Twilight is the intellectual property of Stephenie Meyer. I'm just messing around with it.

-Chapter 26: Spectator Ions-

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Even in light of recent events, it was hard to leave the island. It had become someplace special for the two of us, the place that allowed us to connect like we were meant to. In the end, we both agreed it was the smartest choice. The isolation left us too vulnerable to attack now that we were being watched, and we decided we'd be better off somewhere closer to civilization. After speaking with Carlisle at length, Edward and I decided it was time to go back to Washington.

For me, it was a return to clouds and rain, to the damp fall chill. It also meant a return to constant reminders of the parents I'd lost, and the search they still continued. For Edward, it meant a return to the Cullens, which would no doubt be difficult for him. But as much as he disliked the idea, we knew there was safety in numbers. Should the Volturi come calling, the rest of the Cullens would stand with us.

Or they'd have to deal with me. They owed Edward.

However, we weren't returning to Seattle; we were settling a few hours away. Tucked deep in the lush, green rainforest of the peninsula was the town of Forks—our new home, for now. The idea of living with the Cullens made me nervous. I knew Carlisle was beyond curious about my newfound abilities, and he'd let it slip more than once that Alice had a theory about my talent she wanted to test out. I wasn't sure I was ready to live under the same roof with them again, and not just because I wanted to avoid being the lab rat. I should be the one running the experiments, not the object of study!

Edward was just about as enthusiastic about the idea as I was. The closer we got to Forks, the more tense he became—I'd heard the subtle crack of the steering wheel at more than once, an innocent victim of his nerves and the strength of his hands. I hated seeing him like this.

Returning to Washington also meant we'd both have to deal with Alice's cryptic and bossy self, and then I'd have to soothe Edward's ruffled feathers afterward. He'd start looking like he was in pain all the time, which would make me need to comfort him in any way I could. The best way to do that wasn't exactly conducive for living in a house with six other people; I suspected we'd be frustrated as hell within a week. Or more like a day.

I doubted those two would ever truly get along again, but it would be best for both of them to let the past remain exactly that. Not that I wanted him to forget—it would be extremely foolish for him to disregard what Alice was truly capable of. Though he tried to hide it, I knew Edward missed his family, especially Carlisle and Esme. However, it wasn't up to me. What he needed from me was unconditional support, so that's what he'd get. It was simple math.

I shifted in the passenger seat of the outrageously expensive rental car Edward had arranged for us. We'd arrived just after midnight, setting down in an exclusive private airfield usually used for corporate jets and the like. With our arrival in Washington came accomplishment. Though Edward had done all he could to make sure that my exposure to humans would be minimal, he hadn't counted on the maintenance workers that were scurrying around the base of the plane at the gate next to ours. Though it had been a close call—I'd barely managed to overcome the instinct to rip open the fuselage of the plane like a tin can and start snacking. I had no idea how I managed it, but somehow I did. The incident left me with the confidence that, with intense concentration, I might finally be able to tolerate the presence of humans.

It was a breakthrough I looked forward to working on. It gave me hope—hope that I'd be able to see my parents again someday soon, though I kept my idea from Edward. I didn't think he'd agree. I wouldn't broach the subject with him until I was absolutely sure I could keep a tight grip on my control. But that was a discussion for another day. For now, I had to get Edward through this new phase we were entering. I knew I could do it, because he did the same for me. It was what we did for each other, what we would always do for one another, no matter what.

It was my turn to do for him what he'd been doing for me since we'd met. Staring out the window, I absently traced the jagged path of the new scar along base of my neck, feeling along the barely raised lines. A shudder ran down my spine as I remembered the first time I'd seen it, the morning after Dimitri's visit.

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-x-

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Stepping up to the fogged mirror, I braced my hands against the cool granite and leaned against the counter. The stone felt delicate against my fingers, and I had to remind myself not to dig my fingertips too hard into the surface. Gentle... It wouldn't do to leave claw marks in Esme's countertop, especially after all the damage this entire house had seen.

Once I remembered, it wasn't so hard to keep from crushing the fragile rock beneath my hands. But ever since I "woke up" (I didn't know what else to call it) after getting my ass kicked, it was hard not to be a little tense. Nervously, I fingered the lapel of the thin cotton waffle-weave of my robe.

I was stalling.

My throat went a little dry at the thought of what was under the flimsy material. Do I go slow, or do I just do it all at once?

I've never been a 'rip the band-aid off quickly' kind of girl. But...

I'm a different person now. Maybe it's time for me to change a few things. Get it over with, Bella.

In under a year, I'd seen things I never expected to be real, things resigned only to imagination and amusement. Now I was a part of a world that I never knew existed, and in that world—where I was supposed to be immortal—I'd almost died...for the second time. The final time.

I was no longer quite the same. But I didn't mind the change. I embraced it.

I am lucky.

I get to spend the rest of foreseeable forever with my other half, my closest ally, my...everything.

Taking a deep, fortifying breath, I closed my eyes, raised a hand slowly, and pulled the cotton aside. I tugged at the belt tied at my waist, loosening the robe slightly. Sliding the fabric off my shoulder, I let it hang there.

The scars didn't matter. At least, they wouldn't...if I could just open my eyes.

I only let myself take one more breath before I raised my lids, finding a reflection that still didn't seem to be me, no matter how many times I'd seen it. I always felt like I was looking at a retouched photo of myself. Pale, shimmering lines marked the places where my neck and shoulder had been separated. They snaked down across my collarbone, disappearing underneath my arm. The imprint of Heidi's final bite, a wide crescent shape, marked the crook of my neck; it gradually morphed into jagged rips and tears across the base of my throat. In the mirror, I traced them with a fingertip, feeling a corresponding tingle in every single line. Panic welled in my stomach, and I knew if I closed my eyes now, I'd see it all happening again.

The scars would shimmer more brightly than the rest of my skin in the sunlight; though I'd never seen it, somehow I knew it was true. Never would I be able to hide the fact that I'd been impulsive and rash. I could never conceal the evidence of my weakness in the face of a skilled adversary.

My breath caught on a futile sob, and I felt every bit of the agony again, every twinge and stab and slash, wrapped up in mere milliseconds. I braced my hands on the countertop, gritting my teeth to hold back the scream that wanted free.

That was the way Edward found me.

"Bella?"

I shook my head, unable to tear my gaze away from the mirror. I couldn't close my eyes; if I did, Heidi would be there again—ripping and tearing, rending my flesh.

Gentle hands cupped my upper arms as he lined himself up along my back. "Love, don't do this. You're fine. Perfect."

I sagged back against him, letting my head hang forward, finally breaking the staring contest with the evidence of my foolishness. Squeezing my eyes shut, I took a shuddering breath, daring Heidi's ghost to appear when Edward was here to guard me. I wanted to agree, but if I spoke out loud, I was afraid I'd give in to the urge to scream. Instead, I nodded, hoping that would be enough.

Edward turned me in his arms, lowering his head next to mine. Our cheeks grazed, a fleeting caress. He looped one arm around my waist, drawing me closer, and brushed the hair from my shoulder before sliding a palm down my back. I breathed out a soft sigh of anticipation as soft, loving lips landed on the marks, skimming over the sensitive surface of my skin. I pressed my nose into the soft fabric of his shirt, breathing deeply, basking in his closeness.

"It's okay," he murmured, dragging the tip of his nose up the side of my neck. "I'll save you, always."

I knew he would, but...

"What if I want to save myself?" I didn't ask the question to hurt him, and somehow he knew. And it was apparent then just how much letting him see my thoughts had changed things. He didn't question my feelings anymore.

A soft, low chuckle feathered against the spot just underneath my ear. "Then I'll teach you how."

I raised my head, opening my eyes to meet the intense glow of his.

"Anything, Bella. Always," he told me, coming closer, until I could feel his breath on my lips. "Whatever you need."

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-x-

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"Bella? Where are you?" Edward asked, amusement evident in the lilt of his voice. He glanced at me from his relaxed position in the driver's seat, cocking his head before fixing his attention on the road.

I sighed. "Back on Isle Esme."

"We can go back sometime, love. After..."

"After the stupid Volturi?" I asked sourly, crossing my arms over my chest. "What if they never come? Will we wait forever?"

"There are ways to get around the Volturi."

I heard another crack as he clenched his fingers on the steering wheel.

"Well, I guess we both know what that means." I meant his agitation, and I was pretty sure he knew it. "You think they'll send for us."

Edward laughed mirthlessly and shrugged. "When you spend almost a century as a brooding, pessimistic vampire..." he trailed off, a sardonic smirk creasing one side of his face.

I reached across the console to link my fingers with his. "That's why we're going to analyze the shit out of my shield, right?"

He scowled without looking at me. "You will keep yourself safe, Bella."

I smiled. "You're right, I will. Because you're going to teach me how to kick some pretentious vampire ass. You promised."

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-x-

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Carlisle, Emmett, and Rosalie were waiting in the front yard when we pulled up to the house in Forks.

Our new home was a pristine white, three-story Victorian-style giant with a wrap-around veranda. Taupe gingerbread lattices hung daintily from the eaves, reminding me of lace fans and southern belles. Obviously, Edward and his family had no concept of frugality. It was simply beautiful, and I couldn't wait to explore. Secluded deep in the woods and bordered by a river at the back of the property, it was just isolated enough to keep me from going rabid at the scent of humans from the nearby town proper.

"Welcome home," Carlisle greeted as Edward and I stepped from the car. I looked around, wondering where the others were.

"Esme, Alice, and Jasper will return from Seattle tomorrow. They're still taking care of some last-minute things in the city," he explained.

Edward nodded stiffly, glancing in my direction before visibly relaxing. I loved that he looked to me for reassurance.

Quickly, I sped around the car and took his hand, giving it a squeeze before we both stepped forward to greet his family.

"Little Bella," Emmett hailed, stealing me from Edward's side and catching me up in a huge, rib-cracking bear hug.

Huh. I didn't realize I'd be missed quite so much.

I was slightly creeped out. And slightly giddy, because Emmett and Rose were my favorites of Edward's family, by far. I'd missed them.

"What's up, Paul Bunyan?" Affectionately, I smacked him on the chest when he set me down.

"Ow, Bella! What the fuck? And don't call me Paul Bunyan. It's a fucking insult. I'm from Tennessee—Davy Crockett rules." Emmett scoffed, shooing me in Rose's direction. He needed to brush up on his history—Davy Crockett died in the Alamo, which meant he was from Texas, right?

Shit. Maybe I needed a history lesson, too.

Thoughts of futile battles, American folk-heroes, and raccoon-skin hats fluttered away as Rosalie swept me up in a hug that lifted my feet off the ground. Bitch was too tall for a girl.

Yeah, I was jealous. But I'd never let her know it.

"Did you miss me?" I joked, tugging on a strand of her hair as she set me back on my feet. She pushed me away playfully, and I stumbled back into Edward, who stood by rigidly. I still held a few strands of her hair between my fingers.

"As much as one misses a rock in her shoe," Rose retorted with a grin, rubbing her scalp. "It's good to see you."

Edward cleared his throat, shifting back and forth on restless feet.

I glanced back, finding him clearly uncomfortable, and I reached out to take his hand in mine again. "Edward, can you show me the house?" I asked, hoping to divert his attention to something less awkward.

"Well...I've never lived here, Bella..." Edward began, only to be interrupted by Carlisle.

"Come in, come in. I'd be glad to show you the house," he ventured, holding out his hand.

I was hesitant to take it, and he let it drop awkwardly.

Edward spoke up before I could make a decision. "A tour would be nice," he offered, his eyes on mine.

When I looked back at Carlisle, he was watching the both of us with a soft, hopeful smile on his face. "Of course," he said warmly.

"You guys go ahead. We'll grab your stuff from the car." Rose grabbed Emmett's arm and dragged him to the Jaguar.

"Aww, baby, why do we always get luggage detail?" I heard Emmett whine as the three of us entered the foyer.

I smiled to myself. Some things had changed, but a few remained quite the same.

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-x-

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Carlisle quickly walked us through a lush living room, a state of the art media room, and another beautiful, yet useless kitchen before he paused to look back at us, clearly unsure.

"I suppose that's it," he said, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his dress pants, rocking back on his heels. I'd never seen him so nervous, even when I woke up for the first time as a newborn, when they were all terrified that I'd go ballistic. "The second floor is where you'll find all the bedrooms, and the entire third floor—the former attic—has been converted into a sunroom at the back of the house. I think you'll find that while you can't enjoy the rare sunny days out in the open, it's a perfect place to soak up the sunlight," he concluded with a tentative smile. "I'm sure you'll be missing it after your months on Isle Esme.

"There's one more thing. Esme and I thought that perhaps you two would want a bit more privacy. There's a little place in the woods, about two miles away. You're welcome to stay in this house as long as you like, of course, but if you choose to stay in the in the cottage, you're free to visit us anytime. The cottage, however, is yours alone."

"Thank you, Carlisle." I couldn't contain my instant smile, and though Edward had trouble showing it, I knew he appreciated the gesture.

"You're most welcome," he returned with a nod and a satisfied expression.

"Yes, Carlisle...thank you," Edward added, his voice low and slightly hoarse. I knew then how much this meant to him, and I hoped Carlisle did, as well.

"Wow. That's..." I looked up at Edward, noting the cloud of confusion that flashed across his eyes. He was quickly becoming overwhelmed, and I squeezed his hand in reassurance.

"Perfect," Edward finished, looking away quickly. A tense silence fell, and though I was immortal, I'd never felt more human as awkwardness settled in a tense cloud around us.

Carlisle cleared his throat, nodding. "Well, I'd imagine that you'd like to see the rest of the house..."

"Wait," I interrupted, needing to somehow make things right for both men.

Carlisle was important to Edward, and if I could make things better between them, that was just one more thing I could do to show him how much I cared. Maybe I was even starting to care for Carlisle a little bit. It was hard not to like the guy, but he still wasn't forgiven until Edward said so.

"I appreciate all you've done to make me—us—comfortable. But if this whole thing is going to work out, you have to promise him one thing..." My throat grew tight with the importance of my next words.

Edward grasped my hand, squeezing lightly and pulling me toward his body so he could surround me in his arms, his comfort. He smiled as I placed a soft kiss on his cheek, and I knew we were on the same page.

"No more lies. No more...forcing," I said, my voice rough. I softened my tone before continuing. "Even if you mean the best for the one you love, it's not necessarily what's best. When you went along with Alice, you hurt Edward more than you could have ever imagined. That's the real injustice here. Because this man...he's the most considerate, most loving, most sincere person I've ever met. He didn't deserve to be locked away, even if you thought he'd become everything you taught him not to be. You should have had enough faith in him to know that his character would win out in the end. To know that no matter what happened in between, that the Edward you know...he's the one that will always come through."

"Bella," Edward whispered haltingly, pulling me close, and I didn't give a shit if it was appropriate in front of someone else or not. Only that he knew this was another way he could see how deeply my feelings ran.

"She's right," Carlisle whispered, almost to himself. "I should have known..." He took a deep breath, screwing his eyes shut for a moment. "Edward, I know I've told you before, but I'm so eternally sorry...and I was so wrong. But we've relied on Alice's gift for so long...I was terrified that this would never happen for you if I didn't use her vision as guidance."

Shock froze me, like a good dousing with a bucket of ice-cold water. "What are you talking about?"

Edward was equally tense behind me, and I could feel the disquiet that thickened every emotion in the room. Everything was so...heavy.

"Carlisle," Edward growled in warning, his grip on me tightening almost imperceptibly.

"I'm sorry, Edward...but she needs to know..."

"Know what?" I snapped, looking from one man to the other. Edward's face was a mask of stone, fixed in shocked anger. He knew—he could see what the other man was going to say, and he hated it.

Carlisle seemed to deflate right in front of us. "This should be Alice's story to tell, but I can't..." He sighed in defeat. "We needed you to find your mate, Edward. Every outcome Alice saw—until the final decision—ended with you killing her and bringing the Volturi down on all of us. When we decided to...restrain you, that outcome disappeared. Please believe me when I say we thought we were doing the right thing."

"You never thought that maybe that outcome disappeared because it ended up driving me away?" Edward snapped. He laughed, and it was grating, harsh. There was no humor in the sound. "And the Volturi are probably still coming. Oops."

The silence that followed was deafening, in spite of the forceful words that echoed in my head.

I couldn't stand it.

"This was all because of me? You did that to him because of me?" I blurted, not wanting to believe Carlisle's words.

My knees felt weak. My lungs closed off, even though breath wasn't necessary. Anguish built inside me until I thought I would break apart.

"You did that to him because of me?" I repeated. Cold, empty hysteria was chewing a hole in my chest. The grief I felt was nearly crippling. "No..." I whispered, wishing fervently that I'd never broached this topic. It had always been a fear of mine, ever since that conversation with Rose, back in Seattle. Before Edward took me to the island.

It seemed like so long ago.

"I'm so very sorry," Carlisle repeated in an anguished tone.

Sure, he was sorry, but what good did that do? Edward had been tortured because of me...locked away and betrayed by his family, all because of me. And when I thought of how badly I'd treated him just after my change...the very idea was horrifying.

Edward turned me, pressing my face into his chest. His arms encircled my body, rubbing soothing circles on my back. "Love, don't do this to yourself," he murmured, resting his cheek on top of my head. Vaguely, I heard him say, "Carlisle, could you please give us a moment?"

"Of course. I'll find Emmett and Rosalie; we'll finish taking your things to the cottage."

And then he was gone. I wished he had taken the weight of his admission with him.

"It doesn't mean anything, Bella," Edward told me, tucking my head beneath his chin. "It doesn't matter."

He was the one comforting me? By all rights, he should hate me...

"Of course it matters! I don't want to think that you had to go through something like that for me!" I was sobbing now, my eyes stinging, my throat aching for want of actual tears to cry. "And the worst of it? I don't believe it's true. You wouldn't have killed me...I know it."

"But, Bella...if I did...I wouldn't have survived it. No matter what happened in between, I'd much rather it be like this...I'd go through anything to have you with me now."

"How can you stand the sight of me?"

He was silent until I lifted my head. Eyes tight with worry, he said, "Because I can't stand the sight of anything without you."

"What Carlisle said...that's what you meant by 'becoming the monster?' You knew the whole time...?"

A humorless smile pulled at his mouth, but even that was fleeting. "Mind reader."

"But how—"

"It doesn't matter. It wasn't your fault, love. None of it. Yes, I knew why they did it, but when I met you—when I managed to retain control, when I realized I was tired of trying to stay away from you—I knew I would prove them wrong."

"You...what? You just wanted to prove them wrong?" If I thought I couldn't hurt any more after hearing Carlisle's confession, I was wrong. Though I knew he loved me now, the thought that I was only a challenge to him at first...

"No! No, that's not what I meant at all," he promised, smoothing his palm up and down my back. "I knew I would prove them wrong—I knew I wouldn't kill you, because as I got to know you, you became my very reason for living."

His words were sure and strong as his eyes held mine, piercing in their intensity. How could I not believe him? Combined with the almost serene smile that slowly curved his lips and the warmth with which he regarded me, there was no question.

It really didn't matter to him. Not where I was concerned. And if he wanted me, I wasn't going to ruin it. What I could do was spend all my time making sure he was happy.

"We're together—and we have so much time...so much time," he said, and it was confident, sure.

Forever spun out in that moment, like a golden thread that branched into a million moments along the way, ones we'd share together.

I smiled widely, letting him see the sheer joy that gave me. "I love you a lot, you know that?"

"I do," he returned immediately, a little catch in his voice. Softly, he pressed his lips to mine, pulling back with a hopeful smile. "Come on...let's go see this cottage. We need someplace that's ours alone."

I couldn't argue with that.

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-x-

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We were quiet on the walk through the woods, which we'd taken at a human pace. I needed the time to think, to regroup—and Edward sensed that. He always knew just how to make me feel more comfortable, how to help me reason things out.

On the way, my roiling emotions calmed, leaving me with a deep ache in my chest, one that had me clinging to his hand that held mine. I desperately needed that small point of contact and so much more. I thought back on all we'd been through, and I couldn't believe I'd ever entertained the idea of living this life without him. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I'd never truly wanted to leave him behind; my love for him had just been buried beneath a lot of fear and confusion, topped with a healthy dose of newborn volatility.

"Wow," I breathed as I pulled Edward over the threshold of the quaint little stone and log cabin about two miles away from the Cullen home. "I think this room is going to be my favorite."

Tilting his head toward mine, he sent me a warm smile. "You haven't even seen the other rooms," he said, laughing quietly.

I shrugged. "Don't care."

The small foyer spilled into a deceptively large great room. A sectional sofa covered in soft, beige microsuede anchored the room, accented with vibrant overstuffed purple pillows. Long and sleek, a chocolate brown chaise lounge held court in the corner of the glass-walled space. Windows bracketed by delicate white wisps made up the walls on two sides, and I knew that on sunny days, light would spill through, creating a bright glow that would light up everything inside. On another wall stood a river-rock fireplace, supplied with crisp, dry wood. A dark, wooden coffee table rested in the center of the room, boasting a stack of books next to a pile of attractive photography magazines. Lush, green plants—hardy succulents and delicate tropicals alike—limned the room with splashes of vibrant green. A brilliant, patterned area rug tied it all together, defining the space.

"There's no bed," Edward tried again, linking his hands behind my back and dipping his head to drop a soft kiss on the tip of my nose. He was still a bit tense underneath my fingers, but I could feel him relaxing slowly as we held each other.

"Well, we don't sleep." I smirked up at him, blinking innocently before running my own nose along the sharp angle of his jaw. We both needed a distraction, and I knew the best kind...

It seemed he did as well, from the wicked gleam that lit his eyes.

"Beds are good for more than just sleeping, beautiful girl," he admonished, one hand sliding down over my hip, his palm rubbing in a slow, suggestive circle.

"Hmmm? Are they?" I mumbled, tipping my head back. It was almost impossible to concentrate on anything but the feel of his body against my own. Nothing was better than this, and I needed this reconnection so badly...

"Definitely. I'm surprised you forgot." His voice was chiding, disappointed, as he placed an open-mouthed kiss on the underside of my jaw.

Deliberately shoving away everything that had come before, feeling bold, I countered, "I didn't forget."

Edward started to laugh, skimming his lips along the crook of my neck. His breath feathered across my skin, leaving a trail that burned. My thoughts dissolved, taking my snarky response with them. Instead, I went with the truth.

"I just figured we'll christen every damn room in this cottage eventually, so why waste our time picking out a favorite with a bed as its only redeeming quality?"

He hummed low, like he was thinking it through. "I'm afraid I can't find fault with that logic."

"You shouldn't even try," I closed my teeth on the supple flesh of his earlobe. "I'm an evil genius."

"You're an evil something," he replied, backing toward one end of the sofa. "A seductress."

I snorted loudly, pushing him down and straddling his lap. Burying my laughter in his shoulder, I couldn't even stop giggling long enough to make fun of the reappearance of his antiquated speech.

Seductress?

Really?

And then I completely forgot about the teasing as he clamped his hands around my hips, pulling me down and arching his own hips upward at the same time. Slowly dragging one hand up my spine, he sat up straight, wrapped my hair around his fist, tugged my head back, and took my mouth. His lips were so warm, so soft and smooth as he moved lower, exploring the path of my scars. He did that all the time now, like he thought he could make them disappear with his kiss.

I didn't care what he thought as long as he kept doing it.

Goose bumps broke out all along my arms as he trailed his tongue in an intricate pattern over my throat, stoking the heat building deep inside of me until it seemed like warmth radiated from my skin. I couldn't keep my hands off him—I squeezed his strong shoulders, trailed the hard, sleek muscles of his back, dipped my fingertips beneath the sleeves of his t-shirt to feel his biceps. All of him was so pleasing to me. Sure, he was the most attractive man I'd ever seen, but the simple fact that he was my mate made him the most appealing person I'd ever known. He simply made me happy...and that was all I would ever want. I knew that being back near his family wasn't the best thing for him, but it was the best thing for us. And so he did it. An overwhelming wave of love and sadness swelled inside my chest.

Trailing my fingers up to thread through his hair, I urged him to lift his head. His lids were heavy, lowered over eyes that darkened as I watched.

"Are you okay with this?" I questioned softly. "I know it's the safest thing...but I don't want you to be unhappy."

A sad smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, and he laughed a little sigh. "I am." His voice was warm, reassuring...but I still wasn't convinced.

"Edward..." I stopped when he shook his head slightly, smiling more fully.

"I promise you, Bella. I'm surprisingly okay with this. If it keeps you safe..." He shrugged, bringing a hand up to cup my cheek.

"But I want to keep you safe...and if being back here—with them—hurts you, then I don't want you to do it."

"It might hurt me right now, love...but it also hurts me when you're in danger. More than that, though, I need to resolve this...thing...between my family and me. I've been letting it fester for so long. Maybe it's time to resolve it all, in whatever form that takes."

"You're sure?" I scratched gently at his scalp, hoping it was a comforting gesture. Lord knew it was for me, because I felt better with just the simple act of touching him, never mind that I was already in his lap.

"Positive," he assured, drawing me closer as he slouched back into the sofa. "Though I can't quite express how it makes me feel that you're concerned enough to ask."

"You can just tell me you love me." It was all I ever needed.

He smiled, and it was just a bit evil. Part mischief, part scheme, and all desire.

"I can do better than that, love," he said lowly, turning so he could press me into the soft cushions of the couch. "I'll show you."

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I just want to thank KristenLynn for her excellent beta talents, because she sure whipped this chapter into shape. I think it's much better for all her help. Yoga_Gal and FangMom preread and leave me awesome little comments that make me laugh and smile. AmeryMarie keeps me from making colossal mistakes, and I can't thank her enough.

So, what did you think of Carlisle's revelation? Some of you had some suspicions about that way back when, even though I tried my best to hint at it without really hinting at it...and that sentence made a lot more sense in my head, haha. I hope you know what I mean. I didn't want to give it away too easily.

I know I said a while back that this fic would run around 26 chapters...yeah, that's not gonna happen. It seems like the characters don't really like to stick to the outline, and when I try to make them, they clam up. Stubborn bastards... At this point, I'm thinking there will be five more chapters after this one, plus or minus. These two have just a bit more story to tell.

As always, thank you so much for reading, and if you feel like leaving a review, know that I read them all (more than once) even if I don't reply all the time. I know I suck at that.

Next up, some time with the Cullens. Edward is already complaining about it. See you in two weeks or less!