Chapter 13

When I arrived at Edward's house I walked up to the front door. I knew that his mother was already gone for the day so I knocked on the door. Edward must have been waiting for me because seconds after I knock he pulled open the door. I chuckled when I saw him.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

"We match." I said as I pointed at him and then at me. We were both wearing jeans and a white button up of some sort under a tan sweater. I think Alice was trying to be funny.

"So we do. Are you ready? Who is driving?" He asked me.

"You can drive since it is your truck. I'll give you direction." I said as he stepped out of the house and locked the door.

The annoying slow ride was silent except for my directions. I liked how Edward and I could have a comfortable silence. When I had Edward park at the end of the barely travelled road he looked a little excited and scared at the same time. We were under the shade of the trees so he wasn't able to see me sparkle yet.

"So do we have a long hike?" Edward asked as he opened my door for me.

"Well it might be, to me it isn't bad, I don't really know for a human." I told him honestly. I didn't want to tell him it wasn't bad and then it turn out to be.

"Oh, well, then shall we start on this journey?" He said holding out his hand to help me get out. I hesitated for a couple milliseconds before I took his hand. Once I was out I quickly dropped it and instantly felt sad at the loss of physical contact.

"We shall." I said as I led the way into the woods.

"Aren't we going to follow the trail?" He asked once we got in the woods.

"No, no trails lead to where we are going, that is why I go there." I said.

While we walked we talked about random things that we liked. I stayed far enough away so that I wouldn't touch Edward but close enough that if he tripped I could catch him, which I had to do a couple of times. When we got to my meadow Edward gasped and walked into the middle taking in the beauty of it. I had stopped just inside the tree line so I was still in the shadows.

Edward turned to say something to me and then noticed me at the edge of the meadow. "Bella what are you doing all the way over there? Why don't you come out here?" He asked me taking a couple steps towards where I was standing. I took off my sweater and was just in a sleeveless white button up. I took a step out into the sun and then walked close to Edward. I heard him take in a breath. "Bella you are so beautiful." He said in awe.

"Beautiful?" I asked and then rushed back into the shadows. I turned to face him again, he looked hurt. "This is the skin of a killer!" I exclaimed.

"You won't hurt me Bella, I know that. I trust you." He said firmly taking a step towards me.

"If I decided to there is no way you could fight me off." I said as I up routed a tree with one hand and threw it into another breaking both of them. "As if you could out run me." I said as I dashed as fast as I could to the other side of the meadow. "I am a monster Edward. We all are, even though we try to fight our nature we are. We don't kill humans, we kill animals, it is still killing innocent creatures." I said as I walked closer to him. "I have killed humans before Edward."

"I don't care Bella. I know you are good and won't kill anyone. I love you Bella." He said as he came close to me and looked like he was going to hug me. I quickly sat down. Edward followed me and then I laid down and closed my eyes. "Is that why you won't let me become a vampire?" Edward asked me.

"Yes it is. I couldn't let you becoming a monster and lose your soul. You deserve a chance at heaven." I said in a sigh. I felt Edward start to run his fingers slowly up and down my arm that was close to him. I did a slight purr that Edward wasn't able to hear. "You have no idea how good that feels." I said.

"Bella, how many times do I have to tell you that you are not a monster? No one in your family is. I don't see any reason why if you were somehow killed today you wouldn't go to heaven, you have the most beautiful soul out of everyone that I know." He said as he kept tracing designs along my arm.

"You can tell me as many times as you like but it is never going to change my point of view on it Edward. I have done so much as a vampire that if I were to die there is no denying that I deserve to go to hell. I cannot risk that for you. Can we please stop talking about this, this is a happy day I don't want either one of us to get upset."

"Alright but I will remember this topic and I will bring it up again." Edward said. He laid down next to me on his side and still continued to draw on my arm.

We laid in silence for a while, each in our own thoughts. I heard Edward's stomach growl so I opened my eyes and sat up. I was surprised to see that the sun was almost all the way set. "I sometimes forget that you need to eat, you didn't have a lunch. Come on let's get you home." I said as I stood up.

"It's going to take over an hour to get back to my truck." He said.

"No it won't. Here get on my back and I will show you how I travel." I said as I helped him stand up and then helped him on my back.

I took off once Edward had his arms and legs locked around me. Within minutes I was back at his truck and I had to pry him off of me, I sat him down on the ground, he didn't look to good. "Put your head between your legs and breath deep." I said as I kneeled down next to him. He did as I told him to and after five minutes he straightened up. "I should have told you to close your eyes, I am sorry for that. Give me your keys, I am going to drive you home, you still don't look that great." I said as I stood up.

"That's not far, you always drive, I should be allowed to drive my tuck." Edward complained.

"Edward it is like you are intoxicated right now and I am being a responsible girlfriend by not allowing you to drive in this state." I said as I pulled him up into a standing position. He wobbled a little and I kept my hand on his arm to keep him standing.

"I am not intoxicated." He argued and started for the driver's side.

"Yes you are Edward, my very presence intoxicates you. I can hear it in your heart rate and breathing." I said as I stopped him and put him in the passenger side. I pried his keys out of his hand carefully and then dashed over to the driver's side and drove him home.

"Will I see you tonight?" Edward asked when I parked his truck in the driveway.

"If that is what you wish then I will be here before you fall asleep." I told him as I got out.

"Ok, see you later than." Edward said with his smile over his shoulder to me.

When he got in the door I went into the woods so I would know when Edward went to bed. After Edward had dinner with his mom and they watched a little TV he went up to his room, grabbed his pajama bottoms and a t-shirt and went to take a shower. I went into his room and sat on his bed for when he returned. I spent the night with him, laying with him while he slept. After he woke up and went for his human moment in the bathroom he came back into the room.

"So are you going to tell your mom about me today?" I asked him as he came and sat next to me on his bed.

"I wasn't going to." He said.

"I am coming to get you right after lunch time, your mom will still be here and she is going to question you." I told him.

"Well then I guess I am going to have to. Should I tell her that you are a friend or my girlfriend?" He asked me.

"Well you told your friends at school we are dating and with how small this town is and how big of gossip my family is she is going to find out sooner or later and it would probably be better coming from you." I said stating the logical option.

"So I am going to introduce you to her when you come for me." Edward stated.

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea to me." I said with a smile. I was so happy that he was finally telling his mom about me. It gave me a real reason to not harm him or keep him solely for myself, but it also made it feel more human, like I was having a completely human relationship. "Alright, then I will see you later." I said as I got up. I bent down and kissed him, I broke away before Edward was able to get his hands in my hair.

"Do you have to go?" Edward asked me after he was able to breathe correctly.

"I don't think that your mother would be too thrilled to see me in your room." I said with a smile.

"I wish you could just stay, I don't feel like myself when you are gone." He said looking sad.

"Trust me I wish the same thing. You have no idea how I feel when I am not around you. I feel empty." I told him. "I'll be here at one." I said as I walked to the window.

Edward came and watched me step out of the window. "You are so graceful." Edward said in awe.

"Your mother is waking up, go get ready for the day and I will see you later." I said. Edward didn't say a word, he nodded and disappeared into his room closing the window.

I ran home and was surprised that the house was empty. I went up to my room and found a note taped to my door from Alice. 'We are all out hunting to be ready for Edward today. I suggest you do the same, your eyes are getting rather dark, I don't know how you can handle being around him at your thirst level. There is an outfit on your bed for when you are done hunting. I am so excited. See you later, Alice.' I had to chuckle at Alice's note.

I ran out of the house and threw the note in the garbage on my way out. I hunted close to the house so that I would be ready in time to pick up Edward. When I was done I showered and got dressed in my outfit. I had half an hour until I told Edward that I would pick him up so I went downstairs and helped Esme do some final straightening. Everyone was around doing their own things while waiting for Edward to arrive. Most of my family was excited to be meeting him, Rosalie was not thrilled at all about his coming to the house but I didn't care, and Jasper was mostly just nervous about having Edward so close that his bloodlust might overpower him.

"I was surprised when Alice told us that you would be bringing Edward here today." Esme said as she walked up next to me.

"I decided since I finally gave into the fact that I do love him and we are public about it at school that I would introduce him to the family. Anyhow I knew how you and Carlisle want to meet the person that has changed my life and Alice is dying to be able to talk to him. I know Emmett is looking forward to being able to talk with him and he is hoping I change Edward so he can have a new playmate." I told her.

"I am so happy that we are getting to meet him, I am so happy that he has changed you for the better. You actually smile and laugh with feeling now." She said with a brilliant smile.

"I know you are Esme. I am so happy that I found him finally." I said with a sigh. "I will be back with him in a little bit." I gave her a quick hug and then dashed out to the Volvo.

I drove to Edward's and got there two minutes early. I parked in front along the road and slowly walked up to the door. Once it was one o'clock I knocked on the door. I heard Edward rush to the door and when he opened it I smiled and said, "Hello."

"Hey, why don't you come in." He said as he moved out of my way.

Once I was in the door Edward shut it and then grabbed my hand and led me into the kitchen where his mother was washing dishes. I had my hands in front of the heaters full blast so that they were closer to human temperature so I was ready for the hand shake.

"Mom, I would like you to meet my girlfriend Bella Swan." Edward said as we got close to her.

She dried off her hands and then turned to us. She had the same color eyes and hair as Edward, she was a little taller than me but still shorter than Edward. "It is so nice to meet you Bella. You are related to the Cullens right?" She asked me as we shook hands.

"Yes, Dr. Cullen is my brother-in-law. Esme, his wife is my older sister. Since my parents are always travelling with their jobs Esme and Carlisle offered that I could live with them." I said sticking to the story.

"Well that was very nice of them to let you move in with them considering all the other teenagers they have taken in." She said with a little nod as she leaned against the counter.

"Yes well I consider the other teenagers my siblings. We are one big happy family. Carlisle and Esme are great parents, sometimes I forget that they are my sister and brother-in-law." I said with a chuckle. Edward was just watching with a smile, I think he was happy that we seemed to get along so well.

"Well that is good to hear. I have yet to hear a complaint about anyone in your family." She said with a smile. According to her thoughts she really liked me.

"Bella, don't you think we ought to be going so I can meet Esme and Carlisle on time." Edward said.

"Don't forget your manners Edward. It is Dr. and Mrs. Cullen." Mrs. Mason warned him.

"Yes ma'am." Edward said as he bowed his head slightly.

"Well Mrs. Mason it was lovely to meet you but Edward is right that we should get going." I said with a wide smile, I heard her heart rate speed up so I quickly changed my smile so my teeth didn't show anymore.

"Please call me Elizabeth, even Liz is good. Mrs. Mason makes me feel so old." She said with a chuckle.

"I will keep that in mind. Have a nice day, I will have him back before dinner." I said as Edward grabbed my hand again.

"Ok, enjoy your day kids." She said as we walked out of the kitchen.

"Well that went better than I thought it would." Edward said once we were outside his house.

"You were really worried about your mother meeting me weren't you?" I asked him with a slight chuckle.

"Yes I was, it's not every day that my mom meets my vampire girlfriend." He whispered in my ear as he opened my door for me.

"Yes well it isn't every day that my family meets my human boyfriend." I said before he shut my door.

Edward ran around my car and then I took off for my house.

"Are you nervous about today?" I asked him.

"Yes but not for the reason that you would like me to be, I am only nervous that they won't like me, I mean more than some of them already do." He said

"Edward, you worry me sometimes with how this whole vampire thing doesn't affect you. Every other human may want to ask us out but they shy away from us and if they actually do work up the nerve to ask us they are scared of us. There is a part of them that knows that we are dangerous and should be avoided. You on the other hand have no problem with me." I said looking at him.

"Maybe that is because I love you so much." Edward said looking totally serious.

"I don't think you can understand just how much I both love hearing that and dread that at the same time." I said in a sigh.

"Why is that Bella?" He asked looking slightly hurt, it made me regret saying what I had just said.

"I didn't mean to hurt or upset you Edward. I love you with all my heart Edward. I just want you to live a normal, human life and me being in your life and actually having this relationship with you is ruining that chance more and more." I said as I turned onto our driveway. "Let's stop this unpleasant conversation and focus on the present situation."

"Yeah that sounds like a good idea to me." Edward said.

I parked in front of the house and Edward and I got out at the same time, I dashed over to be at his side before he shut his door. We walked up the steps in silence and when I opened the door and we walked in. Edward was looking all around in awe.

"Is it not what you were expecting?" I asked as I took off my jacket and then took his from him and put them on the coat rack.

"No dungeons or moats?" He asked with a smile.

"No dungeons or moats. There are no coffins either." I said with a laugh.

I led him into the living room where Carlisle and Esme were standing waiting for us. "Edward these are my mother and father for all intents and purposes or well sister and brother-in-law for the whole act, Carlisle and Esme. This is Edward." I said motioning between them.

"It is so wonderful to meet you Edward." Carlisle said stepping closer and shaking his hand.

"It is great meeting you too Dr. Cullen." Edward said.

"Please call me Carlisle." Carlisle said as he stepped back next to Esme who was beaming.

"Oh Edward it is so wonderful to meet the boy who changed Bella finally." Esme said as she moved at a quick human pace and pulled Edward into a hug.

"It is nice to meet you too Esme." Edward said as he hugged Esme back tentatively.

Rosalie came down the stairs with Emmett following her. "I thought I smelt the human." She said in disgust.

"Rosalie, manners, he is our guest." Esme scolded.

"Well you already know who Emmett and Rosalie are." I said.

"It is nice getting to actually meet you." Edward said.

"I am so excited that I actually get to talk to you now!" Emmett exclaimed as he rushed and mock tackled him.

"Emmett he is human which means very breakable." I warned him.

"Sorry, I forgot." Emmett pouted.

"Let's just keep pretending that this isn't a big risk for everybody in our family." Rosalie huffed out.

"Rose, come on." Emmett said.

"No, he should know. If this were to end badly we are all responsible and are at risk of getting killed." She said looking at Edward and I pointedly.

"End badly? Oh, you mean if I were to become the meal." Edward said.

"Yeah well since you two have gone public and all." Emmett said with a chuckle.

"Enough of this talk." Carlisle warned.

"I will not allow anything to happen to the family Rosalie and you know that I am capable of that so you can stop." I said to her, then I turned to Edward and said, "Just ignore Rosalie, I always do when she gets like this." Rosalie huffed and walked out the back door with Emmett on her tail after he waved to Edward.

"Is that your Grand Piano?" Edward asked Esme once he noticed it sitting in the room that was raised up a step.

"That is Bella's though she doesn't play it, Rosalie does occasionally but not often. Do you play?" Esme asked Edward.

"Yeah I do a little bit, not as much since I found out about Bella." He said with a blush.

"Will you play a little for us?" Esme asked looking excited.

"Sure." Edward said going over to the piano and sitting on the bench. He towed me along to sit next to him.

He played a song that Esme seemed to love and after he finished that and she clapped he started playing the song that I heard him writing the one night that didn't sound finished. Though when he played it now it had the perfect ending and I felt the tears I could no longer shed.

"I have never heard those songs before who composed them?" Esme asked as Edward stood.

"I did, the first one I wrote for my mom. That last one I started writing after I met Bella, for her." He said with another blush.

"They were lovely, the second one sounded like a lullaby." Esme said.

"I call it Bella's Lullaby but I guess she doesn't need a lullaby to fall asleep since she doesn't sleep." Edward said with a shrug.

"Thank you so much Edward. I love it, don't change it." I said.

"You are fantastic son, you could have a bright future with that." Carlisle said.

"Thank you all. Really, you are all too kind to me." He said looking down and blushing again.

Just then Alice and Jasper came in through the kitchen and Alice bounded right up to Edward pulling him into a hug. "It is so nice to finally speak to you, we are going to be great friends. Ooo, you do smell good." She released him and went and stood next to Jasper.

"Uh, thanks Alice." Edward said.

Jasper was standing, looking at Edward trying to smile. "You'll have to excuse Jasper he is the newest to our lifestyle." Carlisle said.

"It is nice to meet you." Jasper said after swallowing his mouthful of venom.

"Don't worry, you won't hurt him." Alice said looking up to Jasper.

"It is nice to meet you too." Edward said with a smile to everyone.

"So would you like a tour of the house?" I asked Edward as I turned to face him.

"I would love that." Edward said.

We both nodded to my family before we walked up the stairs and then I heard Esme and Alice squeal. "He is so handsome." Esme said.

"I know, he'll be even better after his change." Alice said.

I heard the others go off to do their own things. Esme walked up to Carlisle. "He has brought her back to life." Esme said.

"It has been too long." Carlisle agreed and then I stopped listening because they were getting ready for some couple time.

"Are these all graduation caps?" Edward asked as we passed the frame of every cap we had earned.

"Um, yeah, we move around and collect a lot, it is sort of an inside joke." I said with a chuckle.

We continued on. I showed him where everyone's room was without going in. I showed him everything, my room was last. My room was on the side of the house with the glass wall and Edward looked on in shock.

"No bed." Was the first thing he said.

"Nope, remember I don't sleep."

"But there are other uses for the bed." He countered.

"That is true but I don't have those needs either." I said.

"So you like to read a lot." Edward said changing the subject.

"Yes I do. It is what I do to pass the time." I said.

"Are these journals?" He asked as he sat down on my couch and I sat next to him.

"Yes they are." I said.

"Why do you keep them?"

"Because even though I can remember everything perfectly, I like writing it down, it is a habit from my human life." I answered honestly.

"Do you remember your human life?"

"Not a lot of it. Our human memories are clouded and after awhile we can't remember them unless we cling to them and constantly look at them that they get stuck in our minds. Alice though has no memory of her human life at all." I said. "The most powerful memory we all have is of our change."

"What is it like going through the change?"

"You burn from the inside out for three days and it gets worse right before your heart stops. It is something I wouldn't wish on anyone." I said as I looked away.

"Some might think it was worth it as long as they got an eternity with the one that they love." Edward said making me look at him.

"Edward if I have any say at all you will not become what I am, why don't you understand that?" I asked him.

"Bella I don't understand why you are so adamant about me staying human. I love you, you love me, you already are so protective of me and I feel very protective of you even though I can't do anything for you. I feel like I would die without you. I just want to spend forever with you." He said.

I pushed him down and it wound up moving my couch a bit. When I was able to pull myself away I said, "I do love you so much Edward that I would die if I had to in order to keep you alive. I will be with you until you die if you wish and then I will follow shortly after you somehow." I said.

"Bella, you cannot get yourself killed. You are too good of a person to leave this world." Edward exclaimed as he stood.

Just then Alice and Jasper came in my room without knocking. "It sounded like you were having Edward for lunch so we came to see if you would share." Alice said.

"Sorry to disappoint you Alice." I said looking to her and away from Edward.

"Actually I wanted to let you know that it's time for you to take Edward home. His mom is starting dinner now so if you leave know you will have him home with five minutes to spare." Alice said.

"Thank you Alice." I said as I started to get up.

Edward said goodbye to everyone but Rosalie and Emmett since they weren't in the house. Esme and Alice hugged him, Carlisle shook his hand, and Jasper gave him a nod from ten feet away which Edward understood why and I was thankful for. I drove him home and once he was in the house I rushed home.