And HERE IT IS! THE PROLOGUE! FINALLY!

ENJOY!

BPOV

The feeling in my stomach was one that I couldn't describe. Tonight was either going to make or break Edward. It would be his final attempt at trying to gain his family back. I can't say that I was pleased with it though. In my opinion, they didn't deserve to be in his life after the way they'd treated him. The whole damn situation sucked and was one big clusterfuck because, while I despised them and honestly thought he was better off without them, I also sympathized with Edward's need for them. It was his life, his family, and if he wanted to try and repair the damage, I wasn't going to stop him. I would support him, just as I had for the past month and a half.

And exactly the same way I did two days ago when he confessed that he wanted to get clean, get his life back, and put all of this shit behind him. Edward wasn't a fool; he knew that this wasn't going to be a walk in the park, and was most likely the hardest thing he'd ever have to do.

The whole conversation had taken me off guard as he had brought it up one night while we were laying together in comfortable silence. And the fact that he'd brought it up on his own was significant enough. It only proved that the true Edward was still in there somewhere, something I'd known all along. For him to have enough sense and be capable of making a decision himself to become sober showed that he hadn't fully given himself over to the criminal junkie lifestyle, no matter how much it seemed otherwise.

His words that night still both shocked me, and warmed my heart. I knew with utmost fucking certainty that there was nothing in this damn world that I wouldn't do for him. He'd already grown to mean that fucking much to me.

"You fucking look like I feel, Doll. Everything okay?" he asked, giving my hand a squeeze with his own as they sat intertwined on the console in his car. We were currently on our way to his parents' house for Sunday dinner.

"Just worried about you, that's all," I answered, glancing out the window. I knew that I had to be showing my emotions pretty fucking strong for him to have said that I looked the way he felt. See, he hadn't used in two and a half days, so needless to say, Edward was feeling pretty fucking shitty. Just this morning, his muscles were spasming and causing extreme pain, his stomach was nauseous, and he was extremely irritable—all were symptoms from the withdrawals, which was something I knew all too much about.

And I couldn't help but admire him for how he was dealing with it all. Like now. Despite the pain and discomfort he was feeling, he kept his head up and was even smiling a bit more. Yesterday evening, after dinner, Edward had tried to downplay everything with me, saying that he was okay and it wasn't all that bad, but I knew better. It was all bullshit and I'd called him on it. There was no need for him to hide that stuff from me considering I already knew exactly what he was going through.

I'd noticed that in the past week or so—since our reconciliation—he'd begun this whole 'protect Bella from the ugly side of the world' persona. I don't know why or even where it came from but it was becoming highly fucking annoying. Don't get me wrong; it was sweet and all, but there was nothing he or anyone else could expose me to that I hadn't seen before. This was supposed to be about me helping him. Me being there for him.

Not the other way around.

"Doll, I'll be fucking fine, I swear. I've got thick skin in the case things turn ugly," he answered, leaning over and kissing my cheek.

I knew what that meant, even if he didn't say it. The kissing my cheek was supposed to be a distraction from how he really felt; he knew any touch of his lips to my skin turned me to a sputtering, wet and horny puddle of goo.

Not this time.

Deep down, I think he was scared shitless due to not knowing which way things would go.

But there was no time to debate that as we had just pulled into the long drive of a huge home, immediately catching sight of Emmett and Alice out on the front porch.

Oh happy happy joy joy!

Not!

Edward sucked in a quick breath as he parked the car, then hung his head. "Well, this should be pleasant," he grumbled as he stepped out of the car and made his way over to my side. He'd also made it perfectly clear that I was not to open my own car door. Who would've thought that Edward was fucking old-fashioned?

I stared out the windshield, watching as Alice stood on the porch, hands on her hips, and a glare in her eyes. Emmett stood with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes narrowed. There was one reason and one reason alone as to why they were fucking waiting on the porch. They intended to ambush Edward and talk down to him as they always did.

When Edward opened my door, I stepped out and took hold of his hand, my other hand going up to rest against his neck. His eyes looked curiously into my own, the sheer beauty of them making my breath catch for a moment.

Great. Now I sound like cheesy fucking romance novel.

"Shit, am I really that good? I haven't even touched you, and you're already all starry eyed," he murmured with an underlying hint of amusement.

"Fuck you, Cullen," I answered, feeling the blush color my cheeks. "Listen, you and I both know why they're waiting out here rather than inside. I want you to do me a favor, okay?"

Edward arched a high brow in skepticism. "Doll, anytime you ask me for something, it's never anything good."

I rolled my eyes at him, knowing damn well he was referring to the incident at the duck pond last week—a story for another time. "I'm serious, Eddie. From what I've seen so far, and what you've told me, every time you get confronted by the family, you stand there and take it. I know that you're used to it, but please, stand up for yourself tonight. Don't let them get away with that shit."

"But it's so much more fun watching you get riled up when you're telling 'em off," he smirked.

"I'm fucking serious, Edward. I can't watch that go on anymore. You don't deserve it," I told him quietly, taking a step closer and moving my hand from his neck to his cheek.

He watched me for a moment before releasing a heavy sigh and closing his eyes briefly. "Okay, I'll try," he whispered back, craning his neck down and resting his forehead against mine.

"Thank you," I said with a smile.

"You know, they're watching us…probably plotting my fucking death as we speak."

"Let 'em watch," I replied, tipping my head back a bit and touching my lips to his.

As he kissed me, I plainly heard Alice mutter, "Motherfucking piece of shit."

Then Emmett followed with, "You've got to be fucking kidding me. What is she thinking?"

I knew Edward had heard them as well, because as soon as the words left their lips, he became more forceful and passionate with me. I let him have his fun because it was his way of rubbing it in their faces, but just that action put a certain feeling in my gut.

Shit was going down tonight, and none of it would be good.

The worst part of that problem…

Edward would be the one paying the price.

When he finally pulled away, I slid my thumb along his lip line, wiping the reddish colored lip gloss from his skin. His eyes shone down at me heatedly as his lips curved upward in a devilish smirk.

I chuckled at him, laced our fingers together and followed as he walked us over to the porch where Alice and Emmett still waited; only now they wore disgusted expressions their faces.

"What the fuck was that?" Alice shrieked as quickly cut Edward off at the top step and got in his face.

"I don't know, Alice," Edward stated mockingly. "A kiss?"

"I thought I warned you to stay the fuck away from her, Edward. All you're going…"

"Back the fuck up, Alice. This is none of your fucking business," Edward said lowly, pushing past her and pulling me with him.

I couldn't have cared less that she or Emmett were giving me the stink eye as well. I was more impressed that Edward had actually shot back at her. I didn't know if it had anything to do with what I'd said minutes before or not, but in a self-satisfying, arrogant way, I hoped it did.

*~C&B~*

After nearly thirty of the most awkward tension filled minutes of my life, Edward and I left the family room—yeah I know, fucking weird—to gather with the rest of the family in the dining room. We'd hadn't spoken to anyone but each other, and quite frankly, the dirty looks and whispering in each other's ears that everyone else was doing was beginning to piss me off more and more.

I was this close to fucking blowing my top and unleashing the full extent to my feelings on them all.

Edward had obviously picked up on my frustration too because he tightened his grip on my hand and stroked his thumb over the skin of my hand in a soothing manner. I hated myself for not being able to keep a grip on myself. Here we were at Edward's parents' house—the most uncomfortable place for him to be—and he was trying to soothe me. He was the one in need.

As the anger at myself built in my chest, I tried to pull my hand out of his grasp, but he only gripped tighter and leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"Don't, please. I need this, Doll." He finished his plea with a kiss to my temple and then met the stares of everyone else at the table.

Emmett was staring a hole in me, like he was fucking superior to me and his disapproval should mean something. And to think that when I first moved here, I actually thought that he would be my ally in getting Edward back on track.

Carlisle fumed with rage. I could see it in his fucking eyes, and knowing what I knew now about how everything went down, I wanted to find the nearest gun and put a fucking bullet through his head. How he'd betrayed and ruined Edward's life made me sicker than fuck. If you ask me, he didn't fucking deserve to breathe. He didn't deserve Edward or his so called 'perfect family', and he certainly didn't deserve to walk this fucking earth as a free man. He needed to put locked away in a damn jail cell and made someone's bitch.

Everyone began to sit down at the table and Edward—like the gentleman he is—pulled out my chair for me and then, after I sat down, scooted it closer to his. Alice snorted, Carlisle harrumphed, and Emmett surprised me by slamming his palm down on the table.

"I'm not going to sit here and watch this shit," he snarled in my direction. "What the hell are you thinking, Bella?"

"Excuse me?" I said loudly, raising a brow, daring him to say another word.

"You fucking heard him. What the hell are you thinking? Getting involved with him is going to get you killed. Don't you see that?" Alice fumed.

"Well I didn't ask for your fucking opinion, did I?" I questioned back non-rhetorical.

"I don't give a shit if you asked for our opinions or not, Bella," Emmett shouted. "We cared about you. We wanted you home and welcomed you into our lives. Alice even helped you get settled. You've done nothing but act like a spoiled, know it all, fucking bitch since you've been here. In your eyes, Edward's the damn golden boy and we're all pieces of shit for not wanting anything to do with him. So, why the fuck are you even here?"

"Answer me this," Carlisle started. "How many times has he tried to give you drugs?"

"Actually, that's why we're fucking here. Bella didn't understand why I would give any of you the time of fucking day anymore, but considering all of the shit that's been spewed at me for the past few years, I felt like you all should know. I've decided to, with Bella's help, get clean."

"Bullshit! You think we're actually going to fucking fall for that?" Alice screeched.

"He hasn't touched shit for going on three days, and before you try and shoot that down too, I've been with him every second since he first made the decision."

"Why would we believe you?" Emmett interjected. "All those times I pleaded with you to get clean, all those times I begged you to get right again…then Bella shows up and suddenly you're ready to quit the shit?"

I watched as Edward's eyes bulged. "You asked me once, Em. Once! No one else gave a flying fuck. All they cared about was pinning me for something I didn't do. And what happened? The minute I told you no, you dropped me too."

"Let me ask you something, Edward," Emmett started. "What was so different about Bella? Why are you so willing to change for her but not for us?"

"Are you kidding me with that shit? You're really going to ask me that question?" Edward said with a laugh.

"I'll tell you what's different," Alice exclaimed bitterly. "With Bella, he doesn't have to worry about her seeing through his bullshit. All she's done since she moved here was stay up Edward's ass and has reamed us at every fucking turn. What I saw outside confirms it for me. Bella's a fucking whore, and Edward's only telling her he's getting clean so she won't hold out on him."

I wanted to scream, to lunge across the table and bitch slap the ever loving fuck out of her, but something unexpected happened. Hurt began to wash over me. Why…I didn't know. It wasn't like I actually cared what they thought about me.

But the fact that I was trying to help Edward with no ulterior motives and was now being called a whore for it fucking stung.

Then my mind moved to how she actually had the audacity to make such a bogus accusation considering all the shit she'd pulled sent pure rage coursing through my veins. It was time for me to really step up and explain myself, and I didn't give a damn what it would cost me in doing so.

I glanced over at Edward, only to see that he was shaking and eyeballing Alice with a murderous stare.

I slowly stood from my seat and threw my napkin on the table, taking in a shaky breath.

"Here's the deal and I want you all to listen very fucking closely because I won't be repeating this shit again. I am not, nor have I ever been, a whore. So Alice, go fuck yourself. I moved here to escape the shit storm I'd created for myself back home. Believe it or not, I was worse off three months ago than Edward is now," I took that moment to roll my sleeves up. Edward stopped me midway.

"Doll, please, don't do this to yourself. I can handle…"

"Edward, enough is enough. They need to fucking see where I'm coming from," I answered him, extending my forearms out so that they could all see the scars of my past. "I was addicted to heroin for two years. I was involved in shit that would both shock you and turn your stomachs. Eventually, I reached a bottom and when I thought all hope was lost and I was on the verge of ending my own life, Charlie saved me. My father put his anger and disappointment behind him and helped me through it. He was my lifeline. Through his belief in me and his support, I made it through rehab. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here before you now, of that I can assure you. When I got here, I was beyond thrilled that I was finally going to be reunited with my family, but what I saw made me sick. To know that Edward was suffering the same pain that I had and unlike me, he was receiving no support at all. Instead, he's ridiculed, treated as the scum of the earth and a disgrace to the family. And then to learn the full extent of the hand each of you played in ruining his life… None of you deserve to have him in your life," I cried. "He has more compassion and love in his heart than the six of you combined and that really says something about his character."

"The full extent? Right, I can just about imagine the horseshit that little bastard has filled your head with," Carlisle spat. "So you were an addict, who's to say you aren't doing the drugs with him now? Or maybe you really are trying to help him get clean…he'll never stay that way because the good that was in him once upon a time is no longer there. He's a piece of trash with no consideration for anyone but himself. If you continue on this path, Bella, you'll wind up dead just like the innocent girl that fell victim to him years ago."

I didn't even have a chance to respond. Edward jumped from his seat, grabbed his glass of wine and threw it against the wall behind Carlisle's head. "Innocent girl?! Victim to me?! You're fucking unbelievable, you know that?" he scoffed. "Why don't you tell everyone here the fucking truth for once? Huh? I'm not going to sit here and cover for you anymore. Those days are over. Bella's shown me that there is a redeemable side of me and I can get my fucking life back. All these years, I've suffered through name calling, betrayal, and the fucking horror of my family disowning me and for what?! I'm done taking all the blame for your fuck ups while you get to go on and live your happy, merry fucking life!"

Esme's eyes widened and she turned to Carlisle with fear in her eyes. "Carlisle, what is he talking about?"

"He's delusional, Mae! This is just another of his ploys for trying to pull the wool over our eyes!"

"Really?!" I interjected. "Who's pulling the wool over whose eyes?! I know, Carlisle. I know what you fucking did and the fact that you were so willing to stoop as low as to make your son take the fall for it is disgusting. I wonder how your dear wife here would feel to know that while she was home cooking your dinner and cleaning your house every night, you were at Edward's home fucking that drugged up bitch! A bitch drugged up by medicine that you prescribed her!"

"You bitch!" Alice screeched, lunging across the table at me, but thankfully Edward jumped in front of me and stopped her.

"Don't you fucking touch her," he growled before placing his hands behind him and gripping my hips, walking me backwards. "You know, I honestly thought that you all would actually fucking understand for once. That one of you would at least say you were happy or proud of me for wanting to get clean, but all you can do is spew out more hateful fucking words. You wanted to be rid of me, well….you got it," he rasped, his voice caving under the fragile state of his emotions.

Edward then turned to me, wrapped his arm firmly around my waist and led me out of the house and back to the car.

Once we were back in the car and headed back to my place, I lost it. I never intended to go that far tonight, and I knew Edward didn't expect things to turn so ugly so fast.

"Edward, I'm so sorry…I shouldn't h…"

"It's okay, Doll. I wish I'd had some warning, but you did something I haven't had the balls to do for a little over two years," he shakily answered, seeking out my hand with his right as he drove.

It was painfully obvious to me that he barely had a grip on his emotions, and I was literally just waiting for the moment where he finally snapped and let it all out. The secrets he'd been holding in for years were finally out in the open. Of course, it was up to them as to whether they believed him or not, but at least it was a little weight off of his chest just knowing it was out there now.

*~C&B~*

When Edward finally pulled up to my house, I was sure he was going to stay the night again as he had for the past two weeks or so, but instead, he left the motor running and made no effort to get out of the car.

I arched a brow and looked at him worriedly. "What's up? Aren't you coming in?"

"Not tonight, Doll. I just…I need to clear my head, that's all," he murmured quietly, cupping my cheek and leaning in to gently kiss me.

I heard him sniffle as he pulled away and my heart clenched. He was broken and shattered, worse than he had been before. All I wanted to fucking do was wrap my arms around him and hold him to me tightly.

"Edward, baby, you're a mess. I don't like the idea of you going home and having no one there for you. Let me come with you, please," I whispered, pressing my lips to his forehead and smoothing his hair back.

"Bella, I need to do this…I need…I need…"

"You need one last fix, don't you?" I asked quietly.

He lifted his tearful eyes to mine and breathed choppy breaths. "Yes. Fucking yes I do, and…"

"You don't have to explain to me, okay? Just…be careful, and call or text me to let me know you're okay."

"I promise, Doll. Now, get your beautiful ass inside, and thank you," he told me, tangling his hand in my hand as he planted one hell of a goodnight kiss on my lips, the flavor of him permeating every corner of my mouth.

And it was as I stood wobbly-legged on my porch steps that I watched my heart drive away.

As soon as I gained some semblance of myself back, I headed inside the house and it was like a ton of bricks slammed into my chest. The anger and rage came flooding back and after mixing myself a quick Crown and coke, I fished my phone from my purse and dialed the one person I knew would answer their fucking phone.

"What the fuck was that shit you spewed tonight?" Emmett yelled into the phone. "Do you have any fucking clue what you've done?"

"All I did was telling the fucking truth. Edward's lived with that bullshit hanging over his head for years, Emmett. It was time that the truth came out and you all learned what kind of person your father really is. I'm a damned good judge of character, and the river of tears that flowed from your brother's eyes as he told me everything that had happened was as real as moon in the damned sky."

"Edward's a fucking liar, Bella. The only damned reason he told you that bullshit was so that you'd stay behind him. He doesn't have anyone else to mooch off of for money or to bail him out of fucking jail when he fucks up."

"The only lies I'm hearing are the ones coming from your family's mouths. Why don't you ask your mother, Emmett? She told me that she knew something wasn't right about all of it from the get go. She's been suspicious of Carlisle all along. Answer me this, have any of you even bothered to sit back and think about what was said tonight? I mean really let it roll over in your mind? Have you even thought to question Carlisle's credibility? Or Alice's for that fucking matter? Think about it! Edward didn't start doing drugs until after that bitch had already been killed. Now, if he was the one that supposedly got her hooked on the fucking drugs, don't you think he'd have been doing them sooner? The way he was talked to tonight was the worst thing I've ever witnessed. It took a hell of a lot of balls and nerves for him to come forward and admit that he needed help and wanted to get clean. And despite all that you have done to and said about him, he still wanted you guys to know. He actually believed you would support him. Not necessarily as a fix it all, but at the very least a sort of truce between you all. But you just proved that you all deserve every bit of fucking karma that comes your way."

Not even waiting to hear his reply, I ended the call and stormed out onto the back patio for a smoke.

*~C&B~*

Here it is, four o'clock in the fucking morning, and I still haven't heard from Edward. Well, okay, that wasn't entirely true. He'd sent a quick text, telling me that he'd flushed his pills and had decided that he'd already made it two days. I replied in support of him, but had yet to receive anything else.

I knew I was being obsessive and expecting way too much of him, but I knew Edward. I saw the fucking state he was in when he left, I knew how he dealt with that kind of pressure, and considering the fucking withdrawal symptoms he was experiencing, I was worried about him.

If the withdrawals became bad enough, he would need medical attention, and most times, when the situation got that severe, people weren't conscious enough to pick up a phone and call for help.

It was with that thought that I began pacing uncontrollably back and forth across my living room.

My palm was sweaty and my knuckles were white as I gripped my cell phone in my hand, pulling at my hair with the other.

Why the fuck isn't he answering his damn phone?

Have the symptoms already taken over? Has he finally reached his breaking point?

I listened as the ringing droned on in my ear, going straight to voicemail each time. I'd already left countless messages, and I needed a new tactic. I had to get to him; he shouldn't be alone at a time like this. I remembered all too well how it was for me when I'd gone through the same hell, and I would never have wished that upon anyone.

My stomach clenched and my heart dropped as the tears that had built in my eyes began to fall. I would never forgive myself–or them–if something happened before I could reach him. I had one last option, and as desperately as I didn't want to use it, I had no other choice. I hurriedly dialed the number into my phone and prayed that they'd pick up.

"Calling to bitch me out more, Bells?"

"Cut the shit, Emmett. I need to know where the fucking spare key is."

"Oh, what's the matter? Is my wonderful brother shutting you out now?"

Just the sound of his obnoxious, hateful voice made my blood boil. "I swear to God, one day you're going to regret everything you've done and said about him, and you'll be begging him for forgiveness. And to answer your question, no, he's not shutting me out. He wouldn't do that, not to me. Something's wrong, and if I don't get to him I'm going to lose my fucking mind," I sobbed, my voice panicked and stomach sick.

There was a long pause of silence before the dick spoke again. "I don't know why you care so damn much about him. Why the fuck are you defending him all the time knowing what he's done to this family?"

"God dammit, Emmett! I don't have time for your bullshit! Do you know where the spare key is or not?!" I shouted into the phone, having had enough.

"I have the key, Bella, but I don't think you should go alone. If he's under the influence…"

"I am going alone, Emmett. None of you fucking deserve to be anywhere near him, and besides, I know how to handle him if he is; I've fucking been where he is right now. And he won't hurt me; he has more control than any of you give him credit for, and that's not the kind of person he is. Anyway, I'm on my way. When I get there, you'll give me the key and let me go. I don't want any shit."

Without giving him a chance to say anything back, I snapped my phone shut and grabbed my keys from the bar before racing outside to my car.

As I sped toward Emmett and Rose's, I continuously dialed his number, hoping to God that he would answer.

But he never did.

Each time I heard his soft voice through his voice mail, my tears fell harder and the fear settled deep in my stomach, eventually rising to my throat.

When I pulled up to their house, I jumped out and found Emmett waiting on his front porch, arms crossed over his chest. "Why didn't you ever mention that you were an addict?"

I wanted to fucking hit him. I'd had my quota of Emmett's stupid questions and the concerned faces of the rest of the Cullen clan; I couldn't stand anymore. "Do you really think that I would volunteer that information after seeing how you've treated him because of his addiction? None of you have given him the fucking time of day. None of you have even tried to understand what he's going through, and I know for a fucking fact that none of you ever asked for his side of the story about what happened two years ago. So back the FUCK OFF," I spat at him as I snatched the key from his hand and ran back to my car.

*~C&B~*

The rain pelted against my windshield as I pushed my old Ford pickup at a furious pace through Forks. It felt like I was in a race against time. I had to reach him before he gave in and had another fix. The angry words his family had spewed at him over dinner could have very easily ruined all the progress he'd made in the past day or so. It had been his decision to try and get clean, but that was when he assumed he'd have their support. The withdrawal symptoms had already begun to set in before dinner, and I was fairly certain without seeing him that they had multiplied in intensity since his abrupt departure from his parents' house.

Nearly forty-five minutes had passed before I finally pulled into his drive. All the lights were out, but my heart faltered at seeing his Volvo haphazardly parked. At least I knew he was here. I jumped out of my pick-up, grabbing my purse and the key Emmett had given me.

My body was one big ball of nerves as I approached the front door, not knowing what to expect. I pounded my fists against the door, screaming his name. Getting no response, I took in a deep breath, entered the key into the lock and felt my heart freeze, not sure what I would find on the other side of the door.

I very slowly eased the door open, and opened my eyes to his darkened entryway. There wasn't a sound to be heard and that alone frightened me. I kept walking, cautiously looking over my shoulder and around every corner so as not to startle him when I found him. The soles of my shoes squeaked against the smooth marble tiles of the floor as I stepped into the kitchen. I had yet to see anything out of the ordinary. My heart was beating at a fast pace, and I could feel my body trembling with nerves as the adrenaline coursed through my body.

After finding nothing in the kitchen, I made my way into the living room and as I rounded the side of the couch, my heart slammed into my throat. There, on the floor next to his crumpled body, was his 9mm. His hair, skin, and shirt were completely saturated in a cold sweat, and he was breathing unevenly. I ran to the edge of his coffee table, falling to my knees beside him. But as I focused on the weapon beside him, there was a sickening feeling growing in my stomach. What had he been about to do with that gun?

I was brought out of my panicked thoughts as his muscles spasmed violently, causing him to let out an anguished cry and curl up into a fetal position. I wiped my nose on my sleeve and hooked my arms under his armpits, pulling him with all my might into my lap. He groaned and started to weakly fight against me until I placed my lips against his dampened forehead and ran a hand through his hair.

"Shh, Edward…I'm here," I cried. "You're going to be okay."

"B-Bella, you s-shouldn't b-be here. Y-you d-don't need to see m-me like th-this," he stuttered with a strained voice that sounded alien to the velvety softness I was used to hearing.

"I'm not leaving you, dammit," I told him, clutching him tightly to me. I felt him fist his hands in my shirt and struggle to pull himself closer. I watched as his eyes fluttered open, bloodshot and glazed with the excruciating pain he was under as he looked at me.

Tears fell heavily down his cheeks as he struggled to swallow, his eyes pleading with me. "Help me, please," he cried out hoarsely.

"I will, I promise," I whispered, brushing a few strands of damp hair from his forehead. "I need to know, Edward…what were you doing with that gun?"

"I he-heard a noise outs-side and t-thought it was Aro's men, b-but I didn't ma-make it to the door."

"Come on, let's get you in bed, baby," I told him, my voice breaking with emotion.

"N-no!" he barked out firmly. "We've got to g-get a hotel. They'll f-find us here."

"Edward, why on earth would Aro be coming after you? I thought everything was fine. What reason does he ha…"

"Doll, it's not me the-they're after; it's you."

I realize that the chapter jumped ahead in time from the previous chapter, but I couldn't keep you guys waiting anymore. As I'm sure some will ask, Charlie wound up having to postpone his trip which will be brought up somehow in the next chapter. I just don't want there to be any confusion.

So, what did you all think? Did Edward and Bella handle the dinner well?

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Leave some love!

T