All of these characters and ideas belong to Stephanie Meyer

B-POV

So far the best parts about college were take-home tests, the cookies in the dining hall, and the entire month we had off for winter break. For two full weeks, Edward and I were completely inseparable. When we weren't hiding out in my room or surrounded by his family, we were off exploring Seattle and each other.

The only time we spent apart was when Edward's family went off to Great Britain to spend Christmas in what they called their "Christmas house", as was their tradition. Edward invited me along with them, but not only did the thought of an entire house for one holiday shake me to my core, but I felt needlessly guilty for abandoning Charlie on Christmas. When Edward suggested that he stay home to spend the holiday with me and Charlie, I rejected the idea immediately.

He was obviously devastated by my rejection, and Alice later informed me that he spent most of their vacation moping. When they returned after New Year's, Edward and I went right back to where we left off, but it was obvious he wasn't over the Christmas thing.

"You're embarrassed by me," he said one day in January. Seconds before, we were lounging in his bed, reading the book of German poems Carlisle gave him for Christmas, comparing our interpretations. Now, he was laying back with the book draped over his face.

"Edward! How could you say that?" In what world would someone like me be ashamed to have a brilliant, beautiful, supernatural musician as a boyfriend? If anything, he should be embarrassed by me.

"You haven't told anyone in your life about me."

I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled myself against his marble body. "Jessica and Angela know we're dating."

He snorted. "Barely. You asked me to leave and wait in the car every time you stopped to talk with Jessica and Angela."

I blushed. "Well, that's for Jessica's sake. She has a small problem with coherency when she's around you."

"Don't remind me," he groaned. "That friend of yours has a very loud and colorful imagination."

"See? A perfectly reasonable excuse."

"Your father?" he pressed.

The thought of introducing Edward to Charlie sent butterflies straight to my stomach. I couldn't even begin to explain this unexpected dread to myself, let alone Edward. I remained silent.

He took a deep breath, "I understand if you're… ashamed…"

I stopped him right there. I shoved the book off of his face and I lifted my head up from his shoulder so I could stare directly into his eyes, "I am not ashamed of you."

His expression remained soft, "I don't understand."

I ducked back down and hid my face in his armpit—it smelled very Edward in there. "I don't know what to say to him."

"Just tell him you fell hopelessly in love with a blood-sucking demon. He'll understand."

I peeked out of hiding to glare at him.

He tried again, "We care about each other, that's all I need him to know. You can introduce me as your friend, if that makes this easier. I just want to be a part of your life."

It was hard to debate with that. It seemed silly that I wouldn't tell Charlie I was dating the embodiment of Apollo after Edward proudly introduced a pitiful human to his family almost immediately.

I held out my hand, "Give me your phone."

He reached over to his bedside table and handed me his fancy little rectangle, "What do you need it for?"

"I'm going to text Charlie and ask him to clean the living room because my boyfriend is coming over for dinner."

I already regretted this decision.

"How is it even going to work?" I complained, full pout mode locked and loaded.

I was sitting in the passenger seat in Edward's sleek, black car ignoring how quickly he zipped along the winding mountain roads. For the first time in his car the alarming speeds were not the cause of my nausea, it was the destination. We were racing to have dinner with my father. Why this Greek god of a boy was insistent on making awkward small talk in my shabby kitchen with my shabbier father was beyond me.

"You can't even eat! It's going to be weirder than it already is," I continued.

"I have a plan." He threw a dashing smile my way. His optimism was beginning to piss me off.

"Oh?" I challenged.

He chuckled at my tone and reached behind my seat to bring out a plastic bottle. It was a Blender Bottle, the kind of bottle the student-athletes carried around that housed their protein shakes. I eyed it suspiciously.

"What does the bottle have to do with anything?" I poked his bicep, "You have enough muscle mass for all of us."

"Your new boyfriend is a sugar-free, gluten-free vegan," he smiled. "We'll tell him I have these shakes to hold me over until I can eat something at home." He looked very proud of his vampire lie.

"And you really think that this is going to work?"

"Hey, I got you to believe I was a vegan," He reminded me.

"That doesn't mean anything. I was lost in your eyes for two months straight—Charlie isn't going to be swayed by your boyish charms."

"We'll see about that," he shot over the half-smile he knew I loved.

I wasn't going to give in so easily. I couldn't explain why the thought of Edward meeting my dad made me so queasy, not even to myself. After hanging out with Edward's amazing, loving family I guessed I was starting to become embarrassed of my own. There wouldn't be an immaculate buffet prepared in his honor prepared by my mother. There would be no kind, welcoming conversation with my father. There would be no family gathering filled with music, laughter, and love. We would be lucky to get a frozen lasagna and three, short sentences from Charlie followed by a silent night around the TV.

Perhaps I was afraid that if Edward saw how easily Charlie brushed me aside, he would realize there was something wrong with me, too, and follow suit.

Regardless, it was easier to disguise these feelings as irritation than to let Edward see the fear. "Isn't that a little much? Charlie might wonder why I'm with such an extremist."

Edward shrugged, "Tell him my parents died from a disease long ago, and it affected my diet."

"That's so sad, Edward."

"It's technically true," he pointed out. "Besides, I'd rather have him pity me than fear me." His wistful smile turned sour abruptly. "Crap."

"What is it?"

He huffed, "Your father had some unexpected visitors this afternoon and did not wish to turn them away."

We turned the corner in time for me to see Jacob's familiar car parked in the driveway. I frowned, "What are they doing here?"

Edward's only response was a deep sigh.

He parked his car behind Jacob's. His expression became unfathomable, I reached over to stroke his face with the tips of my fingers. He leaned into my touch until I was fully caressing his cheek. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

"Jacob and his father… I think they know about you." I said.

Edward nodded, his eyes still shut, " I know."

"Will they hurt you?"

"No. They're in there now to make sure Charlie doesn't approve of me. Their only goal at the moment is to keep me away from you and Charlie."

Edward placed his hand over mine and held it tighter to his face. "The two of them are planning on making this night unpleasant. It's all my fault, I am so sorry Bella."

"We care about each other," I repeated. "That's what we are demonstrating tonight. We just have a larger audience, now."

A small smile touched the corners of his lips, it tugged at my heart. He turned his head to kiss the inside of my hand. "I love you," he murmured. His cool breath tickled my skin.

"I love you, too."

We approached the house hand-in-hand. "Dad?" I called into the doorway.

"We're here, Bells," Charlie responded from the kitchen.

"Hey there, Isabella!" I heard Billy call out after.

Edward and I found Billy, Charlie, and Jacob already sitting at the round kitchen table, with a half-eaten pizza between them.

"Dad," I said through my teeth. "We had plans."

Edward let go of my hand and rubbed soothing circles onto my lower back, "It's alright, Bella. Chief Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Edward Cullen."

Charlie nodded towards him, "Please call me, Charlie." He gestured towards the empty chairs, "Join us. I hope you don't mind the extra company. This is my partner, Billy, and his son, Jacob."

I regarded the empty chairs with disdain, I had no idea what would make Edward feel more comfortable, sitting next to my father or sitting next to Jacob. Both options were equally embarrassing.

Edward saved me the trouble of deciding by sitting fluidly in the seat next to Jacob. "No, not at all. I intended to meet Bella's family tonight, and that should include all of it. Jacob, Bella tells me you are like a little brother to her." He smiled easily.

Jacob's eyes darkened at Edward's comment.

"Cullen, huh?" Billy asked Edward, feigning ignorance. "You related to that new doctor at the hospital? What's his name, Jake? Carl?"

"Carlisle." Edward corrected with a stunning smile. "And yes, he is my father."

"Dr. Cullen seems a little young to have a kid in college." Billy pointed out.

"That's true. Carlisle adopted me when I was twelve and he was twenty-three. All of my siblings are adopted, sir."

"Adopted, huh?" Charlie grumbled, taking another slice of pizza out of the box. I replaced his hand on the lid of the box and took two slices for myself.

Edward nodded and repeated the story he told me during one of our many lunch dates when I wasn't in on his secret. "When Carlisle and Esme got married, they became foster parents and ended up adopting the kid each time." he paused briefly to flash a dazzling smile. "Me in Chicago, Emmett in Nashville, and finally Alice in New Orleans."

"Adopted, huh." Billy considered that. "Hon, didn't we just read an article about how kids who grew up in the foster care system are more likely to commit crimes?"

"We did read that," Charlie grumbled in agreement.

I tried to save the conversation. "Well, Edward wasn't in foster care for very long."

"Well, the story I heard was that Edward's parents died when he was three years old," Charlie recalled.

Billy hopped on that immediately, "and he just said that he was adopted when he was twelve, didn't he, Dear? That's a suspicious amount of holes in your story, Edwin."

Oops.

Edward brushed his fingers over my knee under the table. "I was in foster care for quite a while. I might not have told Bella about that, yet; I don't really like talking about it. Carlisle raised all three of us in a very loving and welcoming environment."

Charlie nodded, "Sounds like a good man. From what I've heard, everyone at the hospital adores him."

"I could not have asked for a better father. Better parents, really."

"Rumor has it he has five children." Billy pointed out.

Edward chuckled, "I shouldn't be surprised that he says he has five. Alice and Emmett are married. Carlisle and Esme consider their in-laws as their own children."

"Married? In college?" Charlie was surprised. "That's awfully young."

"Yes, well Alice and Jasper ran off this past summer and got married in Vegas after knowing each other for three days. I don't think anyone could have stopped them. Emmett married Rosalie while we were in high school to get her out of an abusive household. Both couples are perfect for one another and immeasurably happy."

"Sounds like you're the odd man out, Edwin. You trying to get married as well? Even up those numbers?" Billy asked.

"Edward." I corrected.

"I will when the time is right." Edward squeezed my knee. He didn't have to mention finding the right girl. He already had her.

"Well I don't picture Isabella getting married until she's at least forty, maybe even fifty," Jake commented.

"Hey!"

"What? It's going to take you that long to get out of your awkward phase," he teased. I smiled ruefully back.

Jacob eyed Edward's empty plate, "What? You don't eat pizza? Food of the working class man not good enough for you?"

I answered for him, "Edward's a vegan, Jake."

Billy actually laughed out loud.

"He can take off the cheese," Jake suggested.

"He doesn't eat gluten or sugar, either." I snatched the Blender Bottle out of Edward's hand and waved it in Jake's face, "See?" I taunted.

Edward took the bottle back, "What Bella's means is, I'm okay right now, thank you." He gave me a wide-eyed look that said one word: chill.

"Well, I hope our dinner doesn't offend you," Billy said, taking a large bite out of his slice of pizza.

"Don't worry about me," Edward took a sip out of his fake bottle, "I do it primarily for health reasons; the positive effect on the environment is just a happy bonus." He smiled.

"So, health and fitness are important to you?" Charlie asked. I knew where this was going.

"Yes, sir," Edward nodded.

"Play any sports?"

"No sir. Never did stay in one place long enough to join a team. Damn shame, though. I always wanted to play baseball." I bit down my smile, Edward knew the exact buttons to push to please my father.

"What position would you have played, son?"

"I would have wanted to be an outfielder." Edward beamed, "I like to think I'm a fast runner and when I was younger I looked up to Ichiro." Now Edward was really buttering him up.

"Suzuki?" Charlie's eyes lit up. "Good choice; he's one of the greats."

Jacob and Billy had no intention of letting Edward and Charlie hit it off so well. Jacob spoke next, his eyes glinting with humor, "Bella eats meat and sugar, and I don't think I've ever seen her run. Are you worried she's gonna get fat?"

That comment startled me, causing me to drop my pizza; it landed cheese-down in my lap, "Jacob!" I exclaimed, now truly annoyed.

But Edward only laughed. "She will be beautiful at any size."

"So, is that what's you're after? Good looks? Because I can tell you, you'll find plenty of girls better looking than Isabella."

"Jacob!" I exclaimed again.

"Excuse me?" Edward's voice went flat.

Jacob was pleased that he finally struck a nerve. He continued egging Edward on. "What's a pretty, rich boy like you even doing with Isabella? Surely, you could find someone who doesn't have pepperoni stuck to them." He regarded the pizza stain in my lap.

"Come on, now Jake." Charlie scolded, but barely interested now that the conversation steered away from baseball.

"No, I want to know what this guy wants with Isabella!" Jacob said to Charlie, then turned to glare at Edward.

"She's perfect." Edward's voice was flat and even as he reigned in his anger. "She's smart and fun. She's kind and honest. More beautiful than she needs to be with a personality like that. I like the person she challenges me to be."

"Really? It didn't sound that way before. What were your exact words? Oh yeah, 'We're just having a little fun,'" Jacob said.

"You two met before?" I asked.

Edward grabbed my hand, "Only briefly, sweetheart."

"Oh wow," Jake commented. "Already keeping secrets?" Jacob shook his head and clicked his tongue.

"Butt out, Jake."

Billy chimed in, "Isabella, this doesn't seem like a healthy way to start a relationship, does it, Hon?

Charlie shook his head in agreement with his boyfriend, "No, it does not."

Jacob scoffed, "Smart and fun my ass. Admit it, Isabella was the first girl desperate and stupid enough to fall for your little games."

"Go ahead," Venom was practically dripping from Edward's words, "Insult her one more time; I dare you."

The wheels were turning as Jacob thought up the perfect insult to drive Edward over the edge. Even now, I could see the rage burning in Edward's eyes and he read Jacob's mind.

Enough was enough. I stood up abruptly, "Edward, let's go."

"Bells?" Charlie asked, oddly confused. It was as if this entire interaction was perfectly normal.

"Dad, Edward, and I will come back when the children learn to play nice." I glared at Billy and Jacob. "Come on, Edward." I took Edward's hand and pulled him after me.

"Nice meeting you, sir," Edward called back into the kitchen.

"You too, son."

I was seething the entire drive to Edward's house. I continued to seethe while Edward fished some clean leggings out of Rosalie's dresser for me to change in to, and was still seething when he snuggled me up against his chest on the living room couch.

He let me stew for an episode and a half of my favorite baking show before attempting to make me feel better.

"It really wasn't that bad, sweetheart," his honeyed voice usually pulled me out of a bad mood, but I was exceptionally annoyed tonight. "I expected Jacob to be an idiot, but the level of idiocy was far greater than anything I ever imagined. Billy, however, was actually quite tame compared to what he was throwing at me in his mind. His insults were so direct, I started to worry that he knew I could read minds." He chuckled.

"This isn't funny."

He sighed, "No, it's not. But try not to be mad at them, Bella. They're trying to do what they think is best for you. They love you."

I laughed out loud in disbelief. "What's best for me," I mocked. That was Jacob's favorite excuse. "Sure."

"It's true, sweetheart."

"Then why did he have to be so mean?" I sniffed.

Edward kissed my forehead very gently, "That would be my fault, darling. He could tell I was fine when the attacks were at me, but saw how easily I would crack when he attacked you. You saw how it almost worked. If you hadn't intervened, I may have easily snapped. I'm sorry about that, by the way. That was no way to behave in front of your father. "

"S'not your fault," I muttered. "Jacob needs to just leave me alone."

He brushed my hair away from face, "I don't think that's what either of you wants, my love." He sighed heavily, "You and Jacob have… a lot to discuss."

"Why can't you just tell me his thoughts?"

He shook his head, "It wouldn't be fair."

"Then what's the point of being a mind reader if you're going to be so… respectful of everyone all the time?"

He laughed, "All right then, I'll tell you all the thoughts I hear right now: 'Isabella Swan is the prettiest girl in the world.' 'Isabella Swan looked so cute covered in marinara.' 'Isabella Swan has zero respect for the telepathic.'"

I rolled my eyes; I knew we were alone. Edward could be such a weirdo. "Those are all your thoughts, Edward."

"Oh. I guess they are. That must be why they're dripping with class and wisdom."

I laughed briefly at his absurdity and then sighed.

"Bella, you should go talk to Jacob. He thinks he is rescuing you from me."

I hugged my arms around him, "I don't want to be rescued from you."

"Mmm," he held me closer. "That my love, is a very good thing. Would you mind if I try to make up for my behavior this evening?"

There was nothing for him to apologize for, but I was intrigued. "Of course."

He stood up from the couch and placed me on my feet. He was gone for a brief moment, and then return with an armful of clothing. Each time we went out this winter, Edward was never satisfied until I looked like the abominable snowman. But this was absolutely absurd. Over my own sweatshirt, he pulled one of his own over my head followed by an enormous puffy, white jacket. In a matter of moments, I was transformed from a girl into a marshmallow. He placed not one, but two hats on my head and wrapped a large scarf around my neck. He, of course, didn't need a coat.

"Should I text Charlie that I will be spending the night elsewhere?"

He shrugged, putting one mitten on my hands, and then another, "Wouldn't be a bad idea."

I lifted my eyebrows in surprise, "Why Edward Cullen you wouldn't think of performing any dastardly deeds, now would you?"

He plucked a pencil off of a nearby table and placed it in the pocket of the hoodie. Here. A wooden stake to protect you in case my deeds become dastardly."

Edward squeezed my shoulder and kissed my hat, "Ready?"

I nodded eagerly and he scooped me up in his arms. He used his chin to tuck my face into his neck and gave me one more peck before dashing out the door. How Edward managed to flit through the forest at top speed carrying the great white ape was beyond me, but in a matter of minutes, we were standing in front of the sweetest little cabin in the middle of the woods.

He pulled me inside. He immediately set to work building a fire. I realized that the fireplace was really the only thing in this room, that and a giant bed.

"What is this place?" It looked like something pulled right out of a fairytale. Although, I supposed, so did Edward.

"Esme build this for Carlisle a couple of decades ago" he explained, fiddling away with the kindling, "It's a place for any of us to go when we're looking for, um, privacy."

He let that simmer for a few beats.

"Sorry," He apologized. "This place doesn't have any power, because it never needed any. It will warm up shorty but until then…"

He flashed across the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "Bella, my love, remember you are in charge of this relationship." He patted the stop beside him. "Would you like to join me?"

"Are you asking if I would like the spend the night here? With you?" I whispered.

"We will do whatever you feel comfortable with, Bella. We could even leave if that's what you want."

I nodded. I removed the hats and the scarves and this ridiculous coat so I could walk over the meet him as sensually as I could. Which, probably wasn't very sensual at all.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say the monster was trying to have his way with me."

Wickedness flashed in his eyes, "Mmm, I don't know about that," he purred. In one of his impossibly quick movements, I curled up on his lap in the middle of the bed. He placed slow, gentle kisses across my cheek. When he reached my lips, he kept his hovered right over mine, barely touching, it was torturously tantalizing.

"I can think of many unsavory things I can do to you right now," he spoke, my lips moving in tandem with his.

Finally, he pressed his lips against mine. His kiss was gentle like my lips were a flower and if he pressed too hard he would bruise the delicate petals. I decided to show him exactly where I wanted this evening to go and pushed myself up to deepen the kiss.

My hands dropped to the hem of his T-shirt and slipped under it, sliding against his perfect abs and sides. Carefully, he lifted the hem of his shirt, slowly drawing it off his body. My hands stroked slowly up his torso, my fingertips running over evert divot, each defined muscle.

He opened his mouth. The darting motion of his tongue was enough to drive me insane. I wanted more, I needed more. I threw my arms around his neck to press my body against his.

All of a sudden, his lips froze.

I promise I SWEAR this is the last chapter where Jacob mean.