100

"I missed you so much it physically hurt at times," Bella whispers into the dark. "I didn't know that happened when a mated couple is separated for an extended amount of time."

We spent our allotted alone time in bed, barely able to tear ourselves away from each other, when the girls got home from Cora's. They brought fixings for sundaes and a movie they borrowed from Emmett's extensive collection.

To be honest, I have no idea what it was about or even the name of it. Bella bundled up in her warmest clothing and spent the entire movie in my lap, brushing her lips over my skin, making me shiver and driving me wild. By the time the girls called it a night, I was ready for another round with my vampire.

"I was miserable," I tell her. "Barely able to hold it together for the girls at times."

"Hmm. So it's not just an immortal thing."

"Evidently not. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep without you, Bella."

She looks up. "I'm home now, and wild wolves couldn't tear me away."

"Good because I don't think I could survive it."

A soft knock on the door gets our attention.

"It's the girls," Bella whispers.

"Who else would it be?"

She giggles.

"Hey, is everyone decent?" Alice calls.

"Come in."

They shuffle inside.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, we just wanted to talk to you guys about something."

Angela glowers at her sister. "And apparently, it couldn't wait until tomorrow."

"Nope. It's now or never." Alice skips forward and reaches for the edge of the comforter but stops. "You guys aren't naked under here, are you?"

"No, Ali." Bella laughs.

She wastes no time climbing in next to me and tells her sister to do the same.

"You're being ridiculous, Alice," Angela grumbles but snuggles into Bella's side.

"What's going on, Rabbit? Your heart is hammering in your chest."

"I-uh ... I mean, we—"

"Jesus," Alice exclaims. "We want to visit V.C and start the application process. Now."

Angela nods. "I would like to have my bond with Ben tested." Her face pinches, and she blinks away tears. "I'd hate to waste both our time if we aren't true mates."

"Rabbit—"

"Angela is being paranoid. Some chick who works down at Stanley's has a crush on Ben. She talks a lot of shit—"

"Mary Alice."

"Sorry, Dad. She talks a lot of bullcrap about Angela at school, and it's making her question things."

"Oh, Rabbit." Bella hugs Angela tightly. "Don't let anyone tell you how to feel. You and Ben have a connection. Anyone can see that. They'd be stupid not to."

Angela wipes her eyes. "I'd still like to make it official. So can we get the ball rolling, or are you going to make us wait until we're eighteen?"

Bella looks at me expectantly, and I take a deep breath. "I'll take Monday off from work, and we'll all visit the fourth floor together. As a family."