Despite some delays, here is the latest chapter of I'll Love You Forever? I blame the delays entirely upon school and the fact it seems to consider all time out of school should be spent on homework.

Disclaimer: In the time gap between this chapter and the last one, I have in fact not managed to accrue the Twilight franchise, and so it still belongs to Stephanie Meyer. However, toying with the characters in this fanfiction is still a perfectly entertaining pasttime.

I didn't need to tune my acute vampire hearing in to the conversation Bella and Renesme were having. Oh, Father's so mean, Renesme would be saying, or something along those lines. And of course, saint-like Bella would defend my reputation: Oh, Renesme, don't be such a silly! Poor, poor Ed--I mean, my Adonis-- I mean, your father means well, he just can't share you with Jacob.

Blatant.

Bella's appearance in the sun may be as crystalline as any other vampire's, but she was still as transparent as glass.

The room was dark, although Bella had pulled the eccentrically-patterned curtains (I got the feeling that those were another of Alice's supposedly fabulous ideas) to reveal the gray cloudy day. I watched the clouds inch their way across the sky with an almost hypnotised gaze, ignoring, to the best of my ability, the conversation, tapping my fingers on the bed idly. But at least the conversation would keep Bella, more dedicated than any dog (or wolf, for that matter) away.

'...see Jacob soon, I promise.'

The words drifted through, interrupting my blissful meditation of sorts. My muscles tensed in reflex, though the promise that Bella had made was going to come true sooner or later, much to my distaste. That wolf couldn't keep his paws from Renesme if he tried, like some magnetic attraction that jovially refused to die. I was knowledgeable enough, I didn't need Alice's ability of foresight to see that. He might sneak in through a window when Bella and I step out to the main house, leaving a lackadaisical Renesme behind, or proclaim in front of the whole family something along his neverending love for a girl who, if human, would still be in diapers, doubtless a gesture that would cause several bleeding hearts to gush. Or maybe he would challenge me directly? I imagined his opulent brown eyes, naturally tanned face, creased in determination, not to be deterred for anything or anyone, except for me and my opinion, that controlled anger when I refused him, knowing that he wouldn't be able to go against me, knowing that in my presence he was powerless...

And there was Renesme, queenly Renesme, not a resistable force, a spoilt brat who knew no boundaries where her happiness was concerned. To her, I was the villain, the evil that denied her what she wanted. I thought about this, although the thought didn't bother me particularly. It was time she learned some restraint where her whims were concerned, and tenacious though she was, she would learn.

Jacob would learn.

The door opened quietly, and Bella, as ubiquitous as air where I was concerned, snuck in quietly, as if somehow I would be disturbed by her presence otherwise. With my vampiric senses, she might as well not have bothered at all.

She sat down next to me, the bed creaking in protest, her lips brushing against my cheek. I resisted the urge to push her away. The bed wouldn't be able to survive a gesture as violent as that.

'I talked to Renes--'

'I know,' I interrupted her.

'You should talk to--'

'I know.'

'--Jacob,' she finished. I stood up, and she reached after me with those weak hands that fell away like soap.

'I know.' I said it so firmly that she retreated further back, not wishing to have an argument with her Apollo, her absolute adored husband. The door closed with a snap behind me.

I walked past Renesme's room, practically feeling the moisture in the air from all her tears. When I got outside it was xeric in comparison, though a few drops of rain fell sparingly onto the ground and some of the wild yellow buttercups growing sparingly around, the only glints of brightness away from Esme's botanical explosion. I began to walk towards the main house, but I could feel the others already, their zealous emotions and thoughts, encouraging me to patch it up, except for Carlisle. He had said that he would not interfere, and I had known him long enough to know that he meant it.

I turned around.

The forest beckoned.

I walked slowly, slower even than the day I met Jacob at the jewellery store. I had no direction, no purpose, except to be where they were not, to rid myself of them so that I could rid myself of thoughts of Jacob, of Jacob with his toned arm holding Renesme close, that carefree smile, that caution around us for acceptance, knowing in a part of his mind that he was already accepted by everyone, perhaps even me...

Sickening.

It was all so sickening.

I was no Apollo or Adonis, I was an Achilles, with a fatal flaw that I could see but couldn't stop.

I remembered Carlisle's allusion to the past, those years long past where I had left the others, sometimes attacking indiscriminately, and I could still see...

No.

I wouldn't remember that now.

Carlisle may have worn a face of kindness and concern, but he was a sadist, knowing exactly where to poke to hurt people and taking enjoyment from the power it gave him.

Bastard.

All bastards.

They were all in my way, still all in my way, useful as stepping stones to something that never lasted.

And then useless.

All useless.

The perfect world was a sham, an artist's impression of an optimistic reflection of the reality, a very optimistic interpretation indeed.

Perfect...

Just perfect.

So ends another chapter. Reviews, both positive and negative, are appreciated.

Just in warning, updates will probably slow to two a week or so as school is the priority. I hope you all understand and thank you for your patience in waiting for this chapter.