I apologize for taking so long! I wanted this to be finished weeks ago, but my classes ganged up on me and I had tons of papers due.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer created it all, but I gave Bella her own gifts.

Chapter 19

B POV

Damn procrastination! I really needed to start studying for finals week a long time ago! The tests start on Monday and I can't believe that I am not ready yet. Normally I don't procrastinate so much, but then again, I never had to take care of everything by myself before. Plus, I am spending pretty much all my time with Edward and his family. Rose is even starting to come around, being civil with me when I visit, at least. In a few minutes Angela is going to be showing up to help me study Physics and Calculus, the worst classes on my schedule.

I put away my laundry as I wait for my best human friend to show up on Friday evening. Well, my only human friend anymore. Mike hasn't really said anything to me since that party and Jess just uses me for attention. Sometimes I talk to Ben, since he and Angela are dating now. They got together 'officially' the day after that horrendous party. I am so glad something positive has come from that ordeal.

I really like Angela a lot, she is a very loyal friend and I feel like I can share anything with her. Anything about the human aspect of my life. I am fairly certain that she would freak out if she even had the slightest clue about my gifts or what Edward and the Cullens really are. She is down to earth and honest. I don't know what I am going to do after Christmas, when Edward finally changes me. I wonder if I can keep in contact with her after.

My phone vibrates and I wonder who it could be. I practically forced Edward to go to Seattle with Alice, so I can have 'human time', so I know neither of them are texting me. Checking my phone, I see a text from Angela:

Is it okay if Ben and Mike come along?

B: Of course, the more the merrier!

A: Cool. cya in 5

I put the rest of the laundry away and take my books to the excessively-large-for- one-person dinner table. Just as I set my things on the table, I hear knocking on the door.

"Hey guys, come on in!" I call, opening the front door. Mike looks kind of awkward and shuffles in slowly.

"Bella, I hope you don't mind that I invited the guys along. Ben said he and Mike were going to be studying too and I thought it would be good for us to be in one big group." Angela explains as I lead everyone to my dining room.

"Don't worry about it. I will need all the help I can get if I want to pass Thomson's Physics exam!" I joke sitting at the table.

"Bella, I never got to apologize for whatever I did at Jessica's that upset you." Mike says, sitting down beside me as he puts his textbook on the dinner table.

"Mike, don't worry about it. It wasn't all you. I had a lot going on, and I guess I let the boundaries get a little blurry. I had too much to drink and I guess I'm not a happy drunk." I tell him. "The past is the past, don't worry about it. I'm the one who should apologize, I was really rude, and I don't think I even told you why I was running out all the sudden."

"Ok. So we're cool? I think we can be great friends Bella." Mike offers, smiling his goofy little grin.

"Friends," I agree, shaking his outstretched hand.

With that settled we started studying Physics. I think I finally memorized the energy laws and electromagnetism. Ben is a Physics genius; he tutored us pretty much through the whole semester in an hour.

After a few more hours we ordered pizza from the one and only pizza shop in town. We decided to watch one of the cheesy late-night made for TV movies after we got done studying, the perfect reward. I like hanging out with 'normal' people. It relaxes me and I can forget that there are people in the world with bigger issues on their plate. As we watched the movie, I sensed Mike's back was extremely tight, knots all along his spine. I could perceive the throbbing pain emitting to me. I really wanted to heal him, but we finally established a clear boundary in our friendship. Actually, we finally formed a real friendship. I don't want to give him any mixed signals by offering to massage him, but it was really starting to hurt me, just feeling it radiate out.

Halfway through the movie, Mike started complaining. "My back is really killing me. I was helping my dad unload some stuff down at the store and I think I pulled something," he whined.

"Have Bella give you a massage." Angela suggests. "She really helped me a few months ago when that jerk knocked me over on his skateboard."

"Would you mind, Bella? It really hurts like hell." Mike asks.

Since Angela suggested it, I don't feel as awkward about healing Mike. "Sure, friend. As long as you don't fall asleep on me! My friends from home always feel asleep from how relaxed my massages make them!"

"I'd like to see that happen. Anything to get rid of this pain!" Mike replies.

"Move over onto the floor, lay down so I can massage your whole back." I tell him.

So I healed Mike and then proceeded to massage his back. I am not exactly the best masseuse; it is just my healing power that relaxes people. Sure enough, Mike started to fall asleep after a few minutes of me rubbing his back. After the movie ended, we woke him up by dumping some water on him. It was well after midnight when I finally got into bed, much later than I normally go to sleep. I hope Edward doesn't come around early, I would hate to make him wait.

I feel a cold kiss on my forehead and I jolt awake.

"What's going on?" I mumble, before I realize that it is Saturday morning and I am in my bed, Edward waking me up.

"Did I frighten you, my love?" Edward delicately asks, getting up from my bed.

I reach out toward him, pulling my love back down beside me, "No, I just watched a scary movie with Angela, Mike and Ben last night, after we studied, and I didn't sleep too well."

"Did you have nightmares?" Edward asks, concern drawing his brows together. His apprehension over my dreams and possible fear is so sweet and touching I cannot help but smile. If only I could lie without putting up my mental wall. If it comes to it I'll tell him I don't want him to worry about my dreams.

"No Edward, no nightmares, I just had trouble falling asleep, a few restless dreams after I did get to sleep."

"Okay, I wouldn't want anything harming my Bella, even if it is in her head. And you said Mike and Ben were here too?" Edward asks, with a slightly jealous edge to his voice. Maybe he does suspect… eh, nothing happened. He fell asleep on the floor for Christ-sakes.

"Yes. Angela is dating Ben, and she was at his house before she came over. Ben was going to go to Mike's to study and Angela decided to invite everyone here, four minds are better than one, right?" I carefully explain. I hadn't anticipated Edwards reaction to be this jealous. I lower the mental wall, showing there is nothing to hide. You know there is only one man in my life, right? I can't even imagine being close to any other person. You are my world, babe.

"I'm not jealous, my love. I just know that you don't exactly feel comfortable around Newton." Edward explains, kissing my forehead again.

"We came to an agreement that neither of us acted appropriately that night. We're friends now. Not that it matters much, really. I won't be seeing much of him after the next week or so." I tell Edward, kissing the hollow of his strong neck.

"Right, well, I am glad you feel better about this. What do you want to do today?" Edward asks before he kisses me tenderly. His marble lips meet mine and my heart nearly stops beating. I kiss him back, pressing gently against his body. My lips part and I finally remember to breathe. His sweet scent envelops me, infiltrating my entire being, filling my lungs. I push my tongue into his mouth and trace his. Much too soon Edward pulls back, ending the kiss. He places restrictions on our physical relationship. Even though I insist that I can fix anything he might accidentally do to me, he says he won't feel right. A man should never harm a woman. You've got to love 1920's morals.

"So, what do you want to do?" Edward asks, kissing my hair. I swear he is grinning.

"This," I answer, kissing his shoulder softly. I kiss a delicate line from the edge of his strong shoulder in to his neck.

"Bella," he growls. He pulls my fingers from their grip on his arms and sets me back on the bed.

I look to his face, seeing that he is grinning madly, it was a growl of pleasure, not of warning as I feared. "What? You asked what I wanted, and I want you. I cannot be any happier than when you are by my side, when you are kissing me, when you are touching me, Edward."

"I know, Bella, trust me, I know. The same is for me. I cannot imagine being even one tenth, no, one hundredth as happy as I am with you now, in your bed, anywhere else. We have eternity to spend side by side like this, in our own heaven. But I think there are other plans for today. Didn't you promise to take away everyone's bloodlust today? Emmett has been a real pain lately. He says when you heal him he actually feels stronger than his usual super-vampire strength." Edward reminds me with a roll of his eyes.

"I think he is just amazed that I can do something he can't." I laugh, reluctantly climbing out of bed and finding what to wear.

Edward chuckles, "You are probably right."

"Like always," I grin, heading to the bathroom to dress.

I get dressed and eat a quick breakfast before I climb on Edwards back to run to his home. "I don't think I'll ever get used to this speed." I complain as he starts to run.

"Just close your eyes love, it will be just fine. That's what I do, anyway." Edward jokes as we speed through the woods.

Thankfully we make it to his home in one piece. I think I hear Emmett's deep booming laugh from the front door as I stumble to the ground. I take Edward's hand as we walk to the porch and I feel like I am coming home. I belong here.

"The human made it in one piece!" Emmett shouts far too loudly. He picks me up in a tight bear-hug, swinging me around. "You are definitely my favorite human! I am so glad Eddie finally decided that we can keep you!" Emmett exclaims.

"Can't breathe!" I manage to choke out and he immediately plops me down on the floor. I see Edward flashing him a deadly glance. "It's great to see you too, Emmett! Just don't squeeze so tight next time! I might be able to fix myself, but that doesn't mean I'm unbreakable!"

"Sorry, little sis. It's easy to forget you're human sometimes." He apologizes, ruffling my hair like any big brother might do to their twelve year old sister. I guess that is about where I'd rank in relation to their eternal lives, the kid sister.

"If you had half a brain you'd realize she's human." Rosalie reminds her husband as she enters the living room and stands by the door. I said she was getting better, but we aren't exactly friends yet.

"Enough antagonism Rosie," Carlisle warns as he follows her in the room. He comes over and gives me a quick hug, apologetic smile on his angelic face. I have come to see Carlisle as my own father, even though he looks much more like an older brother. He definitely has the reliant, guiding personality I had imagined my father would be like.

Alice makes an entrance, like always. She twirls gracefully down the staircase and stops elegantly right in front of me. "Bella, I missed you yesterday! You would have loved the dress shops so much! Well, so much more than Edward. It really is too bad that you don't have perfect recall. Yet. All this studying is really cutting into your fashion time." She gushes as we embrace tightly.

"Fashion time? I thought we were over this, Alice! I am not anywhere near as interested in fashion as you are. I am sure the dresses were pretty, but that will have to wait. I am sure we can go dress shopping all the time very soon." I groan. I tried to sound optimistic, but I don't see how changing me to a vampire is going to change my view (or total lack of opinion) on fashion.

"We'll see!" is all Alice replies as she dances over to Jasper and sits on his lap.

The rest of the family has filled into the living room. Carlisle, Esme and Jasper are sitting on the couch. Emmett is leaning against the table and Rosalie is curled up against him, undoubtedly gazing at her reflection in the large window. Edward reclaims his spot next to me, wrapping a strong arm around my waist. He guides me to the armchair and I sit on his lap.

The family all talks about their day, what they did yesterday, and what Alice and Jasper plan to do after 'graduation'. I sit and listen to what is going on. I feel completely at ease, as if I belong. There is no doubt in my mind that I have made the right decision. If I can feel so safe sitting in a room full of vampires, it must be my destiny. I see Jasper nod in my direction.

"Bella, you do belong here. You are already family, don't worry about it. We all love you." Jasper tells me around what must be lunch time, because my stomach growls.

Seven eyes flick to me, more specifically to my noisy stomach, and I am embarrassed. "Sorry, I guess I'm hungry. Maybe I should go?" I ask, standing up.

"No, Bella, don't worry about it. We do have human food here, what would you like?" Esme offers.

"Umm," I stall, taken by surprise. "I guess a small sandwich would be fine."

"Okay, it is my pleasure to take care of you Bella. Sit back down and I'll be right back." Esme instructs. She returns moments later with a sandwich for me, and a glass of iced tea.

"Thanks Esme! You are really the best vampire-mother ever!" I thank her as I take the lunch from her.

We talk and hang out for the rest of the afternoon. I heard about a bear Emmett fought with last weekend, he let her think she was winning for a while, then he swears she looked surprised right before he snapped her neck. Alice filled us in on the fashion show coming up in Seattle. She already made plans on going. Rosalie sounded interested in that, and that sealed the deal on me not going. The whole family loves to talk. I cannot believe the bond they all share. I think Carlisle is the luckiest man, he took a risk in creating Edward and each of the others in his family, and now there are seven loving vampires living together.

The time flew by so quickly, it surprised me when I looked at my watch and it read after 5 o'clock. Edward abruptly announced that it was time to take me back home. It is my first time through school, after all.

I dredge up my remaining courage and climb on Edward's strong back for the run back home. I close my eyes and press them tight against his shoulder. My arms wrap tightly around his neck, strangling him.

"Ready, love?" Edward asks.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I grumble through his shirt. "Just get this over with."

Edward chuckles as he starts off. If I didn't know any better, I would swear he were walking at a slow-for-humans pace. It feels like we are gliding along fluffy clouds, not running through the rough terrain of the woods.

The run is over just as I was getting the courage to peek at where we were. I slide off his back somewhat more gracefully this time. "Will it be that scary when I'm, you know, like you?" I ask as I unlock the door to my house and we walk inside.

"No. Your reflexes will be a hundred times quicker, your eyes will see everything infinitely clearer, you will love the speed. You like the feeling of running, the adrenaline rush it gives you now, right?"

"Well, yeah, it is quite a rush to run free and feel the wind whip through my hair. But I cannot even imagine moving so quickly that the trees are a blur."

"Trust me, love, they won't be blurry. I can see everything in clear detail, even as I run at top speeds." Edward informs me, sitting us down on the couch.

"Speaking of adrenaline rushes, Edward. Do you know what else gives me that kind of a rush?" I ask, planting a kiss on his lips.

He sets me back on the couch, straddling me, for once, and manages to grin. "I can wager a guess," as he returns the kiss. He sensually traces my collarbone with his long fingers as he kisses me. His tongue explores mine. I grab tufts of his bronze hair, locking his face to mine. I never want this moment to end. His other hand gently grabs my waist, tugging up at the hemline of my top. His cold hands graze the skin of my waist, sending shock waves to my core and I grin through the kiss, my heart accelerating to a nearly deadly speed. His sure fingers grasp my slender waist, pulling me tight to his body, and I start breathing harsher, faster.

All too soon Edward ends the kissing.

"Edward, please don't stop." I moan, pouting most convincingly.

"Bella, we've been over this a million times. I cannot hurt you even temporarily. It goes against everything. My mother taught me to respect a woman. Speaking of respect, I don't even think I can make love with you unless you are my wife. It's the way a gentleman is raised. And then there is everything I've learned since I've been with Carlisle. Human life is sacred and we cannot take their lives, your life. If I got too close to you, I could break all of that in one instant. I can crush you so badly that even your gift won't be enough to put you right. I can't do this Bella." He explains, almost painfully. It is clear that he is conflicted. He wants me, but he was raised to be a gentleman. He takes my hand and starts rubbing gentle circles into it.

"Edward. I love you. You are the only man I will ever love. But I was raised differently. My parents weren't married, and I don't know if I even believe in marriage, completely. Mother is the greatest woman I know, she loved everyone, and they treated her right. My father was not part of my life, but I don't miss him. There were boyfriends, men who would last a night, a week or even a few months, and they all respected Mother. I met every one of them and I know they wanted what was best for Mother and I. Mother taught me to love everyone, and to be kind. Kindness is a rare gift, but it should be shared with the whole world, Mother said. I don't know if it was because of the way we lived, more like hippies, peace and love, but I see this as more of an expression of love, of mutual trust. Love me, Edward. True love is all about trust and compromise. Agreeing that we are separate entities who see nothing clearly of the world but the other. "

"While I don't agree with everything you said, I think you have a beautiful, trusting outlook on humanity. You may have a different perspective on sex, but you do make a good point. Compromise. But I don't think I can compromise this standard. Not when your health, your life, hangs in the balance." Edward pleads, kissing my hand.

"I understand, Edward. Mother made that comment too- sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for. I just want you to understand my side. My feelings are going to be strong, and you may have to remind me a million more times, but, I won't push you to change your mind. However, I may not yet know of the depths of human life and what it means, but I do know one thing."

"Hmm?" Edward asks, curious at my suddenly deadly serious tone.

"I love you," I tell him, squeezing his hand.

"Thank you, Bella, I love you too. I know you want this, because I want this. I have never felt like this before, but I will not go back on my principles, my morals, my lifestyle. Now, I think I've bothered you enough for today." Edward says, kissing my cheek as he stands up, still holding my hand.

"Thanks love. I need to work on self-control, don't I? It's going to be very important soon?"

"Ha, I guess you do. But it is a very different type of self-control. It is more like denial of basic needs."

"It feels like a basic need now!" I groan, leaning in to kiss him once more.

Edward chuckles, unleashing his sexy crooked grin, the one that sends my mind reeling and he gets off the couch.

"Bye, love. I'll see you early in the morning?" I ask certain of the answer. I have a deep suspicion that Edward watches me sleep most nights.

"Yes, I'll be here when you wake up. I love you Isabella Swan." Edward tells me, kissing me gently as he turns to leave.

I get up off the couch and walk to the kitchen to make dinner. I end up reheating the pork chops and potatoes I made during the week. I eat in silence, running through the day in my mind. Every time Edward touched me, I felt the spark. I really hope that sensation doesn't change, I don't know if I can hang on to the memory perfectly for long.

I clean up my mess and just as I am about to take a shower my cell rings. I don't know the number, but I pick it up anyway.

B: Hello?

AF: Bella? This is Aunt Finnovair, I am worried sick about you!

B: Aunt Finn? What are you doing calling me?

AF: I am worried, Bella. I haven't heard from you in ages. You clammed up since Mother passed. I hope there isn't anything wrong, dear.

B: You didn't care about me when I was around, why should you care now?

AF: I have a feeling about your future Bella. It isn't good, whatever you are planning.

B: Whatever I'm planning is none of your business. I am an adult, now and there is nothing you can do to stop me! (I can't help it this woman makes me lose my temper sometimes.)

AF: Bella, I don't want to hurt you, I am concerned about your wellbeing. You are family and I know I haven't always acted like it, but I want the best for you. You aren't involved in anything Mother wouldn't have approved of, are you? I sense that there is something you are hiding, Bella.

B: I'm not hiding anything. And I don't buy the concerned aunt gig for a second. I am a very independent woman, you always said that yourself. I have everything under control. Everything is fine. My house is taken care of, I'm graduating soon and I'm working on college plans.

AF: Fine, Bella. If I sense that you are in danger of changing or being harmed, I'll find you in an instant.

B: Changing? I don't follow you? (Did she know?)

AF: Remember, Bella, you aren't the only special person in this world. I can see things are going to change, soon. It doesn't have to be this way, Bella. And I am not afraid to stop you.

I hang up, scared. What if she does show up, and it wasn't a hollow threat. She will know immediately that Edward and his family aren't normal, and that they know. But what can I do?

I take my shower, thinking the whole time. I can't tell Edward, she'll see that for sure. But how can I prevent her from showing up? She'll get all of us in deep shit, that's for sure. I can't just give up on my life, but I don't see another way out of it.

What am I going to do?

It looks like I'm going to have trouble sleeping, again.

Hey, guys! I'm sorry this is such a long, sort of random chapter, but I don't want to split it up! Please review! The more reviews I get, the more inspiration I have to finish the story! :)