I sank into the rather soft couch and looked around me. Edwards entire family was either staring at him or me. Alice was perched on the armrest next to me; Jasper was shifting slightly behind her. Esme sat next to me, and Carlise stood next to her. Rosalie was pointedly staring at the wall, but I noticed her gaze was directed a mirror reflecting Edward's face. Emmett looked torn between waiting for me to do something funny and talking to Rosalie.

"Told you so." Alice simply stated. She obviously knew exactly what had happened between us.

"I'm still not changing her into a vampire. No matter what you saw." Edward stated point blank. "Besides, we need to deal with the mutts first."

"Ah, that's why my vision disappeared. You're going to do something with the werewolves." Edward looked at Alice, listening to her story about how she found out that she couldn't see werewolves. When I had jumped off the cliff.

"Wait, the mutt saved her? Then why did he attack her?" Edward quickly saw the story in Alice's mind.

"Well it sounds like he wants to kill me as much as I want to kill him. That won't be a problem."

"Wait, wait- stop it Edward! You are not allowed to hurt Jacob! It was my fault; he didn't like my reaction to you. Besides, it's not that bad."

"He could've killed you! I won't let him get that close again. Also, he did it because he didn't like your reaction to me? Sounds like he thinks more than just friends Bella!"

"He does, but that's because he's a stupid teenage boy. And my inept flirting the one time probably didn't help. He won't do it again Edward. I've been around Werewolves all the time and nothing's happened." I shoved the image of Emily out of my mind.

Edward breathed deeply.

"How much would it bother you if I killed him Bella?"

"A lot. I love you Edward. But I love him to, not the same way but he's like my brother." I hoped Edward noted the 'like my brother part'.

"Alice?"

"I can sort of see around it, but not very well Edward. If you kill him, Bella will forgive you eventually. But it will take a long time and she won't be the same for even longer. If he kills you, well, you can see what happens to her." Alice held caution in her eyes; she was trying to tell Edward something without my noticing. This probably wouldn't be that hard considering he could read her mind.

"Edward, please don't kill him!"

"I've noticed you don't seem worried at all about me being killed. Do you want me to die? I know you love me and all, but I've put you through a lot." Edward looked like he was trying to figure out a complicated math problem in his head.

I grabbed his shoulder and looked straight into his eyes. He needed to hear me and believe me.

"Never Edward. If you died I would die." Rosalie snorted in the background disdainfully. "The only thing that kept me alive and sane all this time was the thought that you were out there somewhere. I if I were to lose you so completely it would kill me." I wanted to kiss him so badly just then, but part of my mind was telling me right now in front of his whole family during this particular discussion was not the best time.

"Then why do you only seem worried about Jacob?"

"Because I have no doubt you could kill him." I stated it like it was the obvious, which obviously it was.

Emmett laughed so loud it was like the room was shaking. After an awkward moment Alice, Carlise, Esme, and Jasper started to as well. Rosalie still stared at the wall, a decided anger in her face.

Edward chuckled lightly, and brushed his lips against my forehead. I could tell this argument was over. Edward would leave Jake alone, for now.

Alice and Edward took me home. At first Edward walked toward his Volvo, but then I reminded him that it was supposed to be in LA with Carlise right now, and that he couldn't possibly have taken it on the 'plane' with him.

I locked my hands around his neck as we flew through the forest, Alice just behind us. Edward didn't seem as keen to get to my house as he had been to get to his, so she was able to keep pace with him. Almost.

It felt like the past six months had never happened, and I could almost convince myself they were just a bad dream.

As we approached the house Edward slowed down and Alice fell in next to us and we all moved at a human pace along the street up to my house in case Charlie was watching.

As soon as we were at the front door I saw a head pop out around the kitchen curtains. And almost instantaneously my dad was out the door yelling. I could almost believe he was a vampire himself with how fast he moved.

As we stood in the door way Charlie immediately turned his fury on Edward.

"You are never to come through this door again! You get away from her!" Charlie went to rip Edwards arm off my shoulder, but Edward moved away just fast enough to avoid contact between Charlie's warm hand and his own cold skin. I felt the loss of contact with him like fire. I needed him back.

Edward nodded once at Charlie, to signal he had gotten the message and turned around. As he went to go my heart felt like someone was punching me.

"I'll be in your room" he whispered in a barely audible tone as he went by. I immediately felt better. I couldn't wait to see him, but I knew I'd have to face a fight with Charlie before going upstairs.

I walked in and Alice plopped down on the couch- claiming to be 'exhausted and went right to sleep. Perfect. Charlie wouldn't be able to yell.

I walked up to my room, satisfied at how well I had been able to convince Charlie that grounding me or forbidding me to see Edward wouldn't work or would force me to move out. He wasn't happy, but he wasn't going to risk that either.

I opened my door, and looked around. No one seemed to be around. I went to the window and opened it, letting the cold air in.

"Edward?"

"Yes?" his voice startled me, I expected him to be outside but instead he was standing behind me in the middle of the room. A hint of a smile traced his lips as I jumped backwards; hit the back of my knee on the windowsill; and yelped.

"Are you all right Bella?"

I walked over to him, and touched his arm gently. Just checking.

"I'm perfect."

"Yes, you are." And with that he kissed my lips for the first time since he left. It was slightly more timid than before, like he wasn't sure where his boundary was anymore. I took advantage of this and pushed my lips harder against his. Edward stopped me far sooner than he usually would.

His arms pushed my chin back, but continued to hold me softly.

"I forgot how strong your blood is" ah so that was what was wrong. He was thirsty; his eyes being coal black hadn't registered earlier.

"I trust you"

"Even after I left?" his voice grew cold

"You came back." I put a hand on his chin and forced him to look at me. "That's the point"

"You love me more than I deserve." He looked away again.

"I think you deserve it." I moved closer to him, still staring at his face

"Would you believe me if I told you I love you to, even after all of this?" He refused to meet my gaze.

"You already did."

"Yeah, but do you believe me?"

"Yes" he finally met my gaze, and brought his lips to mine again.