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Hello!

So here is the next chapter for your viewing pleasure. As always, I need to thank my wonderful beta, Squeaky Zorro. She's the best!

BPOV

"Bella, will you just go home already? Honey, you are getting on my damn nerves."

I froze midstride on my way into the little private bathroom that was connected to my dad's room at the disgusting old folks home/rehabilitation center that he insisted on living in for the next few weeks. Even after I had offered to hire a physical therapist to come to his house, he had firmly declined. The physical therapist would have taken care of all of his therapy needs, and I would've taken care of everything else.

But no. He'd decided that he wanted to be a stubborn ass, so there we were in this God-awful, hospital-like, depressing place where the smell of urine constantly permeated your nose. On a usual day, elderly people lined up in wheelchairs against the wall in the hallways under the pretense of "getting out and about." Most of them just sat there staring into space, like they weren't really there, and some talked to themselves and drooled everywhere. Seriously? It was so damn sad, and I couldn't stand the thought of my father staying in that place for one more minute.

And he was there by choice!

I was irritated all the time, and I knew I was being overly snappy with my dad when I really shouldn't have been. I also knew that he wasn't the only reason behind my sour mood, and just thinking of that other reason threatened to break me to pieces.

It had been two whole weeks since Edward had left Forks to go back to Chicago, and it had been two weeks since I last saw his face or heard his voice. I'd tried calling him multiple times and left messages, but he never responded. I'd tried getting a hold of Rosalie, who I was only able to get on the phone once for about two minutes, just for her to tell me that everything was fine and Edward had a lot going on right now. Then she said she had to go and hung up on me.

I knew something was happening, and it wasn't good.

I didn't understand why Edward wouldn't talk to me. I was a total and complete wreck, and the only thing that came into my mind was that he had come to his senses and realized that a vampire soul mate was just too much for him. He'd most likely decided he didn't want to be with me anymore. Or maybe he'd decided that he missed his tramps and empty sex so much and that a monogamous relationship with me wasn't appealing to him.

Just thinking of someone else touching him made me cringe, and any second, I was going to fall apart. I felt like my dead heart was now broken and soaking up every last piece of happiness I had left. I was empty.

"Bella!" my dad called from his hospital bed, TV remote in hand as he flipped through the channels trying to find something. "What are you doing, kid? You gonna stand there all night? Did you even hear what I said?"

I sighed, shaking my head to clear my thoughts. My eyes were burning with unshed tears, and I turned to look at my father. "Yes, I heard you, Dad. You want me to leave again," I whispered, heading back into the small bathroom to replace his empty shampoo bottle and tube of toothpaste.

"Aww, Bells. You know that's not it. You've been sulking around here for two weeks, on edge and just plain mean. Now, you know I love ya more than anything, and I appreciate all your help, but I'm fine here. Go home and take care of your mess."

I raised an eyebrow at him.

How did he know about my mess?

My dad smiled at me warmly. "I'm not stupid, Bells. Just looking at you, I can see that something has changed. You're...in love. And if I had to guess, then I would have to say that it was the detective kid in Chicago, who just so happens to be Dr. Cullen's son."

My eyes widened at his spot-on guess, and my lips curved into a small smile. But as soon as it came, it vanished as the painful reminder of Edward avoiding me for the past two weeks pushed back into my mind.

We were interrupted by the nurse, who had walked into the room so quietly, I hadn't even known she was there until I heard my dad happily exclaim, 'Susi!"

My head snapped around so fast at the tone of his voice, and I saw my father grinning stupidly and gazing into the eyes of the nurse, who was dropping off a pitcher full of water and some cups by the side of the bed. I froze in place and stared at them curiously, my head cocked to the side.

They were talking quietly to each other, her head dipped low, with matching flirty grins on each of their faces. I studied the nurse carefully, watching her body language as she whispered something close to his ear that sent them both into a fit of giggles.

Giggles? My dad didn't giggle.

The woman had dark hair and dark skin that reminded me of Jacob, and I wondered if she was from the La Push reservation. I knew most everyone from La Push, and even with my hazy mind, I should've remembered her. I still had yet to see her whole face, and I found myself hoping she would turn and look at me so I could identify this Susi woman who was making my dad act like he was in high school.

I approached them both, trying to hide a chuckle, as I thought about my dad possibly having a girlfriend. It was totally weird to even think about. He hadn't dated anyone since my mother had died, and I honestly didn't think he ever would, no matter how many times I told him to get back out there - that it had been long enough. His mourning period for my mother had ended years ago. He'd just never moved on.

But what was happening here was quite intriguing, to say the least. I saw the nurse lay her hand on my father's arm, and he placed his hand over top of it, shooting her a sexy wink.

Ew.

They were in their own little world, whispering and laughing and sending each other seductive signals, and I was completely enthralled. Of course, they had no idea that I could hear what they were saying, but I didn't miss a word. My dad was smitten with this woman, and for all intents and purposes, she was just as enamored by him.

A slow grin spread across my face as realization sunk in. My dad was falling for his nurse hook, line, and sinker. And if I were a betting woman, I would ante up all that I had and say that the reason my father wanted me to go back to Chicago had nothing to do with my love-life, and everything to do with his. By having me around so much, he couldn't find the time to spend with Susi...alone. But if I were gone, hmmm...

What a sneaky little man.

"Bella?" my dad called, abruptly pulling me from my musings. "Come over here and say hello to Sue. It's been a long time since you two have seen each other."

Sue?

My mind immediately started throwing images and vivid scenes at me. Me in La Push with Jake. Me and Leah sitting at her dining table waiting for dinner. The bonfires with all of the people from the reservation sitting around. A woman quietly scolding Leah and Seth about getting too close to the flames. Sue...and Harry.

My eyes bulged from my head as soon as I realized who my father's nurse was. "Sue Clearwater?"

The nurse turned to face me, and lo and behold, I was looking into the eyes of the mother of my childhood friends.

Sue was the mother of Leah and Seth; well, she was like everyone's mother when we were young. She took care of all of our cuts and scrapes with gentle hands. Not only fixing our boo-boos, but she was always feeding us until our bellies were full and warming us up with hot chocolate on cold nights. Sue was a wonderful, gentle soul, who loved her family and helped out in the community. She was not rich, but she spent what time she could knitting hats, scarves, and sweaters for the needy. You could always find her at a soup kitchen in Port Angeles on holidays and volunteering to read to sick children and the elderly at the local hospitals and nursing homes.

Charlie was good friends with her husband, Harry, who had passed away many years ago. It made sense to me...they made sense to me. And I was positive that this was more than just mere flirting. However...

Sue's children were wolves, which meant she was probably aware of what I was, and I was still adamant about the idea of keeping Charlie in the dark about vampires and werewolves. I didn't want him to be a part of this world.

"Bella!" Sue exclaimed, running toward me with arms wide open.

Well, I guess she wasn't afraid of me.

She threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. Getting over the initial shock of her warm body, my arms automatically encircled the slightly plump woman's waist. Her unique and familiar scent - that reminded me of azaleas - wafted over me. It felt nice, and I found myself breathing her in deeply and savoring the moment in this comforting hug that briefly took away all my stress and fears...but just for a moment.

She backed away from me, but kept her head close to mine. She gave me a warm smile, touched the tip of my nose like she had when I was a little girl, and whispered, "Don't you worry, sweet Bella, your secret is safe with me. And as for that one over there-" she waved her arm behind her, indicating my father, who was on the bed, pretending to watch television with a cheesy smile on his face "-I will take good care of him after you leave for Chicago. You don't have to worry about a thing, honey."

I quirked an eyebrow at her and then glanced over at my father, who refused to catch my eye. I sighed dramatically.

Well, it looks like I am going home.

I couldn't help the huge smile that spread across my face as I whipped out my phone and called the airport, at the same time jumping carefully into Charlie's lap and smiling brightly at him.

"Love you, Dad," I mouthed at him.

He finally looked at me and planted a kiss on my forehead. "Love you, too, kiddo."

EPOV

It was late, and I fell into my bed without even taking off any of my clothes. My whole body ached, and my head was pounding a ferocious beat inside my skull. It had been a long day. A long two weeks, actually.

We still had my grandmother in police custody, trying to sort out all the details, and to be fucking honest, there was absolutely nothing to sort out.

Victoria was innocent. She did not commit those murders, and I still couldn't understand for the goddamn life of me why she kept saying that she did. All of her facts were wrong. The victims she described were totally off the mark - she even mentioned that one was a woman, for Christ's sake.

She hadn't let on to anyone but me that she was a vampire or that we were related, and that was a good thing, because we sure as hell didn't need that shit going public. I still couldn't believe that this was all happening - why she was here, confessing to a bunch of murders that she didn't commit. It made no fucking sense. The whole department was in chaos trying to figure out how the hell we could build a case against her with no evidence, no motive, nothing. Just a confession. She was taking the fall for someone - the real murderer - and it just didn't add up, because surely she knew we would not be incarcerating the real killer, since he or she was a vampire and all. There wasn't a prison in the world that could hold a vampire against their will.

I was fucking losing my mind.

I must admit that when I saw my vampire grandmother sitting there in that interrogation room, I had almost lost my shit. I had no idea what kind of vampire she was. I didn't know if she was dangerous. I didn't know anything.

But then she'd smiled at me. She had known who I was. And when I'd finally found my fucking balls, I joined her in the interrogation room to speak with her - off the record, of course. She was definitely odd, but not dangerous, and the look on her pale, but beautiful face when she looked at me was hard to describe. She looked at me with the love and devotion that a grandmother would show for her grandson, even though she didn't look a day older than me. Weird.

I was definitely freaked and had no idea what to do. I mean, I had never even met this woman, but yet, I had felt a strange connection to her. She actually was able to soften some of the hardness that I always portrayed. The only other people who could do that were my family...and Bella.

I groaned loudly at the thought of her, my headache coming back full force, and I pushed my face farther into the pillow, trying like hell to get Bella out of my mind. But it was no use. Her face, her hair, her body plowed into my head fiercely, causing me to tremble all over.

God, I missed her. It was such a new feeling for me. I missed her so much that if I didn't throw myself into my work to distract myself, then I would never be able to go through my days at all. I was terrified about what this meant. I had never needed anyone before, I had never wanted anyone this bad before. I had never lov-

NO! I still could not admit to myself that I was in love with Bella. I still couldn't get over the fact that there had to be something magical forcing me to love her. I didn't trust it, and unfortunately, the time away from her had helped me realize that I didn't really trust her, either. I thought that being away from her for an extended period of time would be able to break the magical spell or whatever the fuck it was I'd fallen victim to. I just couldn't believe that it was all real. It was too hard. That wasn't me.

But the spell hadn't broken...yet. And I wanted her. So fucking much.

So I had been doing the only thing I could think of - I avoided all of her phone calls, letting them go straight to voicemail, I deleted all those voicemails and all of her texts, and I'd even managed to avoid Rosalie's and Jacob's accusations and lectures about what the fuck I was doing to their friend.

I'd told them I had to think. And it was the truth. I was so damn confused.

So in the meantime, I could feel myself falling into a deep, dark abyss, stuck in my own personal hell of my own doing because my heart and my body wanted her like nothing I've ever known before. I felt empty and lost, like I was missing a part of me. But I was a fucking coward, and I knew I was probably hurting her in the process. But I didn't know how to stop. How was I supposed to guard myself without hurting the one woman I have only ever cared about?

I knew I would have to talk to her eventually, whether to break her heart further, and mine as well, or work it out and let her convince me that what I was feeling was real and not forced. But I also needed proof, not just words, and I had no idea if that was even possible.

I groaned loudly and rolled over, punching the pillow in frustration. If it were a month ago, I would have had someone in my bed right now. A nice, warm, body to fuck with no hesitation, no remorse, no regrets. But I couldn't do that now. I wanted a cold body, Bella's body, and so much more than a cheap fucking thrill.

In such a short time, my beautiful vampire had changed me. And I wasn't sure if I wanted to be changed.

I awoke to the sound of knocking on my front door and shot up in my bed to look at the clock. It was two-fucking-thirty in the morning.

Pissed as all hell at the nerve of the person who was at my door, I tossed the sheets aside and climbed out of bed, stomping my way down the hall and seeing nothing but red. It had to be Jacob or Rosalie, who had been cooped up with Leah across the street at a hotel for the last few weeks. I had adamantly refused to let them fucking stay with me. I needed some semblance of privacy. So they had been staying in a room directly across from me, and the three of them would usually take turns guarding me, watching my apartment with binoculars from the window. A huge invasion of privacy, yes, but better than having them take over my house. Sometimes, I knew it got to be too much for them watching me, so they would barge in to my place and make themselves at home until I kicked them the fuck out.

I glanced at the huge picture window as I made my way angrily to my front door and noticed the lights out at the hotel. No one was there - which meant they were fucking here. Wonderful.

Without even looking, I tackled the locks and whipped open the door, ready to fuck up the damn werewolf and then send them on their way. I needed to be alone with my thoughts, and I couldn't deal with any of them right now.

But as the cool breeze from the hallway washed over me, I realized that the person standing outside my door was not Jacob, Rosalie, or even Leah, and I internally bashed myself for not checking to see who it was first. I was a stupid man.

"Eddie!" Tanya cried, obviously drunk as she brushed past me and stumbled her way into my apartment, giggling. I turned to stare at her in disgust and awe, amazed at how brazen the bitch could be.

Funny. It had never bothered me before.

"Tanya, you need to leave. Now!" I commanded.

"Where have you been, lover?" Tanya slurred, completely ignoring me as she tried to give me a seductive pout but didn't pull it off well in her drunken state. She ripped off the long trench coat she was wearing and let it fall to the floor before she spun around to face me.

"No. Get out," I spoke again with every intention to throw her physically out of my apartment if she didn't leave willingly.

She ignored me again, and I sighed in frustration. I glanced over at the window again, still not seeing any signs of my bodyguards. Not like I needed their help removing Tanya from my apartment, but I didn't want them to think I was fucking around on...Bella.

Even just her name hurt.

My eyes drifted over to Tanya, and her piercing blue eyes met mine as I let my gaze travel from her face and down her body slowly, taking in the barely there lacy, red lingerie that covered her skin. Her ample tits were spilling out of the bustier, just barely covering her nipples. The lacy material was so see-though that I could see the rosy pink circles underneath.

Oh God, no. No, no, no, I chanted in my head as I felt the all-too-familiar stirring in my pants. I spun around, telling myself not to look, to walk away.

My mind was swimming and telling me that I needed to get away from her - that this was wrong - but the chaos and confusion that I had been feeling for the last two weeks were taking their toll on my battered and beaten brain. I was too weak. So I slowly turned back around and let my eyes continue their assault on the half-naked woman standing before me.

As my eyes traveled farther down Tanya's firm, beautiful body in that fuck-awesome piece of lingerie, I could feel my pants growing tighter, an uncomfortable urge to release my dick from its torturous confines overwhelming me.

"Eddie," Tanya breathed, pointing a long, manicured finger at me and crooking it. "I've missed you, baby. Come to me."

I laid my hands over my now-throbbing erection and shifted myself. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I whispered, "No." I hoped she would take that for what it was worth and leave at that moment, but I knew better. This was Tanya, and she never took no for an answer.

I was in trouble.

She smiled wickedly at me and started walking toward me like a cat stalking its prey. I tried to take a step back, but she was already too close. She placed one hand on my bicep, the other on the painful bulge in my pants, cupping me.

No! my mind screamed at me. This isn't right. Get away. Run away.

But I couldn't. I wanted to feel good again. I wanted to take back the man I used to be not so long ago and have meaningless sex. I wanted things to be uncomplicated again. I didn't want to feel. I wanted this.

I moaned softly when Tanya's cool breath blew across my neck, followed by the slight touch of her lips as they caressed my skin. She started moving her hand against the hardness of my cock, and it took all I had not to throw her down right then and fuck the shit out of her.

Bella. Her name was whispered like a soft echo in my head, and I tried to ignore it. I could see her face as images of my beautiful vampire popped into my mind. I tried pushing them away as the button and zipper on my pants gave way and I felt Tanya's hand wrap around me.

I hissed in pleasure as she licked the side of my neck and started to stroke me. I had yet to touch her, because I knew that if I did, that would have been the turning point, and there was no going back.

I tried to close off the thoughts in my fucked-up head. I wanted all the chatter to go away. I didn't want to see Bella's face or hear her voice, or even my own voice telling me this was wrong. I knew it was wrong. But that was who I was. I never cared about doing wrong. Never. Why start now? Bella was just another woman, another conquest, right? I wanted to believe that. I wanted it to be true, because I was so fucking scared of what she really was to me.

"Touch me, Edward," Tanya whispered as she briefly stopped sucking and licking at my neck and pulled my t-shirt over my head. She dropped the garment on the floor and continued attacking my collarbone and chest with fiery kisses, moving lower down my body.

A moment of clarity told me that if I let things go any further with Tanya that Bella would never forgive me. I would never see her again. The thought of that happening almost made me drop to my knees in excruciating pain.

Edward, please. Don't do this. That was Bella's voice, and I could see her face, the devastation and sadness overshadowing her beautiful features, and my heart hurt even more.

I felt Tanya's hands skim across my stomach as she continued her journey down to my abs, leaving a blazing trail of warmth everywhere her tongue touched. Her hand was still stroking my cock at a excruciatingly slow place, and I threw my head back and growled.

It was hell...it was heaven...and I wasn't stopping it.

I had to stop it, but my mouth wouldn't work. I needed to push her away, but my hands stayed at my sides. I could hear myself groaning with the pleasure that Tanya was giving me, and I wanted more. I was lost inside of myself. I knew that what I was doing was the worst possible betrayal. I had promised Bella I wasn't going anywhere. I knew that she had my heart. I was not only betraying her - I was betraying myself.

I could feel Tanya's mouth on my thighs as she licked and sucked her way to the Promised Land. Only a few more centimeters left, and there was no turning back. My dick was aching to feel the soft, hot moisture of Tanya's mouth. There was no turning back. I wanted to grab her head and thrust violently into her mouth and feel all that I needed to feel and be who I used to be. There was no turning back.

Finally, I moved my hands as Tanya swiped her tongue along the bottom of my V where my abs met my groin. Her tongue was millimeters away from my throbbing cock as I pushed my fingers into her hair and wound it around my wrists. She looked up at me with a victorious smile before she eyed her prize and licked her lips in anticipation. She inched closer as I finally got a good grip on her hair. Looking down, I could see the evidence of my arousal glistening on the tip of my ready cock.

I gripped her hair harder, guiding her ever so slowly...

"What the fuck are you doing?" she screeched loudly as I thrust her face into her discarded trench coat lying in a heap on the floor.

Slowly, I bent down and brought my lips against her ear, not yet releasing her hair. "I suggest you pick your sexy little coat up off the floor and put it on quickly." I blew my breath across her face, and I offered her a small, antagonistic smile. "Because if you aren't out of my apartment in less than five seconds, I'm going to throw you out. With or without that coat. But I hear it's pretty fucking cold out there, Tan. Good luck with that."

And with that, I released her, taking a deep, grateful breath and priding myself for coming to my senses. I tucked myself back into my pants, casually walked toward the door, and stood there with my hand on the doorknob, waiting patiently for Tanya to collect herself and then get the fuck out of my apartment...and my life.

She huffed as she pulled the long coat haphazardly over her shoulders, not even bothering to tie it up, and stormed toward me with pure ire across her pretty face.

I smiled widely. "Goodbye, Tanya." I said, completely composed, and yanked open the door for her to make her exit. I slammed the door behind her and let out a long, slow, breath.

Not wanting to think about what just happened until the morning, I ran my hands through my hair vigorously, sighed, and started back toward my bedroom. As I passed the window, I glanced over to see if Jacob, Rose, and Leah had returned to their room yet. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a figure with long, flowing brown hair standing in the window with nothing but the moonlight illuminating her beautiful features.

No.

Oh, fucking God, no.

SO…Tell me what you think!