Edward POV

I freed myself from time with the guys once they all fell asleep. I didn't think much in what I was doing, just ran.

I kept going until the scents off who I needed to see were in the air. I stopped and let them come to me. She'd know. She always knew.

It didn't take long for Alice and Jasper to walk over to the snow bank I was perched on. October already brought snow to Alaska. Jasper said nothing, only laid a hand on my shoulder, and Alice skipped to a halt in front of me. She smiled.

"Jaz, our baby brother is in love."

"Oh shut up. I'm a little shaky with this realization."

Jasper smiled. "You think I wasn't when I realized it with Alice? It's never easy."

"She's human."

"Yea that's a tough one." He sighed.

"I've seen things Edward." Alice tapped her fingers on my knee.

"I don't want to know unless it's to save her."

"It's nothing like that. I've just seen her as one of us."

I shook my head. "No. That isn't possible. I'd never change her."

"And you think that's the only way?" Alice rolled her eyes. "I guess we'll see. But I don't believe you'll lose her because she's human."

"And Alice is always right." Jasper added.

I laughed despite myself. Just my luck. The first time I tell a girl I truly love her, she curses me. Nothing is easy for us Cullen's.

I spent some time with my siblings then went back to the reservation. I got back to my house and saw a note on the kitchen table from Emily saying she went home but she'd come by in the morning to say bye to Bella. I checked my watch and saw it was seven in the morning.

I went and peeked into Revi's old room and saw Bella and her curled up in bed, the dogs on the floor. Revi stirred and opened one eye, and smiled. I put a finger to my lips and went into the kitchen. A few minutes later she followed.

"Sorry I woke you." I whispered.

"It's ok. Sleep is overrated."

"Why are the dogs here? I thought Billy was enjoying having them around." We had given the dogs to Billy temporarily since Revi could only have the cat in the apartment, and I wasn't home anymore.

"I missed them so I had Jake bring them over after you made your escape Houdini." She cocked a brow at me and I smiled sheepishly.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"How are my Aunt and Uncle?"

Can't hide anything from my kid. "They're fine."

"Good." She yawned and rested her head on my arm. "How is my Daddy?"

I kissed her forehead and pushed her hair out of her eyes. "He's fine too."

"Swear it."

"Yes. I can figure this out."

"She's stubborn."

"So are you but I keep you don't I?"

"I guess. If it makes you feel better, I think she loves you."

"I need to hear it from her though."

"I know, but I'm a lot more experienced in love than you are."

"What kind of nonsense is that?" I rose to make her coffee since it didn't seem like she was sleeping any time soon. "I'm older."

"Yes but you've never been in love. I have for a while now. I'm much more experienced."

"That is so wrong."

"To you."

"Although I have experienced the strongest love there is."

"The love of drinking a mountain lion?" She grinned at me.

"No Scout the love a father has for his kid. You can't top that."

"I'm sure I'll have it too."

My hands tightened on the coffee pot. I had bad memories of child birth and since my kid was half human and her partner was a werewolf, I had concerns about them having children. "Reviana."

"Not for a long time calm down Edward."

"That's not what I mean…." I trailed off as Bella wandered into the room. "Hi."

She grunted and sat on top the kitchen table. Revi patted her knee. "You're not a morning person I know, its ok. How are you feeling?"

"Like I drowned. I'm ok though sore throats gone." She looked at me. "When are we leaving?"

"Whenever you want."

"I don't have any work to but I want to settle in. How about around noon?"

"Sounds fine." I said returning her distant tone. She nodded and went back into Revi's room. I looked at Revi. "Well that was fun. This is going to be tough."

"Love aint easy my father."

I glanced at my daughter and sighed. She was probably right.

Bella POV

After saying goodbye to everyone, we made our way back to Seattle. It was probably the most eventful weekend I'd ever had.

I glanced at Edward a few times while we were driving, but I didn't say anything and neither did he. It wasn't a comfortable silence, but it was welcome to me. Anything he said wouldn't help the situation.

Finally we arrived and I mumbled my thanks to him for driving, and then ran with my small backpack into the dorm. Angela was deep into a paper she had due the next day and muttered her hello to me. I nodded and unpacked my things.

That night a new dream replaced my old one. This time I saw only me. There was no Edward. I was running around a forest familiar to me. La Push. It seemed I was meant to be there. The odd part was I looked different. My hair's slight red tint was a lot more prominent, my skin paler, and my eyes golden like Edwards. My smile was wide and bright. When I woke, I realized I was a vampire in the dream. I was also happy about it. How odd.

This sparked a new chapter in my life. The chapter of pro/con lists. I did many of them. The pros and cons of being just friends with Edward, the pros and cons of staying away from Edward, the pros and cons of a relationship with Edward, and finally and most surprisingly; the pros and cons of being a vampire.

The last one was a new edition that left me wondering how much I'd changed since I had met the Cullen's. I had always been a girl who never let others influence me. I was independent and my own person. After thinking about it and making lists, I realized I still was. No one tried to influence me into being a vampire. Maybe into starting a relationship with Edward, but not join their coven. So why had the thought been in my head?

What sane person would actually choose that life? Never changing, never moving on. Never eating a tuna melt ever again. That was not a life I wanted.

But a life I did want suddenly was one with Edward in it. And being around Edward constantly made me want more. How could I get more, without being like him? He'd have to have his guard up all the time in case I cut myself or I don't know…smelled appetizing. He'd also have to be careful 24-7. Since he was so much stronger than me, even a touch on the hand had to be extremely thought out to make sure he didn't break me.

That left sex out of the picture. It made the phrase banging sound a lot more literal when I thought of experiencing it with Edward.

He was the first boy I ever wondered what it would be like with. I refused to acknowledge that he was also the boy I probably loved. Love. I, Isabella Marie Swan was in love.

With a vampire.

That's just not cool.

Edward POV

She was avoiding me. I knew this as much as I'd known my name. I checked in when I could, both obviously and discreetly. Part of me wanted to wait for her to come to me and let fate take the wheel.

But when fate was one who changed you into a vampire and made you see the light of loving someone by nearly killing them, fate and you aren't friends.

So instead I took the route of trying to woo her. Bella wasn't an easy girl to woo. Especially when she was hell bent on doing what I had done, ignoring the spark with us.

That had worked out bad for me though, so I hoped her ignoring would meet an end soon. By Thanksgiving break though I grew impatient and knocked on her door.

She answered in a huff, I was guessing this to be so because she'd seen my face in the peephole. How flattering. "Hey Bella." I gave her my best smile and she didn't budge. "You inviting me in?"

"Fine." She said and I smiled at Angela.

"Hey there."

"Hi Edward." She seemed bummed about something. I let it go when she turned away.

Bella brushed past me and I grabbed her hand. I felt the familiar heat and shock and smiled. "I called a few times. I've missed you." I whispered.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Shut up. I don't want to hear it."

"You know what why don't you come out into the hall with me for a second."

"No."

"I'm not asking." I said sounding angry for the first time. She narrowed her eyes on me but left the room, I followed. "Listen Bella, I know you have a bug up your ass about how I told you I loved you. But you haven't given me a chance to say it in any other way. You haven't returned my calls, my notes, nothing."

"That's my choice." She lifted her chin and placed her hands on her hips, a sign of her stubbornness. "I don't have to go out with you Edward; I don't have to like you either."

"I'm aware of that." I fought back the hurt, knowing I'd treated her the same way months earlier. "And if I thought there was no chance, then I would have walked away. But I know there is a chance I feel it when you say my name."

She stiffened. "I can't do this."

"I tried to say the same Bella. But I know now I can. I don't care how careful I'll have to be. If you want me I am here for you a hundred percent. Because I don't just want you I need you. In any form I can get." I didn't care how I sounded, she needed to know. "I lost everything once. I know one day I'll lose you too. But it won't be anytime soon, and I want to make that time amazing. Don't you see? We could have something remarkable."

She closed her eyes again and ran her hands over her face. "It's a lot to risk Edward."

"I think we're worth it. I think this is worth any risk." I pressed my lips to hers, not holding back as much as I had before. I let the heat I only felt if I was near her blast through me, and took her hands in mine. Though being this close to her was difficult, as I had said it was completely worth it. To feel human again, to feel the piece I'd never found until I heard her name, slip into place. Bella made me whole.

I opened my eyes the same moment she did when I pulled away. I stroked her face, and she placed her hand on my chest, not pushing me away, but not holding me closer. I wondered if my nonexistent heartbeat scared her. I couldn't tell. I sighed.

"I'll let you think about it. I'll come back tomorrow to pick you up. I figured we'd go home together for break."

She said nothing but nodded and I leaned forward to kiss her hair. "I love you. You'll have to get used to hearing it." I said, and turned to leave.

We still had a long way to go, but I sure made my intentions clear.