I'MSORRYI'MSORRYI'MSORRY!!! It took forever, and it is really really short but my life has been rather hectic. Forgive me? The next one'll be better, I promise.

"Dad, come on. He's not like the rest of them, you know that, and-"

"Jacob, give me time. I'm trying to absorb your being… different…"

"It's called gay, dad. You can say it. It's not offensive. And I already had to go and meet his parents yesterday, so I thought we should just get it over-"

"Which one is it, then?"

"Which one is he, dad? Edward. Edward Cullen." I feel my chin stick out a little in defiance.

"He can come here, but you shouldn't expect me to be nice."

"Why not?! Dad, he makes me happy! And I love him, and there's not a whole lot you can do about that, now is there?"

Dad gives me his 'leave-me-alone-so-I-can-think' look, and wheels away. I plop down on the living room couch and grunt in exasperation. I snatch my cell from my pocket and dial Edward. He picks up halfway through the first ring. "Jacob," he says, "is everything alright?"

"Oh, it's hunky-dory, except for the fact that my dad hates you and you haven't gotten your foot in the door yet. You know, you don't have to come today."

"I want to, though. I want to show him that we're not all parasites and we are capable of loving."

I laugh a little. "Are you sure?"

"I can win him over, love. Trust me."

Love? Hmm… I can get used to that, I think, glad Edward is out of mindshot. "If you're positive. You don't want me to try and cook, do you?"

"Not at all. I'm stuffed."

"Oh, you've hunted?"

"I want your father to be completely at ease."

"Thanks, Edward. Really."

"Don't mention it."

I hang up the phone and wish I could be one with the couch. Blend in and never been seen or heard from again. I know that today is going to go pretty poorly, and I know for a fact my dad isn't gonna take to Edward like I have. I shut my eyes and wait for the hours to pass, slowly, painfully. I can see any number of things happening when Edward gets here. I can see carnage, I can see acceptance, maybe, but I can see definite coldness.

I ponder the scenario until I smell Edward coming from a couple yards away. I open the door in preparation and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. He strides nonchalantly into the doorway and pecks me on the cheek. I grin at him and he stares confidently at me. He breathes, "Your father is cursing me this very second."

I look down at him and kiss the top of his head. I think to him, in the most optimistic tone possible, Hey. Since when has a little parental drama gotten you worked up?

"Since the person I love is part of my sworn enemies' gene pool. If I mess this up-"

I'll fix it, I interrupt.

Edward smiles and takes hold of my hand. "Dad?" I call, my heart thudding nervously. Edward hears it and puts a cold, calming hand on my chest.

Dad wheels in and Edward flashes his beautiful, cordial, crooked smile. "Hello, Mr. Black. I'm sure you know me, but for the sake of formality, I'm Edward Cullen."

I don't see what Billy finds wrong with that statement, but he doesn't make a move to stick his hand out for Edward to shake. Neither does Edward to Billy. It's so intense and the air is so still that I absolutely need to say something. "Now that's over with," I say, too loudly, "How about we all clear a few things up? Dad? D'you have any questions for Edward?"

"Why Jacob? Why, of all people, my son?" Billy asks sourly. I wince at the brutality of the question.

"Because, Mr. Black, I love him, and he loves me, and that's all there is to it. I wish there were a more in-depth answer to offer, but our relationship is that simple. Now, if you don't mind, I have a question for you."

Billy nods at Edward, satisfied with his answer, and agreeing to be questioned. "Will I change your impression of my kind, if I prove a formidable boyfriend to your Jacob?"

Billy shakes his head slowly. "I don't think so, no."

"Well," Edward says, a hint of mischief in his voice, "I shall have to prove you wrong!"

A faint smile creeps onto Billy's lips, and I can tell Edward is worming his way into his heart. Hell, he does it with everyone.

---

We're holding hands on the bigger couch in my living room, with dad sitting beside us in his chair. Edward's head is on my shoulder, not really because he's tired or uncomfortable holding his head up, but because he read in my thoughts that I liked being leaned on. Billy has become pretty alright with Edward, because Edward can recite football and hockey stats. I don't really give a damn who weighs what and scored how many points, and I know Edward doesn't, either, but he wanted to get on Billy's good side, and so he did.

Speaking of sports, we're watching a football game between two college teams, and I, for one, can't focus to save my life. My mind is all over the place, and I'm sure Edward is following it more than the game. I'm thinking about what will happen once Edward leaves, and I'm thinking about him in general, and I'm wanting to be out of here and away into my room, with him.

"Jacob," Edward whispers to me, "I suggest you stop that train of thought."

"Why?" I whisper back inquisitively.

"Because," he states firmly, "I just might take you into your room and- well, you know the rest. After all, I'd like to as much as you."

"Then why don't we?"

Billy clears his throat, and our too-quiet for human ears conversation stops briefly, before Edward says, "Your father being in the house, for one. The walls being paper-thin, for another."

"We're good at being quiet. After all, what are we doing right now?"

"Jacob Black! I swear on my existence that if you do not stop thinking of that right now, because I know you're doing it just to irk me, I will simply take you, right here, right now, and I don't think your father would enjoy that very much."

The mention of that sparks an idea. "Dad," I say, "I'm a little tired of the game. Mind if Edward and I go hang out in my room?"

"Sure, sure," says dad.

I get up, not needing to tell Edward anything, because he knows. He follows me to my room, and shuts the door. I pull him by the hand to my bed, where I sit down and pull him on top of me. His hands caress my face as his lips caress mine. He puts his knee between my two legs and rests his body on top of mine. He's running a hand down my neck and belly until he gets to my jeans, which he begins to undo. I arch into his touch, hoping it'll make him go faster. Reading my mind, he smiles down at me and shakes his head. I scowl. Then, just as he's working my shirt off, Edward… vibrates?!

"That's me. Hold on." He flips his phone open once he gets it from his pocket. "What is it, Alice? This really isn't the best time, I- Alice! Alice, don't say that. It's not funny! You're not joking?! You have to be joking, because she can't have- No! I refuse to believe it. Let me talk to Carlisle!"

I look up at him with concern. What's the matter? I ask mentally.

Edward shakes his head. "Nothing, Jake. Alice is just delusional. She thought she saw Bella- Oh, Carlisle! What's all this I hear about Bella? Be the voice of reason, and tell Alice she's mad!" Edward listens for a moment, and his expression turns from hopeful to grave. "What can we do? I see. How long do we have?" The answer must have been disturbing, because Edward hangs up abruptly and hops off me, opening my window.

"Edward?" I ask worriedly. "What's the matter?"

"Bella. Bella's been changed and she's after us. I'll talk to you when I can. I love you."

And he vanishes into the night.