Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any characters involved. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Surprise, surprise! Here's chapter 4! It sucks because I had to get sick and miss like three practices in order for this to get done. Trust me, this is no fun and I was PISSED I had to miss practice. :( Coach had to send me home last night and I had a high temp and blah, I still feel like crap. But I'm hoping I'll be there tomorrow morning! :)

Anyway, enjoy! And review!

Chapter 4

Generation

Edward tossed our bags into the trunk of his Volvo and slid into the driver's seat. We hurriedly pulled out of the driveway of the hotel, anxious to get home.

The last four days had been relaxing and quiet with only a few updates from Alice. Other than that, Edward's family was gracious enough to leave us be. We had gone out on a couple of dates like to the movies or a couple of art galleries that were available at night. He discussed the possibilities of college degrees I could go after while I dreamt of travelling. Obviously our plans were different, but we had forever.

It was around eleven in the morning and I was thankful that there was a slight overcast. We wordlessly weaved through traffic, beginning our journey home.

My fingers twitched nervously as I thought about what my parents would be doing right now. They'd probably be getting dressed in black clothes and sad expressions. The police cruiser would be taking them to the church I grew up going to. We had stopped going sometime when I turned ten and my mother's career of photography really took off, leaving my father to worship at the lake while he fished and me at Jacob's while we ran around bare footed.

Edward intertwined his fingers with mine - a gentle way to make me stop twitching. I smiled at him appreciatively.

The drive was over soon enough and we pulled up to a house with a lonely Alice. She danced up to me and gave me a hug as soon as I stepped out of the vehicle.

"I'm so happy you both are home," she chirped. "I was bored out of my mind and I thought I would go more insane than I already am."

"Don't see how that's possible," Edward teased and ruffled her perky spikes. She made a face and ducked her head with a little huff.

We walked into the house as a group with Alice hanging on to my arm. She made Edward carry the bags in.

"So," Alice sighed as Edward took the suitcases upstairs, "what is this that I'm seeing about a white gown?"

I tensed and glanced away. From upstairs I heard a growl.

She giggled. "It's true?"

"No," I snapped, "not officially. I haven't even said yes."

"In fact," Edward added as he flew down the stairs, "she's been rejecting me this whole time."

Alice bobbed her tiny head. "Yes well, seeing as I only see the future when someone makes the final decision…"

"It's not final," I defended. "I'm still trying to get used to this whole newborn thing…and Edward still has to train me with my shield. A wedding would just overwhelm me completely."

"So we'll wait," the love of my life said.

"I haven't even agreed to it yet! So what in the hell are we going to be waiting for?" I asked, annoyed. I threw my hands up and looked at them expectantly.

They shared a quick look before Alice smirked and shrugged before she scampered off upstairs. I glared after her and then switched back to Edward. He smiled and sauntered up to me.

"Calm down," he chortled. "Alice is a little monster…a very persistent one at that…"

"Obviously," I fumed. "Why are you so set on this marriage thing?"

His eyes widened. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Edward," I reasoned, "just because I changed in your presence doesn't mean you're responsible for me."

He rolled his eyes. "Oh please, Bella. Let's not start in this again. You know I would love you even if you were still human. You are my life now, simple as that. If you had died by Victoria's hand..." He paused as if he were debating on telling me something. "I don't know what I would've done. Why can't you understand that?"

I stalked pass him and to the wall of glass that peered out into the backyard. He came and stood next to me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, "it's just sometimes I doubt myself and everything else…"

"It's okay. You're still adjusting; your emotions and everything else will be out of whack for a bit."

I rested my head against the glass. "I'm never going to be the same Bella."

"That's not true," he corrected. "I give it a few more days and you'll be okay. You -" He stopped and then looked out the window. I followed his gaze, not seeing anything.

"Edward?"

He turned back to me, his eyes now dark. "Jacob would like a word with you."

My spirit leaped as I watched for his shadow outside. I looked at Edward for permission, to see if he approved and was comfortable, and with pursed lips he nodded. I kissed him gratefully and dashed outside, following the awful wet dog smell. I stopped when I heard rustling in a bush. Soon, Jake walked out beaming as he situated his shorts. He strode to me and lifted me up in one of his big bear hugs.

"Bella!" he greeted.

His mood made me freeze. When he set me down, I looked at him skeptically. "What is your problem?"

"Nothing," he sighed, "just that the sun is brighter, the grass is greener and…and…I've never felt so great."

I laughed uneasily. "Uh, mind sharing what happened?"

His eyes were wide. "No, no, no, no! I'm saving the best for last."

"Then why are you here?"

"Well, I went to your funeral. I left though…it was too disgusting to be around. The pack can smell it's not you or that little vampire. It's too human."

I looked away, embarrassed.

"Charlie and Renee are torn up, Bells," he said, his mood dying down.

"I know what I did was inhuman and awful," I said quietly, "but there was no other way."

"Why didn't you just stay with them?" He watched my expression carefully.

I growled in frustration. "Because, Jake, I couldn't stand to be around them with my thirst. I wouldn't be able to explain my never changing experience and my lack of appetite. They would've sent me to the hospital, did tests to see if I was anorexic!" I paused, calming down. "If Victoria hadn't already been torn to shreds by Alice and Rose, I would be the one going after her right now. She had no right to do this to me. I didn't get a fucking chance!"

He stared at me with doe eyes. Slowly he reached out and rubbed my arm. "Bella, I…"

"You what, Jake? You want to make this all go away? Newsflash, I'm frozen like this for the rest of eternity. I'm not going to get to graduate, or go to college, or make a family…" I slowed my breathing down. "If it wasn't for Edward, I would ask you right now to kill me. But I know I can't live without him and it's the same situation for him. He was my missing piece…"

He dropped his arm and looked away.

"Jake," I begged, "can we please just get off of this topic. I hate talking about it. I always end up flipping out and overreacting…" I looked at him pleadingly and switched the conversation. "How's your dad?"

"Billy's fine," he spoke as he leaned against a tree, folding his arms in front of his chest.

I smiled. "Embry and Quil?"

Jake rolled his eyes. "Those two are the same old guys they were before the shifting, just much stronger now…and a lot taller."

I laughed, reminiscing the witnessed fights between the two. They were like brothers in so many ways and no matter who gave the bloody nose, they always stayed best friends. "How about the Clearwaters?"

His face dropped slightly. "They're doing fine. Harry has been complaining about chest pains and Sue's been pestering him to eat greens like always."

"Has Seth…?"

Jake shook his head. "Sam said I can't say a lot to you guys. Even though you're our allies, we still have our rules to keep to."

"So I take it Seth's one of you?"

He grimaced and looked away. I took his silence as a yes.

"You know," he finally said, "if things had been different, I bet we would've been together. You could've had everything you want and need, with Charlie happy and proud."

I glanced back at the house, imagining Edward watching me. "But I ended meeting the one thing I couldn't live without…"

He cracked a smile. "Funny how it turned out…I, uh, met someone too…"

"Really?" I grinned at him, overjoyed he was going on with his life. "What she like? Is she pretty? Where'd you meet her at?"

He looked far into the distance, dreaming. "She's perfect. And she's around my age. She's absolutely gorgeous…"

"Aw, Jake," I sighed wistfully, "that's great. I think you've been bitten by the love bug."

His cheeks got a little red as he avoided eye contact. "Well, not exactly…"

"Then what is it?"

"Um, well…er, imprinting."

I raised my eyebrows. "Werewolf thing?"

He smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, basically…"

"What is that?"

"It's when a werewolf finds their mate." He blushed again at the term. "Not that way…but a lifelong partner. He becomes their protector and friend or brother or whatever the imprint wants him to be. It's like finding your other half, and doing everything in your power to make her happy." He was lost in his own thoughts, it was obvious.

The way he described it almost reminded me of Edward and I. I nodded in understanding. "Well I'm happy for you. When do I get to meet her?"

"I was wondering if I could bring her by later tonight?" He smiled hopefully. "She was at the funeral…and she's gonna sneak out around eleven."

"Yeah, of course Jake," I beamed. "I'd love to meet this special girl."

"Thanks," he sighed, "she's gonna be a little surprised so just take it easy on her."

"Oh yeah, I know."

He gave me a quick hug before disappearing into the trees and shifting. I could hear his paws hit the earth for about a mile. I turned and headed back to where Edward was waiting inside the house. He had a quizzical look.

"What's the matter?" I mumbled, instantly starting to worry.

He shook his head. "Nothing…I was just listening into Jacob's thoughts…he's rather in love."

I smiled. "I know. Isn't it great?"

He hesitantly agreed. "His feelings are almost as strong as mine for you."

"He's bringing her by later…what should we do to pass the time?"

Edward thought it over. "Have I told you about my human life?"

"No."

He pulled me over to the couch. I snuggled into him and linked my fingers with his.

"I was born on June 20, 1901 as Edward Anthony Masen. I was named after my father and my mother was Elizabeth. We were quite happy until the Spanish influenza hit in 1918, I was only seventeen. It claimed the life of both of my parents, almost taking me as well. But just before my mother passed away, she begged Carlisle, who was our doctor at the time, to save me. She somehow knew that Carlisle had the power to do it." He paused, editing things out. "About ten years after that, I went on a rebellion: killing the not so innocent. I went away from Carlisle and Esme for a few years before I realized I couldn't escape the debt of so much human life taken away, no matter how justified. They welcomed me home with open arms, no matter how much I didn't deserve it."

"Esme and Carlisle love you very much," I whispered.

He agreed. "Yes…they truly did accept me as if I were their own. I couldn't ask to be part of a better family. I'm very lucky."

"So are they."

Just then Carlisle and the rest of the gang walked in. They all had tired eyes as they shuffled into the living with their black attire. Jasper seemed worn out completely.

"That was miserable," Rose muttered as she plopped down.

Alice came bounding down the stairs and right into Jasper's arms. They silently looked at each other, saying everything they needed to with just their eyes. Feeling as if I were intruding, I glanced away.

"I hate funerals," Emmett groaned, taking his spot next to Rosalie. "They're so depressing."

I grimaced as I remembered Jasper's power to be able to feel everyone's emotions. It must have been awful to sit through the service, feeling everyone's sadness.

I took a peek at the clock and frowned when I saw that it was only five. I still had six hours before I could meet Jacob's imprint. I got up and strolled around, thinking of something to do.

"Carlisle," I finally spoke up, "could I possibly read some of your books?"

"Of course, Bella," he approved. We quickly made our way up to his office and stood in front of the wall of shelves, overflowing with books.

"What would you like to read?" he asked, skimming through titles.

I considered my options. "I would love to learn Italian."

He nodded and picked a thick book off the shelf, handing it to me. "Everything you need to know is in there."

"Thank you," I said, running my hand over the aged cover. "May I read in here?"

"Yes, you're more than welcome to." He left the room, closing the door behind him.

I sat down in one of the leather chairs sitting out and opened the cover. And with that, I began to read the old book for six hours, trying to pass the time away.

I looked up at the clock for the last time, grateful that it was getting close to eleven. I had made it more than a third of the book, almost three-quarters, surprised at how fast my reading pace was and yet, everything was getting tattooed onto my brain. I grinned, proud at myself.

Edward walked in and looked at the title. "Aw, I read that one when I had just turned too. It comes in handy."

"I hope so. It's easier than I thought."

"Everything becomes enhanced once you've changed. You can remember almost anything except most of your human life. Well, you can remember bits, but there won't be a lot."

I glanced away, hurt by this new information.

"Jacob is waiting outside," he finally said. "The girl's with him…she seems…familiar."

I brightened at this news and hopped up. "Will you come with me?"

"If that's what you wish," he replied.

We made our way downstairs and outside. With no need of flashlights, we were soon enough standing in front of Jacob who had his arms wrapped around someone.

"It's just so sad," a voice sobbed. "I mean, I just walk into their lives just as they lose the one important thing to them."

Next to me Edward froze and I paused too once I recognized the voice.

Jacob heard us behind me and turned around. He smiled and held up a finger. I quickly understood once he brushed away her tears and tightened her jacket around her. He pulled away, leaving a giant arm around her petite waist.

Then it hit me…I realized why she had looked so familiar when I first saw her only a few days ago. The copper hair, the high cheek bones and the perfect lips. It all made sense as I took one more glance at Edward.

"Bella, Edward," Jake said grandly, "this is Vanessa Masen."