La Push than older packs.

"I hate to admit it, but now I don't know how someone in the pack could be with a person they hadn't imprinted on."

If two people could be right for one another, they could just as easily be wrong for one another. "If there's a purpose to imprinting, I must not be meant for you."

He nodded slowly, begrudgingly. "I was beginning to think that by the time you left for London. But, what did you mean about me being strong enough to make a decision you couldn't? This isn't your choice, it would never be."

I sighed, choosing my words carefully. "I just feel like I'm meant for Edward, like it was always that way. I was too young and insecure to understand that idea in high school. Hell, even now he's had to spell it out for me to make me believe he could want me the same way. I think it's always been the case - that I was meant for him, even all those years ago - but I wasn't quite up to the task at the time. I couldn't stand up for what I knew was right in my heart. But you did.

"I was too uncertain of myself to know then that he was my other half. Do you think a plain old human can imprint, Jake?"

He shook his head. "Aww, Bells. Don't say that. I know he really cares about you, I can see it. But he's not kidding when he says being around him is dangerous to you. The smallest mistake on his part could end your life. Are you really willing to risk that?"

"I don't have a choice. Looking back, I don't think I ever did. I've loved him since the first time I laid eyes on him. I couldn't stop thinking about him from that second on. Even when I hadn't seen him for years, I dreamt of him. It was always him and I can't convince myself, no matter how hard I try, that risking my neck every day isn't worth it, if that's what being with him means.

"Like you said, I breathe him. I don't even have to think about it."

"Bells, the whole reason the pack exists is to protect the tribe from cold ones. I don't think a human and one of them can be together. This is an exercise in heartache, and I'm expert on the subject."

"I have to try."

"You don't, actually."

"Jake, even you tried."

"Learn from my mistakes, Bells. Don't make new ones. If something were to happen to you because of this…I would die avenging you, I swear."

"Don't even think that. He wouldn't ever let something happen to me. All he's ever done is keep me safe. Do you think we are imprinted?"

"No, you didn't imprint. Vamps mate up for life but it's not always as healthy as what wolves do. I'm just saying that from what I've observed. Ask Edward, he'll know more, I'm sure, living with three couples. But the simple answer is 'no.'"

"Fine. I didn't imprint."

The library became densely silent, tension muffling the words I wanted to say.

I love him, Jake. I love him and I'd rather risk my physical heart each and every day than know certainly that it would stop beating if we were separated.

Saying that, I knew, would force Jake's hand so I kept my trap shut.

"All the sudden, this place feels claustrophobic. Can we blow this popsicle stand?"

Question number nine-hundred-ninety-nine: Why do monsters dislike enclosed spaces?

I answered Jake. "Absolutely."

We ended up in a huge park. For all that it was cold, the day was beautiful and clear and I could use some sunshine. Jake caught me up on La Push gossip - who'd finally gotten married, who'd had babies, where their new homes were. For the first time, his happiness for them seemed undiluted by loneliness.

I couldn't explain it. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in him. Since breakfast, he was a different guy. The chip on his shoulder had been lifted.

My conversation with Jake at the Copelands had gone surprisingly well. He was disturbed over my relationship with Edward and rightly so. It was a disturbing concept, a predator courting its prey. Jake's entire existence centered around protecting people like me from cold ones and every time we talked about Edward and me, I could feel him fighting the urge to physically move me to safety like a kid swallowing back their gag reflex on a roller-coaster.

I wondered how much longer he'd be successful before he retched.

We walked along a picturesque little lake, deciding what London sights he wanted to take in before heading back to Forks. As two girls our age approached, jogging, Jake laughed softly.

"What's up?"

Pointedly, he looked at the two girls and their heaving chests. One had on a jacket and tank top, the letters "UoEM" printed across the almost-overstuffed ribbed cotton, and the other's heather-gray tee advertised embroidered stools, I think - what else would Ladies of the Thread do with stools? Jake, too, was obviously interested in what their tees advertised. "There are advantages to all this freakishness."

I refused dwell on how far away Jake could be from a moving - bouncing - target and still nail their cup size. "Um, duh. You guys can do all sorts of stuff I'm jealous of."

"Don't be jealous, Bells. But, for now, do be entertained."

Before my eyes, Jake transformed. He didn't change clothes or rearrange his hair, but in a tangible way he looked like a different person. He seemed charismatic and mysterious, like he was in on something that anyone would want to be a part of. Hell, I already did.

He threw in a sexy grin for the benefit of our female onlookers - and they were definitely looking - before they approached. As they jogged past, grinning wickedly, he said, "Do all the women in London discriminate against sexy American guys?"

Oh, this would be entertaining alright. Watching cocky boys get their just desserts was always entertaining. I shook my head apologetically at the two girls.

They giggled and turned towards us. Dammit.

An impossibly posh accent answered, "I said you were probably a sexy American. We hadn't gotten close enough for confirmation. And, no, I certainly wouldn't discriminate. My mum would be ashamed." She was eyeing me, clearly not wanting to be disrespectful if Jake and I were a couple, and admitted no definite interest in the rake questioning her. I approved already.

He extended a hand to them. "Well, we certainly wouldn't want to run the risk of angering your 'mum'. I'm Jake, by the way, and this is my friend, Bella."

Introductions were made and Jake quickly procured a dinner date for the time I was with Edward. We would all meet up for drinks afterwards.

I wasn't sure what to make of this Jake and his newfound undeniable charm. But he was right about one thing - he was entertaining.

Edward picked me up right on time. His family was conspicuously absent when we arrived at the Cullens'.

My ears strained against the silence to hear evidence of Xbox or a movie or even the page of a magazine turning. "What's going on around the Cullen residence this evening?"

"Emmett took Rose to their new home today and everyone has gone to check it out. I helped Emmett move in earlier and they're all just seeing it for the first time this evening."

Edward took a deep breath and, trying to sound casual but just falling short, "So, you and I aren't sharing a house with a dozen prying ears."

I swallowed nervously. Why was I nervous? We'd been alone before.

Breathe, Bella.

"That's great."

Immediately Edward noticed my hesitation. "If you're nervous about being alone with me now, we can go to a restaurant or a mall…." He looked disgusted with himself.

"No. I'm not afraid. I just, um, I want to talk but I…." I started over. "It's fine. I'm an idiot."

"You're not an idiot, Bella. What is it?"

I took a breath; this was immature and archaic. I invited him into my apartment and didn't mind being alone with him before. The connotation seemed so different all of a sudden.

I was on a fishing expedition before. Now I wanted to straddle him on the piano bench…or the couch…or in front of the mirror again. But it might be a bit soon for that.

If my neighbors talked about me now, it might actually be true.

"The idea of being alone with you is different now that we are official. When you objected to coming into my apartment because you didn't want to sully my reputation, I thought it was silly. But now I realize I thought it was silly because I didn't think anything would happen between the two of us that I wouldn't leave the front door open for.

"But now…now I think I might be more interested in closed-door activities. I just realized it when you said we were alone and I know I don't have to decide which ones I'm interested in this very moment but I'm…" Um, I'm rambling. That's what I am, Bella. I'm rambling.

"Does it help to say that I am not sure what to make of being alone?"

I exhaled in a very unladylike way. "It does, surprisingly."

"Getting rid of some mystery might help as well. Do you want to go up to the library? Esme made supper for you. I'll bring it up and tell you a little about the Cullens."

I walked up the stairs by myself, putting my overnight bag in my room before meeting Edward in the library. A table for two was waiting. Technically, a table for one but there were two chairs, a bowl of tulips and a pitcher of iced tea.

"Esme thought something familiar would be in order and made black bean enchiladas."

"They smell like they are perfect. I used to make them all the time for Charlie. Definitely comfort food for an Arizona girl."

As I spooned sour cream onto my plate and began eating, Edward began to talk. He told me his story.

Edward Anthony Masen was born in Chicago in 1901 to Edward and Elizabeth Masen. He remembers almost nothing of his parents. Towards the end of World War I, he and his mother were admitted to the hospital where Carlisle worked. They were both sick with the Spanish flu. Dr. Carlisle Cullen took care of the Masens along with hundreds of others sick and dying.

Whether Edward's mother guessed what abilities Carlisle had that other physicians lacked is not certain. What is certain is that her dying wish was for him to do for her son "what others cannot do."

Carlisle had been alone for many years by that time and had considered seeking a companion. When Elizabeth died later that night, he took the two Masens to the morgue. In the confusion of a hospital besieged by epidemic, not a soul noticed that one of the two bodies housed a beating heart.

Carlisle took Edward home with him, wondering if the boy would even make it to his house outside town. He did. Edward's first memories of his new life were the thoughts of other people.

Aside from a short period of time on his own, he'd always lived with Carlisle. They met Esme a few years later and Rosalie not long after that. Rose saved Emmett after a bear mauled him in the Appalachians.

Jasper and Alice were already vampires when they came to the Cullens.

"I don't mind telling you their stories but I think it would be better if they had the chance to tell you themselves. Except Emmett. Let Rose tell Emmett's story, her version is not only the better of the two but the one with firmer footing in reality. He likes to give the impression that the bear owes Rose a debt of gratitude as well, when that bear was more than holding his own. "

That seemed on par with what little I knew of Emmett. I found myself looking forward to being around him and forgetting that he looked like Goliath.

I also learned that some vampires have "gifts." In the same way that Edward could hear the conscious thoughts of others whether he wants to or not, Jasper could feel their emotions. He could also influence them.

Alice had developed the remarkable ability to see visions of the future.

"Which brings me to your request that Jake come with us to Kent."

"I don't understand."

"When Jake asked if he could accompany us, the course we were on - the four of us in Kent for a week - changed in Alice's visions. Jake became part of the equation.

"The other night, when he showed up in London, our course changed as well. Alice foresaw neither of those events. She didn't see them incorrectly; she had a blank spot for those events. We disappeared.

"Until Jake appeared in our lives, not seeing someone meant they weren't there to see anymore, that they died. But now we're realizing that Jake - probably all the wolves - interfere with Alice's gift.

"I think he could be useful and I am actually glad to increase our numbers but, if he comes with us, we lose the benefit of Alice's foresight."

"I don't understand. Do you anticipate something bad happening while we're there?"

"Alice came clean about some things that she's seen recently and I think anywhere we are we might run into problems. Including our weekend away that will turn into a week."

"Oooh. Does that mean we are going to find something worth staying for?"

"Her looks at that week have been hazy and riddled with holes from the beginning, usually a sign of uncertainty on someone's part. Now we're not sure what it means. It could just mean that Jake's presence was always a possibility we just didn't expect. I hate saying that I don't know, but I just don't.

"I talked to Alice and Jasper. Alice doesn't like Jake going; Jasper actually thinks he will do more good than harm, he likes having an extra man; and I will let you break the tie."

"Don't you get a vote?"

"Not where he's concerned. I am too…conflicted. And I would imagine that if he had any designs on you, you'd be uncomfortable with him coming along. So I will leave it in your hands. If you think he is up to the weekend, I will handle it."

That wasn't what I expected.

"That's all?"

"Yes. I could talk circles about the matter but it really is that simple. If you think he wants to come with us to help, he should be able to do that. If you think he is here to win you back now that you know his secrets, he shouldn't."

"Wouldn't Jasper know?"

The cheeky grin assured me that he approved. "Now look who's thinking like a vampire."

The five of us, Jasper, Alice, Emmett, Edward and I, met Jake and his new friends at a nightspot near my flat.

Jake's two friends had turned into five.

Emmett guffawed at the six of them on the dance floor. "The pup's got some game. Who knew?"

I didn't understand how, with all the music and noise, he heard, but Jake had clearly heard Emmett's comment. Emmett received a one-fingered salute and a smile for his mouth.

This night was going to end badly and I asked Edward for a glass of wine.

The nightclub was one obnoxious establishment. Of course, in my way of looking at things, all nightclubs are obnoxious. We had an incredibly entertaining evening in spite of the location. Emmett and Jake were like a supernatural yin and yang; Rose was going to be so very pissed when she heard. Edward and Jake found an uneasy truce.

Alice referred to Jake as her very own "brain bleach" and sent him to interact with particularly skanky girls so they didn't invade her consciousness all evening.

My experience at bars was limited to ordering a drink or two and spending the evening in the corner trying to stay out of the way.

Vampires do sort of the same thing. Except when they sit in the corner, they can hear any person's conversation, heartbeat, retch or moan. And Edward and Alice made sure we knew what they were thinking of doing and how that might turn out.

Emmett and Jasper fought over Jake's attention. Emmett thought he was a new toy and Jasper had a prepared list of questions for him.

All the while, we had to disguise what we were doing from Jake's new "friends" when they stopped at the table between dances.

I spent the night in stitches but was mentally exhausted by the time we left.

Jake hugged me goodnight and winked at Jasper. He'd known all along what we were up to.

In the back of Emmett's LandRover, I snuggled up to Edward and whispered, "I love you guys but I can't keep up."

I wasn't sure how many more mornings I could wake to the smell of waffles and Earl Grey before I was officially too spoiled to function on my own, however I knew that point was quickly approaching.

My eyes didn't want to open but the sight that greeted them, Edward with a tray of breakfast, made me grateful that I'd forced my eyelids apart.

I mumbled something like, "Morning."

"Good morning, love. Breakfast in bed sound tempting?"

"Can I have just a second?"

"Take all the time you need."

I stumbled into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. My hair was beyond what I was capable of fixing without some styling tool. Ponytail it is….

My breakfast, and its guardian, were waiting for me in the still-warm bed.

Though he hadn't slept, Edward wore pajama bottoms and a cotton V-neck t-shirt like any other person who'd just gotten out of bed would.

"Are the pajamas for my benefit?"

"Mostly. I like the ritual, though. It's very…human. Plus, I like you in your pajamas and I don't want you to rush into changing. That blue is lovely against your skin."

I wasn't in my jeans anymore.

Edwrd smiled and reassured me. "Alice, love, Alice changed your clothes. Nothing to worry about."

"I wouldn't be mad if you had helped me change, I just…."

"I would have been angry at me. There should be some ceremony the first time I see you disrobe."

His tone was suddenly serious and I, lamely, joked to lighten the mood. "Ceremony? Like trumpets? A crier?"

"I won't need anything to draw my attention, I'm sure. I was thinking of a different sort of ceremony. Something a bit more meaningful."

Oh. His tone matched mine in levity but the words had a great deal of heart behind them. Stripped, naked, meaningful. Hmm...

"Your breakfast is cooling off."

Pulled back from my reverie, I inhaled the steam drifting lazily from my mug of tea, not quite interested in eating yet. "Breakfast in bed is lovely in theory but I don't usually wake up hungry." The fragrant steam, Edward, the aroma of warm syrup - with all the luscious smells I drifted in an inexorable cloud.

I could go back to sleep…I sighed contentedly.

A silken whisper interrupted. "I was perfectly happy to watch you sleep last night but I am getting impatient, Miss Swan."

I laughed a low, lazy chuckle and snuggled into the crook of his arm.

Something warm touched my upper lip. I sniffed, still not opening my eyes. Maple syrup?

I propped open one lid to half-glare at the very cherubic vampire above me.

He whispered. "No napkins." Then he shrugged, as if he didn't know what to do with syrup.

I licked it off.

Inexplicably, syrup found its way to my bottom lip as well.

Without opening my eyes, I scraped as much off as I could with my teeth and then pulled my lower lip into my mouth to lick it clean.

Edward stopped breathing in and out; I felt his body go preternaturally still. I opened my eyes in alarm.

His eyes had darkened. They were no longer honey-colored but they weren't yet coffee either.

Maple syrup. "Maybe I could be tempted to eat just a bite…or two."

When Edward didn't slow his movements so that I could keep up, he was a blur. In a blink, a buttered morsel of waffle, dredged in syrup, sat perched just beyond my mouth.

I parted my lips and he gently placed the fork against my lip, making me lean forward and take the bite from him. His eyes never left my mouth as I closed it around the fork. I reached for a napkin on the tray and Edward shook his head.

"It's really not enough to soil a napkin for, is it?"

My cheeks warmed but I rose to the bait and licked my lips clean, running my tongue over them twice for good measure.

He shook his head. "Look at the little monster I've created. Who's the dangerous one now?"

We continued that way through a few more bites until I almost did drip syrup on the blanket. Like the strike of a cobra, Edward caught the mess before it hit.

He held his finger up to me as if he'd solved world hunger.

No reason to make things easy on him, I feigned ignorance of what he wanted me to do. "What? You have a napkin."

He placed his finger lightly against my lower lip and I took it in my mouth without another half-hearted protest.

He cut the remainder of my waffle up into tiny little squares, like you would for a small child, and hand-dipped each piece in syrup before offering it to me with his bare fingers. I did have to go after a piece or two.

"Food is such a joy for you."

"I like to cook but I'm not usually so into food. I blame the cutlery - or lack thereof."

He smiled. "Not just for you, singular - I meant food is such a joy for humans in general. Every holiday and special occasion has something edible to go with it. I can't say that I miss it, since I don't have any memories, but I do envy it."

"No chance of me feeding you like that?"

His face screwed up in disgust. "No. None…I can't even think of you and food at the same time. It's just not safe."

"I'm sorry, I was just asking to know. It's okay that I can't, I guess."

"No, I'm sorry. You need to know all this, I just overreacted. And it's not 'okay' that you don't get to share things like this, but I will do all I can to make it up to you."

"Your whole life can't be about penance. Just stop. It's a habit of yours that I want to break. You mean too much to me to be worthless and hearing you say otherwise hurts my feelings."

He nodded, his face placid by design, I figured. "I think I understand."

Coyly, I inquired about the last bit of waffle. "Is that a piece of waffle left?"

And just like that, my sinfully playful Edward was back. "I believe it is."

London, 1688

Answering Sophie's letter to "William" would be tricky business, I knew. I had its contents memorized so I sat in the dark reciting them, looking for some way to make an inroad to her thoughts. I worried that a letter might accidentally find its way to William and knew I needed to use great discretion in my word choice. Or, worse, make it into Tristan's hands so he could hand me over to the Volturi and do as he pleased with Sophie.

I also had no doubt that those words were absolutely written for me to read.

Patience, it would be all about patience.

I delivered a response two days later. We exchanged four more letters over the course of the next two weeks. The weather was frigid, keeping her close to home and making my job easier.

In two more weeks, we headed back to Paris and I shuddered at the thought. Tristan hadn't made another appearance - there were no doubt better games afoot in town - and I loathed the idea of dealing with him.

To keep us occupied I suggested a field trip of sorts to a cave I scouted. The ladies could walk in upright and there were ancient drawings on the walls not far in.

As soon as I received a note of confirmation from Sophie - addressed to myself, not William, for once - I began making arrangements for the group of twelve that would be exploring the cave I'd found.

Author's Note: Thank you Songster51 for kindly sharing with everyone that I pwned you. (My husband is not so quick to admit it and I'm considering writing into a blog or two to confess on his behalf.) Seriously, thank you. That was far and away the highlight of that day.

Yesyov (Leis), thank you for sending some very kind readers my direction. You are too kind.

Danni, Clementine and Olive: Thank you for the love and all-hours therapy sessions.

Clem, you and I are going to take over the world and no one would be the wiser. *wink*

Danni, thanks for talking me out of being a prima donna over this chapter. I didn't even know I had it in me.

I am participating in the FGB Author Auction. Clementine, justduckie on Twi'd or justduckie1 on Twitter, is the team captain. Please contact her if you are interested in being part of Team Metaphysics in the fight against cancer.