I don't own it.

Author's note: Ok. A lot of things happen in this chapter. There is a little bit of graphic-ness later in the chapter (I've kept it as ambiguous as possible so it stays within teen rating). I did not end it on a cliffy because I didn't want to drive you guys nuts. Review! Review! )

Family Tree

Chapter 28

BPOV

The water is boiling. I drop in a large bag of pasta and throw in a few pinches of salt for good measure. Jacob and I have been bantering back and forth. It's doing wonders, taking my mind off of vampires.

The phone rings and once again, Jacob answers. "Oh. Hey Charlie. Yeah, Bella invited me for dinner. Ok. Yeah I'll let her know. See you later. Bye."

"What was that about?"

"Charlie has to pull a double shift. Jeff Dormers was in some kind of accident and he's heading out to the scene now. Said he'd be home late."

"Oh, ok. I hope Jeff is all right."

Jacob shrugs and then smiles at me. "So I guess it'll be just you and me then."

The tone of his voice insinuates much more. I decide to not make a big deal out of it. "Yeah, guess so."

I turn back to the noodles and give them a stir. As I'm bending over to get a strainer, the phone rings again.

"God, who could that be now?" I ask annoyed. We never get so many phone calls in one day.

Jacob smiles and answers. "Swan residence."

His smile disappears. He looks up at me and licks his lips; it's a nervous reaction of his. I turn back to the stove and turn the flame off and pour the pot out into the strainer.

"I'll be ready. Of course. Ok. Bye."

I turn to look at Jacob and do not like the way his eyes are lit up.

"Jake…what was that about? Who was it?"

"I need you to go into the laundry room. Lock the door and barricade it as best as you can. Do you understand?"

"What are you talking about? Why?"

"A leech is coming here to kill you. Don't worry, I'll stop her. Now do as I say."

"I doubt a wooden door is going to keep a vampire out!"

"That's so you're out of the way. Bella, this is going to get ugly. Now GO!"

I stare at him, shocked. He stomps over to me and lifts me easily over his shoulder. He trudges toward the laundry room and pushes it open with his foot. He sets me on top of the dryer.

"Stay in here. I mean it," he tells me with all traces of humor gone from his face.

He shuts the door behind him and I hear his footsteps as he walks out of the house.

I'm shaking so hard I can barely move. I gather my knees to my chest and pray that Jacob will be safe.

"Please God, please watch over Jacob. Take care of him…please."

Be quiet now.

Edward's honeyed voice whispers in my head. I close my mouth and hold as still as I can, though I'm quaking inside.

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JPOV

I leave Bella in the laundry room and walk outside into the backyard. I make sure no one is watching and then phase. I can hear Sam, Embry, and Quil. They understand the situation and are on the way.

Then- I smell it.

It's a sickly sweet, pungent aroma that reeks of death; like perfume soaked rotting garbage. I listen and sure enough hear the bloodsucker. It's nearly to the house now. I turn to the south and brace myself.

She bursts through the foliage. Her hair is shiny black and swings around her head like a silken sheet. She stops short when she sees me and her face gives away her confusion. It takes only a few seconds for her natural hatred of me to kick in.

"Werewolf!" She hisses menacingly and slinks forward.

My lips pull back over my canines and my chest rumbles with threats. She wastes no time and crouches, springing straight at me.

I fall to the left and twist my neck, catching her right arm between my teeth. I tear into the hard surface easily and it splits, splintering all the way to her shoulder. She shrieks in surprise and strikes me in the side with her free appendage.

I feel the blow and it hurts a fair bit, but I don't react to it. Instead I release the ruined arm and attack her neck.

She hits me in the side of the head and pushes me away before I can get a good enough bite. She shrieks in anger and advances on me again, but this time, I swipe at her midsection. She blocks me. I feint to the right and then catch her left knee. She loses her balance for a second, and it is enough for me to push her to the ground. Here I have the advantage. I pin her legs beneath mine and as she prepares to strike, I bend down and catch her throat between my teeth. I apply a fair amount of pressure and feel it compacting, shattering under the force of my jaw. She's tearing into me, digging her fingers into my flesh but I block out the pain in favor of keeping this strategic position.

Suddenly she manages to free one of her legs. She kicks me off of her and I fly several feet into the air, landing in an awkward position. She's holding her throat together with her good hand and is staggering toward the house.

Before I've gotten to my feet, Sam, Embry, and Quil arrive on the scene. We are one; one thought, one intent, one purpose. She is our enemy. She must die.

She turns to look at me in mute horror. Embry advances from the left, Sam head on, and Quil from the right. She turns away from them, as though to run and I close the circle, coming in behind her. She's panicking now; I can see the terror in her eyes. She is no match for us.

Sam swipes her and Quil goes for her good arm while Embry attacks her leg. I shove her forward and we have fun with her, pulling her apart, piece by piece. She's a limbless, headless stump when we've finished. Her disgusting body has been pulled apart, shreds at a time. We scout the yard, pulling even the tiniest pieces out of the earth before we make a pile of twitching, shuddering marble. Sam heads into the house and grabs a match and we light the evil thing on fire.

Somehow, she manages to scream one last time…

I grin at my brothers. We wait until the fire has reduced the pieces to ash. Sam phases back and we all follow suit. He gathers the ashes into a black leather satchel and then looks up at me.

"Well done, Jacob."

"Thanks for showing up. That filthy bloodsucker didn't know what to do when she saw you three," I grin at them.

"That was awesome! I wish this would happen more often!" Embry exclaims before giving Quil a high five.

"So is Bella ok?" Sam asks, concerned.

"Oh shit. I told her to stay in the laundry room. I'm going to go in and check on her. I'll see you guys tonight."

"Ok, see you later Jake," Quil waves before sliding back into the forest.

Sam gives me a look and I nod in response. I will deal with Bella's leeches.

My brothers take off into the forest and I return to the house.

I open the door to the laundry room and Bella is just where I left her, sitting on the dryer, her arms wrapped around her knees.

"Bella? Honey? You ok?"

She looks up, her face incredulous. "Are you ok? Did you get hurt?"

I look down at myself. Blood covers one side of my body but the wounds beneath the skin are already healing. "I'll be fine. It looks worse than it is."

"Do you need to take a shower? Or see a doctor? Or something?"

I smile at her. "You're the only thing I need."

She blushes and stammers something unintelligible.

"Bella. Look at me."

She tilts her chin up.

I take the foot separating us and carefully brush away the last of her tears. "I love you. I would never let anything happen to you. You know that, right?"

She nods. "I know."

I decide that the time has come. It's now or never. "Bella. You know I don't want to just be your friend. I want to be more. I really love you. I need you in my life, more than you can ever know. If you just give me a chance, I promise I will do everything in my power to make you happy. I will do anything you ask Bella. Anything at all. Just say you'll try. Please. Be with me Bella. Let me look after you. I want to grow old with you."

She stares at me, her mouth open in surprise. It's obvious that I've shocked her. I shift from my left foot to my right, because she hasn't answered me and I'm not going to let it go. I don't pressure her to say anything; I just wait.

She draws a deep shuddering breath. "Jacob, even if I want to…I can't."

My resolve crumbles. I feel my heart shattering. "Bella, no. Listen to me, please. Just give this a chance. If it doesn't work, go back to him."

She starts crying. "I love you but I can't do that to him. Damn you Jacob! Why are you asking me right now?"

I decide to go for broke. "Because he isn't right for you. You are my soul mate Bella. You know it and I know it. We are supposed to be together! I can't just let you go off with him! I can't! He'll hurt you! He will make you a monster! You deserve so much more than that. Don't you understand? Bella, please…please," I gasp out and then fall to my knees in front of her. Why doesn't she understand? Why won't she see the truth?

Bella scoots off the dryer and kneels down next to me. She wraps her arms around me and sobs into my chest. I hold her close, not knowing what this means, but I would rather die than let go right now.

I hear them in the driveway. They're coming now. He's coming. But I refuse to budge. I refuse to let her go.

"Bella? Bella?" He cries out, frantic and then tears through the house. He's behind me now. Bella struggles to extricate herself but I hold on tight.

"No, Bella. No. This is where you should be. Here," I whisper passionately in her ear.

She tenses and pushes at my chest. Reluctantly I let go. Bella stands shakily and I stand as well. We turn toward Edward who hasn't taken his eyes off of her.

"Are you ok?" He asks her softly as his eyes travel from her face, down the length of her body, to the floor, and back up.

"No," she answers.

I turn to her in surprise. Edward's brows shoot up toward his hairline. We both wait for baited breath for her to explain.

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BPOV

This is too much. I can't do it anymore. I feel like I'm being torn in half. I wrap my arms around my middle and try to hold it together long enough to tell them. "I'm a terrible person. I have to go."

I try to move past Jacob but he stops me, eyeing me warily. "Where are you going?"

Edward takes a step forward. "You're not a terrible person Bella."

"Stop. Both of you," I hold up my hands and am surprised to see how hard they're shaking. I look at them in surprise.

"What is it sweetheart?" Edward asks softly, taking the last step between us.

Jacob visibly stiffens and moves a few inches back away from Edward.

"Everything is ruined now," I whimper, "I don't deserve you."

Edward looks at me sharply. "Me?"

"I don't deserve either one of you. I never did. Just go away. Move on with your lives," I brush past both of them and trudge wearily up to my room. I collapse on the bed and scream into the pillow, my body wracking with sobs that I can't control.

I thought I knew real pain.

I was wrong.

This is so much worse.

I'm surprised that neither one of them have followed me up here. Maybe they know the truth now. I am horrible. How else could I allow this? Edward loves me but has no reason to. I've never understood why he cares so much. Jacob has been infatuated with me. He only loves me because he doesn't know better. There are better choices for both of them out there. And me? I don't deserve love. I never have.

I'm bad luck personified. I cause pain and drama wherever I go. I've been relegated to a tool by both the Volturi and this other army of vampires. Deep down, I know that I don't belong with either one of them. I'm just a klutzy human girl…average, average, average. I'm nothing- nothing at all.

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EPOV

I've felt so many things in the last few hours that it all seems like some sort of a nightmare. But it isn't. Jacob and I both watch Bella climb the stairs to her room. I move to follow her but Jacob holds out his arm, effectively stopping me.

"What?" I hiss, annoyed that he's somehow caused Bella to break down. I shake him off in disgust.

"She needs to be alone right now," Jacob tells me soberly.

"What the hell happened?" I ask jerkily, flinging myself away from him and standing behind the sofa.

He runs a hand through his thick black hair. He changes the subject. "The pack has taken care of that female bloodsucker."

"I smelled the fire. Were you injured?" I ask not out of politeness, but curiosity. Did Dahlia manage to get to him too? Or did her powers only extend to us?

"I'm fine now. She was easily taken care of."

I sigh. He's quite proud of himself. "Thank you for being here when I couldn't be."

"I protected the girl I love. That's all."

"Indeed," I murmur tiredly. "Why is Bella so upset?"

He doesn't answer but looks me square in the eye. I read his thoughts easily and squeeze my fists together tightly in an effort to not strangle him.

"Let me get this straight. She has just gone through a terrifying ordeal and you chose to upset her even more by asking her to choose between us."

He hangs his head for a moment. "I couldn't help it. My adrenaline was pumping and she was here," he trails off looking guilty.

"You've really cocked things up Black." I listen to Bella sobbing upstairs and it takes extreme effort to not rush up there.

"She needed to know. Just because you got to her first doesn't mean she should stay with you."

I turn toward him with narrowed eyes. "You care only about yourself. You're selfish. You hurt her."

He takes a step forward and growls in the back of his throat but then my words seem to have hit their target. His face contorts in a grimace of pain before he schools it into impassivity.

"I didn't mean to hurt her," he says quietly, looking at the floor.

I want to dig it in deeper but force myself to be mature. Bella doesn't need to hear the two of us fighting.

"You're not the only one who has hurt her," I admit, "I've done more damage than I could ever hope to undo."

"Neither one of us deserve her, do we?" Jacob asks after a moment of silence.

"No, we don't. It isn't fair for her to suffer like this. We need to do something about it."

Jacob stares at me thoughtfully for a few moments and nods. "What can we do? It isn't as though either of us are willing to give her up. If I killed you, she'd never forgive me."

"As if you could," I snort disdainfully.

Jacob shrugs. "How else can this end?"

A thought flows through my mind then; a resolution. I cringe away from acknowledging it. I couldn't possibly do it. It would very nearly kill me to allow it.

I listen intently to Bella crying. Jacob seems to be doing the same thing.

I will not allow her to torture herself. I can fix this. I grimace for what I'm about to say. It will undoubtedly cause me more pain than I think I can handle. I take a measured breath and tell Jacob my plan.

His face moves from suspicion, to shock, and then, to pleasure.

I feel sickened.

"Do you think you could handle her in that form?" I ask, resigned.

"If it meant she was with me, then yes."

I nod. "I need you to leave now, Jacob."

"All right. I thought I loved her more, but now I'm not so sure."

I snarl at him. "Just go!"

He nods, suddenly docile in the face of my sacrifice.

Of course he leaves. I've given him what he wants.

I head upstairs to Bella, because I can't stand listening to her pain any longer.

I open the door silently and slide across her floor. She's on her side, curled up into herself. Her entire body is shaking and her heartbeat is erratic.

I sit on the edge of the bed and touch her shoulder.

"Go way."

"No," I tell her firmly and turn her so that she's facing me.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I love you." As if it isn't obvious.

"Don't," she sniffles.

"I can't help it. You're entirely too loveable."

She shakes her head and is about to protest when I lean forward and kiss her lips.

She freezes but I persist; licking along the seam of her mouth until she finally relents. I slide my tongue into her warmth and she gasps before tentatively moving her tongue against mine.

I groan in victory and tilt her head back so I can explore her mouth further. She's so warm and pliant, almost as though she's melting into my embrace.

She lets out a slight, breathy moan and I feel myself getting excited. I should extricate myself and be a gentleman but after the conclusion I've come to…I'm going to make the most of my time with her.

I lower her to the bed and untangle her limbs with casual caresses of my fingers. I lean over her as I plunder her mouth, soaking up the taste, scent, and feel of her here beneath me.

I kiss her deeply for several minutes and she raises one of her legs, wrapping it around my hip. I adjust myself so that I'm leaning over her and her other leg twines around me. I release her mouth and stare at her hooded eyes.

"What do you want?" I ask softly as I trace the smooth curve of her jaw.

"You."

"You've got me. Care to be more specific?"

"You know what I want Edward."

"Say it," I goad her deliberately.

"I want you to be my first," she whispers. She searches my eyes and begins to blush.

I smile at her and capture her lips, savoring this moment. "I'm willing to try," I murmur against her lips.

She stills. "Really?"

"Yes. Are you sure you want this? There's no going back…"

"I want this," she says firmly, lifting herself up and pressing her lips urgently against mine.

"Slowly, my love," I caution. I think I'm strong enough for this…I hope I am. I need for this to be slow.

She lowers herself and looks up at me. "Show me."

"Just relax Bella, stay still…"

She complies and begins to breathe deeply, slowly letting her accelerated heart rate come back to a normal rhythm.

I caress her cheek, her shoulder and down the sides of her body. I kiss her deeply as I unbutton her blouse.

The material seems to fall away and I try to concentrate only on her; her breathing, her eyes, and her mouth. I take my time, tasting her, savoring her. She keeps herself still, making no sudden movements. It helps me to stay focused.

I peel away layers of fabric, deftly unhooking, unzipping, and sliding fabric away. Soon there is nothing between us.

I lower myself to her and her body feels like fire itself, touching the ice cold surface of my skin. We both inhale sharply at the sensation.

"I love you Edward," she gasps.

"And I you, Isabella." I kiss her eyelids, the lobes of her ears, her nose. She relaxes beneath me.

I never break eye contact but move forward slowly, paying careful attention to her face. She winces and I still, waiting for her. When she relaxes, I move forward slightly, and hold myself rigid.

It is the purest, sweetest torture I've ever known.

It is also the best moment in my entire existence.

"More," she tells me in the faintest of whispers.

I comply and she grits her teeth.

"Now," she tells me after a moment.

I lower myself fully and she cries out. I watch her carefully. I'm still in complete control, because I'm not breathing. I couldn't handle her scent when I'm this close to her, and doing, this.

After several minutes, her muscles relax. I rock forward slightly, and back again. She opens her eyes and stares at me with something akin to wonder.

"You're amazing," she tells me as she caresses my cheek.

"You're a goddess," I tell her.

She moves her hips slightly and I take the hint. Keeping a close gauge on her reactions, I do as she prompts with the tightening of her mouth, the clutching of her hands, the stifled moans. I read her body and try to make this as pleasurable for her as possible.

If I could rearrange the heavens for her, I would do it. She is the only thing that matters to me now.

When she cries out again, this time in pleasure, I want to weep from relief. I've managed to do this without killing her. I extricate myself slowly and hold her as her breathing begins to slow.

Later, after she's fallen asleep, I get out of her bed. It is hard to tear my eyes away from her. I watch her with rapt attention, trying to keep my mind off of what we've just done. I must still stay in firm control. Even now, I've not allowed myself to take a breath. It is uncomfortable, but it is worth it.

I only move from my position when Charlie arrives, sometime after midnight. He wants to check in on Bella. I cover her nude form with a thick blanket and creep out her window, shutting it behind me. I drop to the ground and wait for him to go to sleep.

An hour later, he turns in, after watching the Late Show and taking a shower.

Standing across the street, I allow myself to breathe. The discomfort vanishes instantly. I sit and stare at her house for what seems like an hour when I see a slight figure rapidly approaching.

It's Alice.

She's beaming at me and throws her arms around my neck.

"How was it?" She asks, teasing.

"None of your business," I tell her pointedly.

She huffs and slaps my arm playfully. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks," I can't hold back the grin.

"So what's this about a hundred years?"

My smile fades. "I want what's best for her."

"She's going to go ballistic."

"Perhaps at first. But she'll be happy. This way she won't have to choose."

"What if she doesn't forgive you?"

I shrug. I haven't really considered it. "Will she forgive me Alice?"

Alice thinks for a moment. "It's hard to see so far ahead."

"Well, I guess I can only hope."

"You don't have to make this decision right now."

"I know. It's not as if I'm leaving tonight. Tomorrow we graduate. Then we prepare ourselves. On Sunday, we fly to our new home and she will become one of us."

"She's going to need support. You know how it is at first."

"I realize that. You know I'll be there for her until she's ready."

"You honestly think she'll just walk away from you because you tell her to?"

I shake my head. "I don't know. But I owe it to her to give this to her, if she wants it. I love her, Alice. I would do anything to make her happy, even if it means I'm miserable."

She hugs me. "I know. You're entirely too hard on yourself Edward. I don't think many of us would have the strength to do as you've done. Give yourself a little credit."

"Thanks Alice."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go on. I know you want to."

I give her a crooked grin and dash across the street. I climb silently through the window and creep across Bella's room. I gaze at her fondly and wish her the best of dreams. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.

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BPOV

I wake up with a jolt when my door slams open.

"Time to get up Bells! You're graduating today!"

I suck in a deep breath. "Ok, ok. Give me a minute dad."

"I'm making breakfast! I expect you downstairs in half an hour!"

Charlie closes the door and I breathe in relief. I look around my room. "Edward?" I whisper.

"I'm in here," he says quietly, sliding out of my closet.

I blush, just looking at him, and remembering.

"You'd better get ready. I'll see you in a few hours, ok?"

I pout. "I hate it when you leave."

"I can't exactly walk downstairs with you, now can I?" He chuckles.

"Fine. But I'll see you later, right?"

"Of course. I'll pick you up around one or so."

"And if you can find a way to ditch Alice, that would be great."

"I don't think she'd ever forgive me if I tried that. You know how she is. She wants to play dress up."

"Once I'm changed, I'm not going to put up with that," I warn him.

He stares at me and grins. "That's what you think."

I toss a pillow at him just as he ducks out the window. I roll my eyes and slide out of bed. I squeal in surprise at the cold air. Geez!

I grab some pajamas off my dresser and don them so that I can walk to the bathroom.

I take a long, lingering shower, wiping away all traces of last night. It was better than I'd ever imagined it could be.

The water is getting cold. I turn the faucet off and step out, drying myself hastily. I wrap myself in the towel and head back into my room. I pull on some jeans and a sweater and walk carefully down the stairs.

I smell something burning.

"Everything ok?" I ask Charlie as I walk into the kitchen. I gasp when I take in the horrible mess he's created. There's flour on two of the counters and all over the floor. The sink is filled with pots and pans, some that are still hissing. The trash can is overflowing with an empty carton of eggs, a package of bacon and several paper towels covered in what looks like grease.

Charlie turns and smiles. "Everything's fine. Sit at the table."

I lower myself into the chair and wince as a sharp pain shoots through me. I hadn't realized I would be so sore.

"Here you go! A breakfast fit for a graduate!"

The platter he sits in front of me is overwhelming. There is a pile of burnt bacon, several eggs that look half cooked, two pieces of toast (lathered in butter), and a big, gooey cinnamon roll.

"Uh. Thanks." I pick up a fork with trepidation and cut into the cinnamon roll.

Charlie is watching me like a hawk. I take a bite and chew, keeping a fake smile on my face.

"So? Can your old man cook?"

No. "Yes dad, it's great. Thank you."

He sighs in relief. "Glad you like it."

When he turns to fix himself a plate, I throw several pieces of bacon and a slice of toast into a napkin and scrunch it up quickly. I place it in my lap, beneath the table.

Charlie turns and sits across from me and eats heartily. I watch him and feel slightly nauseous.

"So what time does the ceremony start?" He asks after a bit.

"Three o'clock. It'll take an hour or so."

"Got any plans for after? The Newton's invited us over…"

I stare at him blankly. "Um, the Cullen's were having a small thing at their house."

Charlie's eyes narrow. "You should be spending time with people other than the Cullen's, Bella. You practically live with them as it is."

"So what if I do? I like them."

Charlie considers me and sighs in defeat. "Well, at least you're still talking to Jacob."

"Yeah. That reminds me, tomorrow night is their rain ceremony."

"Ok. You still going to do that?"

"Uh huh."

"Well, have fun, I guess. Don't stay out too late."

"I won't."

He eats his breakfast without asking me anything else awkward. I force down a few bites of eggs and manage a glass of milk. After I've finished I go upstairs and begin rifling through my closet. I see the dresses that Edward bought me.

Grinning, I take out the slinky black one. Of course we're wearing caps and gowns over so no one else will see what's beneath it. I shrug my shoulders and blush at my train of thought. Well, it's not as if Edward hasn't seen everything.

I fall back onto the bed, remembering each little detail of the night before. It was so perfect, so magical…

My daydream is interrupted a while later. Alice has arrived.

"So what are we wearing?"

I decide to be daring and hold up the black dress. Alice nods in approval. "Very nice. I brought pumps and a few accessories to go with it."

I roll my eyes. "So why did I even have to show you, if you already knew?"

Alice doesn't answer my question but begins setting up shop. She clears my desk and arranges a wide array of styling products, makeup and several pieces of jewelry. She turns me and pushes me into a chair.

For the next two hours I am being put through the ringer. At long last she's finished. She holds up the mirror and sighs. "You look so beautiful Bella, very grown up."

She's right. I look…mature. My hair is pulled back tight with small ringlets escaping everywhere, softening the otherwise harsh updo. My eyes are lined in a smoky gray color and next to the liner is a soft, powdery white that shimmers as I move. The shadow is a light green that really makes the chocolate color of my eyes stand out. My skin looks fairly normal, other than the even tone that she's achieved with concealer and powder. My lips are a deep plum color. Overall, the effects are pretty dramatic.

"Thank you Alice," I smile.

"Ok, let's get you in your dress."

Alice helps me get the dress on so that I don't mess up either my hair or makeup.

"Edward will come and get you at 1:30. Jazz and I will meet you outside the gym around 2:00. We have the run through and then parents will arrive. We'll do the ceremony and you'll graduate! There is really nothing like the first time you do it." She winks at me.

"So am I going to your house after?"

"Charlie is going to make you go to the Newton's."

I groan. "Ugh. Why? It's going to be so boring."

"Well, just look at it as time you get to spend with him."

That sobers me immediately. My mouth goes dry. I feel the tears gathering at the corners of my eyes.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you! Don't cry!" She waves her hands at my face, trying to save my makeup. I breathe deeply, trying to get myself under control.

Luckily, we manage to stave off disaster. Eventually I find my voice.

"So, when do I need to pack?"

Her voice drops to a whisper. "You can do it tomorrow. Then, tomorrow night, you can sleep over and that night we'll stage the accident. Afterward, we'll get on a flight to Vermont, sometime around 1am."

"What about the rain dance?"

Alice looks at me blankly. "You aren't going."

I stand up and face her. "Yes I am."

She sighs, exasperated. "Bella, we won't have time for that!"

"Well, I promised Jacob and his family! I'm going."

"Edward will stop you."

"Well…that's what I have you for…" I trail of suggestively.

"Bella! Ugh! Why do you ask me to do these things?"

"Because I love you and you love me. Please Alice? Please?"

She looks at my ceiling and back at me. She sighs gustily. "You owe me. I mean it Bella. He's going to be really, really mad."

I pounce on her and squeeze her tiny body. She's holding herself rigid. I extricate myself cautiously and she grins. "Gotcha."

"Don't scare me like that!" I've had one too many scares involving vampires recently.

Alice shrugs. "Consider it payback. Now, I need to go get ready. I'll meet you later."

"Ok."

Alice leaves me alone and I decide to go spend some time with Charlie before Edward arrives. The clock is ticking and I don't have much time left.

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