Sorry this is slightly late in updating, but I hit a little snag while I was writing, plus my brother graduated! Here we go, what all does Edward know? Is Bella alright?

Warning, this chapter slips toward the side of a Mature rating, I can't help it. This story was heading that way from the beginning. I don't think it is too bad, but if you are easily offended, or under 15, please don't read this one.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer created the characters, but I gave Bella her own powers.

B POV

Two swift knocks on my window terrify me. I look up, wiping the tears from my swollen, red eyes. Blinking several times, my eyes adjust. I breathe a sigh of relief, Alice, my saving grace. Behind her is Edward. What did she tell him? The truth? Great.

I draw in a slow breath and reach down to wind down my window. Even this movement seems to take much more energy than I have. I am completely wiped out, mentally exhausted.

"Alice, what are you doing here?" I ask her nervously, my voice cracking from having cried so violently.

"Honey, after all we talked about this week, how could you imagine that I would not be nearby when you confronted her? I know how nervous you are, especially if she brought her friends. I am your best friend, and what do best friends do? Abandon them in times of need? Hell no. And when I saw you fall apart here, I figured you needed some support." Alice replies softly, full of compassion. I notice that Edward stands back a few paces and he looks somewhat uncomfortable. Do I detect pain in his coal-black eyes? When was the last time he fed? Is he mad at me? He has every right to be furious. I lied to him for Christ-sakes.

"No, I guess I should have expected you to show up sometime. Did you two overhear anything?" I ask, furiously wiping the tears from my swollen eyes.

"No, we made sure even Edward couldn't mentally overhear anything. I was really careful to keep my visions away from you, Bella."

"Thanks," I tell her, my lips turning up the slightest amount.

"I said I was careful, but I did see one thing," Alice admits, looking sheepish.

My eyes quickly flit from Alice back to Edward, and then return to Alice. I let my wall down, the first time in over a week. Should I be nervous? Edward's face lights up and his eyes twinkle. He shakes his head, grinning."What did you see, Alice?" I question my best friend.

"You invited Aunt Finn for Christmas, didn't you?"

"What?"

"I see your Aunt Finn showing up in Seattle this Christmas, driving a U-Haul. It's a very fuzzy vision, not certain at all."

I laugh, "No, I didn't really invite her. We both realize I hope, that this was a parting of ways. I chose to live the good life, like Mother, and Aunt Finn is still using her power selfishly. I did set up a weekly phone call though. That should satisfy her. As long as I can answer the phone, she should stay on the East Coast."

"You really believe that?" Alice asks me.

"Why not? She gave me her word. I know it seems farfetched, but I think old age has settled her down a bit. She was genuinely surprised that I could afford a home and all the other costs. I think, just seeing me healthy was enough to satisfy her deeply buried maternal feelings." I explain my feelings. I really do think she will get on a plane and head home.

Jasper walks over from the edge of the parking lot, "I would have to agree with you, Bella. While Alice and Edward didn't overhear anything, they sent me to monitor the emotions. If your Aunt got too violent, I was going to step in. But she was feeling very sentimental toward the end of your conversation at the diner. She is a bit of a short fuse, no? Her emotions were very volatile, but you weren't in any danger. Mostly she felt relieved that you were healthy and sane."

"Jasper! What a surprise! I guess Alice roped you into this? Thanks for backing me up."

"Yes, initially Alice had to talk me into it, but, Bella, I really do like you, you are already a sister to me."

"Thank you, Jasper." I say, touched by his sweet words. I think I finally can manage standing, so I get out of the truck and give him a hug. I guess my emotions are on overload today.

"No problem, sis, just try not to keep anything from Edward ever again! I hated it!" Jasper comments, indicating a still silent Edward.

"You knew the whole time?" I ask, astonished. "Alice said she'd keep her mouth shut for once!"

"No, Alice just filled me in this morning, but it was hell! I had to pretend and lie so much today. I didn't say one word of truth until about an hour ago." He replies, laughing a bit.

"Why did you feel the need to keep this from me, Bella?" my Edward finally speaks up, still standing back. I definitely did see hurt in his black eyes. My heart pangs to see him in pain. No wonder he tries to keep me from pain so often, even his emotional turmoil physically hurts me.

"You worry too much. Simple as that." I tell Edward, walking to his side. I slip one arm slowly around his waist, holding his gaze. "I didn't need you preventing me from solving this on my own. Edward, I love you, but please understand that I had to deal with Aunt Finn personally. If she would have been able to meet you, or anyone else in the family, Lord only knows what would have happened. Alice thought it would be perfectly alright for me to meet her, since I can block her influence from my mind. It hurt so badly to lie to you, love. It still hurts."

Edward pulls me closer, his strong cold hand cupping my cheek. "Please Bella, promise me."

"What?"

"You will never lie to me again?" Edward begs, his eyes are so sad, if he could cry I believe tears would be streaming down his face now.

"No," I say and the hurt and anguish multiplies in his eyes and his hand drops from my face, his body tensing, almost pulling away, "no, Edward, I'll go one better. I will never lie to you, hide things or even attempt to go around you and your mind reading ever again. My heart hurt so badly these last few days, I don't know how I managed to survive." I smile. "Do you forgive me?" I ask, smiling. I pull his hand back to my cheek.

Edward leans down and our lips meet. The icy marble makes my skin tingle every time "Yes, Bella, I will always forgive you." He whispers and I know everything is right in this world once again.

I breathe a sigh of relief and allow myself to melt into his side. Good. I hate when you are angry at me.

"Bella! I was never angry at you; I was just trying to figure out what I did wrong, why you needed to lie to me. Most of all, I missed this, hearing your voice."

Then, I guess we have some catching up to do! I smile into his chest, completely forgetting his siblings beside us. Edward kisses the top of my head and I feel him breathing me in. The light drizzle has my hair damp and Edward always says how sweet that makes me smell, how mouth-watering. Smell something tasty, love? How long has it been since you hunted last?

"It's been over two weeks, I think." Edward replies, straightening up.

"Maybe you all need to go hunting. I think I need to sleep anyway. Plotting against evil witches sure takes a lot out of a girl."

"No, I think we need to spend time together, love."

"But your eyes?" I ask, reaching up to touch his neck. "Your throat is burning, Edward."

"I have felt worse, and the eyes get that way when I am furious. When I realized that Alice was plotting against me, keeping me from you on purpose, I nearly exploded with rage. Fortunately, we were still in the student parking lot, so I managed to control myself. There is very little thirst behind these black eyes, don't you feel it?"

"Oh. I am so sorry, Edward. Please forgive me."

"I was mad at the joint decision to hid things from me. Don't you ever worry about me over reacting again, okay?"

"I don't plan on Aunt Finn being an issue ever again, so the points moot, isn't it?"

"Then we are ready to move on with our life?"

"I was born ready, Edward!" I kiss him once more.

"I think Esme wants some help redecorating her bedroom Jasper," Alice chirps loudly, taking Jasper's hand and quickly running to the woods, disappearing in a flash.

"I guess they think we need our privacy," I say with a slight blush.

"I would love to have some alone time, Bella. I feel like we haven't spoken properly in so long." Edward whispers into my ear.

"I definitely don't object to spending time alone with you, Edward!" I reply, kissing him once more and backing slowly up to my truck.

I turn from Edward to get back into the driver's seat only to find him already sitting in the passenger's seat. "Miss me?" I ask, smiling freely, kissing his palm before he cups my cheek.

Edward gazes into my eyes deeply, searching for something. What are you looking for, love?

"Truth," He softly and earnestly replies, and I can tell that he is very wary of how 'easily' I lied to him. How convincing I have become. At the beginning of the year, I couldn't fool anyone, let alone Edward. My Edward. How could I consider hurting him?

"Edward, trust me. I will never lie to you again. I don't think I could, even if I wanted to. I missed you so much! I wanted to tell you everything, get your opinion, and hear you tell me how irrational I was being, but I couldn't. I knew you would want to take care of her yourself, eliminate her. And that would only have led to disaster." I explain once more. "Part of the reason why I was crying so hard just now was the fact that I could lie to you. Before this week, I thought it was impossible. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to lie. What is worth hurting you? " I lean over and rest my head on his strong shoulder.

"Bella, this is something major! You could have been hurt! I was so furious when Alice just let you drive off, not knowing what was up. I had no idea what was waiting for you, who was there. Please, Bella, if you love me, never let me go through such agony ever again?"

"I never intended to hurt you, Edward. Don't use that line on me, if I love you! How can you doubt me? You know I am not insane and that is the only other possible reason I would not be afraid of you, so close to me." I explain, looking up to his eyes, determined. "I was never in any serious danger. You need to trust me, Edward. I can take care of myself."

"When I was being raised, women didn't 'take care of themselves', Bella. That's what men were for, to take care of the beautiful, delicate women we fell in love with. I am a creature of habit, a man of a different era. I will always be looking out for you. No matter what you do, no matter if you are human, vampire, whatever, I will be worried about your safety."

"Do you worry about Alice, Esme or Rosalie's safety?"

"No, that's ridiculous. They are perfectly capable of surviving on their own."

"Then why would I be any different after you change me?" I ask, confused.

"Well, they have their own mates. Most importantly, Bella, it is because I love you, silly."

I am speechless. The burning desire in Edward's eyes surprises me. I know he loves me, but for it to mean that much to him, mean enough that he would worry about me after I am completely impenetrable and unbreakable, that makes me feel special.

I do the only thing I can think of when Edward's eyes search mine this way. I kiss him. My warm lips mold to his cold ones. I think I caught him off guard, because he doesn't react at all at first. Then he returns the kiss. His marble skin moves against me, sending shivers of pure pleasure to my core. He parts my lips and his tongue traces mine, dancing back and forth. His icy breath makes it hard for me to breathe on my own. I pull back slightly, only long enough to gasp quickly. My lips trace his strong, perfect jaw line. Then we are kissing once more.

Edward pulls me across the seat of my truck, so I am straddling him. I cannot help to laugh, I am so blissful. He laughs too, and even though his eyes are pure black, they are radiant. My mind focuses on only one thing, Edward. More, Edward. My hands go up and snake through his tousled hair, gripping at the roots. I feel one cold hand ghost across my waist, fingers tugging at the bottom of my shirt. I kiss him deeper, more passionately. Heart racing, I must pull back once more to breathe. Once I kiss him, the chain reaction begins. I cannot willingly stop touching my perfect angel. His tongue traces down my jaw, now on my neck, pausing dangerously over my carotid artery. I tug his head up gently.

"Edward, kiss me, don't eat me"

And his lips are back on mine, this time hungry. I feel the passion and restraint behind his touch. His passion is building, restraint faltering. I don't have a problem with that. I return the passion in the kiss. His hand slips under my shirt, ever so lightly gripping my waist. Slowly the cold hand drifts up, leaving a path of goose bumps on my sensitive skin. He traces the bottom of my ribs, his skilled thumb skirts the bottom curve of my breast, tucking under my bra.

My breath catches.

This is the closest we have ever gotten, the furthest Edward has ever let our physical relationship drift. A thought pops in my mind. Were we going to make love in my truck? After all Edward's talk about nobility and being old fashioned, were we going to lose our virginity in my truck?

I must have froze up because Edward's other hand reached up and stroked my cheek. "Bella, what's wrong?" He asks, concern consuming his lovely features.

"No-nothing's wrong," I stutter, shocked by his cold hand still on my ribcage. "I am just shocked, Edward. You are so worried about me hurting myself with Aunt Finn, but the one thing you always maintained, the strictness of our physical limitations, seems to have disappeared."

"Well, Bella, what do you want? Should I protect you, or not?"

"Edward, I don't know? Just let's get home, first? I don't want anything to happen in my truck. Mother's truck."

"Okay, Bella, I'll drive you home. It's not right of me to do what I did, anyway."

"Why not?" I pant, desperate for a chance to continue kissing Edward. To touch him again.

"We are in a very public place, Bella. You don't want to get arrested, do you?"

"No, that certainly won't look good on my record, being arrested for making out with a vampire!" I tease, pecking him on the cheek as he slides out from under me and into the driver's seat. I don't know how he managed to do that so smoothly, no human would have managed. I was figuring one of us would need to get out of the truck, at least momentarily.

We drive home in companionable silence. The electric charge hasn't left the air yet and it takes all my diminished will-power to not lean over and make out with him as he drives. Edward took my hand and started stroking it softly with his thumb. I barely notice the temperature difference anymore. It just feels right.

"Will I miss this sensation?" I ask Edward as we pull up to my house.

"Hmm?" Edward asks, looking at me curiously.

"How much cooler you are than I. I love the difference. When I shiver, it is the perfect mix of chills and pure pleasure, Edward. I don't want that to go away."

"I am certain that I will never cease to please you, Bella." Edward answers, carrying me quickly into the house. "Now, where were we?"

"I think you were taking me to the bedroom so I could kiss you some more." I answer with a wicked grin on my face.

"I think I can do that!" Edward replies, whisking me to the bedroom in an impossible quick sprint.

"A little anxious, are we?"

"You can say that," Edward growls, laying me down gently on my bed. He swiftly takes off his jacket, putting it on my chair before lying down beside me.

Edward kisses me slowly, softly. The tenderness makes me hungry for more. I know the amount of restraint it must take for him to only lightly dance across my skin, and that knowledge drives me crazy. His light touches are slower this time. He slowly traces my jaw with one finger. Slowly, almost painfully so, he traces down my throat, along my collarbone. I lie there, taking it all in. His cold finger drags a bolt of lightning with it, charging my skin. My breathing slowly increases, my body wants him to remain this close for eternity.

The cold, sure fingers of his other hand are cupping my face, our eyes locked. He pauses his tracery only to place soft kisses along the path he just created. "More, Edward. I need you." I moan quietly.

This causes Edward to kiss the hollow of my throat once again. My left hand grasps the back of his head and the right strokes his strong back, tracing up and down his spine. I need to taste Edward, so I gently pull his mouth back to mine. Our tongues dance against each other. I taste his sweet venom and inhale deeply.

Again, his hand slips under my shirt. This time, in the privacy of my bedroom, I feel it being tugged up, exposing my pale skin. I pull back so he can slip it deftly over my head. Pausing, Edward gazes at my body, lit by the rich colors of the setting sun. "Beautiful," he mutters, kissing my collarbone once more, his hand ghosting over my breast, my chest heaving from his touch.

His mouth returns to mine and his chilly fingers softly trace the outline of my bra. Goose bumps rise on my skin once more. I pull Edward on top of me, and I am surprised again at how eager he is. He responds by smiling into the kiss and allowing his stone-carved form to be pressed into me.

Sadly, Edward seems to return to his senses and stops himself. He untangles our limbs so he can lie back down beside me, his breathing nearly as labored as mine.

"Edward, you are perfect." I manage to breathe after a few seconds.

"No, Bella, I am hardly perfect. You, on the other hand, are heavenly."

"What did we do to deserve each other?" I wonder aloud.

"I don't know, but I certainly feel grateful."

"For sure."

Thursday morning, I wake up feeling extremely well rested. I reach my arms out, stretching, and I hit something cold and perfect. Startled, my eyes fly open.

"You stayed!"

"Of course, love. I do most nights, you know. You look so beautiful and peaceful when you sleep. I almost feel like I get some sleep while I watch you."

"Creep! Watching someone when she's sleeping!" I tease, like always, getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom. "What finals do we have today?" I call after I wash my face.

"I think we have Government? Calc? You should know, love, it's your schedule"

"Honey, I just woke up. It takes time for the brain to start working again." I say, walking into the kitchen for breakfast.

"Forgive me; I forget what mornings are like so easily." Edward whispers, kissing the back of my neck, startling me.

"I didn't hear you sneak in here."

"I need to take advantage of that, don't I?"

"I suppose. If you must torture me, get it in now, while I can't get you back!"

"Love, I just want to be with you as much as possible. If you go straight from the bathroom to the kitchen, what do you expect me to do?"

"Wait patiently?" I tease, popping a bagel in the toaster. I walk to the fridge to get the cream cheese and jelly.

"How well do you know me, Bella Swan? Do you think I understand the concept of patience?"

I sigh, "No, I guess not. That is a lost dream of mine." I say, turning to Edward with an innocent smile.

"No teasing, that's my department," Edward mocks, kissing my neck once more.

We ride to school and I prepare for my Calculus final. Why did I take Calc? Was I insane? What do these words even mean? Secant? Cosecant? Derivative of an inverse function? Thank God Edward can help me with this one. He and Alice guaranteed at least 45 minutes of sunlight today. Just during my Calc class. Maybe there is a God after all. I carefully leave the notes spread out on my table.

The sun came out a bit early and I ended up eating lunch with Angela, Jessica, Ben, Mike and their friends.

"Bella, aren't you excited to graduate?" Jess asks after we sit down. Everyone seems to accept me back to the table, even snooty Jessica.

"Oh god, yes! These finals are ridiculous!" I answer, smiling to her.

"Yeah, I don't know how I did on half of these. I hope college doesn't reject me now!"

"Where are you going?" I ask, honestly curious about her choice.

"I am going to either UW or Seattle Pacific for Political Science. What about you?" She cheerily answers, happy to be the center of attention. "Are you going to UW?" UW, University of Washington, is the most common college for the kids from Forks.

"No, I was accepted to Johns Hopkins out East. I am going to school for nursing." I reply, honest. Edward is footing the bill. I grudgingly gave in to it. There really is no way around it these days. Everyone needs a college education.

"No WAY! Johns Hopkins! That is like one of the most selective med schools in the country!" Jess gushes, blown away.

"I was astounded. Edward made me apply, he said it couldn't hurt anything, and it's always good to know for sure. But they accepted me, so of course I have to go!"

"Isn't that crazy expensive?" Angela asks, looking concerned. What a good person.

"Yeah, that's what I said. But Edward talked to Carlisle and he will help pay my tuition! Can you believe how generous Carlisle is? He adopts five amazing kids and pays for another's college!" I gush. Actually, Edward is paying for everything, but I can't say that. According to the people of Forks, he has never earned a cent in his life.

"You are incredibly lucky, missy! I wish Ben's family could just pay for my college bills!"

"Where are you going, Angela?" I ask.

"I was accepted to UW, Seattle Pacific and Stanford. I will probably go to Seattle Pacific, since I got a huge scholarship there. I would die if I could afford Stanford, it was my dream school." She informs me, looking depressed.

"Maybe if you work during school you can save up enough to do two years at Seattle Pacific and then finish up at Stanford. If it's your dream, why not go live it!" I encourage her. "You're majoring in journalism, right?"

"Yeah. Dad thinks that is a soft option, but I love writing and finding things out. Maybe I'll own a newspaper someday."

"Good for you. Mike, what are you doing after we're done here?" I ask, changing the subject since it looks like she's ready to cry.

"I'm going to UW for chemical engineering. I am so ready to bust this small town!"

"I hear you, Mike." Jessica swoons, injecting herself back into the conversation. "We need to spread our wings and get out of here. It's only holding us back."

"Uh, right." He replies looking both confused and flattered. Mike and Jess have been sort of flirting for the last few weeks. I can tell Mike is still hung up on me, but I need to convince him I will never come back to Forks. Or plan on seeing him after graduation.

"But before I can go to Johns Hopkins, I need to pass this damned Calculus final! UGH! Do any of you understand this stuff?" I ask.

We chatter nervously through the rest of lunch. I feel good about this. No one will really miss me after I'm gone. Most likely they will all end up in Seattle together, able to remain close friendships. I am considering talking to Edward or Carlisle about getting Angela money, anonymously of course, so she can go to Stanford, even if it's for two years.

Well, I hope the sunshine holds up through this exam.

What a long chapter! I hope the length makes up for my delay!