Burning Candles

Summary: (Set during Twilight) Curious because of Edward's strange behavior towards her, Bella decides on her second day in Forks to confront him and decides to pay him a visit… to his house. She never expected him to attack her though.

Chapter 4: If I Could

I blinked.

A couple of times, I wasn't sure what I was doing, but I was just standing in the middle of the family room, the rest of the Cullen family walking around. Shouldn't they be at school? It was a perfectly fine day outside—sunny and warm—and yet all of my new family was inside, even Carlisle. It was so strange to see them all milling around the house this early in the morning and yet I was clueless to why they were just inside. Usually Jasper, Emmett, Edward, Carlisle, and Rosalie were gone from the house at the crack of dawn while Alice and Esme stayed home to help out with my change to life. I was not allowed out of the house on my own, but I was usually too scared to go outNeedless to say, I haven't made my way out of the house on my own quite yet. Now, I stood completely idle while the rest of the family moved happily throughout the house. I just did not get them at all.

"Bella, are you alright?" Jasper questioned softly and I turned around to look at him.

I shrugged. "I guess not, I'm just confused that's all."

"About what?" Rosalie joined the conversation; she was clad in black jeans and a blue t-shirt with an over-sized sweat-shirt over it. I had never seen her so relaxed before. "You know you can always just come to one of us if you are confused." She added lightly.

"Why are you guys here?" I blurted out. So much for not being blunt. I stood there totally embarrassed at my slip of the tongue when Rosalie started laughing and walked off muttering: "I guess Edward hasn't told her about that yet." Jasper stood there, a smirk across his features and rested a hand upon my shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant, why are you guys not at school?"

He shook his head, a smile crossing his face. "I'll tell Edward to tell you."

"Hmph! Why is it a secret or something Jasper?" I argued.

"Yes," he agreed. "It's a secret."

And with that, I was left alone again in the middle of the room. I sighed and looked over at Esme who was standing in the kitchen writing something down on a piece of paper. I was debating whether or not to go over there and ask her about why everybody was home when somebody tapped me on the shoulder non-discreetly. "Ah!" I shouted and flinched as I turned around to face the person.

Edward stood there with a smirk clear on his face. "I heard you were confused."

"Definitely," I agreed. "But you don't have to scare me like that you know."

Ever since Laurent, Victoria, and James had visited and we had started to talk to each other, Edward and I had become friends. We were very close but it was nothing more than a friendship… for now. We had been playing 'Truth' for the past few weeks and I was glad that I could count of Edward when I was confused about things. He wasn't anything like I had first suspected him to be when I had met him on my first day in Forks. He was a nice guy who was funny and lively. I understood why he had avoided me and I was actually glad that he opened up to me. It was great having Edward as a close friend just like the rest of the family. Needless to say, I was glad to have such a wonderful and caring new family.

"Sorry," he apologized. "Jasper just told me that you wanted to know something." I nodded and waited for him to continue. "You know, I was thinking about telling you and just explaining it but I think that it would be better if I just showed you."

"Showed me what?" I asked tentatively.

He smirked and I knew he wasn't going to tell me. "Well, I guess you'll just have to see for yourself Bells."

"Well then," I said boldly, "show me."

"C'mon." He ordered and grabbed my hand as he intertwined our fingers. It wasn't anymore then a friendly hand… holding. I knew that much, I knew that Edward would probably never really like me like that. He had so many other options—he could fall in love with a human if he really wanted too! He pulled me towards the garage and we didn't even need to go outside. He released my hand and opened the passenger door for me. I was glad when I slipped into the dark car, noting that it wasn't Edward's usual Volvo.

"Hmm. You got an upgrade?" I questioned playfully.

Edward scowled. "Oh Bella, you're just too funny." Edward said dryly and I laughed at his sarcasm. I was used to how sarcastic he would be on some occasions. He put the key into the ignition and backed out of the garage and before I knew it, the visor above my seat was pulled down. "Close your eyes."

"Huh?" I mumbled stupidly. "What are you talking about?"

"Close your eyes Bella." Edward commanded and with a sigh, I gently closed my eyes.

I folded my arms across my chest and sighed again, this time catching Edwards' attention. "I don't understand why I have to close my eyes, I just don't. Edward, is there something that you're hiding from me? Like an ex-lover that you want me to meet?" I teased and I heard Edward laugh under his breath.

"Actually it's a surprise, but I assure you it's not an ex-lover. I already told you that I haven't been in love before. Anyways, is it your turn or my turn to ask the question?" Edward asked and I shrugged. "I assume it's my turn."

"Probably." I breathed.

"Alright…" I could hear the car speeding up and I scowled. Charlie being a police man had really had effects on me. I hated driving fast and Edward new that… even if I had been changed. "So, are your parents divorced?"

I would have looked at him skeptically if I could have opened my eyes. Instead I just smirked. "Yes, they are divorced."

"Then why do you keep your fathers' name?" Edward asked and I rolled my eyes under my closed eye-lids. I was used to him always asking two questions when it was only supposed to be one. Edward had a habit of that. I usually just answered them, but now it was kind of annoying.

"Edward," I warned. "Please refrain yourself to only one question per turn."

"You sound like my mom." Edward teased and I knew that he was looking over at me. "Just answer the question Isabella Marie Swan."

I held my hands up defensively and my smirk turned into a smile, my eyes were still closed. I could feel the car come to a stop and I folded my arms across my chest once more. "Fine, fine but this is the last time Edward." I knew he was grinning as I heard him open the passenger door and grab my hand. "Where are we going?"

"I'll tell you once you answer my question."

I sighed. "Well when my parents divorced I still had the 'Swan' last name because it had been my name my whole life. I was given a choice to take my mothers' name or my fathers' name and even though I went with my mother, I decided to keep my fathers' name. It was really a mutual decision; my mom said it would be better if I didn't take my step dads' name." I shrugged as he picked me up. "I don't know why she said that though."

"I guess it's a mystery." Edward breathed and that was when I realized that we were running somewhere. I tightened my grip on his neck until he gently put me down. I let go and staggered away from him. "We're here."

I realized that we were standing in a meadow under the shade of the trees. I rolled my eyes. "You've gone crazy, haven't you?" I accused lightly.

Edward didn't say anything, he just pushed me lightly out from under the shade. "I'm sure that I haven't gone completely insane Bella. It must be you." He shot back and I laughed before I realized that it was sunny and I was standing out in the exposed sun. Every little piece of skin that was kissed by the sun was shining—shining so bright that I had no idea what was going on, so I hid behind Edward, knowing that it really wasn't going to do anything. "What are you doing Bella?"

"There's something wrong with me!" I yelped and buried my head in his back.

Edward laughed and I glared at his back. This was not a laughing matter! There might have been something very horrible happening to me and yet—he was laughing at me! "Bella, there's nothing wrong with you, that's what I wanted to show you. This is why we stay inside on a sunny day." He grabbed my hand and led me out towards the sunny meadow. I looked over at him and he was shining also. He sat us down in the middle of the meadow.

"What's going on?" I asked softly.

"If you're thinking about vampires being burnt by the sun—that's a myth." Edward explained. "What happens when we walk into the sun is we shine, very very brightly. It's kind of weird if you think about it, but it's the truth." I rolled my eyes good-naturedly at him. "Anyways this is why we don't go to school on a sunny day, do you know how many people would ask why we're glittering?"

"Uh-huh," I replied truthfully. "So you're telling me to not go out on a sunny day or else."

"True," he answered.

I nodded. "Okay, I got it." I looked up at the sky and smiled before deciding to change the subject. "This meadow is very beautiful Edward, when did you find it?"

Edward shrugged. "Awhile ago, although I haven't been back here for a long time."

"I see." I said simply and turned towards him, my smile turning into a smirk. "I believe it's my turn to ask you a question Mister Cullen." He smiled and nodded. "If you could redo anything, what would it be?" I asked lightly and Edward just sat there for a second, not moving a muscle.

His smirk turned into a frown and he looked at me for a couple of seconds. I thought he was going to tell me that that was a stupid question, but he didn't. "I would redo damning you to eternity the second day you were in Forks. You don't deserve a life like this Bella." He replied truthfully and I turned towards him, starring at him with wide eyes. "I should have just resisted my thirst for human blood like I had been doing for the past one hundred years… but then you came and I just couldn't. I wish I hadn't done it, you should have just had a normal life like everybody else."

"I—I…" Finding nothing to say—which was usual for me—I turned my head away from him and starred at the tree as if it were something that was really interesting. I finally slowly turned my head towards him and I noticed that his glance wasn't off me. "What are you starring at?" I asked, trying to lighten up the mood.

He sensed the tension, I could feel it. "Nothing, just you."

"Oh? So I'm nothing then?" I countered.

"Maybe," he smirked and grabbed my hand gently. "Just kidding, you're something."

"Hmmm! I don't think that I am just something Edward." I said as he stroked the back of my hand, tracing his fingers on my pale skin. I shivered at his touch, but tried to restrain it. "I think I am much more then just something."

"Of course Bella," he said distantly. "You are much more then just something."

He looked up at me and I looked back at him, starring into his topaz eyes. I wondered what he was thinking and I wondered if he was wondering what I was thinking also. I looked down at our intertwined hands and reminded myself that we were just friends and nothing more. I looked back at him and smiled slightly. "What?" I questioned softly and he just shook his head.

"Nothing." Edward replied simply.

It wasn't until two days after visiting the meadow that I ventured out on my own.

I guess I have to admit that I was kind of scared that I would do something if I went out on my own, but nothing seemed to happen when a human walked past me. I had given up the offer of using a car from Jasper and Emmett and Edward. They had all asked if I wanted too and I had said simple: 'no', I would rather just walk. As soon as I was out of the house, I was walking towards Charlie's house before I even knew it. It was strange seeing Charlie's house from afar and also seeing it finally in a long time. I stared at it for awhile until I heard a car door slam and I whirled around to meet a young boy's eye. I was not tempted at all when his scent drafted over towards me, I was just surprised that he had stopped and wanted to talk to me.

"Who are you?" I hissed—not meaning for it to be mean or anything.

He held up his hands defensively. "I thought you wouldn't remember me, but I'm guessing that you're Bella Swan." I nodded and he smiled a crookedly smile and it almost looked like the one that Edward wore sometimes. "I'm Jacob Black; you bought my dads' truck. Does Billy Black ring a bell? I don't think that you remember me. You probably remember my sisters' though."

"Rebecca and Rachel." I suddenly recalled and I looked at him strangely, there was something odd about this boy, but I couldn't seem to figure out why he was so weird. He smelled distinctly and it was a bad scent. "What are you doing here?" I furrowed my brow.

"I was just looking for you." He replied. "Charlie told me you had moved out, but I guess you're back?"

"I didn't move out," I shot back, trying to figure out what was wrong with this kid. He smelled so weird and yet it was a familiar scent that I was used too… where was it from? "Well, I guess I did." I admitted and he nodded. His scent was overwhelming, but he seemed like a good kid. "I'm thinking about moving back in, but Charlie and I just didn't get along. So I decided that if I wanted to still live in Forks, I would have to move out. So… that's exactly what I did." I lied through my clenched teeth and Jacob nodded again, once. "Charlie's fine with it though."

"I see," he answered. "I haven't seen you in awhile, that's why I'm here."

"It's been awhile Jacob." I agreed and half-smiled.

"It definitely has," Jacob replied and smiled at me in a crooked smile that I sometimes found Edward wearing. I tried to bit back my comments and it worked. "So what's new about you? I've been looking for you everywhere and I couldn't find you, I'm so glad that I caught you this time though."

I laughed; it was a very natural laugh, something I was used too. It wasn't forced or anything. "I've just been busy with school and friends and extra clubs and all that after-school junk. You know how it is?" I said and Jacob nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, same here." Jacob said and looked around the street. "You want to go somewhere Bella?" He asked and I nodded because it was true, I did want to learn more about Jacob and his weird—scent. He smiled and led me towards his car.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked Edward as I entered the house a couple of hours after meeting Jacob. He wasn't as bad as he seemed and we had agreed to meet once more. "You look distant or something. Actually," I decided. "You look repulsed."

"There's something wrong," Edward turned to Alice who was standing next to him. "Do you smell that?"

"What? Is it me?" I asked lightly.

Alice closed her eyes and shook her head quickly. "It's faint, I'm sure that we're just sensing something that's wrong Edward," they were speaking as if I was not in the room. I shook my head and slipped off my jacket. "It has to be wrong, Bella would never do that." She mumbled—it was probably intended for me not to hear, but it was easy for me to hear her with the enhanced senses.

"Possibly." Edward agreed. "But you never know."

"Edward," Esme appeared out of nowhere. "Don't just jump to conclusions. Bella, darling why don't you go upstairs and visit with Jasper or Rosalie…" I looked at her strangely and then nodded, knowing that it was the right thing to just go with her. I walked up the stairs softly and walked over towards Alice and Jaspers' room. I knocked on the door and Jasper opened the door slightly. He smiled and greeted me before letting me in.

"Hey Jasper, Esme told me to come and visit you." I said and sat down in the chair in the corner of the room. "So I did." I smiled at him as he laughed at my joke.

"I'm glad that you finally decided to pay me a visit." He teased and then he sniffed the air. He furrowed his brow and looked at me sharply. "Bella, would you like this explain why you reek of werewolf?"

I sat there completely still. He had not just said what I thought he said… did he? He just said that I reeked of werewolf? So there were more then just vampires in Forks? I never thought Forks would be the place for all these—not so—mythical creatures. I looked at him, my eyes wide when I heard Carlisle's voice ringing throughout the house. Jasper grabbed my hand gently before pulling me down the stairs. I was surprised to see that all the rest of the family was already there.

"It's a family meeting," Carlisle said in greeting and I sat down at the end of the table.

"What's going on?" I asked meekly.

Edward, who was sitting on my right side, frowned slightly. "Bella, where were you today?" He asked and I shook my head, I was not going to tell them about Jacob, they would absolutely freak. "C'mon Bella, we need to know." He coaxed gently.

I caved because Edward was one of my best friends and I should just tell him the truth, it wasn't right to hide it from my new family. "I was with this old family friend Jacob Black." They all shifted nervously at the name. "Why is there something wrong? We were just catching up and we agreed to meet later."

"I thought so," Carlisle said calmly. "It's the treaty."

"What treaty?" I asked and Alice shushed me lightly. I sunk into the car and looked up towards Carlisle, wondering what the heck the treaty was. He went on about something for awhile before the conversation was directed to me.

"Bella, you cannot see Jacob Black anymore." Carlisle declared firmly.

"What—" I stopped short when Edward gave me a short look. "Alright?"

"They're going to come soon," Alice sighed deeply and turned towards me. "Bella, Jacob was just using you. He's a werewolf and he was leading you on because he wanted to make sure that we had really broken the treaty."

"What's the treaty?"

"There's a treaty that was signed along time ago that agreed that the vampires and werewolves would live in peace… as long as we didn't hunt people—which we don't—and we couldn't bit anybody either. If we break the treaty, which we did, it would mean wear between the vampires and werewolves." My heart dropped to my stomach. "Jacob Black was reporting back to the other werewolves today, he knew that you had been changed. He could sense it and I'm surprised that you didn't sense the weirdness about him."

"I did," I interjected. "But I didn't know what it was."

"They're here." Alice declared, not letting me say anymore. She stood up and walked towards the door, the rest of the family following her. I dragged behind with Edward, who had wrapped an arm around me tightly and protectively. I shrank into his embrace and he kissed the top of my head reassuringly.

"I'm here; it's going to be okay. Nothing's going to happen. They're not here to fight." Edward relayed to me and I nodded timidly again, as we stood in the open doorway. The werewolves were taller then anybody else I had seen before and as I glanced among them, I realized that Jacob was among them. My eyes grazed his familiar complexion and I shook my head, I shouldn't have believed him in the first place. He was smirking at me and I buried my head in Edward's shoulder.

"You broke the treaty," the leader informed us and Carlisle nodded his head. "You bit Isabella Swan, daughter of Charlie Swan and I'm afraid to say that this is the end of the 'peaceful' treaty."

"We understand," Carlisle said solemnly.

"From this day on, we are at war." The leader said and Carlisle nodded.

I had a horrible feeling settling into my chest and I knew, this was my entire fault.

End of Chapter 4: If I Could

Authors Note: SEVEN PAGES! YAY! Sorry this is probably the worst chapter I have ever written in my life. I just didn't know how to put Jacob into this story and then I just put him in for a little while. Oh! I am sorry about not doing an Edward's interlude, I totally forgot, but I might still do it later. I'm not sure now. Okay, thank you so much for all the reviews! Here's some more foreshadowing if you would like it.

Facts:

1. Laurent is going to come back into this story and soon because the Cullen family has to decide what to do once the treaty is broken. They don't want to destroy all the werewolves, so they are probably going to go to Alaska for awhile.

2. Jacob is not a big part of the story, unless you want him to be? I'm not sure what part he would play in this story though.

3. Mike will not be making another appearance along with Lauren, Jessica, and Angela.

4. Renée and Charlie are going to come in when Bella returns to Forks.

5. Edward and Bella are not together yet, but they will be getting together very soon! Don't worry!

I guess that's it for now, I have some questions for you though, so please answer then!

Questions, questions:

1. What's the group of vampires' names in Alaska? (Erg, I kind of forget).

2. What part do you want Jacob to play in this story?

3. Edward's interlude is still an option, do you want it?

Please review!