A/N: I am so sorry for the delay in posting this next chapter! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me to this point! You guys are great! On with the story :)

CHAPTER TWENTY - SEVEN

(BPOV)

I awoke cocooned in the warmth of Jacobs arms. Our legs tangled together and his face mere inches from mine. The sight of him still took my breath away and it was the seemingly small moments like this when I silently thanked the heavens above that he was mine. I glanced around, seeing his lamp still emulate the dark enclosure of his room. I had no idea what time it was, but I could only hope that it wasn't too close to dawn. I wanted more time with him... always more.

My mind soon wandered to the passion we'd shared last night and I couldn't help but smile as I studied his handsome face, my eyes straying to his full lips and lingering there for a moment. What I wouldn't give to stay here in bed with him all day. To selfishly let the rest of the world worry about itself just for twenty - four uninterrupted hours, and keep him here with me. I felt him stir and I nestled in even closer to him, closing my eyes and wishing the day away already. I knew he had obligations and I knew how important they were, but that didn't stop me from wishing to steal him away.

I only drifted off for a brief time before I was awakened with a kiss. My eyes slowly drifted open to meet his, seeing his grin wide and equally infectious.

"What time is it?" I asked in a whisper, already dreading the answer.

"Almost dawn, honey."

"Will you be back later? Maybe in time for dinner?"

"I'll do my best." Jake replied with a wink.

"Be safe."

"Always am." He whispered, his hand trailing down my outer thigh.

"Can I stay here today?" I asked.

"Of course you can. Billy loves your company and to be truthful I'd like you to stay here. On the res for now?"

His expression was sincere and hopeful and I would be lying If I didn't admit the idea had a wide grin forming on my face.

"You mean, here with you? For protection?"

He nodded, slowly hitching my leg over his hip, as he leaned in and brushed his lips to mine. My breath caught when I felt his hard member press against me. "Among other reasons but yes your safety being the most important. Besides, would living with me for a while really be so bad?" He breathed in question.

"No. In fact, I think it's a great idea. I like falling asleep with you and waking up to you." I replied.

"I honestly expected some kind of protest from you?" He chuckled, his smile reaching his eyes.

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you but you'll get no argument from me. I know you just want me safe."

"Always." He replied, his lips claiming mine and his hand coming to knead my breast. I gasped at the feel of his thumb grazing my pert nipple. My tongue met his and I was quickly consumed in him. His kiss intoxicating and his touch leaving me nothing more than putty in his warm hands.

His lips left mine and trailed down my body. Stopping only to swirl his tongue around my nipple. I closed my eyes and my heart began to race as his fingertips caressed my sensitive flesh. His touch making me moan and ache for him.

The sudden slamming of the front door, brought my sounds of ecstasy to an immediate halt. I glanced down to meet Jake's gaze, seeing a playful grin still on his lips, despite my horrified stare.

"Your Father's home!" I harshly whispered.

Jacob brought his lips back to mine, silencing me with a quick kiss.

"We're just gonna have to be quiet or try at least." He whispered, a small glint of amusement crossing his face.

I stifled a giggle and kissed him, accepting his challenge, knowing full well it would be more of a challenge for me than himself.

His kiss soon turned hungry and I had to remind myself to be quiet when I felt him slowly enter me. The fullness causing me to bite back a groan. His hold on me tightened and his slow rhythm continued. I tried to focus on keeping my sounds of pleasure hushed, but my effort began to slip when he increased his pace. His eyes meeting mine and locking there. Love and devotion filled them for me and I was captured in the moment with him. My self control of silence was beginning to crumble just as his lips sought mine. The gesture effectively silencing any cry from me. I felt my insides begin to quicken as his fingers circled my sensitive nub. I wanted nothing more than to call out his name as my climax neared, but I bit my tongue and nestled my face into his shoulder. Trying to muffle any sound that may leave me.

"I love you honey." I heard him whisper as my orgasm gripped me. My body humming with pleasure and his pace becoming faster. A single cry left me and I was powerless to stop it. I felt him pour himself within me with a final thrust as my back arched and my lips met his. My heart was hammering along with his own when his eyes met mine again.

"I love you too." I sighed, still breathless.

He lovingly kissed my forehead and we both stilled when we heard someone else enter the house. The sound of my fathers voice drifted down the hall and it was as if someone had just poured ice water on us both. Jacob gently withdrew himself from me and got to his feet, handing me my clothes and quickly searching his drawers for his own. I dressed as fast as I could and raked my fingers through my now tangled bed head... or should I say sex hair...

"Why is Charlie here so early?" I whispered as Jake finished dressing.

"I don't know."

"Should we go out there?" I asked.

"No, your dad will think it's odd were both awake. Better to pretend to still be sleeping."

"But you have patrol."

"I'll sneak out." He replied taking my face in his hands and kissing me so passionately I swore my feet left the ground. "I'll be back later."

I nodded and felt the chill of the morning air seep through my clothes when he released me. I watched him slip out through his window and quietly closed it behind him before climbing back into his warm bed. The smell of him prominently there as I wrapped myself up in his blankets. I figured if I couldn't have him physically here with me right now, this was the next best thing.

I tried to hear what the conversation was between my father and Billy but failed to make out the words. My stupid normal hearing not nearly as good as Jacobs. I must have dozed off because before I knew it, it was light out and the sun was shining brightly through Jake's window.

I peeked my head out to hear silence through the house, before venturing to the kitchen. Billy had left a note saying he had caught a ride into town with my father and they'd be back in time for dinner. My eyes wandered to the stove clock and was stunned to see that I'd literally slept half the day away. It was well past noon already.

By the time I showered and cleaned up Jake's room, it was nearly two in the afternoon. I had just finished making his bed when a knock on their door startled me. I was thrilled to see Emily there with a smile and a basket full of home made muffins.

"You're a sight for sore eyes!" I chuckled, gesturing for her to come in.

"Same to you stranger!" She laughed.

"What brings you by? Billy and Jake aren't home."

"I know. Jake mentioned you'd be here today... well not directly to me but I overheard him tell Sam this morning. So I figured a visit was a must!"

"I'm glad you're here. You look-"

"Like I'm carrying a small pack of wolves." She finished for me, her free hand coming to rest on her growing belly.

"No, I was gonna say great... healthy." I smiled.

"Well thank you. You're very gracious, Bella."

"How do you feel?"

"If I'm being honest, pretty damn uncomfortable lately. Sleeping is a whole new challenge for me now."

I took the basket of muffins with an understanding nod. "I'm sorry... But I see baking is still easy for you?"

"Yes and that probably won't change anytime soon." She giggled. "Are you busy this afternoon? I wanted to steal you for a bit? Head to town to take a look at some cribs."

"No I'm not busy. I'd love to go."

"Really? It wouldn't be a bother?"

"No way. It'll be fun."

"Thanks." She smiled to me as I grabbed my coat.

The drive back to town was filled with Emily's enthused chatter all about the color scheme she wanted to do for their nursery and how she had chosen baby blue paint for the walls. A job that still needed to be done. I could tell just by listening to her that she was excited but also overwhelmed.

"You know, I could help you paint the nursery tomorrow. If that's a good time for you?"

Emily glanced my way, a look of genuine thankfulness on her pretty face. "But Bella, I couldn't ask you to do that. It would take a whole day and-"

"You didn't ask me Em, I offered. Besides, I used to paint a little with my mom in Florida a few years back when they were working on their guest room renovation. It was fun and I didn't screw it up." I laughed.

"Are you sure you want to?"

"Positive. I'll start in the morning?"

"Okay. I really appreciate it. Maybe I can tackle putting the crib together. If we find one today? We'll see... Sam may be better at that."

We spent the entire afternoon at the small baby boutique in town. It was filled with anything and everything you could imagine for any childhood need. From blankets to strollers, cribs, clothes and more. I picked through dozens of baby boy outfits and animal themed bouncers. Emily was thrilled to be there. The evident joy lit up her whole face whenever she smiled and it warmed my heart to see.

"Bella! Look at these booties!" Emily crooned over the delicate hand knitted blue baby booties, as she handed them to me. They were adorable and so tiny. I held them in my hands and smiled, thinking of what great parents they were gonna be.

"You know-" Emily soon whispered over my shoulder. "You and Jake may end up coming here when you have your kids."

Her blunt statement had my mind momentarily shutting down. Kids? Right now?

"Someday." I quietly replied, placing the booties in her well rounded cart of goodies.

"You do want kids though right?" She asked, seeing my blank and paled expression now.

"Yeah- I mean- " I sighed, taking in all the items around us. "Just not right now."

"But someday, yes?"

I nodded, suddenly feeling a lump in my throat as I pondered the main reason why children may never be in the cards for Jake and I. The Volturi and the promise I'd broken to become one of them. The truth was, I would give anything to be able to secure a solid future like that with Jacob. With no threat of the Volturi... Aro... Any of them. But that wasn't something I could secure right now and the knowledge of that had me teary eyed.

I felt Emily's hand touch my arm and bring me back to the present. "Bella? Are you alright?"

I glanced up to see her worried expression and quickly pulled myself together. After all, this shopping trip was about her and I wanted her to enjoy every minute of it.

"I'm fine. Just allergies." I lied.

Emily shook her head like she knew better and leaned in close so no one could hear us. "Jacob will protect you with everything he has. You know that. The Volturi may be powerful but so is an Alpha's divine strength and protection over his imprint... his children. There is nothing like it. The Volturi have met their match. Take some comfort in that?"

I saw the sincerity in her expression and couldn't help but hug her for her kind words. They were what I needed to hear most right now. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now lets look for some baby hats and mittens. He'll be needing them! Winter is just around the corner."

"When exactly is your due date?" I asked, strolling through the next aisle.

"December 18th." She beamed.

"A week before Christmas?" I gasped with a grin.

She nodded and began picking out half a dozen hats to choose from. "The best gift I've ever received on Christmas."

I smiled and we soon made our way to the check out at the front of the store. By the end of it all, she had spent over three- hundred dollars and that didn't include the crib. She spotted that on the way out and fell in love with it. The crib had a cherry wood stain finish and I had to admit it was beautiful.

"Maybe next time." She sighed and headed for the car.

I lagged behind and grabbed a store clerk who assisted me with payment for the crib and offered to load it in Sam's truck for us, as I rushed out to help Emily unload the remainder of her many bags.

"Where did you go?" She asked.

"I bought you something." I grinned.

Emily paused and glanced my way. Her eyes growing wide with recognition when she saw the store clerk wheeling over a large box.

"Bella!" She gasped, her hand coming up to cup her mouth. "You... You didn't-"

"Consider it an early baby shower gift? From Jake and I."

Her eyes grew misty and she hugged me tight while the man loaded the crib in the back of the truck for her.

"Thank you so much." She whispered, her tone shaky with emotion.

"You're like Family to me. You and Sam both are. It's the least I could do after all you've done for me before."

She released me and her tears spilled over. "I consider you family, too. This means more than you know."

We chatted about the nursery plans as we left the parking lot and it dawned on me then that I needed to stop by my house to pack a bag of clothes to have at Jake's since I was now staying with him.

"Can we swing by my house? I need to pack some clothes."

"Oh that's right, you're staying with Jake on the Reservation for a while?"

"Yeah, just for safety."

"I'll bring you over and then we'll head back."

"Thanks."

As Emily made her way through town, my thoughts wandered back to the store. Thoughts of marrying Jacob invaded my mind and I soon felt a widening smile touch my lips. I could only imagine his beaming grin if I ever was fortunate enough to have his children... The look of joy on his face when I told him we were expecting. He would be the best father and husband. Of this I was completely certain.

"Okay... want me to come in and help?" Emily offered when we pulled up to my house.

"No- no. I won't be too long."

I searched for the spare house key, fumbling a bit to see in the dark, but still managing to find it and unlock my door. I switched on the lights and headed for my room, retrieving my bag from the closet and packing quickly. I didn't want to keep Emily waiting too long. I grabbed extra jeans and my toothbrush, face wash, deodorant, all the essentials and threw them in amongst my clothes. I hurriedly gathered my bag and started for the stairs when suddenly firm hands gripped me from behind. My breath caught and I froze. The feel of these hands unpleasantly familiar. Their grip unyeilding and now terrifying.

I thought of Emily out in the truck and my fear increased for her tenfold. She was here with me alone.

I was suddenly spun around harshly. The jolt of movement making my head spin. The hand now abruptly leaving my mouth.

"Don't make a sound." Edward hissed. His look cold and unfixed as he leaned in and inhaled. "I can smell him on you. It's revolting."

I stared up at him, a sense of boldness coming over me I was unsure of but embraced anyway. "Good." I snapped. My tone acidic when I spoke.

"He's changed you." Edward sighed, a look of real agitation on his face now.

"For the better." I countered, my strong act fading as I thought again of Emily.

"We have business to adhere to. Come..." He sighed, holding out his hand. I shied away from the gesture and moved back from him.

"I'm not going anywhere with you. Not a chance in hell."

"Who says I'm giving you a choice here?" He seethed, his cool breath brushing my face when he spoke. "I know you're not alone. We don't want dear Emily getting caught in the crossfires of our business now do we?"

"Sam would end you and you know that."

He threw his head back as robust and mocking laughter came from him. The eery sound sending chills up my spine. "Need I remind you that Sam is no longer Alpha or even a wolf for that matter."

"They'd all hunt you down. I know you can't be daft enough to deny that fact."

"Taking a trip?" He asked, suspiciously eyeing the bag I still tightly clutched in my hand.

"Why ask me when you already know?"

"Maybe I'm just curious if you'll tell me? I find it rather humorous to be honest with you, Bella... Seeing you with him now. Not to be coy, but it must be his lack of morals that has you crawling back day after day... night after night? I'm sure he puts up no protest in fulfilling your every carnal desire? Unlike me who tried to spare you. Tried to do the noble and decent thing. But still, you left me and for what really? Or should I say who? Someone who can never offer you the finer and exquisite things of this life! No... sadly you traded all that in for the small town boy next door. Tragic really."

"Noble! You? I find that almost laughable coming from someone whose stooped so low he's working for the very clan he once hated. Walking side by side with the same clan whose seeking to end my life. All because of you."

His eyes grew angry at this. "You. Made. A.-"

"Mistake." I cut in sharply. "And one I'll live to regret for the rest of my life. You see... You have some twisted and unhinged plan to seek revenge on me for leaving you at the wedding that day, but you're somehow forgetting who you betray most by doing this... yourself. So you can say whatever ignorant remark you want to about Jacob. I know who he is. What kind of man he is and I can no longer say that about you. I guess the joke really is on me and Jake was right all along about you. You really are a soulless monster. Or you've become one. Whichever shoe you think best fits."

His look was fuming and detached still, but he offered no reply for many seconds as we stood there. My blood boiling and my adrenaline pumping, as I stared back at the man I once loved irrevocably. At the very same man I was willing to trade life and my very human existence for.

"Perhaps you're correct, Bella. Perhaps. Still doesn't change the facts. And the fact is we have business waiting and you simply won't be back in time for dinner tonight. Aro isn't a patient man."

My heart nearly stopped at his words. "It's really true then. You're working with him. How could you-"

"What? Betray you? How does it feel to believe in something that has all turned out to be a lie?"

"You're Malicious and cruel and not the person I fell in love with. Where the hell is that person?"

"Gone. You ended him when you left. I suppose I owe you a thank you for this. It really is easier to go with my natural killing instinct than to constantly fight it all the time. So- Thank you."

The front door opened down stairs and Emily's voice rang clear. "Bella? What's taking you so long? Do you need some help?"

I opened my mouth to answer but was silenced by Edwards look. His hiss in warning enough to stop me. "I'll kill her. I'll do it. And we both know what that means for Sam. For the baby. Get rid of her... now."

I swallowed hard and forced myself to move down the stairs, taking them one at a time and feeling his gaze upon me with each step I took.

"There you are. I should've helped-" Emily's grin faded when she saw the look I wore. She rushed over to me, taking my face in her hands in a motherly fashion. "Bella! You look Awful. Are you sick? Do you feel alright? I should call Jacob if you're ill."

I shook my head and thought of something quick as she retrieved her cell phone from her back pocket. My heart was pounding painfully against my chest as she dialed. I grabbed the phone from her and closed it before she could finish. She glanced up at me with confusion and I fiercely hugged her, hoping beyond all hope that she would read my expression well enough to somehow put the pieces together.

"Bella-"

"I'll be okay. I think it was... something I ate earlier. I'm gonna lye down here for a while and I'll call you later. I promise." I replied when I released her.

Emily's eyes narrowed In suspicion. "But we haven't eaten anything all afternoon? Maybe that's why. I can make you something-"

"No No. I'll be okay, really. You head home and I'll check in with you later."

Her look was weary and unsettling when she left but I was so eager to get her far away from him, that I encouraged her out the door anyway.

I turned back inside and slowly closed the door behind me as Edwards voice cut through the short lived silence. "Very good."

I couldn't speak as he paced in front of me, seeming to be deep in thought. My mind ran wild with Jacob, desperately searching within myself for a way to buy more time.

"I must say you did rather well to get rid of her in such a timely manor. Well done. Now... onto more pressing matters. We need to leave your father a note. Something that you yourself would deem believable for him to find."

I didn't reply as he wandered around my kitchen in search for a pen and paper. My eyes strayed to the front door and I momentarily debated on making a run for it. I knew I wouldn't get far, but standing here and following his every demand like some damn puppet or pawn in his twisted game wasn't working for me, either. The young and naïve girl I was before when I almost married him would have simply done just that without question. She would have followed his every order and done exactly what she was told, but the woman I was today wasn't going down without a fight. I owed it to my father, to Jacob, and more importantly, to myself to at least try before he dragged me off to Italy. I took a steadying breath and began with my questions. Each one pointed and well thought out in order to give me the answers I needed.

"When does Aro expect you to arrive there with me?"

Edward whirled around, his look amused when he handed me the pad of paper and pen. "Write. They'll be plenty of time for chat later."

I snatched them from him with disgust. "You could at least tell me when we leave."

"Why? Eager to become what I am once again?"

I swallowed hard and decided to take the bait and play along, all the while hoping for a miracle that someone, other than my unsuspecting father, would come through my front door soon. I glanced at the stove clock and counted the minutes since Emily had left. She would have reached the Reservation by now and if I knew her, she would be paying Jake a visit.

"Maybe."

Edward slammed his hand down on the pad of paper, stopping me from writing. "Don't play games, Bella."

"Who says I'm playing games?"

"I do. Now write."

"What is it exactly that I'm supposed to say? He will see right through this!"

"Then make it believable."

"He'll know."

"You're not even trying." Edward snapped.

"And you're not accounting for when Jacob see's this. Whatever half assed somewhat believable truth I write for Charlie, won't work for Jacob. He'll smell the lie a mile away!"

"Yes, because he knows you so well!" Edward scoffed sarcastically in reply.

"He does."

"You place a lot of weight on that fact don't you?"

"You'd be incredibly stupid not to." I countered, meeting his angry glare with one of my own.

"I could just skip all these unpleasant formalities and change you right here myself!" He hissed. The sound menacing.

"And kill me?" I snapped, getting to my feet and stepping toward him.

Edwards look went haunted and for a moment, and for that fleeting moment, I was reminded of the person he used to be.

He abruptly turned away from me and I took my open window of opportunity to push the limit with him.

"You would... you know that. That's why you won't change me yourself. Cause you wouldn't be able to stop and Aro needs me alive, right? My blood still appeals to you too much. Like your own personal brand of heroine."

He didn't answer, but his silence told me all I needed to know as I continued.

"Or is it you who needs me alive. So you won't be in a world where I don't exist?"

"Stop it." He hissed over his shoulder, though I didn't heed his warning.

"Which is it!" I yelled.

"Enough!" He yelled back, placing himself inches from me.

"There was a time when you would have risked it all to save me from the very same person your handing me over to now! I don't even know who the hell you are anymore. Was all of what we shared a lie to you? Did it ever mean anything?"

"How can you ask me that, Bella?" He replied, his tone softer now than I expected. "You were my reason for existing and you left me, remember?"

"I made a choice that was right for me. I never meant to hurt you. Would you really have wanted me to go through the motions of marrying you even though my heart was telling me something else? What kind of forever existence would that have been for either of us?"

He didn't reply, he simply placed the note pad and pen in front of me again.

I shook my head in protest, knowing I was pushing the limit, but still choosing to be defiant anyway. I wouldn't go with him willingly.

"You're making this harder than it needs to be." He sighed, his look weary all of a sudden.

"I won't do this. You can't hate me so much that you'd cause me physical harm. Despite your anger over what I did, I don't believe that kind of evil resides in you, Edward."

"You underestimate me."

"Maybe so." I replied, glancing toward the front door again, Edward took note of this.

"I know he'll come for you. I've planned for it."

His tone had my insides crawling. "Planned?"

"Of course. How foolish do you take me for? Do you think I don't know his love for you?"

I tried to keep my voice from shaking at the thought of him trapping Jacob, harming him... or worse.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing... Yet. That all depends on you, Bella. Come with me now, and Jacob will be unharmed and none the worse for wear. However, if you continue to protest like this."

"No! Leave him alone." I replied, my resolve slipping.

"Not to worry, my plan for him is indirect."

"What the hell does that mean?" I snapped in reply.

"It means there are other ways to bring him harm without the need for physical injury. If memory serves me correctly, Jacob and his father were very close?"

I thought of Billy and what it would do to Jacob if something happened to him, my mind flooded with the dozens of heartbreaking scenarios, making my head spin. I reached for the pen and began to write. I was only two lines into the note when I heard Edward snarl.

"You've got to be kidding me."

I stopped and glanced up to see his gaze fixed on the door. My heart began to race as it opened and my eyes fell on my last possible ray of hope. Though her stature was small, her strength was still deadly.

Alice Cullen stood in my doorway. Her look to Edward angry and dare I say lethal as she crossed the room in a flash to him. Her movements so swift, my eyes could hardly follow.

"Where have you been, dear brother? I see up to no good."

"This is none of your concern, Alice." Edward hissed.

"You know I've been trying to pinpoint your location for weeks. I must say, using the wolves to cloud my vision was clever, but not enough to keep me from trying. I knew you'd return here."

"Your timing is impeccable."

"Well, I can't take all the credit for that. You see, It was your dear friend Ryan who ushered me here. It only took a bit of persuasion for him to crack and tell me. Try not to be too angry with him, he is only a boy after all and I can be very persuasive."

"You came alone?" Edward asked.

"The others will arrive here shortly. Carlisle and Esme are less than thrilled with your plan."

She whirled to face me then. Her smile as inviting as I remembered it to be. "It's good to see you again, Bella. We've missed you." She sighed and embraced me. I returned the hug and was struck by just how much I'd missed her myself.

"I'm sorry for any trouble my brother has caused you." She offered upon releasing me.

My reply was cut off by the sound of Edwards hiss. "The trouble I've caused her. How soon we forget the trouble she caused me."

Alice spun and was in his face before I could blink. "She made her choice and you have to respect that. You've done enough. She no longer wants this life and that's her right to make such a decision ... not yours. Have you no respect at all now? Has Aro ripped that from you, too?"

"You dare question my respect? You're betraying your own family." Edward seethed.

"Bella is family to me, still and while you are my brother, this had to be stopped. She loves Jacob. You know this and you know what will surely ensue if you take her to Aro. There would be an all out war between us and the wolves. Something Carlisle fears you've already begun."

"So be it."

Your ignorance is astounding." Alice sighed, her look grave now. "You don't know the kind of chaos it will bring forth. Lives will be lost. We would not be able to take them on ourselves. We would need the help of others. Don't you see what you've started? Jacob will come for her. You naively underestimate him. He is not the young boy from years ago. He's their leader now. The consequences of your choices here will be grave and far worse than you anticipate. They will fight to the death for her. Who have you become Edward? To be so full of malice and ill will? Have you no decency left? Where is the brother I once knew?"

"Things change."

Alice looked as if she would have cried if she actually could.

"Clearly..." She whispered and turned away from him "I will not allow you to take her. You will have to end me first and I ask you. Are you really so cruel to kill your own sister?"

Edwards face was unreadable as he stared at the two of us. His very expression seeming to switch from angry to contemplative several times before speaking.

"You're leaving me no choice Alice. It is you who has put me in this position."

"No, your hatred has brought you here. Choose differently. Your choices are still your own."

"You're wrong!" He yelled, causing me to startle. Alice took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze as he continued on his tyraid.

"My choices stopped being my own when she left me at the alter like a fool! My mind hasn't been at rest since. So you'll have to forgive me if I don't idly sit back and watch her get the happy ever after she wants with her mutt."

"I know what you're really trying to do. You think by taking her to Aro she'll be forced to love you again when he changes her and the two of you join him."

Edwards silence gave me his answer and I inwardly cringed at the thought of being forced into that life... forced to be separated from Jacob forever. I blinked back the tears that now clouded my vision. My eyes fixed on Edward.

"She won't fall back in love with you. You'll be killing her. You'll have a corpse of who she is with you. The Bella you've known will no longer exist. The spirit about her that you love so dearly will be wiped away. Jacob is tied to that spirit now. He's part of her... part of her soul... part of who she is. Taking her away from him. You'll be killing them both. Can you live with knowing for all eternity that her very soul cries for another?"

"Shut up Alice!"

"You cant be so inhumane!" She yelled back, releasing my hand and going to him. "Let her go. Let her be with Jacob and have the human life we all wished for. Let her grow old with him. Please stop this and come back to Denali with us. Your family misses you. Aro isn't family. He's not what's best for you... we are."

A long silence fell over the house and I counted the beats of my own heart while waiting for Edward to speak. My hope hanging on by a mere thread, as a silent plea played over and over in my mind.

Please let me live the human life with Jacob I once so thoughtlessly offered up in return for immortality. Please let me feel his arms around me one more time... hear his laughter once again... see his brown eyes meet my own. Please don't take him away from me. I want the honor of being his wife. To experience the divine privilege of carrying his children. The Blessing of growing old together.

Please...