Hello Everyone!

Welcome back for the next chapter of A Choice. I'm glad you all liked the last one and thanks for the 15 reviews! This chapter is more drama, more sweetness and well... no lemon.

Sorry about that, but there's gonna be one next chapter. Speaking of next chapter, it's gonna be a little time jump of either a few days. I'll let you know more about what's gonna be in that chapter down the bottom because you need to read this chapter first!

In other news, I'm on twitter now under the name bexie25. If you have it, please follow me! :)

Not much to say, so I'll see you down the bottom!

*A/N: 21/8/2013– I am replacing chapters after they are edited by my beta, Chandrakanta. You won't get notifications of this, don't worry. In this process, I am changing all my Aussie spelling to American, since the characters are American. The wording of parts of Edward's dialogue will be changed to make it more mature and realistic. The meaning behind what he says will be the same; it will just be more formal is all. Nothing major will be changed.*

Read, review and enjoy!

There was silence for a few minutes.

I looked at each of the Cullens, feeling Edward's comforting growl as it reverberated against me. The silence was killing me, and as I glanced at Dad, I could see that he was a little on edge as well. As I looked at him, nearly giggling in amusement at his animated face, I could see that, while on edge, he wasn't uncomfortable or scared… any of the apparently 'normal' reactions.

If anything, he looked fascinated while he studied my vampire family and I turned to look at them, wondering what was so interesting.

I saw what he was seeing immediately.

He was seeing the vampires within them; he was seeing them when they'd stopped the charade, the façade around humans. It was the interest that reminded me of the fact that he'd never seen the Cullens when they were stripped of their human tendencies, and now, just seconds after admitting that he knew what they were, he was. I smiled with happiness because… he was seeing what I saw every day… well, apart from the worried looks on their gorgeous faces. But he was seeing them, experiencing what it was like when they did not move, when they were on edge and deep in thought.

He was seeing their interactions with their mates, and though they did not move, they were interacting with their mates. Each couple had perfectly synchronized breaths, their movements surrounding the other, influenced by their other half. Each male had his arm around his female, or their hands clasped together; they were all touching their mates, and as I had one myself, I could really appreciate it. It was a beautiful thing to see, especially knowing how old these couples were now… knowing that they'd been like this when they were newly mated. And knowing that that would still be Edward and I in fifty, one-hundred, or even a thousand years.

Edward, sensing my happiness, purred in my ear as he kissed my neck. I nuzzled my cheek against his as I continued to watch my father, waiting for the sign that he was uncomfortable. I giggled against Edward's neck when Dad swallowed and shuddered, his eyes falling on us. He watched us, a small smile on his face before his eyes locked on mine… desperate eyes that were screaming for help.

I cleared my throat, which in turn made every one of the Cullens look at me. I raised an eyebrow, my eyes darting to my father quickly and pointedly. Emmett and Emmett and Rosalie suppressed grins, though the rest of them—except Jasper, who was staring at my father in confusion—looked sheepishly but sweetly at me.

Carlisle was the first to speak. "And may I ask how you came to those conclusions? It's a very apt and specific guess, Charlie."

My father raised his eyebrow at Carlisle. "Are you saying it's not true?"

Carlisle grinned at him, obviously amused. "I'm not saying that, I just wanted to know—and I'm sure all of us are quite curious, too—how you guessed that."

Charlie grunted in his normal fashion and shrugged. "Put two and two together, it makes four… you know…" I giggled, shaking my head and he grinned as he looked at me before he turned back to Carlisle. "I mean, it's kind of easy when you put all the characteristics and all the things I've picked up on together. There's the cold, hard skin—like a corpse's—there's the weird eye color though none of you are related. Then there's the mating and living forever thing and the changing into an immortal part. It's just… I don't know; it was easy to put together once you were all out of the room and I was by myself."

I smiled, for some reason proud of my father. "Well, now that you know, I guess it's time for a little Q and A. So, Dad, ask away," I said, getting comfy in Edward's arms, my legs lying across his lap. My head and the rest of my body were leaning against his.

Dad blew out a breath as he thought for a moment. We all let him take his time and I even closed my eyes, feeling a little tired. The sound of Edward's breathing comforted me, as it was in time with my own, and rather than feel uncomfortable at the lack of heartbeat, I felt it to be normal. Just as I felt his cold, hard skin was normal, safe… I loved every part of him.

"This mating thing," Dad began and I opened my eyes to find that he was eyeing Edward and me. I sat up a little, thinking he was a little miffed, but Edward's arms around my waist, keeping me against him, told me he knew what I was thinking and that that was not the case. I settled back against my vampire, my eyes on Charlie.

"Yes, Dad?" I said, knowing that he was hesitating a little. "Don't worry about any questions you ask; seriously, it's fine."

He nodded, clearing his throat as he leaned forward. He looked into my eyes as he asked, "You explained it, but I got the idea that there were parts you left out. What are they?"

I smiled; my father sure did know how to read me. "I wasn't the one who told you, but I guess you can see that it's more than what Carlisle explained it to be." And it was easy to see how he came to that conclusion; every mated couple in this room was… entwined. It was easy to see that this connection was something more than just love… it was… it was built on love but, at the same time, it was so much more.

"There are three connections that vampire mating couples can feel, but most only feel two," I began, leaning forward a little. I turned in Edward's lap so that my back was against his chest, his arms wrapped around me from behind. "There's the physical connection, the emotional connection, and the mental connection. The physical connection is the one that every couple has, but it depends on the couple whether they have either the emotional or mental connection."

For the next half an hour, perhaps, I explained to my father—with help from Edward and Carlisle, of course—what we knew of the connection between Edward and I. We told him everything that Eleazar said, other than the gifts part, and Dad lapped it all up eagerly. He was so enthusiastic to hear and learn more that my heart softened as my worries and fears slipped away.

My father was embracing this… and it was good. It… it felt right. My worries about my father fell away and I was so happy that he was embracing this part of my life. It felt… it felt like he was embracing me… something that my mother had never bothered to do… that hardly anyone had ever done.

But then Charlie asked about what he'd noticed lately—about how close we were—and I knew he could sense—hell, it was fucking obvious! I was surprised that no one else had picked up on it—that something was wrong… especially the wolves and Jacob.

I sighed, slumping against Edward, who immediately tightened his arms around me, squeezing to show his support. "That's what we don't know, Dad. We just know from evidence of similar occurrences in other couples that something is coming… but we have no idea what. And each day our connection strengthens and this… this whatever-it-fucking-is gets worse."

My hands fell to my lap and I swallowed, wanting the anger to just swallow me whole. Not knowing what was coming was starting to weigh down on me and I'd be damned if I didn't admit how scared I was. My heart, soul, body, and mind clenchedat the thought of losing Edward, or being forced into some sort of separation from him.

I knew that my body wouldn't be able to handle that. But at the same time, I was sure we would… I was sure that our connection was somehow preparing us for a separation of some sort, making sure we're able to withstand—in some way—whatever is to come. It was making us stronger… I could feelthat. I could feelmyself becoming stronger and stronger by the day, even though I was becoming dependent on Edward.

It was just whatwas coming that was puzzling me.

Dad looked between Edward and I before sighing, throwing his hands up in the air. "I don't know what it could be. Certainly, it's not your mother. I can't imagine what she'd have to do with this and I'm sure she doesn't know anything about this. She never cared… so why would she now? But you've told me about this… this Volturi or whatever it's called, but… I just… do you think it could be them?"

His big statement and question stopped me cold. I froze in Edward's arms, my nails suddenly clawing at Edward's arms as I started to shake. A broken whimper left my mouth before I tried to take in calm, deep breaths… which turned into staggered ones fucking quickly. I gripped Edward's arms, shaking and quivering and shuffling in his arms, needing to get closer to him. But I was at a loss as to know how.

Edward seemed to understand that, and before I could blink, before I could understand what was happening, I was facing him. Our foreheads pressed together, he looked into my eyes, his own dark and determined, fierce in their protectiveness. My hitching heaves of breath did not calm as I looked into his eyes and his eyes widened, brow creasing as he tried to blindly think of ways to calm me.

"Gr-growl," I forced out, clenching my eyes closed. My world moved then but I couldn't figure out what was going on. I tried to reach for Edward, but all of a sudden he wasn't there. I gasped as I felt literal, cold, bleak, harshpain in my chest. My hand flew to my chest, pressing hard as if to press against the pain, to eliminate it. All the while, I searched for him, gripping at the air, fisting it uselessly. It was blindsiding, this pain, but then it faded some; enough for me to acknowledge that it was still there, but enough that it wasn't at the forefront of my mind.

Finding Edward, however, was.

Finally, I found something, and when the pain lessened even more, I knew that it was Edward. I gripped it, unsure of what part of him it was but it felt like it was his arm.

"Bella?" Edward whimpered. His hand wrapped around my own as he searched my eyes and I fought against the pain, forcing my eyelids back so I could see his gorgeous face.

"Edward… you… I… can't… growl… need…" I tried to speak, but all that came out were disjointed words. If I was capable of calming down enough to rationally feel anger and not panic, I would have growled in frustration. As it was, I couldn't do anything but whimper, clench my eyes closed, and fist his hair tightly.

I needed something, I realized. And I wasn't talking about Edward's growl. I meant… God, I wasn't even sure what I meant. I wasn't sure of anything at this point, but I looked into Edward's eyes—the only part of him… or anything… that I could see—pleading with him to do something as another wave of pain cut through my chest like a sharp-edged knife.

I screamed. I screamed bloody murder, choking as my throat closed up. I tried to open my eyes, to search for Edward, seeking more comfort than I had ever needed, but I just couldn't do it.

I didn't have the strength for anything anymore.

The pain tore at me again and I gripped what I was sure was Edward's shoulders this time. My head felt like it was about explode, my body shaking forcefully, but I couldn't fucking doanything! I vaguely heard the tearing of fabric and Edward's voice calling Carlisle's name, but then there was nothing else.

Unable to fight, unable to stop it, I sunk into a deep unconsciousness.

~O~

The first thing I felt was that I was laying on something very comfortable. The first thing I knew was that Edward was in the room. The first thing I heard was Edward's voice. The second thing I heard was Carlisle's. The third was my father's and the fourth was Alice's.

Edward was anxious… to say the least. Carlisle was trying to be soothing but was otherwise worried. Charlie was panicking, unsure of what the fuck was going on and Alice… Alice was being hounded for answers, quickly getting pissed.

When she told Edward off, I wasn't sure if I wanted to growl at her or laugh at Edward. But as I moved to open my mouth, I heard Edward gasp, and in the next second, Edward's body was pressed against mine. I knew this because the electricity between us tingled and sharpened, as if senses were slowly starting to work again.

I felt a wave of strength and I rolled into Edward's arms. I was sure then that I was on my bed because there was no other part of the house that was one: this comfortable, and two: this big. My fingers clenched, digging into Edward's impenetrable skin, and I whimpered, needing to be closer. I opened my eyes, which landed immediately on his lick-able jaw.

I bit my lip, the memory of that gut-wrenching, fearful pain making my heart clench and tears well in my eyes. But that also brought forward a question that I needed an answer to, and my lips formed the words and dispelled them before I could stop myself.

"What happened?"

It was a rasping, broken whisper that would always notify others that whoever spoke like that needed water. And I did; my throat felt so dry then that it was almost like swallowing sand and I swallowed over and over. Edward, whose face I could now see properly, glanced over my head, behind me to someone I could not see, and the next thing I could see over my shoulder was a glass of water.

I hummed and smiled, reaching for it but my hand was shaking. I saw Edward frown, biting the inside of his cheek as he tried to tone down his reaction to the sight but I noticed. My hand wrapped around his left, which was still holding the cup, and instead of trying to take it from him, I tugged softly. Edward grinned down at me, seeing what I wanted, and slowly brought the cup to my lips. Our eyes were only for each other as I drank from the cup.

When it was empty, Edward handed it back to whoever had given it to him before looking at me and sighing. He opened his mouth, trying to say something, but the words just wouldn't form, stuck in his throat. He swallowed, frowning in almost pain as his piercing eyes connected once again with mine for a single, fleeting moment.

"I'm sorry," was what he said in a broken whisper and I frowned, looking at him, watching him, thoroughly confused.

"What?" I whispered, looking into his eyes. I swallowed. "What are you sorry for?" I asked, shaking my head as if to clear it so I could try to make sense of his response. It made no sense. Edward had done nothing wrong, nothing at all.

He sighed again, his arms wrapping around my waist. He sat me up on the bed and, for once, I didn't move to straddle him. His arms stayed wrapped around my waist, but he didn't look at me. He glanced over my head at someone and, a few moments later, I heard the sound of our bedroom door closing quietly.

"Edward… what's wrong?" I whispered again, shuffling closer. Even now, with the pain gone, the shadow of it had me craving more of him, craving closer. My eyes closed as I found just a small relief, and a sigh of contentment left my open mouth.

He leaned his forehead against mine, closing his eyes, squeezing them shut. "I let go of you and you started having a panic attack, combined with our connection playing havoc. For just one second, I let go of you. That is why you felt that pain… that is why you screamed and you could not find me. It sent you into a panic, and even when I was touching you again, it was too late." His voice changed to anger, but it was self-hatred, self-disgust… all against himself. That both worried and upset me, but I let him continue. "I let go of you for one second and this is what happens. It's… it… it's scaring me, Bella. This whole situation is getting out of hand and I don't like it. I want nothing more than to be alone with you right now, to protect you and keep you safe, happy… but it… this is getting too much, Bella. I think we need to call in some help."

My eyes flew open and I searched his eyes, frowning. "What do you mean? What help?"

He smiled vaguely, weakly. "Calm down, love. I just mean that I think we should enlist the help of someone who knows this situation and our connection better."

"Eleazar?" I asked, sitting up, not taking my eyes off Edward. "You want to bring Eleazar down here?" This was just great. This was just the thing I needed: to be faced with Tanya and her snobby sisters. But then again, I could see why Eleazar was needed and it aggravated me. So, though I understood the situation completely, I couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

"Because Eleazar is the only one who knows about our connection and the limitations and what could possibly be happening us, short of Marcus. And because I won't have you near them." The last word was spit out, growled out like a curse, and I knew immediately who he was speaking of.

It still disgusted us that the Volturi masters, Aro and Caius, were responsible for their brother's current situation. It was them that forced Marcus into a life that was without his mate, and because they had taken away his mate—the one with whom he shared the same connection as Edward and I—Marcus was a shell of his former self.

He was empty while they showed no remorse.

And it was all because of their thirst for power.

"I don't want to be near them," I whispered, wrapping my arms around Edward's neck again and pulling myself up onto his lap. He sighed, leaning his forehead against mine, winding his arms around my waist, our breaths in perfect sync. "But I don't want to be around Tanya, either. I don't think I can handle that right now, Edward; I don't think I can handle having to see anyone want you like that."

"Then we'll simply ask Eleazar to come down alone," he said softly and I snorted.

"There're two things wrong with that, Edward. One: do you really think Tanya would pay attention? You know she'd come down anyway just to stir up trouble, regardless of her apology, and two… to take Eleazar away from his mate to help with our connection?" I sighed, looking down before I mumbled, "That doesn't feel right, Edward."

Edward thought for a moment before grinning up at me. "So we invite him and Carmen down. We tell them that your father is here and that we'd rather the girls didn't come down. Love, they'll understand."

I looked up into his eyes, sighing. "Ok. Yeah, we'll do that a little later. Is, uh… is Dad ok?"

Edward smiled. His eyes were soft and kind, understanding, and when he spoke, his voice was the same; effortless. I could feel myself relaxing just from the sound... Or perhaps it was the purring growl that was making his chest slightly vibrate: mygrowl. "He was worried, my sweet love, because he didn't know what was going on, but I wasn't the one that spoke to him. Esme took him aside while Carlisle and I were attending to you." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I was scared out of my mind about you," he whispered, swallowing as his thumb swiped lightly across my lip. "I didn't know what was wrong… you were just screaming. Occasionally it was my name, but the whole time you were clutching at your chest… and I had no idea how to help you."

I settled into his arms, straddling him and resting my head on his chest. "All I needed—all I will ever need—is you, Edward."

He purred, and I felt his smile when he kissed my forehead.

We were silent for a while. It was comforting and soothing, everything we needed. After so much drama that had been all we'd lived today, it was the one thing that we needed. It allowed us to just… be, something that we hadn't been able to do for a while. With the whole altercation with Jacob and then telling Dad and that stupid separation thing they'd forced upon us today…

And now this.

Then again, I was filled with questions. Questions and worries, troubling ones that just needed answers, but I wasn't ready to ask them. I just wanted to be silent for a while longer. Right now I just wanted to revel in the fact that I was with Edward, alone. I just wanted to be in Edward's arms… and I was. I was in Edward's arms, my head on his chest and my eyes closed. Feeling every inch of our bodies touching was magical, and while it would never be enough, it was… good, satisfying. It felt… right.

Finally, with the question bursting to my lips, only to be knocked back by my mind, I finally gave in. Resting my chin right over where his non-beating heart is, I looked into his eyes and whispered, "What are we going to do?"

Edward looked into my eyes for a moment before sighing and looking away. "I don't know."

"We can't go on like this," I said, worry edging its way into my tone. "There's no way we can be together every second of everyday. It's just… not possible."

Edward looked into my eyes. "We will find away. There is a way… we just haven't found it. We're already in every class together as it is."

"Yes, we are," I said, "but we're not sitting next to each other in every class. In most, I admit, we are but there are some where we're on the other side of the room, and as we've seen today, that's not ok anymore. Not with this… this whatever this is that's coming our way!"

I was getting angrier and more hysterical by the minute, but fuck it, I couldn't help it! This was real. This was serious and it was happening to us. I just wasn't sure if we'd be ok or not… and I had no idea how we'd get through it during school. Yes, we'd be taking the next few days off school to get accustomed to this problem, but we couldn't do that forever. If we did… my father would get in trouble and my mother would be notified.

Just the thought of my mother coming here… finding me with Edward and this whole new family scared the ever living shit out of me. My mother had certain rules and expectations that I was to live by, and I wasn't joking when I'd sung in that song that I was breaking all of them.

Rule number one… the most important of all: no boyfriends.

Oops.

"Bella, we can talk to the school–" Edward began, but I was having none of it. I sat up, my hands pushing down on his chest to support myself as I replied.

"And say what?" I nearly yelled, my voice drastically rising in volume by the second. The fear and anger that was directed at my mother for not letting me live my own life—the ones that had always been buried there so deep, never allowed to be released—were taking over me and I was reacting sharply.

I had the perfect life here. I was perfectly happy here. I wasn't willing to give that up. Not for anything… and especially not for my fucking bitch of a selfish mother.

"Bella and Edward cannot physically be apart even by mere centimeters because of a supernatural connection that they share. Oh, and Edward's a vampire! But don't worry, he doesn't fucking eat people!"

Ok, so now I was shouting… but fuck! I couldn't help it. I was breaking down; all the walls that I'd constructed to keep away the feelings of that time before Edward, when I lived with my mother, were coming back. The walls were breaking.

Edward sat up and I melted into his open arms. I was shaking as I huddled into him, needing his guidance and him; just him. That's all I needed, all I wanted. Tears welled in my eyes, a lump forming in my throat and I tried to breathe correctly but I couldn't. Uneven, panicky, hitching breaths left me and they were so strong that my chest heaved and I felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Calm, my dear love," Edward said, knowing just what I needed. He growled my growl and it resonated, filling the room with the amount of power and control that made it so easy to just lose myself in him and forget the shit that was now unbound and haunting me. "Everything is all right. We will sort it out. We will discuss this with Eleazar. We will discuss our worries and fears with him. He will come to our aid... I know he will, my sweet."

I nodded and breathed in his scent—deep, dragging inhales—and moments later, I was so relaxed that my limbs felt like jelly. I looked up at Edward, wrapping my arms and legs around him as he began to stand up. "Let's go out there, baby. I think they're waiting for us and I really want to talk to Dad, to make sure he's alright. When I woke up, my one thought was you. I'm a little better now and it's time I talked to Dad… to clear the air. Let's go talk to the others and then call Eleazar, the sooner the better. Plus, we need to talk to him about Jacob. It's not just supernaturally that we can take action against him, and I think it would be good if we got Dad to get a restraining order. That way, if Jacob approaches me, then we can call the police and he'll be locked up for a while." I looked up at Edward's pensive face. "It's worth a shot, right?"

He shrugged, smiling down at me. "Whatever you think, my beautiful mate. It is up to you if you want to do that. He is your father, so it is completely your decision."

I smiled up at him, biting my lip, my cheeks burning as I flushed red tomato. "But do you think it's a good idea?"

He looked at me and sent me his beautiful, sexy crooked grin before nodding. "Yes, I do. Not only would it help with the situation, but it will relieve us of at least some of the stress: you, your father… me." He thought for a second more before frowning. "It may upset the Quileutes, though, and your father's relationship with Billy."

I shook my head. "Dad doesn't trust them anymore… especially not after everything that's gone on and what Billy and Jacob said and what I told you both. I don't think he sees the possibility of even reconciling that relationship. Even if it does upset them… there's nothing they can do about it."

He nodded. "You are right, my sweet girl, but I am just worried about how those of the pack will react as well. I believe they thought your father to be their only way in to force us apart."

I glared, my eyes narrowing, but it wasn't directed at Edward; a fact that he thankfully knew. "Fuck them. Seriously, their opinions on our relationship and this situation don't matter. We're not breaking any of their rules and they fucking know it; it's part of the reason why they're so pissed, I'll bet!"

Edward smiled sweetly at me, calming some of my ire. "I know. Do not worry, my sweet, it will all be dealt with." He stood up then, holding his hand out for me while the other ensured that we were still touching, our fingertips grazing against each other. I smiled up at him, looking into his beautiful, loving… darkeyes. "I love you… I love you with everything that I am and I will be damned if I let anyone come between us or try to separate us. I will not allow it."

I nodded, swallowing as I took his hand, the other dropping to my side. Edward pulled me into his side, wrapping his arm around my waist, and I did the same. I relaxed into his side as we slowly started to walk toward the door. Edward opened it for us and we walked through together, stubbornly not letting go of each other—any part of each other.

As soon as we looked up, we saw our family. The Cullens and my father were all sitting there, and when my eyes closed in on Charlie, I could see that he was looking a little… well, to be honest, sick. I frowned and was about to rush over to him, but Edward's arm tightened around my waist and my eyes flashed up to his face. A moment of silent communication passed through us as our eyes connected, and I knew he wanted me to be careful. The last thing we needed was for another one of those episodes to happen, and the only way to stop it was to stick with each other.

I smiled up at him and laid my head against his chest, looking at my father. "Dad, are you ok?" I asked, biting my lip, worrying it as I observed him.

He took a deep breath before swallowing. "To be honest, Bells, I'm worried about you. That… what just happened there… has that happened before today?"

Edward and I glanced at each other, thinking for a moment. I looked back at my father and shrugged. "Not really. It's not supposed to happen—as in, it's not a part of our connection that happens frequently, and when our connection isn't… under strain, I suppose, but, because our connection has… I dunno, seensomething coming, our connection has been playing up. So… it's certain that if we're not touching each other at all times until this thing passes, it will happen."

Charlie sighed and said nothing more for a few minutes. Then he looked back up at me and asked, "Are you ok?" His eyes studied me, too, and I smiled.

"Yeah, Dad, I'm ok," I said softly, tugging on Edward's arm. He chuckled, kissing my forehead and we quickly walked over to the couch nearest my father, in sync. "But there is something that we want to talk to you about. I mean, we want to talk to all of you, but, Dad, this is something we really need your help on."

"What?" he asked gruffly, sitting up straighter as he frowned. His eyes shifted between Edward and me and I laughed.

"Calm down," I reprimanded gently. "We just want you to help us get a restraining order against Jacob. We know it probably won't do much, but I think it would make us all feel somewhat better about the situation."

Charlie looked at me, nodding thoughtfully. "That's a good idea. I just wish we didn't have to do it. I know Billy's gonna be on my ass about it," he said, smiling wryly. "How far do you think you want the restraining order to go out to? I don't want him anywhere near the house, especially since I work late. Even if Edward is going to be there, I'd rather there was a firm radius that would cover the street."

I smiled at him softly. Charlie was a man of few words, so to hear him speak, and speak passionately, about something—about me—was heart-warming. "Thank you, Daddy… but I don't think that'll make a difference. Jacob is hell-bent on getting me. He's cracked enough to think that I'm his, and if I know what he's thinking, then he's willing to do anything to get me… to force me to submit."

Edward growled, his arms tightening around me. "You're mine. I won't let him touch you. He's too dangerous, and now that I know you've experienced just how dangerous he is personally, I'll never let him hurt you again."

I swallowed back the worry and fear that ran through my form at his words. I looked down, my lips parting as I breathed in a deep breath. "I know, baby, I know you'll protect me. Just… just don't let him hurt you, ok?"

Edward's cheek was against mine then and I closed my eyes. "He will not. I can swear that to you."

I nodded, taking a deep breath again, feeling a little better already.

Dad, who'd obviously been watching us, stood up. I looked up at him and he smiled down at me. "All right, kiddo. I think I'll go to the station and get those papers sorted, ok?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Dad. Um… do you wanna come over for dinner?"

He smiled, nodding slowly. "Yeah, that would be great. You know I can't cook," he said wryly and we both laughed. "I love ya, Bells," he said, kissing my forehead quickly before he looked at Edward. He raised an eyebrow and Edward nodded, reaching out to shake his hand. "That'll take some getting used to," I heard him mutter and I giggled, biting my lip.

Soon, Dad was gone, having bid farewell to everyone in just a few minutes. I sat on Edward's lap in our lounge room, watching Charlie as he walked out, and I breathed out a breath of relief when the door closed.

I looked at Edward, who was watching me, and said, "Thank god that's over."

He smiled and was just about to say something when he froze. At the same time, I heard Alice gasp and the glass that she'd been holding—of water for me, though I hadn't asked for it—slipped from her hand.

It was then that I knewsomething was wrong… because vampires don't drop glasses, and if they do… their reflexes are fast enough for them to catch it.

But… Alice…

Alice was frozen, her eyes wide as she stared at Edward and me in sheer, panicking horror.

So... how was that?

Yes, I know, another cliff-hanger... I'm sorry. But you'll find out what Alice saw... or rather, didn't see... *clues* next chapter when we skip forward a few days to Eleazar's arrival. Yes, there'll be a flashback of them calling to ask him to come over and probably another that goes right after this but we really need to push things along! Do we agree?

Oh and it's official: no more new stories until a few are finished. I'm hoping to finish my drabble "Love Knows No Bounds" soon. Other than that, I'm not really sure. :)

That's it, guys! Remember to follow me on twitter for exclusive photos and some other stuff that'll let you know how I'm going with stories and any ideas I have. It'll be pretty exclusive stuff!

Please review and I'll see you in three weeks!

bexie25