Bella woke up the next day, eager to get things over with. She was finally able to tell Carlisle about her and she got to hand it to her adoptive father, no matter how far-fetched her story was, at the end of it all, he believed her.

Of course, he had a hard time believing it right off the bat and Bella had to share some inside knowledge about their family that she wouldn't have known if she hadn't been with them for a long time but she was able to convince him.

Carlisle had listened to everything that she had to say without interrupting and once she was done, he was looking at Bella with new eyes and she knew that Carlisle was going to help her with her goal, not just with finding her way back to her own future but also to help this Bella reunite with her Edward.

At least she knew that if Edward was going to be stubborn, Carlisle was going to be there to ensure that this Bella would be together with her mate.

When Carlisle finally got the hang of the idea that Bella was from the future, his curiosity had finally won out and he had asked her a lot of questions about the status of his family.

Bella didn't really have to worry about the repercussions because, since she was from a different timeline, she doubted that whatever she told him or at least the rest of the family later on, would change her future.

Even though this was an alternate reality, Bella highly doubted that this Bella's story would run its course parallel to hers. This Bella's story and hers was already too different from the beginning anyway.

She was amazed that Carlisle didn't even bother asking about what society looked like in the future or any medical breakthroughs that may have happened. She had asked him then but his only response was that since her future was a different reality and it wasn't really that far away, he doubted that there was going to be much of a difference and as a vampire who has existed for almost half a millennium and a daughter who has visions of the future, he has learned to accept whatever changes the future may hold, in stride.

His only concern was to make sure that his family was still intact and that there were no immediate danger that they would have to face but although Bella had assured them that there was none, they doubted it would be the same for both the worlds that they lived.

She was finally able to tell Carlisle about how she really knew more about the pack and the eventual alliance that they had because of their mutual desire to protect human lives. This made Carlisle hopeful that they will be able to achieve that same alliance in this reality even if it's not just about the alliance but to be able to interact with the tribe without having that look of hatred from the latter.

Bella also told Carlisle about that one tiny detail that made her future different from the reality they were in, and that was about the identity of her mate.

The knowledge had caught Carlisle off guard. Especially with the thought that there exist realities either from the present or from the future that the people they may encounter may be different altogether just like the situation with Bella and her mate but after the initial shock of the news, this prompted him to ask, instead of about the future but about how far the similarities of this timeline and her timeline goes. He wanted to know more about if there were any difference with how his family came to be, Alice and Jasper's entrance into their lives, Bella's own story and everything else. Since Bella was familiar with all of their stories and how the family got together, they were able to exchange stories and compare notes. They then realized that except for the circumstances with the different mates and before Bella had arrived into their lives, everything else was exactly the same.

Unfortunately for Bella, they were both caught up with their discussion that they didn't realize that they had spent far longer time than necessary outside and Carlisle finally had to agree that they needed to go back and she was no longer able to have the talk with Alice.

Bella finally stood up from her bed and went about her morning routine, freshening up and getting ready for the day and as she started down the stairs, she was greeted with such a mundane sight.

Eleazar and Carlisle were in one corner playing Chess with the Denali sisters observing them, Emmett was flipping the channels in the large television while Rosalie snuggled beside him, reading the latest subscription of a car magazine, Jasper and Alice were nowhere to be found while she could hear Esme and Carmen milling about in the kitchen preparing food that she knew was for her.

It was just like any other ordinary human day if it weren't for the fact that the inhabitants of the house, except for Bella, weren't human at all.

"Good morning" She went straight to the kitchen where Esme was just setting a plate of bacon and eggs.

"Good morning, dear... would you like some milk, juice or coffee?" Esme asked while Bella sat down in the kitchen stool.

"Coffee would be fine. Thank you" there was a hint of surprise in Esme's eyes but she merely nodded and started to make one for her. Bella forgot that she was just a teenager and not yet a college student who prefers caffeine in the morning.

Bella was already done with her food and was just finishing her cup of coffee when Alice came inside the kitchen and leaned in the table across from Bella.

"Hey Alice, what's up?"

"I have news... Jasper and I went to get a hold of his contact and we should be able to get some information for you by... early tomorrow morning" the vampire beamed, clearly pleased with their accomplishment.

"Wow... that was fast" Bella was impressed. She was only hoping that at least by the time the week ended, she could find Caleb but she wasn't expecting them to be able to get answers for her right away.

"You said that you needed to find this woman right away and oh... you don't mind me helping Jasper, right?" Alice added.

"Of course not. I'm glad that you're there. Thank you, Alice." Bella understood why Alice was helping Jasper out even if he was the one that she had approached to ask for assistance. Alice was his mate and they were a package deal just as Bella was with her own mate.

"Where is Jasper, by the way?" Bella looked around, trying to at least get a glimpse of him or talk to him.

She was already starting to get used to the fact that this Jasper was off limits even if her heart still says otherwise. It didn't stop her however, from at least wanting to see him, knowing that it can at least take away some of the longing that she has while trying to find a way to get back to her own mate.

"Oh, he's in the living room with the rest of the boys. I just had to check on you to make sure you're okay"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Bella suddenly wondered, looking at Alice in confusion.

"Edward will be here in two hours" She replied as if it should be obvious enough.

"No… yeah… I'll be all right. I'm more worried about not having the opportunity to talk to you before Edward arrives". She replied instead, trying to dismiss the fact that she doesn't seem to be reacting the way she should be for a "woman who was about to see the man who had left and hurt her".

"I'm sure whatever you're supposed to say to me is not going to be that bad that it can't wait until he arrives." Bella thought that Alice couldn't be more wrong.

"Why don't I just think really hard about deciding to tell you what I wanted to say? In that way, you'll see a vision of our conversation." she suggested but Alice only shook her head.

"If it's really that important, is that really how you would want me to find out?" she did have a point and Bella sighed.

"Will the others also know about what you were supposed to say to me alone?" she asked curiously and Bella nodded.

Alice just grinned then. "Then I'll just have to wait along with everyone else."

Bella looked at her suspiciously. "I've never known you to be a patient person… especially when you're given the opportunity to be ahead of others about anything. You've seen something have you?" Bella eyed her and Alice turned serious.

"Let's just say that it's going to be much more convenient for everyone if we just all wait. As much as I'm dying to know what it is that you're keeping from us, this would be the best course of action. Besides, two hours isn't that long. I can wait till then"

Bella trusted Alice's judgement but she was also worried about Alice's reaction as much as Edwards. Bella herself, even if she had already accepted that Jasper has a different mate in this reality, she still can't get over the fact that in any reality, there would be another woman other than herself that would be Jasper's mate. It felt wrong for her, and to know that it was her sister to be begin with, made it even more complicated as it is.

The ladies in the kitchen had all retreated to the living room where the rest were waiting and they went about their normal routine as if there was nothing eventful that was going to happen later.

Bella envied the vampires who were able to just sit or stand still, content at their state until it was necessary for them to move. Ever since she turned back into a human, apparently that ability was lost too and she was suddenly fighting the urge to do something. Looking around, she spotted a book near the fireplace and started skimming it.

She tried reading the first few pages but couldn't concentrate. Bella unconsciously turned towards the wall clock and was surprised that only five minutes have passed since she opened the book. Was two hours really that long?

"Bella?" she turned towards the sound of Jasper's voice calling her name. He must have felt her anxiousness.

"Would you like me to teach you how to play chess? You know… to pass the time" Bella felt an artificial wave of calmness her way but it wasn't Jasper's gift that caused her anxiety to melt away, it was Jasper himself. Whenever they were together, they have relied on each other's strength. The presence of the other would always keep them grounded and calm and Bella was surprised that this Jasper was able to still make her feel that way even without feeling the mating bond.

She saw Carlisle in the corner looking at her worriedly. He was aware of Bella's predicament with Jasper and he was about to intervene when Bella gave him a small smile, hinting that she was going to be okay, before walking towards the chess table.

"I think I could use the distraction. Don't worry, I know how to play" That got Jasper to raise his eyebrow. "Really? Did Edward teach you chess behind our backs?" he teased.

"Nah, just something new that I've learned." Bella replied nonchalantly while they started assembling the pieces. She guessed that this Bella wasn't good at it then but she just kept quiet and she didn't have to tell him that it was his counterpart that taught her chess and she became very good at it the longer they were together. It became one of their favorite pastimes. Bella was familiar with Jaspers playing and she had mastered most of his moves, being taught by Jasper himself but this Jasper didn't know that and she was keeping it that way.

Alice jumped up and sat in the windowsill besides Jasper, content with observing their upcoming game while the others didn't pay them any mind but as soon as the first few pieces were moved, the rest stayed in their positions but their full attention suddenly turned towards the human and the vampire playing chess.

Jasper was surprised that Bella was countering all of his moves as if she knew where he was going to place the next piece. Bella on the other hand, was focused on the chess board and on the chess board alone. She didn't want to look up and be lost in the eyes of her mate's counterpart because this was something that she shared with her mate in an intimate level.

Jasper was the best among them of course, but there were times that Bella would get the one up and win one out of ten and that was a feat in itself. When those moments appear that she would get the upper hand, Jasper would always be turned on and they'd share passionate sex afterwards.

Bella squeezed her eyes shut, stopping any indecent thoughts before it could go on any further.

"Are you okay?" Jasper spoke.

Bella opened her eyes, took a deep breath and still did not look up to meet his face.

"Yeah, just got lost in thought a bit there… Where were we?"

"Your turn" Jasper pointed to the knight that he last moved.

Bella nodded and started her counter attack and after an hour, the other vampires were already gathered around them, impressed that Bella had held her own against Jasper for that long. Even Rosalie had stood behind the others to observe.

Esme had decided to bring some refreshments for Bella, in case she got thirsty. She thanked her but she barely touched it, focusing more on the game in front of her.

It wasn't just about how the game went on longer than they thought because as vampires, they'd be able to go at it for hours. It was how Bella was answering Jasper's attacks. There were only three other vampires that could give Jasper that kind of challenge. Alice, when she took the game seriously because of her visions, Edward for his mind reading ability and Carlisle who've had years of experience to make him a viable opponent. Bella was already on their level, and she was only a human who claimed that chess was something "new" to her.

Bella closed herself off on her surroundings. It was easier to do it because the vampires were watching them silently. It was as if there was no one around them anyway. The game kept her from overthinking about what was going to happen and she let herself be absorbed with what she was doing and let the years of practice and her knowledge of her mate and of the game, show.

There were only a few pieces left on the board and even if she no longer has her limitless vampire brain to aid her in remembering every chess moves that she had learned, her hand had a mind of its own and it moved in its own volition, knowing exactly where to go with every piece that Jasper moved.

The moment that Jasper captured Bella's knight, everyone knew who had won.

"Checkmate" Bella smiled triumphantly and it was only then that she looked up to see Jasper with his mouth hanging open in astonishment. It was a personal record for her and she knew that it wasn't supposed to count but she took it as still beating her Jasper anyway.

"I didn't know that you played chess" A voice that she hadn't heard for quite some time finally spoke just behind them and everyone turned around to see Edward, standing by the doorway, eyes only for Bella.

"Edward" she unconsciously whispered his name and something inside Bella stirred at the sight of the vampire who was supposed to be the mate of the body she was in.

Bella? She thought to herself. Are you there? He's finally here.

She didn't know if the Bella of this reality would be able to hear her or if she was just trapped inside while she took over the body but she addressed her, anyway. This was her personal mission before going back to her own future.

Everyone looked to be waiting on what's going to happen next but Bella and Edward were just staring at each other until finally Carlisle was the one who broke the tension.

"Why don't we give you two some space" he gestured for the others and slowly, they exited the room. Before Carlisle left with Esme, he turned towards Bella and gave her a reassuring nod.

"Will you all be nearby?" she asked the patriarch of the family.

"We'll still be in hearing range, don't worry" Bella looked relieved knowing that they wouldn't be really leaving them alone. She didn't really mind if the others didn't go but she was also glad that it was just her and him that will be in the room even if she knew the others are still somewhere around and will still be able to hear their conversation.

Edward tilted his head to the side and turned and there was a confused expression on his face while facing his father but Carlisle merely smiled at him apologetically before exiting and Bella knew that Carlisle was blocking his thoughts from the mind reader.

When it was just the two of them, Bella finally stood up and started clearing the pieces in the chess table, not sure on how to begin.

She wasn't quite sure how to start the conversation. She didn't want to scare Edward away by telling him onset that she wasn't his Bella but she couldn't as well launch herself at him and declare how much she misses him and love him and didn't want him to go away anymore.

Bella couldn't pretend to be in love with him because it wasn't her and it would defeat the purpose and even cause even more complications if later on, she was still going to end up telling him and the others about who she really was.

She could sense Edward observing her every move until she finally closed the chess board and set it aside. She then turned to face Edward while leaning against the table behind her.

Bella finally let herself study the vampire in front of her. He looked the same as the brother that she knew but even as a vampire that never changed, there was something in him that she had never seen from the Edward of her reality.

It seems that this Edward is being weighed down by his desire to "protect" Bella from being damned by his existence. She wondered what the Edward of her reality would say about his counterpart because the Edward that she knew, there was nothing holding him back, nothing that was keeping him from embracing the happiness of having a mate.

Bella suddenly felt that it was unfair that her mortality, or this Bella's mortality was an issue at all when she didn't have to go through all of that with her own mate because she was human too when they met. But then again, Jasper was brought up differently and they both came from different eras with different beliefs. Still, Edward's love for Bella should have been enough for him to fight for their love and not against it.

"There's one question that I've been wanting to ask." Bella finally started and it was something that she, personally wanted to know. Ever since she found out about Edward leaving her counterpart, she was only able to assume his reasoning based on what others had told her about him but he was here now and he'll be able to explain himself to her.

Edward placed his hands in his pockets and sighed. He looked like he wanted to reach out and go to her but was keeping himself from doing so.

Bella couldn't imagine how he could allow himself to be deprived of his mate. Why go through all the trouble of punishing himself?

"Go ahead" he urged.

It was almost a minute before she could respond.

"Why? "

Edward's head shot up and he stared at her with his brows furrowed.

"You know why… in the forest… I told you why I had to leave."

Now of course she wouldn't know. If it was between her counterpart and him, then that information was not available to her unless she'd be able to tap into the memories of this body and know exactly what happened to this Bella's life.

"No, I don't. I still don't understand so I want you to tell me now. Why leave?"

She almost demanded.

"It was the only way to protect you… to keep you away from being hurt" he reasoned.

The moment Edward said those words, a sudden memory flashed in her mind paired with a sudden surge of emotions that was not hers at all.

She gripped the edge of the table tighter and Edward saw the change and was suddenly looking at her worriedly.

"Bella, are you okay? "

She held up her hand at him and focused on the memory that was trying to surface.

It was a memory of her in a forest and she immediately realized that it wasn't hers at all when Edward was there in the memory. She didn't know how or why but somehow, with Edward there, the Bella in this timeline was now trying to come out but since she was still there inside her, she was only able to share her memories.

Bella was now being given firsthand knowledge of exactly what happened the day that Edward left and when that memory finally surfaced, the rest of the memories were finally flowing freely inside her mind.

Her eyes scrunched closed and her body buckled with the surge of memories that was overpowering her. She was not only seeing everything that her counterpart went through when Edward left but she was also feeling it.

She could sense Edward was already beside her but she could barely focus on Edward trying to call out her name when she was experiencing all of Bella's emotions and memories at the same time.

All of her pain, her loss, her emptiness from the moment that Edward left and the months thereafter, she was now experiencing and it was too much for her. She barely registered herself already kneeling on the ground while she clutched her chest, panting, trying to get a hold of the emotions flowing in the body that she was in.

Was this really how Bella felt? She'd heard it from Charlie and she knew that it was bad but this was something else. How could a human feel this much pain? She was surprised that this Bella was able to survive it all. She was right to be grateful of Jacob and the people around her who had seemed to keep this Bella from… letting go.

She was scared of the feeling. Ever since she heard what this Bella had experienced, she'd feared it. She didn't want to experience it but now, she didn't have any choice. She thought about the pain of the transformation. She'd lived, or technically, died through that, but that was necessary for her to be with her mate and new family and she was thankful that she wouldn't have to go through all of that ever again. This, whatever this is that she was feeling was a whole different level altogether.

"Bella! Bella! What's wrong?! Please… talk to me" She could hear Edward's frantic voice in the background but the pounding in her heart was too strong that it was getting difficult to breath with all the pain and the memories that she's being shown. This was Bella in her darkest moment in her life, and she was reliving it.

"Carlisle! Help!" From behind her tear-soaked eyes, she could see a figure in front of her and she wasn't sure if it was still Edward. She wanted to cry out but she held it in, trying to stay strong for herself and for the Bella inside her.

"Bella? I'm here" Bella heard Carlisle's worried voice from underneath all the pain.

Not too soon, she felt a sudden wave of calmness that was trying to break through the feelings that the Bella inside her was giving her and instead of accepting the relief, she rejected it right away.

"No..." she gritted her teeth. She turned towards Jasper who was leaning against Alice's small frame. Jasper was being overwhelmed by her emotions and he was trying to get through to her and as much as she wanted the pain to go away, something inside her was stopping it.

"It's okay Bella… Jasper is just trying to help." Edward was trying to say. His words opened up another whole new emotion that was still not hers, anger. She looked up and stared him in the eye.

She had been disappointed and at a disbelief that Edward could easily leave his mate just like that but what she's feeling towards him now, was more than just annoyance. The Bella inside her was definitely manifesting her anger. She knew that she hadn't been able to really let out her feelings about what happened when he left and she had the right to be angry. Now, she was given that opportunity and for once, Bella allowed the feelings to take over.

"I don't want Jasper to take away my pain, I want him to show you my pain..." Bella finally found the words to say to him. "You told me that when you leave, it will be as if you never existed… that because I'm 'just' a human, all of these… everything that I felt… will just fade away in time... How dare you think that my love for you can easily just be erased by my humanity?!"

Edward winced at the hostility of Bella's tone but he merely bowed his head as he knelt in front of her, accepting everything that she was telling him.

"I'm only trying to protect you..." He said softly.

"Stop trying to protect me!" Bella suddenly burst out. "I didn't love you because you could protect me from harm! I loved you because of you! Even when you think that you didn't deserve to be loved, when you think that you're a monster... I love you because I never believed that you were any of those! Deep down, I know that you are a caring, genuine and strong person! But you keep condemning yourself and depriving yourself the chance at happiness because you think that you don't deserve it!"

"The more I stay by your side, the more I'm putting you in danger. I don't want you getting hurt" Edward tried to explain himself.

Now that Bella was able to see and feel what the Bella in this timeline experienced, she understood her better. She felt her love for Edward better. It wasn't at all different from what she feels for her own mate and she was able to convey what she needed to say to him as a Bella who had been able to find happiness from her own mate and as the person who was speaking in behalf of this Bella's timeline and she was not happy at Edward at all.

"You don't want me getting hurt yet that was exactly what you did, the moment you chose to stay away" Her words stung like venom and Edward was silent.

The pain that she was feeling earlier was slowly subsiding or maybe she was just slowly getting used to it, maybe she was allowing Jasper to calm her down, or maybe the Bella inside of her just really needed to release all of that anger inside her... maybe a bit of all of it but one thing was for sure, this was the chance that she was waiting for, to talk to Edward, to set things straight. Especially now that the inner Bella was finally able to communicate with her, even by just sharing her feelings. She knows what Bella wants.

"Tell me, why did you return?" She asked him directly.

He looked at her as if the answer was obvious.

"I wanted to make sure that Victoria was not going to cause you any more trouble." he ran his hand through his hair.

"Was that really the only reason?" when she didn't get a response, she continued. "And then what? What were you going to do after?"

Edward still didn't answer so she answered for him.

"You were going to leave again, won't you?" His father and the rest who were their looked at Edward disbelievingly. Bella almost forgot that they were there but she didn't pay them any mind.

"It's for the best" he told her sadly.

Bella ran her hand through her long hair in frustration. "Oh, Come on! Ugh! I can't believe your mate is this stubborn Bella!" She though aloud in annoyance.

That got her a strange look from those around them, except for Carlisle.

She decided that it was time for her to reveal herself. Edward was here inside the house with Carlisle, Alice and Jasper and the rest, she knew was just somewhere nearby listening in. If he was going to run away, they'll be able to stop him.

Bella studied Edward again. Maybe she was looking at this all wrong. She was afraid Edward would run away if he knew that she was not her Bella but what if, this would exactly be the reason that he would stay? Edward would be too curious to know what happened to her and she'll be able to take this opportunity to convince him that being with his mate was the right thing to do.

Bella couldn't feel her counterpart's emotions anymore. She was on her own now.

Both of them were still on the ground after her outburst earlier and Bella leaned in closer to him until their faces were just inches away from each other.

"Look at me and tell me Edward... what do you see?" This was the Bella of the future talking and if Bella and Edward's bond was really strong, he'd know something was off. He'll feel it, he'll sense it no matter how much he wanted to deny and stay away from her, she is still his mate through and through.

That was what she realized with the Jasper in this reality as well. Even when she was still drawn to the man, something was still different. She was only affected by him because every time she looks at him, she would always think about her own mate but if she allowed herself to look at him as the Jasper of this reality, she knew in her heart that he wasn't her mate and Edward should be able to feel the same way too.

Edward stared at her for a long time, unsure of what he was supposed to "see" until he finally spoke.

"I see... you" but the last words, Bella sense him hesitate and she knew that she was right.

"I knew it. Carlisle, he knows there's something wrong." Bella told her second father without breaking eye contact with Edward whose brows were now furrowed with confusion.

"Are you sure?" Bella nodded.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand" Edward was now confused.

"Go ahead Carlisle" she addressed Carlisle and to Edward she spoke while his expression slowly changed from confusion to shock.

"I'm not her, Edward... I'm not your Bella"

Author's note: Thank you all for all the love! Now, I now that we've all been anticipating the confrontation and it turned out to be too short O_O sorry about that but don't worry... there's still more. The present Bella just needed the opportunity to vent out what she really felt which she was not really able to do before and I believe having the future Bella there with her was able to help her in finally being able to do just that... even for just a moment anyways, future Bella still needs to say her piece and I'll have the next chapter ready for that. Hope you all enjoy!