Um, I have no words for my extreme tardiness besides how sorry I am. Writers block sucks bad!

Here is a big hug for all my readers and reviewers ((hug))! Sorry for the lack of replies to reviews! I read and loved every one of them! Y'all make my day!

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It should be clear by now that I don't own anything...but it sure does own me!

Last Chapter:

"It would be selfish, Bella, because you would have to leave everyone you love. This town, your Pa and kin and never come back."

*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*

I stood flabbergasted, starin' at him. Did he mean it? Did I want him to? Could I up and leave my life here, never seein' Ben, Abby or Pa ever again.

Minutes passed, the silence between us hangin' heavy like a wet sheet on the clothes line.

But before I could say anything, Edward started talkin' again.

"And that's why I could never ask that of you. To make you give up your kin, your life here, it wouldn't be fair," he said seriously, his eyes penetrating into mine.

I didn't know what to say, how to answer that. Part of me wanted to say "Of course I'll run off with you" but the sensible side of me knew it wasn't that easy. I loved Edward, more then I ever thought it was possible to love someone. But I didn't know if I could give up my family. Ben, Abby and Pa were all I had. We may not have a lot in this world, but we always had each other. Pa loved us all and I knew it would devastate him if I ran off with no explanation.

"I love you, Bella," Edward whispered, his eyes still trained on mine. "And it because of that love that I could never hurt you that way."

"Edward, I," I started but the distant sound of hooves on the main road stopped me short.

"That has to be your Pa," Edward said urgently.

"Oh no."

"Go, Bella. Get back inside."

"But what of us?" I asked desperately, I couldn't leave it like this.

"We'll figure it out, darlin'. Now go or you Pa's shotgun is gonna figure it out for us," he said with a smile, but his eyes were still tight with tension.

"I love you," I rushed out.

Instead of answerin' me, he swopped down and pressed his lips firmly against mine.

It only lasted a moment and he was gone.

I rushed from my hidin' place; thankfully I could hear Pa unlatchin' the gate that led to the path to the barn. The latch was tricky, stickin' if you didn't jiggle it just right. I really need to take some pigs lard to it a day.

But I was thankful that I hadn't done it yet, it blessed me with the few moments that I needed to get inside.

On soundless feet, I ran up onto the porch, slippin' through the back door and rushin' through the darkened rooms until I was safely behind my bedroom door.

I barely got situated when I heard the sound of Pa's boots hittin' the front porch boards. I tried to keep my heart from beatin' out of my chest, certain that he could probably hear it from the front room.

But the slow shuffle of his steps passed by my room and then entered his.

I waited a few moments, but only silence met my ears. So I turned over onto my side and let the sight of the flutterin' daisy on my window sill put me to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*~*~*

The next few days seemed to drag on me; no matter how busy I kept myself I couldn't keep my mind from wanderin' back to Edward and what he had said that night beside my barn.

Part of me wanted to run away with him. From the certainty of a marriage that I didn't want. But to do that I would also have to leave my family. Pa, Ben and Abby were all I ever had. I had tolled and survived with them, watched Ben and Abby grow from wee little ones into who there are now. I was their Mama in so many ways, how could I just leave them?

But then my mind would remind that I would be leavin' them anyways. Once I married Michael life was gonna change anyways. But at least with Michael I would only be a few short miles from the only home I had ever known. With Edward I had no idea where we would end up. I reckoned it wouldn't be anywhere close, not that my Pa would want me to come around if I ran off with some outlaw.

Outlaw.

It was hard for me to associate that word with Edward anymore, maybe his kin, but not him. He wasn't what people thought, he was so much more.

I couldn't believe that the things they said were true any more, it is almost laughable to think that he could hurt someone or take from them. Even if he seems to be insisting that he is bad.

"Isabella," my Pa broke into my thoughts on a Wednesday evenin'. Supper was done and the kitchen cleaned for bedtime. "I'm gonna take Toby out for a ride in the fields."

"Alright," I said with a sigh as I threw the cloth I was usin' to wipe the table down with into the sink basin.

His steps faltered as he walked towards the back door but it was his heavy sigh as he opened the door that made me think that he had something else to say.

"Isabella," he said after a moment.

"Yeah, Pa?" I turned towards him. His face held a sorrow that I didn't understand.

"I just," he started but then stopped. "Make sure to stay inside while I'm gone."

My heart sank at his unspoken words, sometimes I wished that things were different, that woman were treated with the same level of respect and understandin' that men were.

"Of course, Pa," I turned back to the sink so he couldn't see the tears that were glistenin' in my eyes.

I waited until I could no longer hear his footfalls before I abandoned my work in the kitchen. He thought I didn't know what he was doin', what the whole town was doin'.

Well at the least the men folk.

Taking Toby for a ride around the fields, sure and I was the Queen of England. He and Ben had taken to takin' turns at patrollin' the surroundin' areas. From their hushed whispers the last few days, it seemed that the town was on high alert. They expected another attack from the Cullens. An attack that I hoped wasn't comin'. I knew that Jasper and Edward wouldn't be involved but the other brothers were volatile. Mash them up with their no good gang of bandits and there was no tellin' how this war would end. And I feared deep down what would happen once Edward was forced to choose. Would his loyalty lie with his brothers in their hour of need or would he choose to walk away.

I really didn't know.

It was with that thought that I realized that he and I were facin' the same decision of sorts. To be together we would have to leave our families, to choose each other over everyone else. I wouldn't be the only one sacrificing the only things I had ever known.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*~*~*~*

Sunday was here before I knew it and without a word or a sign from Edward. Maybe he had given up on me; I couldn't blame him if he did. He might not have asked me to go, but it was out there and I didn't say anything. So it was with a heavy heart that I got myself and Abby ready for church.

I slipped on a nicer soft yellow dress; it was adorned with lace on the arm sleeves and the neckline. I knew that Pa would be expectin' me to be dressed nicely since today was the day.

My hands were shakin' so hard that it took me three times to plait Abby's hair. She questioned me more than once about what was wrong, I didn't answer her though. The words kept getting stuck in my throat.

I wasn't surprised to find Pa in his Sunday's best standin' on the porch waitin' for us. I was surprised to see Toby hitched to our old wagon out front though.

I sent Pa a questionin' look; I figured that the Newtons would want to escort us again.

"Figured it would be nice to go as a family today," he said with a shrug.

I felt my heart leap with hope and joy. Maybe my words had gotten through to him, but just as easily as they were raised they were dashed.

"Plus young Newton will be here promptly after church; this is probably easier for him."

"Of course," I said dutifully as I pulled myself up into the wagon being careful not to dirty my dress.

"It'll be good, Isabella," he said in a soft voice. "I promise."

I just nodded and situated myself into my seat, waiting to help Abby do the same. Once we were all situated Pa took off on a nice clip and I lost myself in thought again.

We were half way to church when I heard a word slip from Pa's lips that I had never heard him say before.

"Shit," he exclaimed pullin' hard on Toby's reigns. "Ben the gun."

My head shot up at his words, searchin' to see what had caught his attention. It wasn't that hard to figure it out.

Up ahead of us on the road were two lone horsemen, blockin' the road with their large beasts.

I watched as Ben's hand slid under the bench seat, his fingers surely wrappin' around the shotgun that was stored under there.

"Get down, girl's," Pa whispered between his clenched teeth.

I wrapped my arm around Abby, pullin' her onto the unforgivin' floor of the carriage with me. We weren't really hidden there, just a little out direct sight.

Pa didn't slow his clip, just kept it up. I was hopin' whoever it was, they would just move out of the way.

"Whoa, there now," A familiar voice called out.

Pa didn't slow. "I said whoa there," the voice was sterner now.

I felt the wagon jerk to a halt.

"Well if it isn't the Swan family," another menacing voice said. I felt fear start to spread through my gut; this wasn't going to end well.

"If you don't mind, Gentleman, movin' on over so we can get on our way to church," Pa said stiffly.

"Why should we do that?" the first voice snickered.

"I don't want no trouble," Pa said sincerely.

I knew I shouldn't but I couldn't stop myself from peekin' out to see who had stopped us.

I had to hold back my gasp. It was none other then James Cullen and that no good, Jacob Black.

What the heck are they up to?

"Well, if it isn't little Miss Isabella Swan you got stashed there behind you Charlie," James chortled in delight.

Pa stiffened at his words and I cringed back, I knew I was in for it when Pa got us alone. He told us to stay down and I went against his order by stickin' my face out there.

"She sure has grown into a lovely little lady," Jacob added with whistle. It sounded funny since he was missin' the majority of his teeth.

"She's none of y'alls business," Pa said in a firm voice.

"Did you hear that, Jacob? It's none of our business," James said with a chuckle.

"I reckon I did hear him say that," Jacob responded almost gleefully.

"Well, I find that a tad bit funny," James said turnin' his attention back onto our wagon, first lookin' at my Pa and then to me. I'm sure my wide fear-filled eyes filled him with glee. "Would you like to know why I find that funny, Charlie?"

"I can't say that I do," Pa said.

"Really?" James asked cockin' his head to the side, the amusement now gone from his face.

"Yep," Pa said. "The only thing I would like is for you boys to scurry on out of the way so that I can get me and my kin to church."

"Y'all think you're so much better then us," James said with a sneer, his eyes flickerin' to me. "But if you only knew."

"That'll be enough, James," a stern voice said from behind us. I flipped around to see a menacin' lookin' Emmett sittin' on a large black stallion. With all the commotion I hadn't even heard him ride up. "Let these people on through."

The whole time he talked his eyes stayed trained onto James, never lookin' towards me once.

"I wasn't doin' nothin'," James just about whined. "I was just enlightenin' good ol' Charlie here about some facts of life."

"Yeah, well git on home," he said sternly. "Now's not the time for this."

James narrowed his eyes at Emmett before turnin' them onto me.

"Let's go, Black," he said harshly, flickin' his reins down onto his horses flank.

Thankfully they left without further comment, Emmett too. He and his horse thundered past us without a word or a sideways glance.

From the way Pa looked at Ben before settin' the wagon into motion, I knew that this was the last straw.

*~*~*~*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*~*~*

Church went by in a blur, I barely remember Michael escortin' me to my seat or what the preacher went on about. All I could think about was the look on Pa's face once stepped off of our wagon and rounded up the men folk. A deep fear and coldness spread through my body. The time for action was near; the time for decisions had arrived.

And I wasn't prepared to make one.

I couldn't give up my family, but I also couldn't give up Edward. And because of that, I was goin' to be damned to Hell.

Church ended and Michael was at my elbow again like a darned barn hound that nipped at your heels. He led me back towards my wagon, leavin' me there with Abby. He stammered out some excuse of findin' his Pa, but I'm sure he wanted to know the happenings of this morning.

I let my eyes travel the crowd, tryin' to find Alice. When I spotted her, my heart sank. She was bein' escorted by Henry Cope. He looked just as dashin' as I remembered, but he still wasn't Jasper. Alice's heart belonged to a Cullen too, there was no goin' back.

Her eyes meet mine, the dullness there scared me. She said something to Henry and with a smile he released her in my direction.

"Oh, Bella," she just about sobbed when got to me.

"Alice, what's wrong," I asked, wrappin' my arms around her.

"It's bad," she whispered into my ear.

"What's bad?"

"It's bad, it's bad, it's bad," she chanted.

"Alice," I said frantically, tryin' to extract myself from her grip. "What are you talkin' about?"

"It's bad," she repeated, this time allowin' me to pull free. Her glazed over eyes were lookin' behind me to the road. "So much blood, it's bad."

"Alice," I shook her hard, tryin' to bring her back to me. She was havin' a fit, not one that I wanted witnessed by anyone else. I didn't need my only friend looked up in an asylum.

She shook her head, as if clearin' it of bad thoughts. "Bella," she whispered.

"Yes," I was beyond frantic now; whatever she had seen was bad. Obviously.

"Isabella, get loaded up, it's time to head on home," Pa came walkin' up, interrupting what ever Alice was about to say.

"Good day, Mary Alice," he said, givin' her a genuine smile.

"Good day, Mister Swan," she said in return. "I better go find my folks, my Pa warned me to stay close."

"Of course," Pa said in understandin'. "Please tell them hello for me."

"I will," she said with a smile. "I'll see you later, Isabella."

I watched her go with a heavy heart and mind. Something bad was about to happen.

*~*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*~*

It only seemed like moments after I had stepped foot back into my kitchen that I heard the sound of the Newton's wagon pullin' up in front of my house. Michael sure didn't waste anytime rushin' here. I tried to pull my thoughts together before Pa called out for me, the time was here. I knew what Michael was here for.

I was out of time.

"Isabella, we have a guest," Pa called out to me.

"Be right there," I hollered back. I'm sure it was rude of me to do so, but I needed to finish puttin' supper on.

After I slipped the roast and potatoes into the oven, I took off my apron foldin' it over the back of a chair.

It was now or never.

Smoothin' my hands down the front of my dress, I set off to find Pa, Michael and my destiny.

*~*~*BS&CB*~*~*

They weren't hard to find, Pa and Michael were sittin' on our porch talkin' in lowered voices. Ben was sittin' on the steps tryin' hard to be apart of their conversation. Abby, bless her heart, was pickin' wildflowers that grew along the fence.

"Hello, Michael," I said steppin' out onto the porch. If I was smart, I would have waited a moment and tried to listen to what they were talkin' about. But deep inside I really didn't want to know.

"Isabella," he said standin' to great me. "You look lovely."

I felt an unwanted blush spread across my cheeks.

"Thank you, Michael. Would you like a glass of sweet tea?" I offered politely.

"That sounds lovely."

I turned to head back inside when Pa stopped me. "Nonsense Isabella, you sit and I'll get the tea."

"Are you sure?" I asked shocked. I wasn't even sure Pa knew where the tea pitcher and glasses were.

"I think I can handle it," he said with a chuckle. "You sit here and keep Michael company."

I sat down in Pa's recently vacant chair. "Benjamin, why don't you come in and give me a hand," Pa said after a moment.

Ben gave him a funny look before standin' to help. "Alright."

Once we were alone, which is what I'm sure Pa was tryin' to make happen, Michael leaned over and grabbed my hand.

"Sure is nice that your Pa allowed me to come by today," he said in a strained voice. I couldn't help but notice that his hand was already sticky with sweat.

"It's always nice to have an afternoon guest," I answered politely.

A soft smile played on his lips for a moment. "Soon, I hope, I won't be looked upon as a guest."

His boldness shocked me. I had never know Michael to speak so frank before.

"Oh, well, um," I stammered. Thankfully Abby saved me.

"Look what I found, sissy," she said rushin' up to the front steps.

"What's that?"

"A daisy," she chortled. My heart faltered for a step.

"Oh and why is that excitin'?" I asked tryin' to keep my voice steady. "Daisies grow all over around here."

"Well this one wasn't growin' out of the ground."

"What do you mean?" Michael asked clearly amused by her game.

"I mean," she said with a sigh. "that it was lying in the flowers with a blue thing tied on it."

She whipped the flower from behind her back and sure enough it was one of Edward's. The satin ribbon blew gently in the breeze; the petals were still white, not tainted by the elements yet. It meant that Edward had dropped it today, probably why we were at church.

"Why would someone tie this thing to it though?" Abby asked, her eyes watchin' the flower.

"Who knows, Abby? Why don't you head on inside, I think Pa might need a hand." I motioned towards the house, she dutifully went in.

"It is peculiar," Michael said after a moment.

"I'm guessin' someone just dropped it when they were goin' by the house," I said flippantly.

"I'm sure you're right," Michael said thoughtfully, but his eyes remained tight.

I forced a cheerful smile onto my face, hopin' that would be enough to steer things away from the flower.

It didn't work.

"Do you like daisies?" he asked, his eyes turnin' back to me.

"I suppose," I replied evenly.

"Such a plain flower, if you ask me," he said. "I much prefer a rose or a daffodil."

I had to fight back the surge of anger that came with him bad talkin' the flowers Edward leaves me. I thought they were beautiful; their simplicity is what appealed to me.

"Well, I much prefer a daisy to a rose any day," I replied without thought, it might have been considered too outspoken, but I couldn't find it in myself to care.

And Michael didn't respond to my rudeness as I expected at all, nope he just chuckled.

"I'll have to remember that for when I undoubtedly make a mistake."

My heart clenched and my stomach turned. I never wanted to receive a daisy from him.

"Here you go, Michael," my Pa interrupted us by comin' out to hand Michael a glass of sweet tea. I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful to have the interruption. "Isabella made this fresh just yesterday."

I could almost feel myself tear up from the evident pride in my Pa's voice.

"Then I'm sure it is delicious," Michael replied before takin' a large draw from the glass. "And I was right."

"Thank you," I said politely.

"How have things been goin' out here," Pa said as he leaned up against the porch railin'.

"Isabella and I were just havin' a delightful conversations about flowers," Michael said, givin' me a small grin.

"Flowers, huh," Pa said after a moment, his right hand comin' up to rub at the back of his neck.

"Isabella's preferences are quite entertaining," Michael said with a smile.

"She is does like to spend her free time in the garden."

A moment of silence settled over us before Michael shifted nervously in his chair.

"Mr. Swan," he started, rubbin' his sweaty palms against his slacks. "I'm sure you're aware that I fancy Isabella a great deal, I would hope that my intentions have become clear over the last few weeks."

He stopped there for a moment, like he was takin' a second to collect his words.

"Yes," Pa prodded a little.

"And I asked to come here today for a specific reason."

The sound of horse hooves thunderin' up our road cut Michael off mid sentence.

"What the?" Pa said steppin' off the porch.

"Charles?" A voice yelled out barely registerin' above the sound of the hooves.

"Mr. Banner," Pa yelled wavin' his arm to the approachin' man. "What is it?"

Mr. Banner slid to a stop in front of our gate, barely lettin' his horse slow before throwin' himself to the ground.

"Charles," he his breath burst through his lips. "We need you to come to town."

"What's goin' on?" Pa asked not movin' from his spot.

I ducked down a little, knowin' that is anyone remembered I was sittin' here I would be shunned into the house before hearin' anything.

"Michael is that you?" Mr. Banner asked ignorin' my Pa's question.

"Yes it is, Sir," Michael said standin'.

"You better come along, too. Mr. Stanley is headed to retrieve your Pa."

"I'm not goin' anywhere until you explain what's goin' on here," Pa said defiantly.

"We got one, Charlie," Mr. Banner said proudly, a wide smile spreadin' across his face.

"Got one, what?" Michael asked nervously.

"A Cullen! Shot that dang bastard myself, right in the middle of Main Street."

My world spun and turned and took everything I had to stay upright. I gagged on the bile that rose to my mouth.

"Isabella," Pa turned to me in surprise, finally remember that I was standin' there. The world swayed once more and then everything turned black.

I know, I know, I'm a HUGE A-hole for leaving it there! But guys this chapter was already at 15 pages. The next chapter is almost written, so this cliffy will not be a long one! Loves ya! XOXO

Symphiann