"Just admit it."

"No."

"Admit it," I insisted as I pulled out a pair of sweats. "Skipping school is fun."

"It is when I see my wife after ten years," Edward snickered, toweling his hair dry. "Otherwise, I feel guilty."

"After all this time?"

"I skipped school sometimes when I was twelve," he explained when I joined him on the bed. "My mother was so disappointed in me. I stopped doing it eventually because I didn't want to upset her."

"Elizabeth was something," I murmured, remembering Chicago. It was so long ago for him. For me, it was only a few months.

Edward shifted and laid his head in my lap. I giggled. I was sure my brain was going through mental whiplash—one day I was alone, and the next day, he was here. I knew I would never understand what it meant to wait for him as long as he waited for me, but I was sure the last few days brought me pretty damn close.

The sound of tires coming up the driveway stopped me dead. My hand froze in his hair.

My dad was home.

My dad was home, and I had Edward in my room. Edward Cullen, who he would assume I just met, in my room.

"Should your father know I'm here?"

"No," I whispered, listening to sound of the boots on bricks. He took my hand, and we tiptoed to the top of the stairs. The key turned in the lock. I squeezed his arm tightly. "Not now."

"Another time then . . ."

Then I was alone.

"Edward," I hissed, looking around. I heard a ghostly chuckle, then nothing else.

"Bella!"

I scurried down the stairs at his call. I almost laughed. Who else would be here? But then again, there was a vampire in the house . . .

"Hey, Dad."

Charlie was stepping on the heels of his boots to take them off. "Hey, Bell. How was school?"

No one called him about me skipping classes today. Good. "Uh, it was fine."

"I brought Chinese food," he grinned, holding the bag up for my inspection. My stomach growled at the smell. I was starving. An afternoon of having sex with Edward usually had that effect on me.

"Perfect," I said in relief.

I hurried to the kitchen and gathered plates and silverware. Charlie started talking about his day, which was a great distraction. I nodded occasionally, setting the table as he unpacked the food.

"Everything okay?"

I had been scarfing down my fried rice. I swallowed. "Uh, yeah. Everything's fine."

"You seem kinda keyed up."

"Just tired," I said quickly. "I've been doing my . . . homework all afternoon."

He raised his eyebrows. "Wow, already?"

"It's the middle of the semester," I shrugged. "Gotta catch up somehow."

"Making any friends yet?"

"Sort of," I smiled, knowing Edward was around here somewhere. He was surely getting a kick out of this conversation. "A few people here and there."

"Good."

I washed my dishes and made for the stairs. "I have some more . . . work to do, Dad."

"Okay," he said, a little bemused. "I'll be down here if you need me."

"Thank you," I said sincerely. He smiled and turned back to his food. I watched him for a moment, grateful for his support. If he hadn't invited me to live in Forks, I would still be in Phoenix. So far from Edward . . . Charlie had inadvertently brought me home.

I crept up the stairs slowly, so not to arouse any more suspicion. Once safely in my room, I sprinted on my tiptoes to the window and threw it open. A cold draft immediately greeted me. I scanned the darkness for a pale figure. The only white thing outside was the snow. My heart picked up. Where was he?

"Edward?" I whispered, dropping one hand to the sill. I was suddenly seized with the possibility he had gone home. I didn't like that at all.

The quiet, laughing response came from behind me. "Yes?"

I whirled around and found him laying across my bed as if we never left it. "Oh!"

"Sorry."

"Just give me a minute to restart my heart," I said, pressing a hand to my chest. The fleeting terror he had disappeared was beginning to fade. Slightly.

"Why don't you sit with me," he suggested, patting the bed beside him. I joined him there, pulling my knees to my chest. "How's the heart?"

"You tell me—I'm sure you hear it better than I do."

His quiet laughter shook the bed.

"Where did you go?"

"The roof," he answered, as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "Good thing I parked down the street."

"Good thing!"

Edward made to get off the bed, smirking. "Maybe you should introduce me now—"

"No," I said hastily, clamoring on top of him. "You can stay right here."

His expression turned playful. I returned the kiss when he leaned upward to meet me, then pulled away. "I'm sorry if I worried you."

"Worried me?"

"The last time," I murmured, thinking back to 1995. He had been screaming. The sound still haunted my dreams. "No, Bella! Please, take me with you! Bella!"

"That's behind us," he said quickly, but I saw him flinch. "We're together now."

"We are," I agreed. "Which the whole school happened to see today."

Edward pulled the blanket over me and tried not to laugh. "I thought it was an excellent second day impression."

"Totally."

His laughter suddenly stopped. Then he vanished, too fast for my eyes to follow.

"Edward?"

"Lie down!" he hissed. The darkness had swallowed him whole; I couldn't see where his order came from. I immediately put my head on the pillow and closed my eyes.

My door creaked open. Something blocked the light from the hallway; it was Charlie. Checking up on me, I assumed. I kept my eyes closed, listening. After a long moment, he closed the door behind him and went downstairs. The volume of the television returned to a normal level.

Edward was suddenly in bed with me. "I should meet him sooner rather than later, you know. Before word gets out."

I sighed. "Okay."

"Don't you want your father to meet your husband?"

"Come on," I whined when he stopped snickering. "Can we be mature about this?"

"Sure."

"It's only my second day at school," I began, then paused when he bent to kiss my neck. "That seems a little fast for Charlie to process, don't you think?"

"I think he wants you to be happy," Edward shrugged, sneaking a hand under my shirt. "Though I can't be sure; I'm having some trouble with that lately."

I remembered our first meeting after James attacked. He had a hard time controlling his gift. I shuddered to think of what damage my last departure had done to him.

"It'll be fine," he murmured, guessing where my mind had gone. Despite the radio silence in my head, he always seemed to know. "We're both fine."

"And together," I added, helping him with my shirt. His smile gleamed white in the moonlight.

"You'll have to be quiet."

"Me? Okay."

The bed shook with our giggles, then with something quite different.


Like any sneaking teenage boy, Edward left my house through the window in the morning.

It was another cloudy day, gray and muted against the snow. But I couldn't stop smiling. An overcast sky meant Edward and the rest of the family could go to school. I was not facing it alone anymore.

Charlie noticed my bouncy mood. "Sleep well?"

"Wonderfully."

"Great," he said, looking pleased. I wanted to laugh. If only he knew what he was agreeing with.

After Charlie had gone to work, I started thinking about how I would tell him about the two of us. Edward was right—I'd have to tell him soon, before he heard it from someone else. I didn't care about gossip, but I didn't want my dad to feel hurt that everyone else knew before him.

I decided to broach the subject of Edward to him later tonight. Even if it was a hypothetical, like Edward asking me on a date. That would easily answer questions of him hanging around the house.

The nerves came back on the drive. Going to school shouldn't have bothered me, but it did. I attended so many schools with the Cullens, but this one was different. Forks felt more real. Less anonymous. If I time traveled from anywhere in that school, someone would notice. And if someone saw that I had a secret, it wasn't a short jump to the people I'd spend my time with.

The threat of exposure made my hands clammy. I wiped them on my jeans, trying to quell the anxiety.

Jessica bounded off her car when I pulled in, her dark curls bouncing. Oh, no. It was going to be so much worse than I imagined.

I fumbled with my keys until it was long no longer appropriate. When I closed the door behind me, she started.

"God, Bella, way to tell us you knew the Cullens! How did you and Edward even meet? Are you together? It makes total sense! He never looked twice at any of the girls here—"

There was an edge to her voice by the end. I bit my lip to hide a smile. A clear case of sour grapes. I tried not to take it personally; she didn't know about our history. But the same jealous part of me that made an appearance in Alaska was rearing her ugly head.

"It's such a long story," I said lightly. "Edward tells it better than me."

"Oh, try!" Jessica said eagerly. I could see she wanted to be the first to know. But that dark part of me was enjoying the torture. I heaved a long, dramatic sigh.

"I really have to head to English. Mr. Mason wants to talk to me about the syllabus."

I left her sputtering in the parking lot. The Jealous Bella was feeling quite pleased with herself. Let Jessica ask her questions and demand details of my private life. Three days into knowing me, too.

I shook my head. She was a little annoying, sure, but not worth hating. I'd be okay by lunch time.

English passed in a similar fashion. When we broke into pairs to talk about the reading, Eric took a stab at it. I deferred as politely as I could and turned to the reading. A few hours later, Edward was waiting to walk me to lunch. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank God you're here."

"That bad?"

"I'm sure you're having a worse time of it," I said, taking his hand. If direct questions were a problem, I was sure the thoughts were even worse. I didn't envy him at all.

Angela fell into step with us as we walked. With a blush, she asked the both of us if we knew the homework for Biology this afternoon. Though he had a perfect memory, I watched Edward pull out an assignment book and show her what he'd written. While she copied it into her own, I kept my voice low.

"You're in Biology?"

He grinned. "Yup."

I realized he was my absent lab partner in Biology. Finally, a class I could enjoy.

"You guys should sit with us," Angela said softly when we left the lunch line.

I liked her more and more by the minute. I had a feeling if it had been one of the guys, Edward would not have been invited.

"Your brothers and sisters should come too," she added, glancing across the cafeteria at the other four—three. Alice wasn't there yet. "If they want to."

"Thank you, Angela," Edward said warmly. "But I'm afraid my family can be a bit shy."

She looked thoughtfully over at them as we sat down. I didn't need his mind reading skills to know she was genuinely being nice. In fact, she hadn't asked about our relationship at all—she just assumed we were a package deal. No questions asked. Somehow, I knew Edward was thinking the same thing.

The others joined us hesitantly. I was not a fixture at the table yet and Edward was never seen at lunch without his family. But curiosity won out in the end.

I felt his hand land on my thigh when Mike sat down. Apparently I wasn't the only jealous one.

"So, Bella," Lauren said after a few moments of silence. "How did you and Edward meet?"

Before we could answer, Alice appeared at the table. She drew up a chair and squeezed in between Jessica and Mike. They both looked instantly uncomfortable at her presence, but her smile remained bright.

"Hey everyone! What are we talking about?"

It was clear none of them had ever spoken to Alice before. Edward cleared his throat.

"Just how me and Bella met."

"Oh, that's such a great story!" she beamed, looking around the table. "Let me tell it, guys. The lovebirds always forget all the details."

"Be our guest," I grinned, waving my hand. I couldn't wait to hear this tale.

"Well, it started when my brother was fourteen. He talked all day about this girl—this was when we were living in Phoenix, this was years ago. Anyway—"

Alice had a terrific imagination. Apparently Edward and I met in gym class. It was badminton week and I was out of a partner. Ever the gentleman, Edward volunteered to be my partner and our relationship grew from there. Carlisle being transferred to another hospital tore the star crossed lovers apart until two days ago, when I unknowingly enrolled in their school.

"Our old English teacher is trying to sell the movie rights," Alice sighed dramatically. I could hear sniffles around the table. "I'm hoping Katie Holmes plays me."


"That was . . . hilarious," I muttered as we headed for Biology. "I loved the part when we thought you developed a blood disorder, but didn't."

"Or when you negotiated for my freedom from the drug cartel."

"Did anyone actually believe that stuff?"

"Alice is a very gifted storyteller," he chuckled when we found our seats. "You'd be surprised."

We found Mr. Banner, bless his heart, setting up the television for a movie day. I immediately slouched in my seat and folded my arms. I could hear Edward laugh under his breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him pull out a notebook and start writing.

Notes during a movie? Even I wasn't that nerdy. But then he slid the notebook across the table to me, nodding toward the page.

Should I meet Charlie today?

Yes, I wrote, then started to draw out the scene. When I was finished, Charlie was standing on Edward's chest with a gun pointed at his head.

He stifled another laugh. It won't be that terrible.

No, I agreed. I want him to hear it from us. But we also decided on you changing me. It seems silly to go through all this trouble just for me to leave him soon.

Edward frowned at my words. I watched the pen linger over the page for several minutes before he started writing again.

The more normal your time here is, the better. Dating is normal. Besides, are you ready now?

I nodded fiercely. He shook his head.

No, I know you're ready to become a vampire. But are you ready to leave him so soon? You've just arrived here.

We'd switched sides again. He was the one begging me in Alaska, and I demurred . . . now we switched.

The VCR started to malfunction. While the other students turned to talk to one another, I turned toward him.

"I guess not," I admitted. "But that's a slippery slope. What if I'm still human and Victoria comes along? That puts the both of us in danger."

Edward opened his mouth to speak again, but the movie resumed. He turned back to the notebook.

We can talk about it tonight, if you'd like.

No, I decided. If Charlie thinks we're going on a date, then let's go on a real date. No vampire stuff, no time travel, no worrying . . . for tonight, let's just be us.

He set the notebook aside and kissed my hand. A silent agreement.


"Any plans for the weekend?"

"Not yet," I said hesitantly as I scrubbed our dishes. "Tonight, though. I have plans tonight."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Actually it's a date."

"A date? With who?"

He didn't sound too excited. Though we were closer, he was still my dad.

I set the plate aside. "Uh-huh. It's um, Edward Cullen."

"Doctor Cullen's boy?"

I nodded. "He's coming by in an hour."

"Where is he taking you?"

"The Lodge."

His eyes brightened slightly. The Lodge was Charlie's favorite restaurant. I thought it was overpriced and tacky, but being both formal and in full view of the town, Edward chose it this afternoon.

"Good choice."

"He thought so," I smiled.

"Okay," Charlie sighed. "I'll meet him."

I went upstairs to change. Sometime between this afternoon and early evening, Alice had been in my room. A pretty blue dress lay across my bed. She left some shoes and tights to match. I still had some of their products from my trips back and forth—with a coat of red lipstick, my look was a comforting throwback to the past.

Edward was prompt as ever. I was just coming down the stairs when a sharp knock brought me to the door.

Despite Charlie's stony face, I could tell he was impressed. Edward had a nicely pressed suit under his winter jacket and a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

I could see why my dad was surprised. The suit, flowers, and dinner were old fashioned nowadays. What Charlie didn't know was that Edward and I dated in their heyday.

"Chief Swan," my teen husband nodded, extending his hand. Charlie took it and actually smiled.

"Go ahead and call me Charlie. Here, I'll take your jacket."

"Thank you, sir."

While my dad slung hung Edward's jacket on the hook, he handed me the bouquet. Freesias. I had no idea where he found them in the winter.

"Thank you," I said, lowering my head to sniff them. "Let me find a vase."

When I came back, Edward was sitting in the only chair. I sat down next to Charlie and scowled at him. He winked when my dad wasn't looking.

"Bella tells me you're taking her to the Lodge tonight."

"Yes, sir. I haven't been there myself but I've been told it's delicious."

"It is," Charlie nodded. Clearly Edward passed his test. We all stood up together. "Just drive safe, the roads are still bad."

"Good night, sir."

"Bye, Dad," I kissed his cheek. "I won't be out late."


"Everything looks . . . " I couldn't finish. Edward snickered.

"Smells that way, too."

"What's the safest thing to order?"

Edward looked around the restaurant, eyeing the plates from afar. "Salads."

After we ordered, we sat talking. I was suddenly so reminded of something that I giggled.

"What?"

"This feels like the night you proposed," I explained, running my hand along the fur coat. "We got all dressed up and went to dinner . . . don't worry. I'll say yes this time."

He chuckled. "I'm glad."

I knew I insisted on keeping the time travel and vampire conversation to a minimum, but I broke my own rule.

"So . . . normal," I started, watching him poke the lettuce with his fork. "This seems pretty close."

"It does," he agreed, regarding me thoughtfully across the table. "Going to school every day, dating . . . sneaking your boyfriend into your bedroom at night—"

"Husband," I corrected automatically, but he was right. This story seemed right at home in Forks. No vampires, no jumping back and forth through time . . . not yet, anyway. I sighed.

"It just seems like the calm before the storm. Something will inevitably go wrong."

He nodded slightly, allowing that one to pass. We had our happy moments, of course. But most of our time together was fraught with danger. Forks seemed almost too good to be true.

"Maybe we should wait it out," I suggested. I could hardly believe my ears. Years ago, this conversation would have gone in the opposite direction. "Live here for a bit . . . let Charlie spend time with me."

"Whatever you want," Edward smiled. Now that the sword appeared not to be hanging over our heads, he was happy. "You could finish high school. Be a regular teenager."

"For once," I grinned, thinking of my short tenure in academia. Even when I went backwards in time, I never spent a sufficient period at one school to actually graduate.

"By that time you'll be an older woman," he joked as we prepared to leave. I put one finger up warningly.

"Careful, now."

For that comment he spent ten minutes sitting outside the window that night. I eventually opened the window with a grin, breathing in his scent.

As perilous as our lives had been, I wouldn't trade it for a second.