Return to Forks

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

A/N Thank you to all the lovely people reading this and those of you who take the time to review.
Thanks to twilight-is-lovee. You should read her stories - one word, WOW!!
You should also thank her for adding in the last line of this chapter. You'll know
what I mean when you read it. =]

Chapter 12: Is it love?

Bpov

I said goodbye to Jacob and said I'd see him again soon ... hopefully. I got in my truck and checked the time.

Fudge! It was almost seven. I thought I'd better call Edward or he really would have a search party sent out for me.

I dialed his number, and he picked up on the second ring.

"Bella." He sighed in relief. "I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming back. I was just about to get in my car and head to La Push."

"Edward, calm down. I just lost track of the time. I'm on my way to your house now. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

"Bella . . ." He paused and seemed to be about to say something else. "Never mind, I'll tell you some other time."

"Erm, okay. See you soon."

"Be safe, Bella," he said before hanging up the phone.

I sighed. Those two simple words made my stomach flutter. His voice was filled with so much emotion. It was as if I was causing him pain just being away from him. I knew he wouldn't be happy until I was in his arms.

I feel sorry for the guys because they had to deal with a stressed out Edward. I can imagine him now, pinching the bridge of his nose or rubbing his temples, pacing up and down the floor, wearing a hole in it.

Before long, I was driving up the Cullens' long drive. As soon as I was parked, Edward was at my truck door, opening it and gathering me into his arms. He held me tightly to him and breathed me in. He planted light kisses on my face and hands and then crushed me against him again.

"Bella, you have no idea how much I missed you. It makes me anxious being away from you." He stared at me with his concern-filled eyes. I noticed a hint of relief in his eyes also.

Was he relieved that I came back safely or that I came back at all? Did he really think I would leave him for someone else? If only he knew how much I needed him. He would probably run screaming if he knew just how deeply I cared for him after such a short time.

I couldn't love him yet . . . Could I?

I thought about when I would know if I loved Edward or not. Would I just wake up someday and think, Yeah, I love Edward?

I mean you hear in stories all the time about how it was love at first sight. It was like an arrow through the heart, and – poof! – you just know that you love that person and want to be with them forever.

I didn't believe in love at first sight. How can you love someone if you only know what they look like? I believe that you have to get to know the person before being able to love them. You have to learn about their life experiences and what sort of person they are.

Of course, there can be an attraction when you first meet someone. I know I was most certainly attracted to Edward when I first met him, but I didn't know anything about him. For all I know he could've been a jerk. I took the time to get to know him, and luckily for me, I discovered him to be the most kind, caring, and gentle person I knew.

He was funny, intelligent, and gorgeous. He made me feel like the best person in the world. I was truly myself whenever I was with him. We had so much fun together, and I loved just being around him. When I was with him, it was like no one else existed. It's only us two in our own little world.

Is that love?

I knew that I needed Edward in my life. I couldn't imagine it without him.

It can't be love yet, but it's pretty damn close.

I decided I would talk to Alice; she'd help me sort out my thoughts.

"Bella?" Edward's velvety voice snapped me out of my reverie. "You okay? You seemed to be a million miles away."

"Huh?" I looked at him, confused, until what he said registered with me. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking."

"About?"

"You and me." Worry flashed across his face, and he tried to hide it, but when I smiled at him and kissed him, he smiled his gorgeous, crooked smile.

I looked around myself and noticed we were in his bedroom. When did we get there? I was so absorbed in my thoughts I didn't even notice us coming in from outside.

"Actually Edward, I need to talk to you about something."

Again, I saw worry on his face, but this time, I also saw pain.

"About?" His voice sounded pained.

"About Jacob." He simply nodded, unable to say anything.

"Edward," I tried to reassure him. "I have a fair idea of what you're thinking right now, and you need to stop. I'm not leaving you for Jacob Black. I will never ever think of him more than just a friend. I just want your approval of our friendship."

His entire body seemed to relax apart from his face. His jawbone was tensed, and the vein in his forehead was pulsing.

"Bella. Did you not listen to a word Jasper said this morning?"

"Edward, we had this conversation already. Didn't I tell you that you could've been mistaken? I asked Jacob about it, and he explained everything to me."

"I'm sure he did. I'm sure he could be a pretty good liar when he wants to be. Bella, you are not going to see him again." He shouted the last bit.

Did he just forbid me from seeing Jacob?

"That's it, Edward!" I roared back. "Your disapproval of our friendship isn't going to stop me from seeing him. You cannot keep me here forever, and Charlie will want to visit the Blacks sometime. They'll also come up from La Push to see Charlie." I lowered my voice. "It would just be easier for me if you approved, Edward. I don't want this to come between us."

"I don't want this to come between us, either, Bella. It's just . . . I'm scared." He lowered his eyes and I thought I saw tears in them.

"Why, Edward? Tell me. You have no reason to be." I walked over to him and cradled him to my chest. I kissed his head and rubbed soothing circles on his back.

"Bella, I'm scared that you'll leave me for him. I would try to respect your decision, but inside, I'd be dying. I need you, Bella. God knows I do. I've never felt like this before. These feeling I have for you are . . . well . . . they're so strong, it scares me. I'm scared of what I'll become if you leave me."

Edward was pouring out his heart and soul to me, and my feelings for him increased ten-fold. He shared his real feelings and his insecurities with me. I took his face in my hands gazed deeply into his eyes, trying to express the feelings I wasn't ready to say yet.

"Edward, believe me when I say you have no reason to be scared. I need you, too. When I'm away from you, it's like a part of me is missing, but then when I'm with you, everything's okay. When I'm with you, I feel like all my problems will sort themselves out. You make me feel . . . I don't know . . . It's hard to explain. You make me feel like . . . like me. Does that make sense?"

"Perfect sense." He stared at me, his emerald eyes smoldering. I leaned into him, intoxicated by eyes, his smell, his very presence. I leaned in closer to him, my breathing becoming heavier. I noticed he stopped breathing.

"Breathe, Edward," I chuckled. It thrilled me to know that I had that effect on him. Usually he was the one who had to remind me to breath.

His eyes darted from my eyes, to my lips, and back again. I moistened my lips and saw him do the same. He inched closer, tilting his head slightly. My lips were on his and they moved together as one. His tongue brushed against my lower lip and I granted it access. Our tongues moved together in a dance of passion and want. He deepened the kiss, pulling me closer to him. I became bolder as I pulled up his shirt. He groaned as I moved my hands over the perfect contours of his body. His hands roamed over my back, my hair and stopped on my thighs. He gripped them and I wrapped my legs around his body.

We were both so consumed with our passion that we didn't hear the door open.

"I think they made up, guys," I heard Alice's soprano voice yell.

We pulled apart and grinned stupidly at each other, both of us panting heavily. Alice was smiling at us both.

"We heard the shouting from downstairs and then we got worried when there was silence. We thought Bella might have attacked you with a sharp object in her rage. I come up here to see if you needed help, and what do I find? Bella attacking you. Although I think you may have attacked me if I attempted to tear you guys apart. Well anyway, I've also come to take Bella from you for a while. We haven't had a good long gossip session in a while. Bella needs some time with her girlfriends."

Edward held me tighter to him and I wrapped my arms around him. Alice somehow managed to pull me from his arms. It's amazing how strong that little pixie is. She dragged me out of the room but not before I kissed Edward goodbye. I followed her to her room and locked the door. Rose was already there in her PJs. They ordered me to get changed, and when I was done, they sat me down. They hovered over me like vultures do their prey.

"So, Bella. Is it love yet?" they asked simultaneously.

"Yes," I whispered.

A/N Oh my God! Even I didn't know that was going to happen! lol So what do you guys think? Review and let me know. Some people are telling me to not make Jacob evil well I haven't even decided myself if he is or not. Jacob is involved in what I've got planned for this story but strictly speaking it's not his fault.

Helen =]