50.

"How'd you get in here?"

It takes the fucker a moment to tear his attention away from my girl. That's right. Mine.

I think.

"I have a key," he mumbles around a mouthful of cereal. "Oh, and you have a fallen tree in your driveway, did ya know?"

I cast him a withering look, but it's wasted, because he's staring at Bella again. It's like the ass hasn't seen a girl before.

She's oblivious, looking out of the window. It's not raining now, but I suspect our reprieve won't last very long.

"Edward," she turns back to me. I want to kiss away that wrinkle in her brow. "Do you think we can get to my car? I could get my bag, at least, and maybe you could take a look, see what's wrong with it?"

I nod, because she's right. Our night is over, and it's time to return to the real world. I can't help the wistful tug inside, though. I wish I could paint my reality with the ephemeral magic we shared last night.

"Sure, give me your keys and I'll get your bag. Seth, get to the garage and find the chainsaw. We've got to get the driveway cleared."

We're hacking away at the fallen oak. She's in my house with her bag. I know it's irrational, but the idea of Bella wearing her own damn clothes makes me feel like she's removing the last signs of our night together.

My axe hits the splintered wood with a solid thwack. Seth the dumbass couldn't find the chainsaw, but that's alright with me. It's strangely soothing to be out in the misting drizzle, the peace of the morning unbroken except for the rhythmic swoosh and thunk of our axes. I can feel the muscles of my back and arms bunch and release with each movement. Our t-shirts are clinging to our bodies, thanks to the rain and the sweat we've worked up.

Damn, I kind of wish Bella was here to see me right now. I've read more than a couple of books where the girls find this kind of manly display of basic physical skill extremely arousing.

A decisive crack of wood breaks me out of the semi-meditative state I was in.

Right, Seth.

I look him over critically for a moment. He's about as tall as me, muscular and good looking in a friendly, shaggy dog kind of way. His tattoos are pretty badass, though. He definitely has that over me. Maybe it's a good thing she's not out here watching us, after all.

"So, you think Bella's going to stay in Forks?"

I purse my lips and hide under the hood of her car. It wasn't too far up the lane, so it didn't take much work to get it back into the garage.

"Seriously, man, she's hot. And you spent an entire night with her, under the same roof! Damn, I bet you're wishing you had tried something, huh?" He's waggling his eyebrows like an idiot.

I want to tell him she's mine; that we did a lot more than just spend the night under the same roof. But there's this uncertainty holding me back. I want her, but I don't know if this is what she wants. I could stake my claim, but what if she decides I have no claim? Dammit, I just want this ass out of here.

"What were you doing here that early anyway?" I ask, trying hard not to let the voices in my head drive me nuts.

"There's a yard sale over in Whiskey Creek. I got inside info they have some rare porcelain pieces. Fuck the storm, this isn't something I was going to pass up."

"You want to head out, that's fine by me," I say, all smooth and gently suggestive.

Unfortunately this fucker never takes a hint.

"Nah man, did you miss the living doll I saw over at your place?" he gestures like a madman. I want to wring his neck.