I would love to give some great excuse as to why it has taken me so long to update, but the fact is: I'm a jackass. That's all. Oh, and also because there are way too many talented writers that keep sucking me into their stories, thus not allowing me to work on my own. For those of you who haven't given up on me, you're nuts. I am clearly not a reliable writer. You know those authors who take so long between updates that you have to go back and reread chapters just to remember what it's about? Yeah, I had to do that with own damn story! Pathetic, I know.

I own nothing. Stephanie Meyer owns all. I'm just messin' around.

Edward POV

As a vampire with a built-in radar detection system, I normally drove in excess of the speed limit, though this time I was pushing my car harder than I ever had before. I knew that Bella was safe with my family, but after Eleazar's warnings about this male, James, I found that I couldn't concentrate on anything other than making sure my mate was safe in my arms. I had faith in my family and Alice in particular to make sure Bella was taken care of, but I wanted to make sure I was between my love and anything or anyone that might attempt to harm her. It was a strange feeling for me, this helplessness I felt when away from her. I am so used to feeling invincible that any threat felt overwhelming.

She is fine. We will be home soon Edward, but if you don't slow down, the car may not make it. Carlisle was equal parts amused and concerned by my aberrant behavior. I was normally the calm one, the one that didn't let emotion and instinct sway me. All I knew was that I wouldn't feel complete until Bella was once again in my arms and under my immediate protection.

I was wondering if I could run faster than the car could go when my phone chimed. "Yes Alice," I answered. "Is Bella alright? What is going on? Have you seen anything?"

"Bella is great. She has been spending quality time with the family," she laughed. "Everything is as it should be for the most part. As far as what I have seen... there is no way you will leave her side once you are with her again, so I suggest that you hunt now."

"Alice," I started to argue.

"Edward," she interrupted. "Trust me. Hunt now and you won't have to leave her later. Do it for Carlisle if not for yourself. He is just as anxious to spend quality time with Esme. Get this out of the way first. Please."

"Anywhere in particular I should pull over," I acquiesced, rather grudgingly.

"I think you will find the game satisfactory in about 10 more minutes," she said laughingly.

I hung up and did as she asked. She had never steered me wrong and I knew that while Carlisle could always hunt later with Esme, his thoughts had shown that had other ideas in mind for their reunion. It actually made me feel a bit better to know that Carlisle was so distracted by thoughts of being with his mate, despite the fact that they had been together for so many years.

We had come across a herd of elk and were finished when I caught a scent on the breeze. I looked at Carlisle and we both began to run. We had smelled those particular scents before and I had to wonder at what else Alice had seen. Clearly it was the same nomads we had encountered before. As we were downwind, and I couldn't hear any thoughts beyond those of Carlisle, it was difficult to say how far they were from us. We stayed on the track and then suddenly the scents split. It was obvious that somehow they knew they were being tracked. I had a brief moment of indecision and halted. What do you want to do Edward?

I had no idea what these two were capable of and while I spent a moment wishing it were Jasper or Alice with me, I knew that I couldn't in good conscience send Carlisle after one on his own. I had no doubt that I could handle either one, but Carlisle was not a fighter. We couldn't split up. I said quickly, "Stay with me," and we continued on following the one going south.

After no more than 20 minutes, I knew that we had chosen to follow the wrong vampire. I still couldn't get a read on her thoughts, but the way the scent seemed to move around sporadically, it was clear that we had been following the female. She was extremely difficult to track and only a very special evasive talent could have confused our chase.

Eventually, I knew it would be foolish to keep going after her and I stopped Carlisle. I didn't want to take the risk that in following the female, we might be giving the male an opportunity to double-back and get to Bella before I could. Nothing less than holding her in my arms was going to allay my fears. We would just have to wait for another time, and when it came, I would have my entire family behind me.

Carlisle was understanding, and we went back to the car and continued on. He of course had many questions about why Alice had told us to stop and why I hadn't allowed us to split up, but I didn't answer any of his unspoken queries. I had the same questions myself and few answers.

It had taken a little less than two days to get to Carmen and Eleazar's and while we were making just as good of time getting back, it felt like an eternity. I resisted the urge to call Alice, knowing that she would contact me if there were a need. I was concerned though that the nomads had obviously been heading back to Forks. There was no way we would have been so close to meeting up with them if they hadn't gone back directly after leaving the Denali coven. If I had needed any more proof that they were not going to give up, I certainly had it. Alice was right. There was no way, once I was back at Bella's side, that I would leave her for any reason. I pondered Eleazar's suggestion. "Carlisle," I started. "Do you think I should push for Bella's transformation sooner rather than later?"

Carlisle spoke aloud, "My first instinct would be to say yes, as that would be the safest avenue for her. But Edward, I would hesitate to do so without her understanding the life that goes along with it." Rosalie.

"I know," I muttered. "I have been thinking about that as well."

"As much as she loves Emmett, we both know she still carries a bit of resentment towards me for making that choice for her." As you do too.

"Actually," I stated in all honesty, "I admit that I did feel that way, but now..."

Bella.

"Yes, Bella," I sighed. "Now I can't help but feel as if my whole existence has led me to this point. How can I possibly resent you when it was your decision that brought me to the greatest happiness I have ever known?"

"I am glad that you feel that way," Carlisle smiled. But Rosalie still has regrets. I don't want Bella or you to have any. I think you need to let her make the choice, and the choice she makes has to because of her love for you...

"And not because of the danger hanging over her head," I finished.

Bella POV

Another day gone, and my clothes with it. Alice had followed through with her threat and gone were my comfy baggy t-shirts and my apparent 'mom' jeans and sweats. I awoke to the petite woman standing at the foot of my bed grinning like the Cheshire cat. I think the fact that it didn't faze me in the slightest was a testament to my acceptance of the wacky sitcom my life had become. I should have at least been startled. As it was, I was merely annoyed. I grunted and rolled over at which point Alice decided it would be funny to start jumping on the bed.

"Come on!" she shouted. "I have been waiting hours for you to wake up. You have to at least look in the closet."

When I tried to cover my head with the pillow, she yanked it off and gave me what would have been a puppy-dog pout on anyone else. On her, it looked vaguely disturbing. "Unh," I grunted once more and she smiled again.

"Your books came too..." she cajoled. "If you get up, you can see them..."

As if I could be bought. "Bella, please?" she begged. "You don't want to make me feel bad, do you?" Okay, so I couldn't be bought, but apparently I could be guilted. Stinkin' Alice!

I dragged myself out of bed and was pleased to feel that my ankle was almost completely better. There was nothing more than a slight twinge. Being clumsy and having lived through so many sprains had pretty much raised my pain threshold to biblical proportions so I tended to get through most injuries with a minimal amount of fuss.

Alice smiled and skipped over to the closet and bounced in place as I took a peek inside. "Alice!" I exclaimed. "I think the couture fairies visited us last night!"

She giggled and then proceeded to give me the guided tour through my new wardrobe. I was pleasantly surprised to find real pants and shirts. While there were a few questionable evening gowns (honestly, when am I gonna go to the Oscars), it wasn't all outer limits. There were actual wearable clothes. She had even compromised and allowed me to have a few pairs of yoga pants in lieu of sweats.

She left me to get dressed and even decided to let me choose my own outfit, though she assured me that she knew I was going to choose the wrong combination. She announced that by being gracious today, she was guaranteed complete control on the morrow for when Edward returned. Huh.

The day went by much like the previous one had with some time spent with Emmett and Esme. After lunch though, I was treated to a visit with Rosalie. It didn't start well and it certainly didn't end comfortably. Alice pretty much dragged her in and then proceeded to prattle on about anything and everything. I would respond and once in awhile Rosalie would too, but only to Alice.

After about 30 ridiculously long minutes of this, Alice excused herself to make a phone call. I took the opportunity to try to get somewhere with Rosalie. I made small talk, Rosalie ignored me. I sat silently, Rosalie ignored me. I wasn't sure what to do, and despite the fact that I was completely intimidated by this beautiful woman, I started to feel kind of irked. What was her problem anyway? "Look Rosalie," I finally said. "I know you don't like me, so don't feel like you have to stay here. I'm sure Alice doesn't expect you to--"

"Of course she does," Rosalie spat. "Alice expects me to fall in line with her vision. And you're right. I don't like you."

"Have I done something to offend you," I asked, feeling my cheeks burning.

"You exist," she said. Ouch. "I don't like you and I don't dislike you. I don't know you. What I do know is that you are a complication we don't need and a risk we can't afford." With that, she stood and walked out of the room.

Alice came back in and smiled softly, "I had hoped that things would go better."

"So you didn't see that one coming, huh?" I asked wryly.

"I had hoped that she might rise above her own issues and for once think of someone besides herself," Alice said quietly. "She will come around eventually."

"What did she mean about me being a risk?" I asked.

"She is very protective of the family," Alice explained. "And she hates change of any kind. Like I said, she will come around. I don't want you to worry." Yeah, that's easier said than done.

Alice left to be with her husband again, whose existence I was seriously beginning to doubt, and I spent the remainder of the day reading. As I was getting ready for bed, Esme came in and handed me a phone. "It's Edward," she smiled.

My heart skipped and I grabbed the phone with an embarrassing amount of enthusiasm. "Hello," I squeaked.

"Hi my love," came Edward's velvety voice. "Are you well?"

"Hi," I breathed. "Yes, I am well. Are you and Carlisle okay?"

"I am missing you," he said and I could hear the smile in his voice. "We should be back late tomorrow. I am so sorry that I had to be away from you this long."

"Is it crazy that I am totally missing you?" I asked.

"Well, if you are crazy, then so am I," he chuckled. "Now, I have been missing the sound of your voice, so tell me about your day."

We talked about everything and nothing for the next two hours and I took comfort in the fact that each minute brought him closer to me. When I couldn't go a minute without yawning, he finally insisted on hanging up. He promised that the next night I went to sleep, he would be next to me. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

A/N- I am back to writing. Please leave me a review and encourage me or abuse me. I will take any attention I can get.