Here's the next chapter, just in time for the last day or so of this year. And it's a doozy. And I think I just about love it, haha....

Enjoy!

EPOV

It was Friday, and I was helping my mom out around the house by cleaning every surface she could find that might have a fucking speck of dust on it. It was her version of my punishment for getting suspended again. At this rate, I'd be expelled right before graduation. I smirked at the thought.

There was a knock on the door and I sighed in annoyance, getting up off of my knees and heading down the hall to the doorway.

"Hey Seth," I greeted, letting him in. His eyes were tight, his posture tense; I raised a brow.

"What's up?" I asked, closing the door behind him and heading into the living room. He was pacing, glancing occasionally out the front window. He opened his mouth a few times and shut it. Just as I was about to let my annoyance be known, he finally spoke the fuck up.

"Those vamps are back."

I froze. "What vamps?" I asked, but I knew what he was talking about.

"The ones that came before, that your girlfriend chased off. They're back. You need to call Bella, let her know."

When I hesitated, he sighed impatiently. "Come on, Edward, just call her already!"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair anxiously, but took the stairs in large steps and grabbed my phone. By the time I got back downstairs, Seth was even more antsy. I gave him a look and muttered, "Chill the fuck out, dude."

He just glared.

Rolling my eyes and sighing, fighting the nervous fluttering of my heart, I dialed Bella's number. It rang and rang and fucking rang.

I snapped the phone shut and glared at it, then Seth. "She didn't fucking answer."

He groaned, ordered me to give him her number, and then called her himself. Still no answer. I smirked smugly; if she had picked up for him, I'd have had to deck him.

Seth was muttering under his breath, pacing still, and then stopped, grabbing his cell and dialing again. I leaned against the shelf behind me and crossed my arms, waiting somewhat impatiently for him to finally chill.

He moved outside, giving me an annoyed look - what, like it was my fault his plan hadn't worked? - as he went. I rolled my eyes and moved back upstairs, immediately reaching onto my desk for a cig….

Before remembering I'd thrown them all out. I groaned, looking up at the ceiling in desperation. Fuck, I'd forgotten about that shit. Why had I decided to listen to my dad for the first time in… basically ever?

Running a hand through my hair, I paced, feeling the desperate urge for a smoke. But I didn't have any, so I should stop being a sissy and just man up.

I snorted and flipped open my phone, trying to call Bella again. I ended up stubbing my toe when I kicked the desk because she didn't answer.

Seth appeared in my doorway, making me jump and swear. "Fuck," I snapped irritably. "Can't you make any fucking noise?"

Seth just rolled his eyes. "Come on. Until the blood drinkers are gone, you're going to be staying on the rez."

I thought about that for about half a second before snorting. "Uh, no thanks. I don't think I'll like being around your friends for too long."

He rolled his eyes. "Edward, just stay at my place. The Pack will leave you well enough alone…."

Seth trailed off as I gave him a look, and his lips twitched towards a grin. "If it helps, they're almost as reluctant as you are."

I laughed, shaking my head, and grabbed a bag, starting to throw shit I thought I might need into the bag. "Yeah, whatever. Your mom had better be feeding me a lot, otherwise I'll ditch you dogs and chance the vamps."

Seth laughed as well, leading the way downstairs. Apparently, the kid had run here because I didn't see a car anywhere nearby that didn't belong on the street.

When we got to Seth's house, it was getting dark. Seth led the way inside, and I followed behind him, hearing laughter from the kitchen. "Honey, I'm home!" I called jokingly.

Leah poked her head out from the kitchen and groaned. "Oh great. I'd hoped it was all a bad dream when I heard you'd be staying with us for a while."

I smirked at her and leaned close. "You know you're all tingly inside at the thought of me being here."

She patted my cheek patronizingly. "Get over yourself, Edward," she advised, smirking just a little, before slipping past me and down the hall. I stepped into the kitchen and held my arms open to Sue.

"Your favorite not-child is here," I told her.

Sue laughed; she was standing by the stove, stirring something that smelled fucking delicious, her hair pulled out of her face sloppily. I'd heard people call their friend's parents their second parents before, but never understood why. With Sue, it all made sense. I mean, I'd let her adopt me if it meant she'd feed me her fucking amazing food all the time. Seth was such a lucky bastard.

"How long are you staying, Edward?" Sue asked conversationally as I sat my ass in a chair and leaned back, sniffing the air appreciatively.

"I donno," I drawled, "Ask Seth and his buddies."

Her lips quirked slightly, but she didn't look at me. I rolled my eyes.

"This is not funny, Sue," I told her seriously. "I just wanted to stay home, but they're all 'they vant to suck your vlood!' on me and dragged my ass here!"

She looked over her shoulder and gave me a weird look. "That was probably the worst accent I've ever heard. And don't swear," she added as she turned back to whatever she was cooking.

I sighed exaggeratedly, then grinned innocently as she shot me a warning look. I held up my hands in surrender. "Okay, whatever you say, boss."

Seth laughed as he entered the room, pushing my chair forward and almost dumping me out of it. I braced myself against the edge of the table and glared at the kid.

"Looks good Mom," Seth said, peering over Sue's shoulder before grabbing glasses and shit from a cupboard. I hopped up, figuring I should get off my lazy ass and help set the fucking table.

Sue glanced at her son with a raised brow. "So, how long is Edward staying for? You know I don't approve of kidnapping for very long, Seth."

He laughed. "Just the weekend. Don't worry. I called his mom and asked and everything."

I glared at him. "When?"

The kid grinned cheekily. "When I was outside, right after I talked to Sam."

I rolled my eyes. "I just love how everyone controls my life but me," I muttered sourly. "I should just sit back and enjoy the show."

I was being sarcastic. Seth decided to join in with a "That's a perfect idea." I glanced slyly at a distracted Sue, and then flipped him off.

Sue set up the couch for me to sleep on later that night, and I fell onto it with a huge, gusty sigh. I pulled my cell phone over to me and tried Bella's number again, all fucking automatically even though I knew, I knew, she wasn't going to answer.

And surprise of all fucking surprises… she didn't.

I was annoyed, a little pissed, and okay maybe somewhat fucking upset and distressed. Hadn't she fuckin told me to call her when I was going to stop being an ass about the whole thing that happened? And how she wasn't picking up? What the fuck was up with that?

Yeah, okay, maybe it was my fault that all this was happening in the first place. If I hadn't been such a dips hit, she would have been talking to me this entire fucking two months she'd been gone. But I had just been…. Oh fuck it. I'd been angry as shit that she could leave so easily, even when I was fucking begging her not to, and then I'd been angry that I was being such a needy wuss. And maybe it was a fucking lame ass excuse, but I'd told her to get out because I knew if she didn't leave then, I'd do something even more stupid than usual.

Because I was a fucking asshole and couldn't help myself.

Either way, I had fucked myself over, but I had been hoping this would be the lesser route.

And now she wasn't picking up her goddamn phone!

I tired again, ready to yell at her, and when she didn't pick up, I hung up, cursing nonstop under my breath until I ran out of words, and angrily rolled onto my side, away from the sight of my damn phone.

I woke up in the middle of the night to an annoying fucking buzzing noise. Groaning, I fumbled in the dark without opening my eyes, trying to locate that shit so I could throw it against a wall. My fingers bumbled into my phone, so I snatched it up and pressed a button. The buzzing stopped.

Sighing in relief, I settled back more comfortably. Not that anyone could get too comfortable on a couch.

The phone started vibrating again.

Groaning loudly, I rolled onto my side and picked it up.

"What?" I snapped harshly.

"Don't you talk to me like that, Edward Masen!"

I blinked, sitting upright and running a hand through my hair. "Alice?" I asked in confusion.

"No, it's Tinkerbell!" she snapped in annoyance.

I grinned slyly. "Is there a difference?"

There was silence for a moment, then an even, "You are so lucky I'm not in Washington right now Edward."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "What do you want, Tinkerbell? You do realize it's the middle of the fucking night, right?"

"Stop complaining. Now, where are you? With the mutts?"

I raised a brow. "Shouldn't you know that shit?"

She sighed and I smirked to hear the impatient sound to it, like she was trying not to yell at me. You hear that sigh often enough, and no one - not even fucking old vampires - can hide it or make it sound like something else. "Not if you are with those dogs, Edward. I can't see anything involving those dogs. Now, are you with them?"

I shrugged. "Yeah, I'm at Seth's house." Which reminded me…. "Asshole dragged me here when I couldn't reach Bella. Said those nasty ass vamps that would like to kill me are back."

Alice let out a single, harsh laugh. That was when I knew shit had hit the fan, at some point.

"Yeah, we know they're back. For one thing, they called Bella - which is why you can't reach her. She threw away her phone - and another I saw something."

I sighed when she didn't say anything for a few moments. "Alice, cut the ominous crap and just spit it out."

She mumbled some more about how lucky I was she wasn't in Washington. I rolled my eyes.

"Edward, you have to understand who these people are to understand how bad this is. Helen hates us. Literally hates us. She hates most people, but us especially. I don't know why. Paris… Paris is mainly just an ass who likes sex too much for his own good. But he's a clever ass if he wants to be. And on top of that, he's possessive as hell. What he wants, he gets, and if he doesn't get it… no one else should, either. But he's also a coward. If he thinks he'll lose, he'll back down. He wants no one else touching Helen, but wants everyone but her. She kills anyone he ends up with, usually in clever and unusual ways. And both of them are highly suspicious people. They have ties to the Volturi, especially Helen, so we can't touch them without due cause. And they won't think twice about killing people, Edward. They don't care. Worse than that, they aren't afraid of anyone, either.

"Helen suspects something. Paris went to our house to look for any unusual scents, while she is wandering the town also looking for places our scent is especially strong. I was searching for more visions of them, but both have also disappeared."

She waited a moment, probably letting that sink in.

"Fuck," I muttered, tugging my hair in agitation. "Fuck!" I repeated more loudly, realizing my parents might be in danger.

"Exactly," she said exhaustedly. "The minute Bella realized this she left. She's going to just run onto their land, Edward, and they'll kill her for it. She's not thinking."

I frowned at the way Alice said that, but asked something more important first. "How long until she gets here?"

Alice sighed. "I don't know, I don't know! Her future is gone too. I can't see anything as long as you all remain around those dogs! She left some time ago…. I tried calling earlier, but you didn't answer." Her voice was accusatory.

I rolled my eyes. "Excuse me for sleeping," I snapped.

"Sorry," Alice said as she blew out a breath. "This is just stressing, not seeing anything." She took a deep breath. "She should probably be there in about an hour, give or take twenty minutes."

"Okay," I said calmly. "Now what the hell happens when Bella gets pissed off."

"What?" Alice asked.

I wasn't buying that innocent act. "Whenever she loses her temper or gets worked up. She's not… herself. Explain that shit to me now."

Alice hesitated, then sighed. "It's her power. It's very… volatile. All her vampire traits get… amplified. But it's more than that." She stopped and sighed impatiently. "I can't explain it. I don't think anyone really can. Here," I listened to a slight rustling, and then a different voice was on the line.

"Edward," Carlisle said, "Are you safe?"

I snorted. "Who knows? Probably, I'm in a house with two werewolves."

Carlisle hesitated, then said, "I'm not sure I'd classify that as safe."

I laughed. "Well, it's better than defenseless or dead."

That got a chuckle. "True. What is it you need?"

I narrowed my eyes, though that wouldn't affect him. "Bella's power. Can you explain it at all?"

"Hmm," Carlisle mused. I heard as he shifted around. "Bella's power is hard to explain, because we know so little about it. Bella herself rarely remembers much of what happens when she uses it, and she can't control it. It makes it dangerous, makes her dangerous. She doesn't recognize friend from foe, innocent from guilty. She's all reaction, all instinct. She's stronger, faster, more violent. She's nearly impossible to reason with in that state. Mostly, she has to come down from it on her own, and that takes a few days."

"But there's more to it," I insisted.

"Oh, yes. There is," Carlisle agreed. "But this is the most difficult part to explain. The best way I can do so is to say that things around her respond to her emotions, her anger. Things explode, shatter, fall apart. If she gets angry enough, things around her just seem to happen to the subjects of her anger."

"That sounds… fucking confusing," I admitted.

Carlisle chuckled darkly. "It is. And Bella fears what happens when her power takes control, so she never purposefully gets angry in an attempt to learn to control it. The first time it happened, she killed the man who tried to kill her."

I froze, the air in my lungs freezing as well. Closing my eyes, I choked out, "She did?"

"Yes," Carlisle said gravely. "She also killed the guards in the vehicle, caused the vehicle to blow up, and destroyed the road they were driving on."

I shook my head. "Fuck," I muttered under my breath. "And there's no way to calm her down?"

"Not that we know of," Carlisle admitted. "Even Jasper can't calm her when she's in that state."

"And she'd going to be like that when she gets here," I guessed.

"That's my suspicion," Carlisle sighed. "You might want to stay clear of her for a while," he advised.

I snorted. "Thanks for the advice," I told him, though, and hung up.

Seth was leaning against the wall at the other end of the room, frowning. "What's going on?"

I ran a hand through my hair. "Get Leah in here, cause I'm not explaining this shit twice."

When they both returned, I was pacing. "Those two vamps, the ones I'm hiding here from, are probably coming. And so is Bella, probably to kick their asses. I don't understand everything," I added quickly. "There seems to be some political shit as well going on."

"If they come on our lands, it's simple. We kill them," Leah said with a shrug.

I glared and stomped up into her face. "No, it's not that fucking simple Leah. Bella will show up on here, too, and she's gonna be pissed enough that she's not going to be thinking straight. Don't confront her, don't fucking antagonize her. None of you should."

She raised a brow and gave me a flat look. "Try telling that to the others. Sam and Jacob, Paul, Embry, Quil, Jared. They're not going to be willing to overlook her breaking the treaty again."

"This is more than the treaty!" I yelled. "This is two bad vamps who won't think twice about killing people! I thought that was your whole mission or whatever?" I snarled. "To save people."

"It is," Seth interjected quickly. "But Leah and I have to follow the Alpha's rules, Edward. If he told us to, we'd have no choice in the matter."

I stared between them both. "That sounds like the most shitty scenario ever. You have no fucking control."

They shrugged. "It is the way it is, Edward," Seth said quietly. "And if Sam tells us to attack Bella… we're going to have to do it."

I groaned and fell back onto the couch. "That's just fucking great," I grumbled.

Leah and Seth were waiting with me in the living room. None of the vamps were getting through to me, at least, not without a bit of a fight. I was grumbling still under my breath, resenting the rules these two would have to follow and the way this had all worked out.

Leah froze and her head jerked towards the front of the house. Seth slowly rose to his feet, jerking his head at me.

I rolled my eyes, but got up and followed him away from the windows and as far from the door as possible. Just to be safe, he'd explained earlier. Whatever.

Leah opened the door and then that strange instance that my eyes couldn't process happened and a huge wolf jumped down the porch.

A snarl carried up to the inside of the house, then deep growls. I leaned to the side, trying to see out the open door.

I didn't see much, just a flash of pale skin and brown. I didn't know what Helen and Paris looked like…

But I knew Bella. I'd know her anywhere.

"Wait!" I shouted, leaping away from Seth, who cursed under his breath as he failed to snatch me successfully. I almost fell to my fucking knees as I took all the stairs in a single jump, and froze at the sight before me.

It was Bella…. A very pissed, very violent Bella. She looked… wild. Feral. She was crouched down, lips pulled back in a snarl, eyes pitch black and locked onto Leah. Leah, who was a huge, slim, light gray wolf, with equally huge and sharp teeth and lethal claws.

Holy fucking crap.

Leah's paw swiped out and Bella lunged to the side, darting in and snapping at Leah before darting back out just as quickly when Leah twisted and slashed at my girl again.

"Stop!" I shouted, getting to my feet. Seth yanked me back.

I swung around and grabbed his shirt in my hands, shaking him. "Why the fuck is she attacking Bella!"

Seth shook his head, glaring. "Leah doesn't know Bella, she wouldn't recognize her. Besides; Sam might have ordered her to once she phased." He stared at me. "I promise, I won't phase until I have to. I won't do what he wants until I have no other choice."

I ignored that. "Tell her it's Bella. Tell her to fucking stop!" I shouted.

"I can't!" Seth yelled, throwing his hands up. "She won't listen to me!"

A loud crash behind us caused me to whip back around, and Sue to call for us from inside worriedly. Vaguely, I was aware of Seth running up the steps and saying something to her. Bella picked herself out of the wreckage of a tree, ignoring the fact that her shirt was torn in the front, revealing thin, cracked looking scratches along her revealed skin. She simply leaped back at Leah, snarling viciously.

"Bella!" I yelled. Leah danced out of her way as Bella tried to get to her again, and then Bella threw herself backwards as Leah's paws tried to hit Bella again.

"Dammit!" I swore under my breath. "Bella!"

Leah's eyes turned to me, and then turned speculative. She glanced between Bella and I for a moment, before running towards me.

What the fuck?

Bella snarled and dashed in front of me; Leah froze, stock still, just far enough away that Bella couldn't reach her but that Bella still seemed uneasy.

I reached out, grabbing Bella's hand in my own. "Bella, babe, look at me," I said quietly.

She didn't respond. I sighed, then moved so I was in front of her, grabbed her face in my hands, and stared right into those black, frightening eyes. "Bella, I'm fine. It's safe here. Relax, babe. Please."

Leah shifted, and whatever progress I had made with Bella was ruined as she snarled and moved fast enough that I couldn't follow, standing right in front of me again. I sighed in frustration.

Seth stepped forward, and Bella's head whipped towards him, snarling slightly. I looked at him and shook my head. Calmly, Seth stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

"Hey Bella," he said, as if this were an every day occurrence. While his eyes stayed locked uneasily on her, he spoke to me. "Edward, Sam's on his way. Leah's supposed to keep Bella here… until the rest of the pack gets here."

I glared.

Seth's eyes flicked momentarily to me, apologetically. "If she runs, Leah will chase her…. But maybe Leah can hold back a bit. You guys have to leave now."

"Oh and where would the fun be in that?" A silky voice floated on the air towards us.

Bella's snarls grew as she faced this new threat.

If this was Helen, fucking hell. The chick was probably the definition of hot. She had dark curling hair, wide set, deep dark eyes with thick lashes, and full, pouty lips. Plus a body that was what every Playboy bunny strived to be.

"So." Her lips curled into a playful, smug smirk. "This is what you've been hiding, Bella. I have to say, he does look incredibly yummy." She sniffed deeply. "Smells good, too. If he tastes half as good as the meal we found at his residence, then…." She trailed off, but hummed appreciatively.

I paled. She'd fucking killed….

"Maybe Paris will let me play with him." Her head tilted. "What do you think?"

Then another vampire stepped out. He wasn't smiling. He wasn't smirking. He wasn't even frowning. But he was terrifying; I swear even Bella trembled a little at the sight of him. His gaze was focused entirely on her.

This had to be the fucker Paris.

"Perhaps," was all he said, as cold as fuck.

Helen smirked, leaning back casually against a tree trunk. They didn't seem at all threatened by Bella or the wolves and I remembered what Alice had said. They didn't worry about killing anyone. They didn't fear anyone.

Unless the rest of the wolves got here soon, we were screwed, and even when they did, they'd go after Bella too. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Paris started circling in front of Bella, pacing to one side and then the other. Bella shifted the entire time, following his movements intensely.

"I'm disappointed, Bella," he finally said. Emotionless. Coldly. "I knew you and your coven were sympathetic to the humans, but to stoop so low as to have relations with one. And to break the laws over him." He shook his head. "They're inferior, not worth it. You could have had me," he added, a hint of anger coloring his voice. "Yet you chose this worthless human."

She just growled, lowly and constantly.

He tsked and shook his head slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "You knew you were playing with fire, Bella. You knew what it would mean to be with him. He has to die." Paris slowly smiled, and it chilled me.

"Helen. Make sure it's long and painful."

Bella snarled, but before she could move, Leah was attacking that Helen bitch, her claws dragging with an unnatural noise against the skin of the vampire.

Bella leapt at Paris, both of them clashing together loudly. He pulled his fist back and slammed it into her head so hard, she flew backwards. Before she hit the ground, she righted herself and was rushing back at him.

Seth grabbed my arm, pulling me back, watching the fight uneasily. "I have to help Leah," he murmured. "I'm sorry, man. The rest of the pack will be here in minutes…."

He moved out to the edge of the fray and stripped off his clothes quickly. Sue was standing at the door. I had a feeling Seth and Leah didn't know she was watching. Quietly, she opened the door and clutched my hand tightly. I noted the lines of worry and fear on her face as she watched her two children fight Helen.

I squeezed her hand back reassuringly. "They'll be okay," I murmured. "They're tough. Bella will keep Paris distracted."

Sue looked at me, her eyes wide and frightened. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

I didn't know what she was apologizing for. For being scared. Maybe just because it was the only thing she could think of to say.

"I'm sorry too," I whispered.

The earth was shaking. I thought it was just the fighting, until the house started rattling. The other wolves rushed around the corner, snarling, and jumped into the fray, helping Leah and Seth with Helen, and separating Bella and Paris.

"No!" I shouted angrily. "Leave Bella the fuck alone, you bastards!"

Of course they didn't listen. Sue put her hand on my shoulder, and shook her head. "They won't listen, Edward."

I shrugged her angrily off, watching in horror as two of them ganged up on Bella. She snarled, ducking under them and trying to attack Paris again. Paris, who was kicking some wolf ass. Shit, shit, shit!

"Sue," I said quickly. "Get out of here. It's not safe."

She opened her mouth, obviously going to argue or some shit like that, when I said, "Seriously, go! I have to stay here and do anything I can to help Bella, but Leah and Seth can take care of themselves, don't worry! Go!"

Thank fuck she left.

Paris threw a huge wolf into the woods; a pained yelp and then silence followed. All the wolves shuddered, momentarily seeming at a loss…. Helen and Paris attacked more violently. Bella ducked around the wolves attacking her and went for Paris.

Helen pulled away from the wolf she'd been going after and tackled Bella.

The fight was so hard to follow. I felt like I was always a few steps behind. All the participants blurred and I could only see what was happening after it happened.

So I wasn't prepared for Helen showing up right in front of my fucking face.

"Such a yummy human," she cooed.

I glared. "Fuck off, hag," I snapped.

Her eyes turned black, and a snarl pulled up her lips grotesquely. Before she could do anything, though, a wolf grabbed her by the legs and threw her away. Then it winked at me. I laughed, breathlessly, with relief and some leftover fear.

"Thank Seth," I said.

He grinned and jumped back into the fight.

The shaking had kept progressing, and then loud groaning sounds started echoing above the sounds of the fight. A loud snap sounded, and a tree branch - huge and gnarled - fell into the middle of the group. One of the wolves yelped painfully and kept a leg curled tight to its body.

"Bella," I breathed, searching for her. She was fighting off three wolves, eyes locked on Paris the entire time. Nearby him, the ground split open, literally fucking spilt open, and he almost fell in. He didn't, but glared angrily at Bella. He knew it was her. He knew what she could do.

A large red wolf attacked her, his paw hitting her hard and knocking her towards the porch. I jumped down next to her, brushing hair out of her face. She looked so fucking dazed, so out of it, but her eyes were still black and violent.

"Bella," I whispered. "Let's get the fuck out of here. Please. Can we just get the hell out of this place?"

"Get your hands off of her."

I glared and stood up, standing in front of Paris. He took a step forward….

Bella hit him before he could seem to realize what was happening. Her hands grabbed his hair and chin, and her mouth latched onto his neck.

With a horrific sound, his head disconnected from his neck.

Helen howled, trying to get to Bella but the wolves were keeping her back. She glanced around, seemed to realize she was totally outnumbered, and glared at us.

"Your lives are fucking over," she hissed, before dashing away. Some of the wolves followed her; the others turned to Bella, snarling, teeth on display.

I ran in front of her, glaring at them all. "Back off." They kept coming.

And then Seth was standing next to me, hunched and snarling. They froze in surprise, then growled more loudly. Seth was shaking, whining slightly, but holding his ground. Then Leah joined him, her teeth on display. I didn't think she was protecting me, or Bella. She was there for her brother.

The snarls grew between the wolves, angry.

Bella's hand closed around my wrist. I glanced back and she tugged me gently. I stepped backwards, keeping my eyes locked on the feuding wolves. We reached the edge of the house… and then Bella had yanked me off the ground and was running.

Okay that was fucking weird. And I hoped it never happened fucking again. I wasn't sure I liked the idea of it being possible for my girlfriend to carry me while running without breaking a sweat.

BPOV

I slowed when I thought it was safe. I set Edward down, and dashed around the abounded house, locking doors and windows and drawing blinds. I dashed around to check for any other exits and places for dangers to hide, and satisfied there were none, finally stopped in the middle of an empty kitchen.

Edward walked into the room, gently grabbing my hand and stepping forward so our torsos touched. His free hand cupped my cheek. It was warm, soothing. I leaned into the touch, sighing.

"Here," he said softly, pulling off his sweatshirt. I frowned in confusion, until he pulled it on me. My shirt was in tatters; it hardly covered anything. Sighing to myself, I tore the shirt off and tossed it away, snuggling my nose into the neck of the jacket and sniffed. It smelled just like Edward, and was still warm from being on him.

He brushed some hair out of my face, searching it for… something.

"We're fine now, babe. You can… calm down."

A sound came from outside and I tensed, growling.

He chuckled. "That's just thunder, babe. You know, it happens around here when it rains," he teased.

I rolled my eyes. He could be such a butthead.

His arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me back into his chest, and his lips pressed into my hair. "Thank you."

I twisted around to look at him curiously, tilting my head.

He smiled slightly. "For all of it. For putting up with me. For being who you are, amazing and beautiful and so fucking kick ass." He grinned. "I know I fucked things up when you left-"

I closed his lips by putting mine over them. He sighed, his hands flexing on my hips.

"Bella?" he said softly as his forehead rested against mine.

I hummed, feeling safe finally.

"I fucking love you," he whispered.

The red haze dropped entirely, gone, gone, gone. I looked up at him, feeling my eyes glaze over with tears that would never fall. My lips twitched into a smile.

"Yeah," I murmured. "I know. And I fucking love you too."

He grinned, pulling me closer again. "I love it when you swear," he chuckled, before kissing me like he was a dying man… and I was his everything.

Assward:There, bitches, I said it finally. Okay? I'm fucking whipped and I love my girl and so all you dreamers gotta stop putting me as your starring role man. Got it? Okay. Have a great fucking new year - party your asses off and leave IG some reviews. She is suffering computer lock down at night laughs loudly and appreciatively and the girl is going through withdrawals. smirks

Gives Assward a sour look Shut up. It's not fun to have computer time limited. Not. At. A-

Gah, was that my dad? peers out curtain of window in front of her Whew. It wasn't. sighs heavily Gah.

Heh, anyhow, hope you have great new years. My New Year Resolution will be to update more regularly. As in, like, every ten days or something.... Though, I'll be busy next semester until I get the rest of my Senior Project done, although that might happen within the next three weeks.... Still, I'll be getting up way too early and junk like that. rolls eyes You guys let me know what your resolutions are, what you think of the chapter, and I promise there will be an interview up this Sunday. Give Questions you have for Assward! Any will work!

OH OH! And I have an end-of-the-year rec for you guys. I have been reading this fic, How to Save a Life by unholyobsession and it is amazing and fabulous and I wanna hug her Potward but I'm afraid he'd just yell at me or something, so I don't. But it's a great fic, really really wonderful, and please all of you go read it!!!