A/N - So I really don't have much of an excuse for this one. I've been focusing more on work and sleep (I know silly things) which means I haven't been writing as much. I AM sorry that makes you all have to wait. It really is unacceptable, but I can't guarantee a change in the near future either.

I do still have to thank everyone so very much for your wonderful reviews and all the new alerts and favorites. You guys are just plain awesome!

But onward!

Disclaimer - Nothing belongs to me, SM owns all, I just get to play occasionally.

Bella's POV

I was sitting in my chair by my window reading when I heard the soft knock on my door. "It's open," I told whoever was on the other side. I dog-eared the page I was reading of my now much abused copy of Romeo and Juliet before putting it down next to me. Turning was still a hassle with the walking cast I had on, so I waved for the person to come sit down with me.

"Good afternoon to you, too," Edward's velvety voice told me who was suddenly sitting next to me. A few months ago this would have made me flinch, but now, I just shifted so I could look at him.

"You interrupted Mercutio dying," I said with a shrug.

"Well, then I will just have to forego my plans to take you to your favorite bookstore today and let you finish reading Mercutio's death for the fourth time in two months."

"Oh, no you don't. Mercutio will still be here when we get back."

"Great. You won't mind a detour on our way there, right?"

My head tilted as I contemplated what that meant. Usually a detour meant he was going to try to buy me something else too. It was bad enough that they had let me in their home, but they spent so much unnecessary money on me and I could never repay them for everything. It upset me, but they would hear nothing of it.

"Where are we stopping and what are you forcing upon me now?" I asked probably a bit more terse than I should have.

"So feisty so early in the day I see." He rose from his seat and held out his hand to help me up. I thought about being stubborn and trying to get up on my own, but the chair was low and my leg really did make things more difficult. So I huffed and grabbed his hand. I had gotten used to the jolt I received every time we touched, but I still questioned why it happened. Never out loud though. I didn't want to give Emmett something else to make fun of me for.

Always the impatient one, Edward pulled me onto his back as soon as I was up and ran out of the house. Around the same time I had stopped flinching was the same time I had started to get used to being carried around at the dizzying speed they moved, so I no longer had to duck my head into his shoulder and keep my eyes closed.

It was actually kind of fun to watch the world fly past me in a blur. Not that I would say anything about that either. It would give Edward and Emmett and Alice more of an excuse to carry me around even after my cast was off.

We were in his car and he had barely turned the keys in the ignition when the back door opened and Alice popped in the car.

"You almost left without me!"

"I was just going to call you later," Edward muttered low enough that I wasn't sure I was supposed to hear.

"That's not fair, Edward. You know I want to help too."

"Help with what?" I asked, now confused about what they were talking about.

"You'll find out soon enough," was Edward's cryptic response. I frowned but didn't comment on it further. If he didn't want to tell me, I was not going to whine about it and give him the satisfaction of knowing how annoying it was.

Alice and I talked about how impressive it was that opening night actually turned out well after the disaster that had been the tech rehearsal just days before. It still made me shudder. I had never had such a bad run before, and this time it actually wasn't because of the lights or the sound. It was the stage crew. Which Emmett and I made sure everyone else knew. Of course, Alice and Edward, both got another round of me ranting about it during the drive, but they just laughed at the end.

"What are you going to do with your free time once the show is done?" Alice asked.

"I actually hadn't thought about that. Probably read some of the books I'm getting now."

"Bella, you can't lock yourself up in your room to read all the time."

"Why not? It's not like I'm going out and getting in trouble or anything. You should be happy that I'm not doing anything wild and crazy."

"Maybe. You may change your mind later."

"You already know something, don't you?" Picking up on Alice's tone that said 'I already know what's going to happen' had been one of the first things I made a point of learning. It made it a lot harder to be surprised all the time if I already knew something was coming up.

"I guess we'll just have to see, now won't we?" she said with a smile and a wink.

"Whatever, Alice."

"We're here!" she sang out just as Edward pulled into a car dealership.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, already knowing the answer, but still needing it to be confirmed.

"You need a car," Edward said without looking at me.

"I guess so, but not anything this… shiny." If the sun had been out, I'm sure I would have been blinded by the glare. Then again, I wouldn't have even been here if it had been shiny. At least not with any of my vampire family. Something about being as sparkly as the cars in front of us would have alerted people that they weren't quite normal.

"Bella, we're not going to get you anything which may have been driven by someone who may have done damage to it," Edward told me, trying to sound all high and mighty.

"Edward, I don't need a new car." I knew I was going to lose this battle, but I figured I may as well try. Edward pretended like he didn't even hear me speaking and Alice was already talking with one of the salesmen. I sighed in resignation before finally caving in, "Fine. I'll get the stupid car. But I want a hybrid."

"Yes, Alice had mentioned that would be one of your requirements."

"Stupid, psychic," I muttered, which only earned a low laugh from Edward. It was like being smothered in velvety chocolate to hear that laugh. I think Deb would have described it as 'pretty damn sexy.' I felt the blush creeping up my cheeks from that thought, because in a way, she was right. It was sexy.

Actually, Edward's voice in general was sexy. And his hair, it was post sex hair every day. I of course knew this courtesy of Deb again. I sometimes caught myself wondering what it would feel like to run my hands through his hair, especially after I caught him doing it. I bet it felt silky and soft. Oh god, why am I thinking about his hair? My blush was turning an even deeper red and I once again was grateful that by some miracle he couldn't hear my thoughts.

"Bella, this is Sean, and he's got the car that you want," Alice said as Sean shook my hand.

"It sounds like you want the 2009 Altima Hybrid, which we happen to have just over this way." He led us to one of the cars that looked like it had been placed at the front intentionally. I began to have the sneaking suspicion that Alice had arranged all this a few days ago. Edward was obviously in on it too. They sometimes got so annoying in their efforts to make sure that I got things I really did not want.

It was a pretty car though. I didn't know anything about cars besides how to physically drive them, but that didn't keep me from appreciating the smooth lines and dark blue color.

Sean opened the passenger side door for me and Edward jumped in the driver's seat. Alice and Sean got in the back seat.

I was a little disappointed that Edward would be test driving it instead of me. I still couldn't drive with my leg in my cast, but it was coming off in a week. I would be able to finally drive myself places rather than rely on Alice and Edward and Emmett all the time.

Edward pulled out of the parking lot and I thought it felt really smooth. Not that Edward ever drove anything but smooth, but this car moved pretty much effortlessly. Sean started to drone on and on about the transmission and suspension and safety features, but I really didn't know what any of it meant, nor did I care, so I just nodded politely. Edward smirked at me, knowing exactly how I felt about Car and Driver talk as I come to label it after he and Rosalie discovered I didn't know the first thing about cars.

Finally, as we pulled back into the dealership, Sean started to talk about something I actually cared about. "This particular car has every luxury you could imagine: Bluetooth, touch screen and voice activated GPS, XM radio with CD and MP3 player, Bose sound system, moon and sun roof, leather interior,"

"Sounds great, Sean. It's got everything I could ever dream of having in a car," I interrupted him just as he sounded like he was building up steam. It was all too much and I didn't want to know anymore of what they were going to buy me, whether I wanted all of that or not.

"I'm glad to hear you like it. Now, if you follow me, we'll get you some quotes and see what you want to do." He began to lead us inside, but Alice stopped him short.

"I'll take care of the rest of the purchase. We just wanted to make sure Bella would like it as much as she thought she would." She turned to me, "Edward can go with you to your bookstore and by the time you get back, this will be yours."

"Thanks, Alice." I managed to smile for her and Edward, knowing that they were proud of themselves and their gift. I couldn't take away all of their enjoyment because I was being so stubborn.

I got back in Edward's Volvo and watched as he walked around the front of the car to get into his seat. I had always admired the grace with which they all moved, but he managed to be the most fascinating to watch. His grace was power and speed and focus all under tight control. It was amazing to watch him when he loosened up and let the speed and power loose. I had only seen it once when they had taken advantage of a thunder storm to play baseball, but I often thought about it. It actually gave me some appreciation for the game, but made me sad too, because that was Charlie's thing. I wondered what he would have thought if he could have seen that game.

"How come you're so sad, Bella?" Edward asked after a few silent minutes.

"It's nothing," I told him and tried to smile. But my heart wasn't in it. Memories of my mom or dad always made me a little sad, even if I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never see them again.

"I know it's more than nothing, Bella. You know you can tell me, right?" The corners of his eyes were tight with worry and I'm sure also frustration. As much as I liked that he couldn't hear my mind, it drove him crazy not to know.

"If you really want to know, I was thinking about Charlie." If it hadn't been Edward asking I probably would not have said anything, but for some reason, he always made me feel safe. I knew he wouldn't say anything to Esme or Alice about me being sad, and it was nice to be able to talk to someone about my parents too.

"I was remembering the baseball game that you let me watch right after I got here, and it reminded me of him. He had always tried to get me interested in all the sports he watched, but it wasn't until I watched you guys play that I finally got what he found so fun about watching the game. It makes me sad that I couldn't enjoy that with him when he was alive."

"You never mentioned that before. Is that why you always go upstairs when someone is watching ESPN?" I nodded, a little surprised he had been paying enough attention to notice a little thing like that.

"It's okay, Bella. You're allowed to feel that way."

"I know, but it doesn't keep me from missing them either." I stared out the window, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening, again. This time I wasn't crying only because I missed my family, but also because I was relieved. Relieved that I didn't have to explain anything more and Edward still understood. Somehow, even without being able to hear me, he still got me.

Before either of us could say much more, we reached our destination, my favorite bookstore, The Tattered Cover. I managed a small smile for Edward before he came around and opened my door and helped me out of the car.

Once inside, we both got lost within the shelves and books that led to far off lands and different times. It was several hours before Alice called and interrupted us, saying that she was bored and the car was ready to go.

We made our purchases, which for me included the complete works of Edgar Allen Poe, and left to join Alice for my dinner before we made our way back home.

I rode with Alice this time since she was driving my car. Those were two words I had never been able to put together before and it kind of nice. I grinned at Alice as she tested the engine then began to mutter something about Rosalie and 'tweaking' the engine. I complained that she was going to ruin a perfectly good car by playing with it before it even needed maintenance to which Alice scoffed at me. We went back and forth like that for the rest of the ride home and I couldn't help but conclude that despite the memories and having a car forced upon me, it was still a pretty good day.

I glanced at the clock for the fifth time in twenty minutes, debating whether I should try to talk to Rosalie or not.

Tonight was closing night and she still hadn't come to the show or even tried to support Emmett regarding it. He wouldn't come out and say it, but I knew he was disappointed every time he watched the doors to the house and never saw her walk through them.

Thinking of Emmett's saddened face again made up my mind. I was going to talk with her.

No one was in the house with me, so I knew she was out in the garage. It was where she went when she didn't want to be bothered by anyone. Emmett was out with Edward and Jasper to hunt, and I knew this was the only time I would get to talk to her without anyone else around to interrupt us.

I remembered the last time it was just her and I in the house. It was during that first week after I had learned the truth about them and she had been so scary. I had been pretty sure that I was going to die at her hands right then and there. I had been too terrified to move or scream or even breathe when she finally pulled herself away from the call of my blood.

I almost turned back around remembering that last encounter, but Emmett's sad face spurred me forward. I felt my heart beating faster than it should be. Out of the entire family, she still scared me, and I felt so exposed when I spoke with her, even with the family near.

Come on, Bella. You can do this. She hasn't been too mean the last few weeks. It won't be so bad, you can do it. I tried to give myself a nice pep talk as I walked through the yard. It was a real walk too. The type that you take when both legs are free and unencumbered by stupid medical equipment.

Carlisle had given the final okay for my walking cast to be discarded and I couldn't be happier about that. I was able to focus on that happiness to give me courage to talk to the woman who intimidated me still.

She didn't look up from her work when I walked into the garage, though I knew she could hear me. I watched her work with some pieces of the engine for several minutes, not saying anything, just silently watching.

She finally broke the growing tension, "Did you need something?"

"I just want to talk, if that's okay." She took a long look at me before she put the piece she was holding down and wiped her hands on a rag.

"What is it, Bella?" I think she was trying to sound welcoming, but I still felt like I was a nuisance to her, something that was barely tolerated.

"It's about Emmett and the show." She rolled her eyes at me.

"What about it? I was going to surprise him by showing up tonight. I still remember what you told me last time we spoke like this." So she remembered how our other conversation had gone too. I wonder if she had brought that up intentionally, to remind me that we were in the same type of situation.

"Oh. I guess that was really it then." I started to turn away to leave when she stopped me.

"I never thanked you for that." I looked at her, confusion written all over my face. "I talked with Emmett about it later that night, and a few times since. You were right. It's something he enjoys for more than just the novelty of spending time with you."

I stared at her, now surprised as well as confused. Of all things, an apology was the absolutely last thing I had expected from her. Rosalie was vain, conceited and while loyal to her family, also very inflexible in her opinions. To hear that she had not only considered my words, but also embraced them was probably a once in a life time event for me. Too bad it happened so early in my life with her.

Sometimes, at times like this, I am grateful that I will not live the life that they live, one of immortality. The very thought makes me shudder. To watch everything that is familiar fall away and become something that only some people remember and maybe, sometimes a few books will survive to tell the history of that time. I would never understand how that felt until it happened to me when I got to be very old and maybe would still visit with Edward, or Alice or even Emmett and Rosalie. They would still be seventeen or eighteen or twenty, never aging.

It was those thoughts that led to my blurting out a question without filtering it as I probably should have. "Rosalie, what's the thing you miss the most about being human?" Both our eyes widened at the same time as we processed the question.

She crossed her arms, her fingers tapping a rhythm on her arm as she thought about whether or not to answer my question.

"I'm sorry, Rosalie, that was thoughtless of me. You don't have to answer," I told her, trying not to get on her bad side again. She merely nodded before turning back to the car and picking up her parts and tools again. I stared at her back for a few moments before I slowly turned on my heels and began to walk out of the garage. I was almost through the door when I heard her voice, quiet and sad, "I wanted to have my own family."

I turned back to look at her, but her back was still towards me. I couldn't see her face, but I was pretty sure that if I could have, it would have been the same face I wear when I think of my parents. "I'm sorry Rosalie," I whispered back before I gave her the space she needed to grieve for her loss as she probably had dozens of times in the past seven or so decades.

I was happy she had Emmett to turn to, and that she had her brothers and sister and Carlisle and Esme as well, but I didn't think it was enough to cover the grief I heard in those few words. I think I began to understand Rosalie a little bit more; she was not always bitter and hateful because she wanted to be. She hated herself and the life she led. She mourned for the life she thought she was supposed to live.

That was fine to know for the time being, I just hoped she wouldn't be upset with me after the show tonight. I would not have put it past her to take it out on me that she had to reveal something so personal. No matter how much more I understood her, it still didn't make me feel any better when I was on the receiving end of her glares or when she ignored me like I was a piece of furniture.

But those were worries for later in the evening. I still had to get in my blacks and then I could drive to school with Emmett. He was even going to let me drive my car. That made me smile as I hadn't driven it yet and I was looking forward to seeing how it would feel to be behind the steering wheel after so many months of not driving.

There was a small part of my brain that was also worried about not being able to drive at all. It was a car that killed my mom and Phil and I wasn't sure if I would feel comfortable being in charge of a dangerous thing like a car. But Emmett will be with me, and if anyone can help me get past any fear or hesitation I had, it would be him.

A smile on my face, I got ready for the night and sent a silent prayer to the universe that I would be okay in the car and that Rosalie would not be upset. All I had left to do was wait for Emmett.

"Come on, Edward, it was your idea to go to the movies. Why are you dragging your feet now?" I whined. I wanted to drive my car and he was trying to force me to be the passenger.

"Humans just do not drive as well as vampires, Bella. It's all about the reflexes, which you do not have."

"I did just fine back in Phoenix, where there was far more dangerous traffic than the tiny town of Forks."

"Yes, well, you drive like a grandma, it will take hours for us to get there." He was reaching for excuses. I knew I just had to hold out a little longer and he would cave.

"Just because I have a healthy respect for the law does not make me drive like a grandma. My dad was a cop, remember? I can't help it that you have to drive at a minimum of double the speed limit." He laughed at that. He actually laughed!

"Regardless, I've still got the better reflexes."

"You know what, you can drive," he started to smile as if he thought he had actually won this debate. "your Volvo, and I'm going to drive my Altima. You can leave a half hour after I do and we'll get there around the same time."

"No way, Bella. What if you get into an accident?"

"People take that risk every time they open their door. A freak gust of wind could blow a sharpened stick through my heart too, but you don't see me cringing every time a tree sways, now do you?" I pulled something that I remembered from a childhood ghost story.

"Where did you come up with that scenario from?" Good, I had confused him enough that I probably just won.

Without giving him an answer, I walked out of the house and down to the garage. Casually opening the door to my car I slid into the driver's side seat. I hit the button to start the car and started to count down from ten. Before I reached four, but after I clicked my seat belt in place, the passenger side door opened up and Edward scowled at me as he got in.

I smiled sweetly at him as I carefully pulled out of the garage and out onto the driveway. Neither of us spoke for the first fifteen minutes of the drive, but we both felt the way that the air seemed to spark between us. Any time we were close like this and it was just us, I always felt so compelled to reach over and touch him. I couldn't understand it and it kind of scared me.

"So, what movie are we going to see?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Batman Begins."

"Really? I hadn't pinned you for a comic book sort of guy."

"They are actually an interesting perspective of the American psyche. You can watch the way that society has changed and the norms they have developed or wish to develop."

"All that from comic books? I don't get it," I admitted though it pained me to do so.

"Well, take a look at Batman. In his first few years, he was a very active participant in the Gotham community and was truly the Caped Crusader. He believed in humanity. As Americans became disillusioned with the world and the way politicians were beginning to fail them, Batman began to view humanity as something that really could not be saved. He never stopped working toward that goal, but he felt that he was fighting a war that had already been lost. And he's been getting darker ever since."

"Wow. There's a lot more than I had expected from a child's story book."

"I think there's a lot about it that would surprise you."

"So how do you know so much about it?"

"You forget how old I am, Bella. I've read most of the Batman, Superman, plus many others. I've still got most of the issues in storage somewhere. They were very popular for many years, and up until the 80's were actually pretty good stories."

"Oh," was all I could manage to say. I tried to imagine Edward sitting around reading comics, but just could not really see it. He was so serious all the time, and I had always seen comics as a genre intended purely for the entertainment of people that needed to see the pictures painted before them. I knew that wasn't the case with Edward.

"So what else about you should I know?" I couldn't help but ask him.

"That's an awfully broad question, Bella. Do you want to know more about what I've read? Or what movies or music I've liked? What I've seen as far as history? What I wish I had or had not been a part of? There's a lot that you don't know about me." I pondered that for a moment before I remembered back to the question that I had asked Rosalie last weekend.

"Why don't we start at the beginning? You've told me you were born in Chicago in 1901, but you haven't really told me anything else beyond that. Who were your parents and what did they do and what do you miss about it?" He looked serious before he slowly started to answer.

"You would have to ask wouldn't you?" He sighed, "I'll answer under two conditions. One, you don't interrupt," he held up his hand to stall my scowl and retort, "two, I get to ask you questions after. Deal?" I nodded not wanted to be accused of interrupting. He flashed one of his lopsided grins, his eyes sparkling with humor, and my heart sped up. Between his smile and eyes and hair and perfect face, I would never be able to look at any human and think they could even compare to Edward's Greek god-like features. He pretended to ignore my pounding heart and turned his attention to the passenger window, effectively releasing me from his gaze. A good thing too since I was driving.

"I was born Edward Anthony Masen, the only child of Elizabeth and Edward Masen, Sr. My mother, named me after my father, as was proper for those who were as affluent in society as my family. My father was a very good lawyer, which afforded my mother ample time and money to be involved in the many causes and organizations that made her happy. She volunteered her time and efforts to help people at church, in hospitals, and orphanages. She was a very special woman, my mother." I couldn't help but notice how reverently he spoke of her. For being 100 plus years old, he still loved his mother and if the term would have applied then, I would say that he was a 'momma's boy.' The thought made me smile.

"I do not remember much of my human years besides her and that she had wanted me to find a nice young woman and settle down to a family of my own. I wanted to join the military and become a hero in the war. I remember that every night for Grace she would ask God to end the war before I could up and enlist.

"World War I had been raging for four years before the Spanish Influenza hit Chicago during the fall of 1918. Hundreds got sick and the hospitals were overwhelmed. Wonderful woman that my mother was, she went to the hospitals and churches to volunteer her services and help the sick. I went with her several times, but with so many young people dying from it my mother asked me to stay home. She did not want me to get sick as well

"It wasn't me that she had to worry about though, at least not at first. My father got sick in the beginning of October. It was less than a week before both my mother and I began to feel unwell. I don't remember much from that time either, but I know that my father passed first. My mother probably would have recovered had she not spent so much time worrying over me. Or so Carlisle has told me. She passed next, and I should have followed her a few short hours later, but Carlisle intervened. Now here I am, nearly ninety years later, speaking with someone young enough to be my great, great grand-daughter." He laughed humorlessly at his joke. I was surprised to hear he was as bitter about his lot in life as Rosalie.

"Did you choose to be a, you know," I couldn't say it out loud, so I gestured to him instead.

"Vampire? No, I did not choose this. None of us did." He continued to look out the window, silently refusing to say anything further. The last five minutes of the drive we were surrounded in a heavy silence which even the music on the radio failed to penetrate.

I desperately wanted to know what he was thinking and to reassure him that somehow, everything would be fine. But I didn't know what was wrong, and I didn't know what he was thinking. Afraid of saying the wrong thing, I kept silent.

I pulled into a parking spot, and as soon as the car had stopped, he got out and seemed to breathe in the air outside the car like a man just rescued from drowning. I suppose in a way, he had been too. There were times that I forgot how hard it must be for him to be around me in such an enclosed space. I felt guilty for smelling so appetizing to him and the rest of our family. I still wondered what it was that had made Alice see me and forced me into their lives.

Shoving my depressing thoughts away, I resolved to enjoy this movie and to learn a little more about the American psyche through the Caped Crusader.

I opened my door and got out, taking my time because my right leg was still weak and I was klutzy enough without that added complication.

Edward shoved his hands in his pockets, but waited patiently for me to join him around the car. I gave him a shaky smile as I walked past and made my way across the busy mall parking lot to get to the theater.

I should have been watching where I was walking rather than thinking.

I should have made sure Edward was walking beside me.

I should have asked Alice if we needed to worry about anything today.

I should have remembered that no matter how careful I tried to be, fate was still out to get me.

There were so many things I should have done, but none of that mattered.

I stepped out into the main traffic lane with barely a cursory glance to see if anything was near me. I missed the car that was turning into the lane and cut off the truck, making it veer straight towards me. My leg chose that most opportune of moments to give out on me as well, leaving me on the ground in front of the wildly veering truck.

My mind had hardly grasped any of that when I heard Edward's gasp and felt him snatch me away, probably faster and with more force than he should have for such a public place. Not that I really could complain since it kept me from being squished beneath the huge tires.

I heard him muttering a stream of what I'm assuming were curses, too fast and too low pitched for me to be able to hear, especially over the squealing tires and horns of the vehicles that barely missed each other and me.

"Bella, if you ever do that again, so help me, God, I will…" he didn't finish the rest of the thought as the driver and passenger of the truck had stepped out of their car.

Edward pulled me up so I was standing and we turned together to face the new-comers. I didn't really see them though. I was still staring too closely at Edward, surprised by the murderous glare he was sending towards the truck and its driver and passenger.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there and then the other car, and I couldn't control it and, I'm sorry," the driver said quickly.

Edward opened his mouth to say something, but the look on his face was scary and I didn't want to hear him start yelling at this kid when he really did sound sorry.

"Don't worry, you can't control things like that, and look, no one's hurt, it's fine," I said just as quickly. Edward glared at me, but I could deal with that.

The kid focused more intently on me and looked like he was trying to ignore Edward.

"Bella? Bella Swan?" he asked, hesitantly. My eyes snapped to him, astonished that anyone here would know me.

He was a young man, probably around my age, but he looked older due to his height and muscles. He was at least five inches taller than me and had broad shoulders and arms to match. His hair was black and very long, past his shoulders and left hanging free. He was very tan, especially compared to me, so much as Edward, and his eyes were a deep brown as well. His face was very open and almost innocent. His friend had similar features, but was obviously younger, perhaps thirteen or fourteen.

"Umm, yes. Do I know you?"

"I'm Jacob Black, your dad and my dad were fishing buddies." He looked in my face for any sign of recognition, but I was still drawing a blank. "When you came and visited in the summer, he would drag you down to the Rez so he could fish and you wanted to read while my sisters and I tried to get you to play hide and seek." As he drew the picture for me, I was able to find some very fuzzy memories of a much younger boy and two slightly older girls playing on the banks of the lake that Charlie like to fish in and me pouting in a chair, upset that I couldn't read.

"I think I remember that, your sisters were twins, right? And your dad's name is Billy?" I asked, unsure whether I had it right or not. His answering grin was all I needed to know that I had gotten the answer right.

"Hey listen, Seth and I'll get your tickets, you know, for almost hitting you and all."

"That won't be necessary, Jacob. Just don't do it again," Edward spoke for the first time. He was obviously struggling with his anger, but trying not to let it show. He gave them a nod before trying to lead me towards the theater again.

"Oh, okay. Hey, it would be cool if you wanted to come by and visit. I know Billy'd like it," Jacob said before I turned towards Edward again.

"Sounds good, I'd like to see him again."

"Great, I'll see you then."

He turned back towards his truck at the same time that Edward grabbed my hand and physically pulled me towards the theater. As much as I enjoyed my hand in his, I was annoyed with his rude attitude.

"What was that all about? They were just trying to be nice!"

"Bella, they almost ran you over, and would have if I had not been able to pull you out of the way fast enough. I am sorry if I find it difficult to be civil under those circumstances."

"Look, we know this stuff is going to happen. Alice's visions and fate out to get me and all that stuff." I was really upset at his attitude, "Plus, if he hadn't almost run me down, I wouldn't have met him and gotten an invite back to talk to his dad. It would be nice to talk with someone who knew my dad." I knew it would be hard to talk about him, but at the same time, I wanted to hear from someone else who knew my dad very well. I know Charlie spent most of his off time fishing, which meant a lot of time with Billy Black.

"I don't think it would be a good idea for you to go to the Reservation."

"Why not? It's not that far away and I already know Jacob and Billy. I'm sure they wouldn't let anything happen to me."

"I just don't think it's a good idea. There's a lot more out there that can hurt you besides fate and people like our family."

"Like what, Edward?"

"Please just listen to me, Bella." He saw the look on my face and changed tactics. "Let's just go watch the movie and we can talk about it on the way back to the house, okay?" His way of saying wait until we're in a more private setting.

"Fine. But I still think it's stupid."

A/N - So there be the end of chapter 14. To head off some questions before I get them, no Jake nor are not wolves yet, they don't know about Edward, but he is completely freaking them out since he's on full blown scary vamp mode. Think about it, if Bella's scared of him, then we know it's bad. Sorry to stop so abruptly, but this was already 15 pages and I think it told what needed to be told. I'm trying to show time passing by, but still hitting some high points, so you'll have to forgive any jerkiness due to it.

Please review and let me know what you think! It really does help me out and it makes it easier for me to write what you want to read.

A thought I've been meaning to put out for a while, while you're waiting for my updates, check out some of the stories in my favorites, they are all fantastic stories and make me cry myself to sleep wanting to be able to write like that. Okay, not really, but you get the idea.

Also, links are on my profile for some of the stuff in Bella's room, as well as her car.