AN: Again, I'm sorry for not getting this up sooner. BUT I have been working on it for a pretty good two weeks. I tried to finish it last weekend but it didn't work out, obviously. Anyway, as you can see this is a long chapter so I want 16 reviews for it. PLEASE!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Nate rocked me in his arms for a long time. It wasn't romantic or in any way would make me feel that I wasn't being loyal to Edward. It kind of reminded me of the way we were back in Arizona though.

Nate and Edward were similar in many ways. They both knew how to deal with me when I was upset. Most guys would completely back away and avoid you as soon as you started crying. Neither Nate nor Edward ever told me to shut up or knock it off as soon as I started having an emotional breakdown.

And I would understand actually if they did tell me to shut up or knock it off. Who would want to hang around a clingy, annoy girl who has no emotional control at all. Nobody I knew. Of course I also knew that Edward would never tell me to shut up or knock it off. That he would always hold me until I was done sobbing, unlike most guys I have ever met.

I didn't know if his kindness and endurance for putting up with my little episodes came from living with three women for the past fifty years, growing up in a different century where being a gentleman was pretty much required or if it was just Edward's personality in general. Still, he was the way he was.

Nate was the one to be unsure about. You would think he most likely would have been the one out of anyone who didn't want to deal with emotional trauma. Nate though was one of the few guys I have ever met who didn't back away from girl tears. Those few men being, Edward, Jacob, Nate, Ricky, Dustin, my cousin Lucas and Casey.

Nate and Edward were both very good at comforting me. It surprised me, actually. I had forgotten that Nate was the same way. I wondered, briefly, if there were certain qualities in men that I was attracted to.

I almost laughed. Was I really comparing whether or not Nate and Edward were similar. I still clung to Nate for dear life. I didn't think the assembly was over yet.

I wondered if Edward was wondering where I went or if he suspected that I was going to run into Nate. I hoped he didn't think I planned this. Alice couldn't assure Edward where I was because she can't see Nate.

I still wondered in the back of my mind why Alice couldn't see Nate if she could see me. It must be something different that prevents Edward from getting Nate's mind than it is with me. I didn't have the slightest clue to why either of our minds were sacred.

Would Novalee's be immune to Edward's power? Would she be immune to Alice's too? I may always wonder these things. Something else I was thinking about was Edward, at this current moment. Was he still in the assembly? Would he leave school without me? If he had already left then why hadn't I seen him? Did he take a different exit? Or was he just purposely avoiding me?

I stopped myself and tired to calm down. I was only freaking myself out. Edward won't leave me again. He would tell me before he went somewhere, I told myself. He won't leave me.

By this time Nate was pulling me up. I figured the assembly was about to be over and Nate was trying to get out before everyone else. I was still sobbing. I couldn't help it. I had bottled this emotion up for too long. I hadn't cried for Nova for a long time.

I slipped up it realized. I called her Nova. I used to call her that before she…. I forced myself to think the word. Died.

That brought on a whole new round of hysteria. Nate didn't loosen his grip on me. As he stood up he pulled my into his side. I clung to him for dear life. There was no way I could calm myself. Nate pulled me towards the exit door of the building. I didn't know where he was taking me.

A few minutes later Nate came to an abrupt stop. I looked up. We were right in front of Rosalie's car. Alice was right at the passenger door, not yet in. In an instant Rosalie and Alice were both in front of me. Hovering.

I realized that Alice had called Rosalie and to pick us up. She must of left the assembly early. I looked around the parking lot. Edward's car was still there. But where was Edward? Was he mad that I was crying to Nate? I guess he could be. It would be understandable. I just brushed it off and didn't consider his feelings in the matter. I was a terrible girlfriend. Maybe those people were right about me. I was a slut.

But would Edward leave me again over it?

Nate pulled me tighter for one second then loosened his grip on me. I tried to pry my hand free of his shirt. Nate bent down for a second and kissed the top of my head. I felt Alice pull me away. I stayed frozen in place as Nate walked away.

Alice guided me to the backseat of Rosalie's BMW. She climbed in next to me. Rosalie got back into the driver seat. As she started the car Alice opened her arms to me. I crawled into her lap.

"Bella," Alice whispered, "What's wrong?" Her voice was deep with concern.

I just sobbed louder. "I….I..I miisss my babby.." I finally managed to choke out.

I tried to stop crying by the time we got to the Cullens'. Rosalie stopped the car and helped me out.

"Wait," I stopped Rosalie and Alice. "Do the boys know?" I asked, my voice was slightly better. I doubt any of the guys would mention it though, if my voice were still hoarse.

They shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, yes, Bella. They do. We thought it would be best just to tell them rather than make you relive it a third time" Rosalie finally answered.

Rosalie guided me into the house. Emmett and Jasper were playing Halo on the couch.

They didn't seem to notice that I had entered. Or if they did they pretended they didn't. Rosalie cleared her throat, making our presence known.

Emmett looked up at us. "Bella!" he yelled, and in an instant I was swept up in his big arms the way a big brother hugs his sister when he hasn't seen her in five years.

"Put her down, Em. The poor girl needs to breathe." Rosalie said affectionately.

Emmett set me on my feet and looked into my eyes. I recognized the emotion of what I saw there in an instant. He knew everything. I shifted my weight from foot to foot, not sure what I should say.

"I'm guessing you know about my baby?" I asked Emmett.

"Yeah…." Emmett paused, collecting his thoughts. "I'm really sorry, Bells."

"It's fine," I said mechanically. Rosalie put her arm around me.

"Why don't we go into the next room?" She said to me. I nodded. I wasn't used to Rosalie being kind to me. I was used to her hard stares and cold remarks. It was going to take time. But only, would I accept it, if she wasn't just being nice to me out of pity.

Rosalie and me went downstairs to the Cullens' third TV room in the house. We sat down in silence, not actward, really just not talking. Rosalie flipped the channels until she found something she liked. I looked up. Gossip Girl. Was playing on the screen.

"You like Gossip Girl?" I asked, bewildered.

Rosalie looked at me, shocked. "Yes. Do you?" She asked. I nodded enthusiastically. "Are you serious!" Rosalie all but did a touch down dance.

"Yeah" Gossip Girl was one of my favorite shows in Phoenix with Francia, Allie, Briee, Taylor and Dustin. Yes, Dustin. One of my guy friends.

"Oh my god! That is so cool! Alice and me are normally the only ones who like it. All the boys make fun of us and Esme thinks it's inappropriate." She laughed. "I actually didn't expect you to like something like that"

"I used to be absolutely obsessed when I lived in Arizona. All my guy friends made fun of me for liking it and my friend Millie always said it was sluts on parade." I told her some things about my past. Rose chuckled.

"Wow, you're going to be a perfect Cullen, aren't you?" She laughed once again, and then trained her eyes back on the TV.

I wondered why she all of a sudden became really accepting of me becoming a vampire and Cullen. I tried to focus back on the TV. This was a really intense episode for Chuck and Blair. I tried to be attentive but it was hard when one of the main characters was named Nate. (AN: Haha. Joke)

There was something else on my mind too. Where was Edward? Why did he leave without saying goodbye? Was he sick of me? Did he wish he had never come back in the first place? Was that why all the Cullens' were being nice to me? They felt guilty.

After twenty minutes of silence I spoke. "Rosalie?" I said in a small voice.

"Yeah," She said without turning away from the TV

I decided just to come out and say it, "Why are you being so nice to me. Not that I don't like it but why now? Why all of a sudden?"

It caught her off guard. She paused for a few minutes then turned off the TV.

"Bella," She started "First of all, I'm not really proud of how I was acting towards you. I just didn't want you to make a mistake like becoming a vampire. That's permanent and can't be taken back. But when I found out you had and lost a baby, I realized that you are old enough to make your own decisions. And quite frankly, you are a Cullen no matter what right now and it's about I accepted it." Rosalie smiled at the end

I was touched that she had accepted me even though I still planned to become a vampire and it wasn't out of pity. I couldn't doubt the sincerity in her voice. It was too good for her to be lying to me.

"Thanks" I whispered. She smiled at me. "What time is it?" I asked

Rosalie checked her cell phone. "Almost noon."

"Where is Edward?" I asked

Rosalie paused. She looked around, like she hadn't even noticed he was gone in the first place. "I actually don't know," She said sheepishly

Rose stood up and pulled me by my hand. We walked up stairs. "Emmy?" She called out. Emmett was before us in an instant.

"Yes, Rose?" He grinned for reasons I don't want to know

"Do you know where Edward went?" She asked

Emmett shook his head. "No, he didn't come home with you guys and he's not answering his cell phone" He stated, looking at me for less than a second then looking back at Rosalie.

Even though he didn't say it aloud, I knew what he was thinking. I still had to ask.

"When was the last time Edward didn't answer his phone?" I asked quietly looking at neither of them.

Rosalie shifted from foot to foot uncomfortable. Emmett answered me. "When we were away," He stated simply.

"No." I whispered, feeling like I got the breath kicked out of me. It felt like I had fainted but was still standing. Everything else felt far off.

"Bella" I heard Emmett call to me. "Bella, he didn't leave you again. I know that for sure." He tried to soothe my fears.

"But he's not answering his phone, he left without saying good bye" I tried to catch my breath.

"Actually, Bella, I did say goodbye to him" Alice seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Everyone turned to look at her. Rosalie was the first to speak.

"You were letting us freak out over here and you knew where he was all along!" She yelled. "You're just lucky Esme's not home because you know how worried she would have been and you would have been in trouble for keeping this to yourself." Rosalie still seemed like she was going to blow a fuse when she looked at me then back at Alice. "And what about Bella over here, who was about to pass out, all because you didn't tell her where Edward was!" At this point Jasper was standing right in front of Rosalie.

"Calm down, Rosalie! Knock it off. Alice hasn't said more than eight words and you're biting her head off!" Jasper stuck up for his wife.

Alice spoke up again. "I don't know where he is actually. I can only get certain glimpses of his future. I only saw him leave without getting caught." Alice explained. The tension didn't leave the room though for a few minutes. I turned towards the staircase.

"I'm going to go to Edward's room," I told them. I walked as slowly as possible to Edward's room, holding on to a false hope that he would be there when I got there.

Of course when I opened the door he wasn't there. I went over to his leather couch and sat down on it. I checked my cell phone. It was two minutes passed noon.

I wondered how my friends in Phoenix were doing. Were they in school? Did they have early release too? I wasn't brave enough to come into contact with another old friend. It took more courage than I had to call Ricky. I picked up the phone and dialed his number again. I needed to talk to someone.

He picked up after the second ring. "Hello, Princess" He said in a sing a song voice. Well kind of. A weird one.

"Hey, gay boy" I teased.

"Shut up. I'm not gay. Want to know how many girls I did while you were away?" Ricky asked.

"Hell, no! I didn't want to know that when I lived in Phoenix and I don't want to know it now." I laughed

"Didn't think you would" He chuckled.

"Are you in school?" I asked. It was after all, around noon.

"Nah, I decided not to go to school today" He said bluntly, I heard him chew something in the background. "Talked to Francia though. She really misses you a lot"

"Did you tell her that I called you?" I asked, hesitantly.

"Yep." Ricky stated blankly

"And?" I prompted

"Uh" I could tell he was shrugging. "You'll find out" He was probably smiling.

"I wish I could punch," I said with no emotion in my voice

"Yeah, like that would hurt" Ricky said sarcastically.

"It would" I stated, confident

"I'm sure," He sounded smug

"Just ask Nate" I smiled now

There was a brief silence between us. Then I heard a loud laugh.

"Oh yeah! You bruised his jaw when we were fourteen! I had completely forgot about that."

I chuckled darkly. "And I have gotten stronger!"

"Is your boyfriend a muscle builder?" I could tell he was smiling again.

"No, but his brother is" I decided to mention Emmett

"Where are you?" He asked randomly.

"The Cullen Mansion" I said blankly

"Mansion? So the boy has got money?" I laughed at how he said the boy.

"More or less" I shrugged

"Has he bought you a rock yet?" Ricky asked. I didn't know if he was referring to an engagement ring or just jewelry. I decided to go with just jewelry.

"He wishes," I laughed

Ricky did too. "I remember Nate wasn't aloud to buy you anything too expensive either. That's because you think that it throws off the balance in the relationship, right?"

"Yep." I didn't have to explain anything to Ricky. "Are you and Francia still…" I trailed off. I didn't know what to call them. Bed Buddies? That was the phrase that Chelsea used for me and Nate. It was more appropriate for Ricky and Francia, though. I decided to go with that. "Bed Buddies"

Ricky laughed. "Nice one, shorty" He called me a nickname only he referred to me as. Ricky and Nate was the only one I used to allow to call me shorty since I was five. Charlie made up the nickname for me when I was younger.

"Don't call me that!" I yelled into the phone. Reflex reaction.

I realized something else. Charlie was the first one to call me Princess. He called me that until I turned eight. Around that point he started becoming more distant from me and then it was down hill from there. It's been getting even worse from the time I was eleven until now.

"Sorry, Princess." He apologized. Ricky changed the subject, knowing not to push me on this kind of stuff. He knew if I wanted to talk about it I would come to him. "But anyway, me and Coco haven't hooked up in about a week"

"What a record for the two of you" I teased

"Well, when was the last time you and that Edward guy had sex. Or made love. Or whatever you like to call it" Ricky chuckled

"I have never had sex with Edward." I told him. I wouldn't have told anyone else that. Not even someone else from our group in Phoenix. Maybe Francia but nobody else. But Ricky was my best friend. There wasn't anything we didn't talk about.

"Aw, tough break for him" Ricky mocked me

I decided to point something out. "Yeah, well you know. You can never be too safe. Condoms are only ninety eight percent preventable, and if you used it wrong it goes down to eighty five percent"

"Thanks for the safe sex lesson, mom" Ricky teased

"Your welcome, son" I went along with his joke

We both laughed for a while. We talked about everything. Homework, TV, friends, his dates, his parents, my parents. Everything.

By the time I looked at the clock on the other side of Edward's room- why does he even have a clock. I have never seen his check the time before- it read three forty two. It was a little after noon when I called. Wow. We talked for a long time.

My only concern now was, where the hell is Edward. We got out of school hours ago!

"Hey, Isabel, is there something bothering you?" Ricky asked. I rolled my eyes.

Him and me always knew when something is up. You would think having a guy for your best friend would make avoiding your problems easier. But no! Not with Ricky.

"I'm just worried about Edward" I confined in him.

"What do you mean, Princess? Is something wrong?" He sounded worried

"He didn't come home from school today and I'm worried about where he is." I explained

"Did you two have a fight?" Ricky asked

"No"

"But you said you're at the Cullen Mansion" Ricky sounded confused. I suppose it is kind of confusing to an outsider.

"I'm really close to his family and I didn't want to go to home when the last thing I knew was that my dad was still there" Ricky didn't actually know Charlie by his first name, so I had to call him dad.

"You're still not close to your dad? You two didn't make up after what happened this morning." Ricky asked

"No" I stated blankly. Why would we?

"I just thought you might be considering you live with him" He explained his assumption

"You live with your father. Are you close to him?" I turned the question around

Ricky didn't miss a beat. "Hells, no! I guess I see your point. So," Ricky got back to our original conversation. "What were you doing when Edward disappeared?"

"I was with Nate. Crying" I told him without thinking. Something I rarely do.

"Nate made you cry?" He asked, protectively

"No" I said

"Then why were you?" He asked, obviously curious

All I had to do was say one word. Though it got caught in my throat quite a few times before I managed to choke it out. "Novalee"

Ricky paused. Then he got back to his questions to help me find Edward. He probably figured he didn't need to make me cry again by making me talk about it. "Who was the last person with him?"

"His sister Alice, but she said she saw him go, just not where he went."

Ricky thought about that for a few minutes. "It sounds to me like you just need to calm down and let Edward come back on his own." He gave me his opinion.

I sighed. "It's harder than you think." I whined, not caring that I sounded like an immature brat. Ricky would never judge me. "Just waiting and waiting. Not knowing what's going to happen in five minutes or five years" I didn't actually know by this point what situation I was referring to. There were too many.

"Hey, Bella," Ricky broke me out of my train of thought. The name Bella on Ricky, Nate, Allie, Mason, Francia or anyone in our friends' lips sounded off to me. "Has Edward ever left you before?" He asked, timidly. He probably guessed from my tone and by knowing how freaked I was.

"Yes." I replied after a minute. I was talking above a whisper but below a normal volume. I'm sure if any of the Cullens' wanted they could still eavesdrop, even if they were at the other side of the house. "Edward left me once before. Last September. After my eighteenth birthday. He didn't come back for seven months. He and his family just picked up their stuff and took off without more than thirty seconds notice." I wasn't sounding angry. I was just explaining this to Ricky as if I was telling him the weather in Forks.

"Sounds like you haven't gotten over that fear, Princess" Ricky replied.

"What's that supposed to mean!" I snapped

Ricky was quiet once again. It was starting to get on my nerves. I realized now that if I was talking to him in person, he would have that look on his face, where he just stared at you and his eyes were kind of set down. It sounds a lot creepier than it is. A lot of girls found it sexy. I didn't. I never really found Ricky sexy. I mean sure he was hot but I would never date him. Even before I met Edward. Ricky's just my best friend. Nothing else.

"I think you need to just wait it out, Isabel and Edward will come back. He probably had something bugging him today, that's all" Ricky spoke up after a moment.

I rolled my eyes. "I know what was bugging him," I mumbled, to nobody in particular. But Ricky still caught it.

"What was bugging him?" Ricky asked

"Me" I laughed without humor. "I am the worst girlfriend in the history of forever" I shared

"Did Edward tell you that? Because if he did, Princess, then maybe he's not the best person to be in a relationship with." Ricky pointed out. I knew Ricky wasn't trying to say anything about Edward. He's just really over protective of me.

"Edward never said that to me." I sighed "Just the opposite actually. He treats me like I really am a Princess"

"Good, that's the kind of boyfriend that you need." I could tell he approved

"Thanks for the approval, dad" I laughed

"You're welcome, daughter" He laughed too.

I made a face. "It doesn't have the same ring to it," I pointed out

"I'll work on it" Ricky promised

I looked, once again, at the clock. It was almost four thirty.

"I better go before I use up all your minutes," I said to Ricky

"Okay, I love you" Ricky replied

"I love you too" I pressed the hang up button. The second I hung up, Alice walked in.

She was carrying a drink, which I figured was for me since she can't keep anything that a human would even consider drink down and I highly doubt she'd want to.

"So you love that Ricky guy?" Alice asked, obviously trying to make conversation.

"Yeah. But not like that" I replied nonchalantly. "Ricky's been my best friend since I was thirteen" I met Ricky through Nate.

Alice faked a hurt look. "I thought I was your best friend, Bella," She teased

I leaned over and hugged her. "You are. One of them" I assured her. She giggled and handed me my cup. It was full of some fancy drink that I didn't care enough to ask about

"One of the what, fourteen?" Alice teased me about the number friends I had.

"You're just jealous because I used to be popular." I taunted.

"Used to be," She pointed out. Then I saw her face change as soon as she said the words. She was thinking of those kids at school.

"Alice, it's okay. You don't need to walk on egg shells around me" That was the last thing I wanted. To have the Cullens watch their every move around me.

"Edward told us to not upset you, that all." She informed me. What! When did he tell her that?

"Forget it, Alice. As much as Edward may believe it, I am not made of glass. I won't break that easily." I know Edward cares; he's just too over protective sometimes.

"Edward and me both know that, Bella. He thinks you're the strongest person he's ever met. And so do I"

"Why" My eyebrows shot up

"I don't know anyone who could handle what has happened to you, as well as you are handling it." She told me

"Alice-" I started

"Let's change the subject, Bella, okay" Alice interrupted me.

I thought for a minute about what to talk about. "Do you know where Edward is?" I had to ask

"No. The only vision I keep on getting is that he's running through a forest. But that's all I can get. He hasn't made up his mind to do anything." Alice stated blankly. I wondered what she was keeping from me. "Let's go downstairs," Alice suggested after a moment.

I nodded, not speaking. Alice took my hand and pulled me off the bed. When we arrived at the living room, Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie were already there. The boys were playing Halo again. Rosalie smiled at Alice and me. Alice went to the kitchen to drop my now empty cup off.

I sat next to Rosalie. "Who's winning?" I asked

"Jasper" Rosalie told me.

"Not for long!" Emmett shouted.

"You know it's not really necessary to shout when we are all in the same room," Rosalie pointed out to her husband.

"Sorry, babe" He said not taking his eyes off the screen

Jasper's player killed Emmett's. "Haha, I won" Jasper cheered.

"Lucky game." Emmett grumbled. "I want a rematch."

"Nah, I don't think so" Jasper smiled, knowing it was going to tick Emmett off.

"Anyone else want to play me?" Emmett asked, looking between Rose and me.

Rose shook her head. " No" She said in a final tone.

Emmett looked at me doubtfully. Like he didn't think I could play. I'd show him. I knew how to play. I played in Phoenix a couple of times with Nate, Ricky and Francia. And I sat on Edward's lap while he played Emmett or Jasper before.

I grabbed the controller from Jasper. It was freezing because of the temperature of his hands.

"You're going down, baby sister" Emmett taunted. I rolled my eyes, knowing I probably was.

"I got one hundred bucks on Bella," Jasper said to Rosalie. I was surprised by his confidence in me.

"You're on. Emmett's been playing this game since it came out. He's going to win" Rosalie seemed to have unwavering confidence in Emmett.

Two hours later, it was our fourth game and I had won the first and second.

"Almost done!" Emmett said. Then I killed his player. "NO!" He screeched.

"Emmett, we are all in the same room as you" Esme, who had come out of the kitchen with Alice, scowled him.

"Sorry" He mumbled along with a string a curse words. I turned and saw three very shocked vampires.

"What?" I asked

"You just beat Emmett. It took me five years to beat him at any video game" Jasper said,

"I just gave up," Alice said

"Wow, little baby Bella just beat Emmett." Rosalie said. I stuck out my tongue at her. She laughed and so did I. I have no idea when her and me got on a friendship basis but somehow we did and I hope we stay this way.

"I'm not a baby" I whined

"In this family, compared to the rest of us you are." Jasper said

"Compared to you guys everyone in this town is a newborn baby," I pointed out. Everyone just stared at each other for an approximate time of three seconds. Then we all just started laughing.

I didn't laugh as hard as everyone else because it clicked all of a sudden what our conversation had been about. Babies. I felt a lump form in my throat.

"Bella, what's wrong" Jasper asked. "I felt the depression roll of off you instantly." I just merely shook my head at all four vampires- counting Esme, who had just joined our conversation.

"I don't want to talk about it," I said in a quiet voice,

"You were thinking about Edward, weren't you?" Alice asked

I paused briefly. I hadn't been, actually. "No. It wasn't. But where is Edward?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time today.

Rosalie glared at Alice. "Thanks, Alice, now you made her worry again," She whispered, probably not intending for me to hear. But if she didn't want me to hear than she would of spoken in vampire speed. I didn't think about this very long though.

"I'm sorry, I'm being really needy and annoy with Edward not around" I looked at my feet.

Rosalie spoke up. "I didn't mean it like that, Bella. Besides I'm more ticked at Edward than anyone else. I mean who just gets up and leaves with no notice to their family beside Edward Cullen" She ranted.

I nodded. "I'm going to go upstairs." I told them.

"Oh, no. Not so fast, dear" Esme grabbed me by the waist. She sounded like a mother, the way they talk to their own children. "You need to get some food in your belly, Bella"

I sighed. I knew she was right. I hadn't eaten since last night because I skipped breakfast after my fight with Charlie, then the school skipped lunch to go to that pointless assembly that I ditched halfway through. I was actually starving.

Esme guided me through the kitchen. She seated me at the big dinning room table. She was gone and back before I could swallow. On the plate there was three taco, made perfectly. I didn't realized how hungry I was until my stomach growled.

Esme laughed and went to a different room to clean up. Emmett made a mess apparently when I beat him at Halo. I giggled thinking about it. I gobbled the three tacos then went back up to Edward's room.

I went over to the bed and laid down, on top of the covers instead of underneath. I stared at the ceiling. I don't know how long I stared up; I just know quite some time later there was a knock on the door.

"Bella," Jasper's voice said through the other side of the door.

"Yeah?" I asked

"Can I come in?" He asked

"Yeah?" It sounded like a question again.

He came in and appraised my position on the bed. After an actward minute he came and sat next to where I was laying on my back.

"I just wanted to say that you don't need to worry. Edward will be home soon" Jasper tried to convince me.

"How can you be so sure" I asked, cynically.

"I just know. Edward wouldn't leave you unless he had a very good reason." Jasper explained

"Yeah." I was still pessimistic. "Well, did he have a good reason last September?" After the words left my mouth, I regretted them. I saw how my words shocked Jasper.

I knew why. I normally told everyone I understood why they left. I never once have ever blamed anyone. Especially not Edward. I don't even know why I even said what I did. I wasn't mad at Edward or any one of the Cullens. I just blurted it out.

Jasper looked down at his lap. "I'm sorry" He said after a minute.

"Why?" I asked

"Because we left after I almost killed you. You didn't deserve to pay for my mistake or weakness." I could tell he still felt guilty.

I felt guilty too. I should never have said anything. I didn't even feel any animosity to any one of the Cullens. I should have thought before I spoke.

"Bella, I know Edward will come home," Jasper told me.

I shook my head. "He's been gone for hours, Jasper. What if he decided to leave again? And it will be all because of me." I whispered. I felt the tear well up in my eyes.

Jasper's expression became horrified. He grabbed my hand. "Bella, Edward would never leave you again. He loves you, just like I love Alice." I was surprised by his words and the gesture of holding my hand. Jasper always avoided me, even more so since my birthday. I never expected to ever be on a friendly, brotherly basis with Jasper, the way I was with Emmett.

"You are really convinced that he'll come home" My voice was still uneven.

"Yes." He said simply but I still couldn't trust it. The Cullens were very convincing and talented liars when they wanted to be. "You seem really convinced that Edward's not coming home," Jasper pointed out

"I'm just a little human girl. What's so special about me that could make Edward hang on to me?" I said as if I was telling him the sky is blue.

"You are more special than any other human. And you're the strongest human- or person for that matter- me or any of us have ever met. And Edward loves you insanely." Jasper pointed out. "You brought him back to life. And it killed him to walk away from you. It killed him, Bella."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. But there was one question I had to ask. "Why are all of you saying, you think I'm the strongest human you have ever met?"

"Because you have dealt with more in your life than most people deal with in all of theirs" Jasper said simply

I just shook my head. "Jasper, he'll never come back for me," I whispered.

Why would Edward? All I am is a slutty, poor, bad parented, stupid, no good, nothing, bitch. Who would want that?

"Edward was right. She never sees herself clearly." Jasper mumbled, not to loud but I was smart enough to know that he probably wanted me to hear. I knew, Jasper could probably feel the self hate come off of me, but by this point he knew that it was pointless to argue with me.

After a few minutes of silence, Jasper spoke. "Edward came back, Bella," He sounded smug, like he won a bet. "He's home. Downstairs."

My eyes widened. My eye filled up with more tears. Not unhappy ones though. I was astonished that he even came home. It gave me hope he wasn't completely feed up with me.

Once Jasper felt the powerful emotions coming out of me, he stilled. I realized he was using his gift of calming on me. After a few seconds I was somewhere between sleeping and awake.

I just sat there, enjoying the silence. Of course I would have been obnoxious, if Jasper hadn't been there. I still wondered, in an involuntary peaceful manner, where Edward was? Was he really avoiding me, even in the same house as me? Did he wish I wasn't here?

I heard in a faint distance, a door slide smoothly open, over the carpet. And then I sensed another presence.

"About time you showed" Jasper said, teasingly. And I knew in an instant that Edward had arrived. I wanted to speak up or, at least, look at Edward's perfect face. But Jasper's gift kept me prisoner.

A moment later, I felt Jasper's hand ruffle through my hair. I couldn't hear him leave but I felt another body knelt down next to me. Edward's hand brushed against my hair. Brushing it out of my face. I opened my eyes slowly. Hesitantly. I wasn't at all sure what his reaction might be.

But when I opened my eyes, Edward was there, staring at me. His eyes held no signs of impatience pr anoyance. Just two things I easily recognized. Love and concern. In that second I realized how stupid I was. He wasn't going to leave me after all. I was a complete idiot. I shouldn't of doubted Edward.

Still, try as I might to convince myself that he was here to stay, I still couldn't let him go. I had to make sure he was real.

I gripped onto his loosely fitted t-shirt. I held on with all the might I had. Which was slightly difficult with one of my hands being in a bandage.

Edward kissed down the side of my face. I knew now he was trying to calm me. Where was Jasper when you needed him?

"Baby" He used his cute new nickname from me. A lot of guy actually used that nickname for me. But when it came off Edward's lips, in his silky, velvet voice, it was even better. "What's wrong?" His eyebrows pulled together, in concern.

I had forgotten I was still crying. Most of my tears were dried up on my face now, though. "I thought you weren't coming home," My voice croaked.

AN: 16 reviews. The sooner I get 16, the sooner the next chapter will be up. Tell me what you think. Oh and if you have any questions, PM me please. :)