I am soooo sorry that took so long! Usually I update once a day but life has been extremely busy the past week. Hopefully all the craziness is gone though and I shall update more frequently. (Hopefully being the key word here.) Anyways, enjoy and review!!

Bella Swan Cullen

The returning flight was uneventful. Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett occupied the passenger cabin of the jet while I sat in the co-pilot chair next to Edward. Esme, Carlisle and Tanya's family had bought tickets in Rome and flown from there on a commercial plane. I kept my eyes on Edward's beautiful features and he was constantly looking over at me with a loving gaze.

As we crossed the great expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, I let my mind wander. I was thirsty and I knew that we would have to hunt again when we reached Forks. I also knew that Edward and I would have to leave very soon. The werewolves had probably caught onto the fact that the treaty was broken by now. The other Cullens would most likely have to relocate as well. I felt horrible about putting them in such a predicament now that I thought about the consequences of my decisions. They had not breathed a word of it however and I took slight relief in that fact.

My biggest concern right now was Jacob. I had not seen him since that fateful day. The day where I'd told him that I loved him but I loved Edward more. The hurt look on his face would haunt me for the rest of my days. I didn't know if he would want to rip me to shreds when we came face to face, but I had to try. I just had to. He had been my best friend. It couldn't just all end like this.

I felt a slight squeeze of my hand and I looked over into Edward's concerned eyes. Are you alright love? You seem to be worked up over something. Especially since I can't hear anyone's thoughts right now his voice echoed through my head as a slight smile worked its way onto his face.

I ground my teeth together in slight frustration. I didn't want to worry Edward with my inner struggle, especially because that inner struggle involved Jacob. I met his piercing topaz eyes and relented. I heaved out a sigh and explained, "I am worried about who is going to be waiting for us when we return."

His face hardened slightly after my explanation and his eyes seemed distant. If that dog is there, I will break his jaw this time. I don't care what Bella says. I looked over at Edward with a shocked expression. He met my gaze with confusion and then understanding.

"I am so sorry Bella. I am not used to being on the receiving end of my ability. The thing is, I sent an invitation to Jacob for our wedding." My jaw dropped at this statement but he continued with a serious tone, "He apparently denied the invitation and I am sure that he still holds some ill thoughts towards me. I was hoping that he could get past his prejudices but apparently not. And I am not sure if he will be able to contain himself and his self-control when he sees you."

I inhaled sharply. Surely Jacob wouldn't attack us! He knew my choice and he knew what was going to happen eventually. Maybe he wouldn't even be there and we could all leave with no one the wiser. I could only hope for that. I didn't want to see Jacob's reaction. It could turn very bad if the wrong words were exchanged.

I closed my eyes and laid my head against the back of the seat. I felt Edward squeeze my hand again as he brought my fingers up to his face and lightly kissed my hand. He began to hum my lullaby and I set my mind at ease. I allowed my tense muscles to relax and I lost myself in the sound of my song.

Far too soon though, I felt the plane begin to descend. I opened my eyes as the buildings of Seattle came into view. I took a long look at the city laid out before me. It would be a long time before I saw this place again most likely.

The plane dipped lower and I saw that we were headed towards a long expanse of pavement directly ahead. I heard a voice buzz through Edward's headphones that he wore saying, "Cessna Mustang, you are cleared for landing." Edward mumbled some stuff back into the mouthpiece but it was all plane related talk and nothing of consequence.

The plane jolted a bit as the tires hit the runway. Edward put his foot on the break and we quickly decelerated to a slower speed. We approached one of the hangers and Edward brought the jet to a full stop. I heard the hatch open but my love made no effort to move. I saw my other vampire siblings casually walking across the black pavement and disappearing up the stairs that we had descended only a day or so ago.

I looked at Edward but before I could formulate my question, he answered the unspoken inquiry. "I am having Alice pull up my car. It has been a couple days since you hunted and I still do not want to take any chances with the close proximity of so many humans," he explained. Ever the considerate gentleman I thought.

I saw a flash of silver and Edward's Vanquish appeared next to the jet. I then felt myself being scooped into my loves arms and held tightly against his chest. I cut off the flow of air to my lungs and he carried me quickly out of the cabin and placed me in the passenger seat of the car as Alice stepped out of the driver's side. Edward quickly took her place and revved the engine, speeding off the tarmac at ridiculous speeds.

I allowed my breathing to resume and smiled at my true love. He gave me his crooked grin and my dormant heart seemed to melt. He would never cease to dazzle me, as oblivious as he was to his ability to do so to anyone he looked at.

The drive back to Forks was peaceful and passed by quickly. I glimpsed the yellow of Alice's Porsche in the rearview mirror once in a while, but Edward always accelerated, driving out of view of his sister. They continued this game of cat and mouse all the way through the humid Washington scenery.

Eventually we came to the Cullen driveway. Edward turned and began the winding drive up to the house. We were almost there when an awful smell assaulted my senses. I wrinkled my nose up in disgust as Edward cussed under his breath. It smelled so foul, so disgusting, like a horribly wet and dirty dog.

My eyes widened in horror as the word crossed through my mind. Oh no! I was unable to register any other thoughts in my head as we drove into the clearing in front of the house.

Sitting on the front porch of the Cullen house was a giant russet colored wolf. The beast's eyes narrowed as the car slowed to a stop. I went to open the door and Edward made no movement to stop me. He was however waiting for me when I stepped out of the car. He wrapped a protective arm around my waist and allowed me to lead the way towards the front of the house.

I sensed more eyes watching from the shadows of the trees and I knew that more werewolves were waiting for the chance to attack. I tried to ignore the added presence as I approached the wolf I used to have called my best friend.

Jacob simply glared at the two of us as we stopped about ten feet away from where he sat. I heard more cars skidding to a stop behind us and I knew that the rest of the Cullens had also arrived.

I wanted to run and throw my arms around Jake but I knew that would be a very bad idea. I just stood there with a pleading look in my eyes but Jake's eyes did not soften. He sat there with a hard edge to his posture, tense, waiting to spring.

"Jake,please change and talk to me. I am your friend! It is killing me to just see you sitting there," I begged him. He just continued to glare at me.

Then his voice rang through my head. Tell her that my friend is dead and it is all thanks to you, you bloodsucking filthy leech. The thoughts were directed at Edward but he looked as if he had not heard them.

I staggered back and hugged my arms to my chest, yelling at Jacob, "No, I am right here Jake! I am not dead!" Edward kept a protective arm around me and a low growl issued from his throat.

Jacob's head snapped around to stare directly into my eyes. How? I was talking to your bloodsucker of a boyfriend when I said those things. How can you hear me? he questioned.

"First of all, Edward is now my husband Jake." A deep growl rumbled through Jacob's entire body. I continued quickly, "And as you can see, I am no longer human. There is no hiding that fact. With my transformation, I acquired a certain skill. I am able to take the abilities of those around me and use them for myself. Like right now, I have taken Edward's mind reading capability and I can hear the thoughts of those around me."

I stopped then, waiting for some sort of reaction. There were a multitude of thoughts racing through Jacob's head, each flying by too quickly to catch what they were. He seemed to be having an internal struggle, fighting with himself whether to rip me apart or talk to me like a civilized being. I saw his body shaking and I couldn't tell what he was going to do.

Jake get out of here before you lose control. She won't fight you and I don't think you could live with yourself if you ripped her head off Sam's voice echoed through my head. I was shocked. Of all people, I was sure Sam would be the least compassionate and understanding.

I looked over and caught a glimpse of Jacob's surprised expression before the russet wolf bounded into the woods and I felt the presence of the other werewolves disappear as well.

I sagged against Edward's chest and stared blankly at the ground. Edward's voice reached my ears but my hearing did not comprehend the words he was speaking. I allowed myself to be scooped into his arms as he carried me into the house and up the stairs to his room.

Edward placed me on the bed and laid down next to me, gently stroking my hair. Bella, please snap out of it love. I'm here for you his voice sounded in my thoughts. I allowed my mind to focus and my eyes fully met his. I saw that he was extremely worried and I tried to smile, to reassure him. My mouth would not cooperate however and I began to sob tearlessly.

Edward pulled me into his embrace and clutched my tightly to his chest, humming to me. The sobs soon quieted and I focused on my breathing and the scent of his skin. He stroked my hair and I molded against his body.

I knew that was the last time that I would see Jacob Black. I pulled my head away from Edward's embrace and looked up into his eyes. "I think we need to leave. As soon as possible. I don't think that I can take another encounter like that. Who knows what Jacob will decide to do, and I don't want to risk putting any of us in danger," I said quietly.

Edward nodded with understanding and simply said, "Whatever you need love, I will do. Let's get some things together and I will go tell Carlisle and Esme. We will leave as soon as you are ready to go."

I nodded and stood up to go gather a few articles of clothing that Alice had bought me that were stashed in Edward's closet. I felt Edward leave the room for a moment, only to return very quickly. I had already thrown a couple outfits in a bag and was standing up as he entered the room. "Alright, I've told the family. They are going to pack up and follow us as quickly as possible," he explained.

We walked quickly down the stairs and out to the garage. I looked with longing at my red roadster, but I did not want to take a separate car from Edward. To my surprise, he led me over to my crimson prize and opened the passenger side door for me. I looked at him with a questionable look.

He chuckled softly and just said, "I know you have grown to appreciate your car in the short time that you have owned it, so I would not want to deprive you of it. I am going to let Jasper drive my Vanquish. Plus, your car is slightly faster than mine, though I hate to admit it." I laughed softly and he smiled at me. I knew that he was trying to distract me but I was glad for the change in topic.

He closed the door softly once I was seated and came over to sit in the driver's seat. He started the engine and then we were speeding down the driveway and onto the highway, away from my former life, away from my memories, away from Jacob Black.